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diff --git a/old/13756-8.txt b/old/13756-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..635b4bf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13756-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7138 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Story of Chester Lawrence, by Nephi Anderson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Story of Chester Lawrence + +Author: Nephi Anderson + +Release Date: October 15, 2004 [EBook #13756] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORY OF CHESTER LAWRENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Asad Razzaki and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + +Story of Chester Lawrence + +Being the Completed Account of One +who Played an Important Part in +"Piney Ridge Cottage" + + +By NEPHI ANDERSON +Author of "Added Upon," "The Castle Builder," +"Piney Ridge Cottage," etc. + +THE DESERET NEWS +Salt Like City, Utah +1913 + + + + +Books by Nephi Anderson. + +ADDED UPON, Fifth and Enlarged Edition. A story illustrating "Mormon" +teachings regarding the past, the present, and the future states of +existence. + +THE CASTLE BUILDER. The scenes and characters are from Norway, the Land +of the Midnight Sun. + +MARCUS KING, MORMON, is the story of a convert to "Mormonism" who came +to Utah in early pioneer days. + +PINEY RIDGE COTTAGE, the love story of a "Mormon" country girl. + +A YOUNG FOLKS' HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. The story of the "Mormon" Church +is told in simple, interesting chapters. + +_All bound in beautiful cloth, with gold titles_, +Price, 75 cents each. + +DESERET NEWS BOOK STORE, +Salt Lake City, Utah. + + + + +Story of Chester Lawrence. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +It was raining when the ship was ready to sail; yet on the pier a large +crowd of people stood under dripping umbrellas, waving and shouting +farewells to their friends on board. The departing passengers, most of +them protected by an upper deck, pressed four deep against the rail, and +waved and shouted in return. + +The belated passenger, struggling with heavy hand baggage, scrambled up +the gang-plank. The last visitors were hustled ashore; amid noise and +bustle, the plank was drawn away, and the ship was clear. A tremor ran +through the vessel as the propeller began to move, and soon there was a +strip of water between the pier and the ship. Then a tiny tug-boat came +alongside, fastened itself to the steamer, and with calm assurance, +guided its big brother safely into the harbor and down the bay. The +people on shore merged into one dark object; the greetings became +indistinct; the great city itself, back of the pier, melted into a gray +mass as seen through the rain. + +Chester Lawrence stood on the deck of the departing vessel and watched +the interesting scene. He stood as one apart from the crowd, having no +portion with either those on board or those left behind. He was a +spectator only. Not a soul in that mass of humanity on the pier, not one +in the big city, knew Chester Lawrence or had a thought for him. No one +cared whether his voyage would be pleasant or otherwise. There were no +tears for him, or fears that he would not return in safety. Of the +hundreds of waving handkerchiefs, none was meant for him; but as a last +show of good-fellowship and as a farewell greeting to his native land, +Chester waved once with the rest. + +The rain continued as the ship dropped down the bay and came safely into +the open sea. Some of the passengers then hurried below, while others +lingered on deck to see as long as possible the fast-receding land. +Chester took his time. He had seen that his grips had been safely stowed +away in his state room, so he had no worries, as others seemed to have, +regarding his belongings. The ship hands (sailors they cannot now be +called) were busy clearing the deck and getting things into their proper +places. The vessel pointed fairly into the vast eastern sea. The land +became a dark, fast-thinning line on the western horizon, and then even +that was swallowed up in the mist of rain. + +"Well, good-by, old home, good-by thou goodly Land of Joseph," spoke +Chester, half aloud, as he stood for one intense moment facing the west, +then turned to go down into his room. The rain must at last have reached +him for his eyes were so blurred that he bumped rather abruptly into an +elderly man who was standing at his elbow. