When we emerged from the water we found the banks of the lake almost deserted, every one having gone, at the call of the bell, to the happy duties of the hour. Groups of children still played around in joyous freedom. Some climbed the trees that overhung the water, with the agility of squirrels, and dropped with happy shouts of laughter into the lake, floating around upon its surface like immense and beautiful water-lilies or lotus flowers. "No fear of harm or danger; no dread of ill, or anxiety lest a mishap occur; security, security and joy and peace! This is indeed the blessed life," I said, as we stood watching the sports of the happy children. "I often think how we were taught to believe that heaven was where we would wear crowns of gold and stand with harps always in our hands! Our crowns of gold are the halos His blessed presence casts about us; and we do not need harps to accentuate our songs of praise. We do see the crowns, and we do hear the angelic harps, when and as God wills it, but our best worship is to do his blessed will," said Mae as we turned to go. "You are wise in the lore of heaven, my child," I answered; "how happy I am to learn from one so dear! Tell me all about your life here." So as we walked she told me the history of her years in heaven her duties, her joys, her friends, her home--with all the old-time freedom. I found her home was distant from our own--far beyond the spires of the great city across the lake--but she added: "What is distance in heaven? We come and go at will. We feel no fatigue, no haste, experience no delays; it is blessed, blessed!" Not far from our home we saw a group of children playing upon the grass, and in their midst was a beautiful great dog, over which they were rolling and tumbling with the greatest freedom. As we approached he broke away from them and came bounding to meet us, and crouched and fawned at my very feet with every gesture of glad welcome. "Do you not know him, auntie?" Mae asked brightly. "It is dear old Sport!" I cried, stooping and placing my arms about his neck, and resting my head on his silken hair. "Dear old fellow! How happy I am to have you here!" He responded to my caresses with every expression of delight, and Mae laughed aloud at our mutual joy. "I have often wondered if I should not some day find him here. He surely deserves a happy life for his faithfulness and devotion in the other life. His intelligence and his fidelity were far above those of many human beings whom we count immortal." ====================================================================== [Illustration: "Hark! 'tis the voice of angels] "Hark! 'tis the voice of angels Born in a song to me, Over the fields of glory, Over the jasper sea!"] ====================================================================== "Did he not sacrifice his life for little Will?"