The gates ajar. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.

2I1 The Gates Ajar.
would so much more than fill his place, that
she would never have a lonely or unloved
minute. Her eyes brightened, and shaded,
and pondered, doubting. She'did n't see how
it could ever be.' I told her not to try and
see how, but to leave it to Christ. He knew
all about this little trouble of hers, and he
would make it right.
"'Will he?' she questioned, sighing;'but
there are so many of us! There's'Bin, and a
plenty more, and I don't see how it's going to
be smoothed out. Everything is in a jumble,
Mrs. Forceythe, don't you see? for some people can't like and keep liking so many times.'
Something came into my mind about the
rough places that shall be made plain, and the
crooked things straight. I tried to explain to
her, and at last I kissed away her tears, and
sent her home, if not exactly comforted, a little
less miserable, I think, than when she came.
Ah, well, — I wonder myself sometimes about
these' crooked things'; but, though I wonder,
I never doubt."
She finished her sentence somewhat hurriedly, and half started from her chair, raising both
hands with a quick, involuntary motion that
attracted my notice. The lights came in just