Gratia's Trials — page 121: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~~-=— 112 GRATIA’S TRIALS. he nestled close within her passionate embrace. ‘‘ Now sing ‘Jesus, lover of my soul’ again.” ? ‘¢T cannot, Raymond,” she faltered. ‘<Tust once, Gratia. Nobody sings it as you used to do.” ‘*And that’s true!” interpolated Mrs. Playfair, in a sort of tremulous so//o voce. ‘‘ He’s beset me to Sing it, and I've tried, but law! I hain’t no more-voice than a crow.” ‘“‘ Please, sister!” cooed the child; and after one or two efforts, Gratia’s sweet, bird-like voice soared softly through the silence of the room, in the sweet old words that have brought rest and quietness to many 4 soul grown faint in the weary pil- grimage of the world— ‘<Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly ; While the angry billows roll-— While the tempest still is nigh, Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee! Leave, oh, leave me not alone——”? And then her voice broke into a sob—a tempest of tears. ‘Oh, Father in heaven!” she wailed, ‘‘I cannot say ‘Thy will be done!’ I cannot bow to Thy decree. Raymond! Raymond ! I can’t give you up !” Raymond looked up into her tear-wet face with a puzzled look. The end was nearer than any of them thought. ‘Sing more, Gratia,” he whispered. ‘‘ Are you crying?” as a big tear plashed down on his little hands. ‘‘ What for? Iam so happy now. I knew you would come, and I didn’t forget the old hymn, ‘ Jesus, lover of my soul.’” The little voice, raised tearfully, suddenly paused. ‘It's growing dark—all dark, Gratia,” he murmured; “ but I can hear you singing yet : “«*Leave, oh! leave me not alone ; | Still support—still support——’ ” ECOMIcCHoOOKS.. co