"I do promise," said Phil, solemnly, "that if you are taken from your boy I will care for him to the best of my ability, and be to him a brother and—"
"That's enough, lad. Now hand him to me, for I canna see him. His name is Nelson McLeod."
This last came in so faint a whisper that Phil barely caught the words; but as he lifted the little one to the bed the woman seemed to gain new strength, for she flung her arms about the child, strained him to her breast, and kissed him.
Then the wasted arms unclosed. She fell back, a smile glorified her face, and the great brown eyes opened for one parting look at her boy. In another moment, with a sigh of content, she fell into the sleep that knows no waking; and Phil, recalling the long-ago story of the missionary, knew that the sorrows of Ellen McLeod were ended.
[to be continued.]
A MINIATURE RAILROAD SYSTEM.
CHICAGO, AND THE SKEW BRIDGE.