Daybreak | Page 8

other cloak would make quite a nice soft cushion? Do reach it
over," and in one moment more poor Kate, who, truth to say, was
getting very weary with her journey, found something that she could
lean her tired back against with comfort.
Violet went back to her seat, and for some little time sat still, with a
book in her hand but her eyes kept wandering off to the two poor girls
in the farther corner. After old Nanny had fallen asleep, Violet at length
came and sat next the girls.
"Do you mind my asking,--are you sisters?" she asked, in her soft
voice.
"No, Miss," said Kate. "It pleased God to take my little sister. And this
is a little girl He sent me instead, when my heart was pretty nigh
broken."
"You've had great trouble," said Violet.
"It's not so long ago that I was near drowning myself," said Kate.
A look of great compassion came into Violet's face as these words were
said. She only answered quietly: "Shall I tell you a true story? A lady
one evening who was walking over a bridge in London, saw a poor
man leaning over a parapet, and he had such a sad look in his face that
she felt sure he meant to drown himself. She didn't like to speak to him;
but, as she passed by, she said these words out loud, 'There is a river,
the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.' And long after
they met, and he recognised her and said, 'You saved my life,' and told
her that that night he had had the fullest intention of drowning himself.
I think her words had made him suddenly remember another city
besides London, and another river besides the dark, gloomy Thames
rolling away beneath his feet."
She waited a moment to see if Kate had taken in the little story, and
what effect it was having upon her. Kate's head was bent down, and she
had fast hold of little Frances' hand.

"Like enough the city and the river made him think of Christ," she said.
"I couldn't drown myself now, Miss,--not if it was ever so,--for His
sake I couldn't. And if I had to be miserable all the rest of my life, it
seems to me it would be worth while to have lived to have known the
love of Christ even for five minutes."
"And it isn't only for five minutes," said Violet, in a low voice, her eyes
glowing, "but for ever and for ever. This is only the beginning."
They were silent for some moments, and then Violet's gentle questions
called out much of the history of Kate's sad life. They were learning
from each other, those two girls. Kate learned what sympathy may do,
and a deep desire to minister to others sprang up within her. Violet
learned how dull and sad and surrounded with dangers the lives of
many girls in our great cities are, and the knowledge gave rise to new
prayers and plans and work in her future life.
A cathedral town came in sight. Violet, starting up, woke old Nanny,
and then began quickly putting together books and cloaks. Only a few
minutes more, and she was standing with outstretched hand at the door
of the railway carriage.
"Good-bye, good-bye," she said. "Do write and tell me how you and
little Frances like the sea-side. I hope it will do you good," and she was
gone. Kate and Frances watched with eager eyes till the tall graceful
figure of the girl and the bent figure of the old woman were lost to sight
in the crowded station.
"Do you think we shall ever see her again?" said little Frances.
"Perhaps," said Kate, "we shall have to wait till we reach the Golden
City."
CHAPTER V.
BY THE SEA.
Two little girls were lying out, in two long chairs, by the sea-shore. The

younger one was knitting, and, as she knitted, talking and laughing, and
often looking up to rest her eyes lovingly on the sea. Her lap was
covered with shells and sea-weed, brought to her by some pale-faced
fellow-patients who were wandering about the shore.
Mother Agnes had sent both Kate and Frances to a Convalescent Home
by the sea, and their delight over this their first sea-side visit was untold.
From early morning, when they woke to find themselves in a pink
room, in beds with white dimity curtains printed with pink rose-buds,
and the smell of the sea coming in at the open window, till the last light
had faded away in the long summer evenings, their days were one
continued dream of delight.
Kate's face was growing sunburnt and warm in colouring. Her eyes had
a soft, surprised look