There was a touch of pride in her voice as she asked the question. The pride arose from the conviction that the man she loved really needed her help, and from the knowledge that she could make some little sacrifice for him. "He is very, very ill, I think," whispered Minnie. "We will make him well between us, Minnie," said Susan. Al! the fears by which she was assailed but a few minutes since were gone. Joshua was glad to see that, at all events. Minnie took Susan's hand gratefully, and kissed it. "She has been so good to us, Joshua," she said. Susan's eyes kindled, and she directed to Joshua a look which said, "Have I not done right in coming to live here? See how useful I can be, and how happy I am!" "I shall tell them at home where you live, Susey," said Joshua. "Very well. Give my love to Dan." Joshua nodded, and bent over Basil Kindred. The action disturbed the sleeping man. He seized Joshua's wrist in his burning hand, and said, in a trembling voice, "She died in my arms, and the earth was her bed. The stars were ashamed to look upon her. Well they might be! Well they might be!" "He is speaking of his wife," said Susan softly to Joshua. "He loved her very dearly, and would have died for her. When she died, his heart almost broke." Sympathy and devotion made her voice like sweet music. Joshua looked at her with a feeling of wonder, and was amazed at the change that had come over her. An hour ago, she was crouching in drivelling terror, overpowered by absurd fancies; now she moved about cheerfully, strong in her purpose of love. But he had never in all his life seen her as he saw her now. He bade her good-by, and she wished him Godspeed, and kissed him. Minnie accompanied him to the door. "Good-by, dear little Minnie," he said. "Good-by," she said, with tears in her voice. "You forgive me, don t you, for what I said this afternoon?" "Yes, my dear." "Ah! I like to hear you speak like that; it sounds sweet and good. Say, 'I forgive you, little Minnie.'" "But I haven't any thing to forgive, now I come to think of it." "Yes, you have. You say that out of your good nature. You mustn't go away and leave me to think that you are angry with me." "I am not angry with you, Minnie. After all, what you did, you did through love, and there could not be much wrong in it." The brightest of bright expressions stole into her face, and she clasped her hands with joy. "Say that again, Joshua, word for word, as you said it just now." "What you did, you did through love," repeated Joshua to please her, "and there could not be much wrong in it." "O Joshua!" she cried, pressing her hands to her face, "you have made me almost quite happy. I have heard father say the same thing, but in different words. Now I shall follow you to sea. Yes, I shall, with this," holding up her shell. "To-morrow night, and every night that you are at sea, I shall listen to my shell and think of you." "Stupid little Minnie," he said affectionately.