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Chester. + +"It was nothing, sir. I, too, was just bidding farewell to the Land of +Joseph, and I fear my sight was also rather dim." + +Chester paused and looked at the man who had heard and repeated his +remark. No one but a Latter-day Saint would call America the Land of +Joseph. He was a pleasant-looking man, with hair and beard tinged with +gray, clear blue eyes, a firm mouth, about which at that moment there +played a faint smile. Apparently, he wished to make further acquaintance +with Chester, for he asked: + +"How far west were you looking just now?" + +The question went deeper than Chester thought possible. He colored a +trifle, but there was no time to reply, for the other continued: + +"Mine was farther than that gray blot called New York, farther than the +Alleghany mountains; in fact, it extended across the plains of the west +to the Rocky Mountains--" + +"So was mine!" exclaimed the younger man. "Let's shake hands upon it. My +name is Chester Lawrence, and I'm a Mormon." + +"My name is George Malby." + +"Elder George Malby?" + +"Yes; I am a Mormon elder going on a mission to Great Britain." + +"I'm mighty glad to meet you, Elder Malby. I thought there wasn't a soul +on board this vessel that I could approach as a friend; now I have a +brother." + +"Three of them," corrected the elder. "There are two more missionaries +on board. Not a large party of us this time. Would you like to meet +them?" + +There was no more land to be seen now. The sea stretched all around, +with clouds above, and the rain. There was more comfort below, so the +two newly-made friends went down. Chester met the other elders who were +younger men, one destined for Scandinavia, the other for the +Netherlands. It did not take long for the four men to become acquainted. +Presently the dinner gong sounded, and all became interested in the +first meal on ship-board. + +Practically every one sat down to that dinner, and did full justice to +it. For many, that was the only meal eaten for days. Chester was not +seated at the same table as his friends. At his right was a chatty old +gentleman and at his left a demure lady who ate in silence. Strangeness, +however, is soon worn off when a company of people must eat at the same +table for a week; that is, if the dreaded sea-sickness does not +interfere too much with the gathering together at meal-time. + +Towards evening the rain ceased. As the darkness came on, the clouds +billowed across the vast upper expanse. Chester and his new-made friends +paced the deck and watched the night settle on the water, and enclose +the ship in its folds. They talked of the strange new experience on +ship-board, then they told somewhat of each other's personal history. +The sea was rough, and the ship pitched more and more as it met the +swells of the Atlantic. The question of sea-sickness came up. + +"I have crossed the ocean three times," remarked Elder Malby, "and +escaped the sickness each time. I hope for as good luck now." + +"It _is_ a matter of luck, I understand," said Chester. "Sea-sickness is +no respecter of persons, times, or so-called preventatives. The weak +sometimes escape, while the strong are laid low. _I_ feel all right +yet." + +The two younger men were fighting bravely, but it was not long before +they excused themselves hurriedly, and went below, and to bed. Chester +and Elder Malby displayed splendid sea-legs, so they walked until they +were tired, then took possession of some chairs in a sheltered corner, +wrapping their coats well around them. + +"I wish I were going on a mission, as you are," Chester was saying. "My +trip is somewhat aimless, I fear. For a year or more I have had a notion +that I ought to see Europe. I have seen a good deal of America, both +East and West. I lived for some time in Salt Lake City, though I became +a Church member in Chicago. But about Europe," he continued as if he did +not then wish to speak of his Western experiences, "you know, one must +have seen somewhat of the Old World to have the proper 'culture,'--must +have seen Europe's pictures, old castles, and historic places. I know +little and care less about the culture, but I have always had a desire +to see England, and some of France and Germany, and the Alps--yes, I +want to see the Alps and compare them with our Rockies. Rome, and other +Italian cities, are interesting, too, but I may not get to them this +time. I do hope some good will come of all this--somehow I think it will +not be wholly in vain." + +The older man let him talk without interruption. There was something +uncommon in the life of this young man, but it would not do to show +undue haste in wishing to know it. It was easily to be seen that Chester +was helped in this opportunity to talk to a friend that could understand +and be trusted. They sat late that night. The sea roared about them in +the darkness. There was a fascination about this thing of seeming +life--the ship--forcing itself against wind and wave into the darkness, +and bearing safely with it in light and comfort a thousand precious +souls. + +Chester slept fairly well, and was awake next morning at daylight. +Though the ship was pitching and rocking, he felt no indications of +sea-sickness. He gazed out of the port-hole at the racing waves. Some of +them rose to his window, and he looked into a bank of green water. He +got up and dressed. It was good to think he would not be sick. Very few +were stirring. A number who were, like himself, immune, were briskly +pacing the deck. Chester joined them and looked about. This surely must +be a storm, thought he. He had often wished to witness one, from a safe +position, of course, and here was one. As far as he could see in every +direction, the ocean was one mass of rolling, seething water. At a +distance it looked like a boiling pot, but nearer the waves rose higher, +the ship's prow cutting them like a knife. + +"Quite a storm," said Chester