Page:From the West to the West.djvu/127

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Cos I just am. I dreamed I went to heaven. It was a tight house, too, like Oregon, or Texas."

"You mustn't think you 're going to die, Bobbie." " There isn't any surely death," said the child. "It is just going to heaven."

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XVI JEAN'S VISIT BEYOND THE VEIL

TO the surprise of her sorrowing loved ones, Mrs. Ranger rallied before sundown, after a stupor of several hours, her eyes bright and her faculties wonderfully clear.

"It seems hard to leave you alone in this wilderness, John," she said in a low whisper, while feebly clasping her husband's hand.

The sun's expiring rays fell upon the open tent, illuminating her angelic face, settling like an aureole upon her bright brown hair, and causing her eyes to glow like stars. " I 'm not afraid of death, dear. I am not even afraid to leave you alone with the children in the wilderness, for I know you'll do your duty. But I am sorry to leave all the burden for you to carry alone. There is One who heareth even the young ravens when they cry. Trust in Him, dearest. He doeth all things well."

"How can I give you up? "cried the distracted husband, stroking her pale cheeks and forehead tenderly.

"You won't be giving me up, John. God will let me come to you sometimes to bless and comfort you. I know He will; for He is good, and His mercy endureth forever. I couldn't leave you to go far away if I tried, dear, and I'll never try. Do try to be a Christian, John."

"I Ve always been a Christian, according to my lights, my darling; and God Himself can't keep me away from