published by
WOOD-ALLEN PUBLISHING CO.
Ann Arbor, Mich.

COPYRIGHTED BY
MARY WOOD-ALLEN, M. D.
1895.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
Prelude[iii]
Almost a Man[5]
A Gateway and a Gift[22]
The White Cross[40]

PRELUDE.

Two lads had crossed the sunny meadow-land of childhood and stood by the gate, at the entrance to the rougher paths of youth leading up to the grander heights of maturity. They glanced backward, but not with regret, for their eyes shone with eagerness to climb the upward way. As they waited, an angel came bearing a gift for each, which he gave them, saying: “I have brought you a wondrous gift, not for yourselves but for others. Listen.”