to a man washing the deck. + +"Storm? Oh, no, sir; just a bit of a blow." + +No one seemed to have any concern regarding the safety of the ship, so +Chester concluded that there was no danger, that this was no storm at +all, which conclusion was right, as he had later to acknowledge. The sun +came up through a wild sea into a wild sky, casting patches of shifting +light on the waters to the east. Chester kept a lookout for his friends, +the elders. When the breakfast gong sounded, Elder Malby appeared. + +"Where are the others?" asked Chester. + +"They'll not get up today; perhaps not tomorrow. I see you are all +right. You're lucky. Come, let us go to breakfast." + +Most of the seats were vacant at the table that morning. A few smilingly +looked around, secure in their superior strength. Others were bravely +trying to do the right thing by sitting down to a morning meal; but a +number of these failed, some leaving quietly and deliberately, others +rushing away in unceremonial haste. Chester was quite alone on his side +of the table. If there had been a trifle of "sinking emptiness" in him +before, the meal braced him up wonderfully. In this he thought he had +discovered a sure cure for sea-sickness. One day later he imparted this +information to a lady voyager, who received it with the exclamation, +"Oh, horrors!" + +All that day the wind was strong, and the sea rough. Even an officer +acknowledged that if this weather kept up, the "blow" might grow into a +storm. From the upper deck Chester and Elder Malby looked out on the +sublime spectacle. Like great, green, white-crested hills, the waves +raced along the vast expanse. Towards the afternoon the ship and the +wind had shifted their course so that the waves dashed with thunderous +roar against the iron sides of the vessel which only heaved and dipped +and went steadily on its way. + +A number of ladies crowded on deck, and, aided by the stewards, were +safely tucked into chairs in places protected from wind and spray. The +deck stewards tempted them with broth, but they only sipped it +indifferently. These same ladies, just the day before had carried their +feather-tipped heads ever so stately. Now, alas, how had the mighty +leveler laid them low! They did not now care how their gowns fitted, or +whether their hats were on straight. Any common person, not afflicted +with sea-sickness, could have criticised their attitude in the chairs. +One became so indifferent to correct appearances that she slid from her +chair on to the deck, where she undignifiedly sprawled. The deck steward +had to tuck her shawls about her and assist her to a more lady-like +position. + +"That's pretty tough," remarked Chester. + +"All the wits have tried their skill on the subject of sea-sickness," +said his companion; "but it's no joke to those who experience it." + +"Can't we help those ladies?" asked Chester. + +"Not very much. You will find the best thing to do is to let them alone. +They'll not thank you, not now, for any suggestion or proffer of help. +If you should be so foolish as to ask them what you could do for them, +they would reply, if they replied at all, 'Stop the ship for five +minutes.'" + +"Then I'll be wise," said Chester. + +The night came on, dark and stormy. The two friends kept up well. They +ate the evening meal with appetite, then went on deck again. + +Night adds awfulness to the sublimity of a storm at sea. The world about +the ship is in wild commotion. The sky seems to have dropped into the +sea, and now joins the roaring waves as they rush along. The blackness +of the night is impenetrable, save as the lights from the ship gleam for +an instant into the moving mass of water. Now and then a wave, rearing +its crested head higher than the rest, breaks in spray upon the deck. +The wind seems eager to hurl every movable object from the vessel, but +as everything is fast, it must be content to shriek in the rigging and +to sweep out into the darkness, and lend its madness to the sea and sky. + +But let us leave this awe-inspiring uproar and go down into the saloon. +Here we come into another world, a world of light and peace and +contentment. The drawn curtains exclude the sight of the angry elements +without, and save for the gentle rocking of the ship and the occasional +splashing of water against its sides, we can easily imagine that we are +a thousand miles from the sea. Passengers sit at the long tables, +reading or chatting. Other groups are playing cards or chess. In the +cushioned corners, young men and maidens are exchanging banter with +words and glances. A young lady is playing the piano, and over all this +scene of life, and light, and gaiety, the electric lamps gleam in steady +splendor. + +Elder Malby soon retired. Chester remained in the saloon for a time, +studying the various aspects of life about him; then he made a +good-night visit to the deck. He looked into the men's smoking room, +where a few yet sat with pipes and beer, playing cards. Among them were +two men, fat-cheeked, smoothly shaven, who were dressed in priestly +garb. There was an expressive American in the company, an Englishman and +a quiet German. Before the American could carry into effect his +intention of asking Chester to