“No matter,” she replied, “so long as she is no longer among us.  Go to your labors now, keep the house very quiet, and be sure, before dark, to lock all the doors, that she may not enter unperceived.”

They need not have bolted nor barred her out; for her work was done, and she had no cause to return.

She was sent to the house of wealth to carry the blight of death.  Her mission was over, and she was on her way, seeking Joy.

The young girl faded slowly and died.

The mother mourned without hope, and was soon laid beside her daughter.  The home passed into the hands of those who felt that none must live for themselves alone; that sorrows must be borne without murmur; and joys appreciated so well that the angel of sorrow may not have to bear some treasure away to uplift the heart and give the vision a higher range.

Sorrow met Joy on the road that night.  There was no moon, even the stars were dim; but for the shining face of her sister, she would have passed her.  They joined hands, and walked together till morning broke.  They came in sight of a low cottage just as the day dawned.

“Oh, dear!” said Sorrow, as they approached the familiar spot, “how often have I been there to carry woe!  Do you go now, Joy, and give them gladness!”

“If it is the master’s hour I will most gladly,” said Joy, looking tenderly on the weary face of her sister, who sat by the roadside to rest awhile while she lifted her heart to heaven, asking that she might no more carry woe to that humble home; and her prayer was answered.

“I feel to go there,” said Joy, as Sorrow wiped her tears away.  “Wait here till I return;” and she ran merrily on.

She entered the humble home with gladness in her beaming eyes, and, as she bore no resemblance to her sister, they welcomed her with much greeting; nor did they know but for Sorrow, Joy would not have been among them.  She talked with them a long time, and listened patiently to the story of their woes.

Sickness, death, and adversity had been their part for many years.

“But they are passing away,” said Joy, confidently, “and health and prosperity shall yet be among you.”

“We shall know their full value,” whispered a voice from the corner of the room which Joy’s eyes had not penetrated.  On a low cot lay an invalid, helpless and blind.

The tears fell from her own eyes an instant, and then sparkled with a greater brilliancy than before, as she said, “And this, too, shall pass away.”

The closed eyes, from which all light had been shut out for seven long years, now slowly opened; the palsied limbs relaxed; life leaped through the veins once more; and she arose from her bed, while the household gathered round her.

A son, who was supposed to have been lost at sea, after an absence of many years returned at that moment, laden with gold and other treasures far greater, than the glittering ore,—­lessons of life, which, through suffering, he had wrought into his mind.