join them, the latter had passed by and +out beyond the stench of the tobacco smoke. + +"This air, washed clean by a thousand miles of scouring waves, is good +enough for me," thought he. + +The wind was not blowing so hard. The sky was nearly clear of clouds. +The moon hung full and bright above the heaving horizon. Here was +another aspect of the wonderful sea, and Chester lingered to get its +full beauty. The steamer rolled heavily between the big waves. The young +man leaned on the railing, and watched the ship's deck dip nearly to +the water, then heave back until the iron sides were exposed nearly to +the keel. + +Chester was about to turn in for the night when he heard a commotion, +apparently among the third class passengers. He walked along to where he +could look down on the forward main deck. A number of people were +running about shouting excitedly. Chester ran down the steps to get a +nearer view. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"I don't know. Someone overboard, I think." + +People were crowding to the rail at the extreme forward end of the ship. +Someone with authority was trying to push them back, using the +old-fashioned ship-board language to aid him. Chester drew near enough +not to be in the way, but so that he could observe what was going on. By +leaning well over the rail, he could see what appeared to be two persons +clinging to the anchor, which hung on the ship's side, about half-way +down to the water. One was a dark figure, the other appeared in the +moonlight to be a woman dressed in white. Other ships-men now rushed up. + +"Clear way here! Where's the rope? Hang on, my man; we'll soon get +you"--this down the side of the ship. There came some words in reply, +but Chester did not hear them. A rope was lowered. "Slip the loop around +the lady," was the order from above. The man on the anchor tried to +obey. He moved as if cautiously and slowly. "Hurry, my man!" But there +was no haste. Limbs and fingers made stiff by long exposure and cramped +position, clinging desperately to prevent himself and his burden from +falling into the sea, were not now likely to be nimble; but in a few +minutes, which, however, seemed a long time, some words were spoken by +the man on the anchor, the command to haul in was given, and slowly the +nearly-unconscious form of a young woman was drawn up to safety. + +"Now, my man, your next," shouted the officer. The rope soon dangled +down again, the man reached out a hand for it. The ship cut into a big +wave, whose crest touched the man below. He grasped wildly for the rope, +missed it, and fell with a cry into the sea. Chester tried to see him as +the ship rushed on, but the commotion and the darkness prevented him. + +"Man overboard! stop the ship!" came from the excited passengers. "Man +overboard!" What could be done! The man was gone. He had not one chance +in a thousand to be rescued. Had he fallen overboard without much +notice, the ship would have gone right on--Why should a world be stopped +in its even course to save one soul?--but too many had seen this. Signal +bells were rung, the engines slowed down, and then stopped. Lights +flashed here and there, other officers of higher rank came on the scene; +a boat fully manned was lowered. It bobbed up and down on the waves like +a cork. Back into the track of the ship it went, and was soon lost to +view. + +The search was continued for an hour, then given up. No trace of the +man could be found. The small boat was raised to the deck, the engine +moved again, and the big ship went on its way. + +Chester lingered among the steerage, passengers and listened to the +story of the lost man who, it seems, had been one of those unfortunate +ones who had failed to pass the health inspector at New York and had +therefore been sent back to his native land, Ireland. He was known as +Mike, what else, no one could tell. And the woman? Poor girl, she had +wandered in her night dress to the ship's side, and in some unknown way +had gotten overboard as far as the protruding piece of iron. How Mike +had reached her, or how long they had occupied their perilous position, +no one could tell. He was gone, and the woman was saved to her husband +and her baby. + +The night was growing late; but there was no sleep for Chester. Many of +the passengers, having been awakened by the stopping of the ship, were +up, hurriedly dressed, and enquiring what the trouble was. Chester met +Elder Malby in the companion-way. + +"What's the matter?" asked the Elder. + +"A man has been lost at sea," replied the other. "Come into the saloon, +and I'll tell you about it." + +Chester was visibly affected as he related what he had seen. At the +conclusion of his story he bowed his face into his hands for a moment. +Then he looked into the Elder's face with a smile. + +"Well, it's too bad, too bad," said George Malby. + +"Do you think so?" + +"Well--why--isn't it a terrible thing to die like that?" + +"I hope not," replied Chester. "I think the dying part was easy enough, +and the manner of it was glorious. He was a poor fellow who had failed +to land. He had no doubt thought to make fame and fortune in the new +world. Now he has gone to a new world indeed. He entered it +triumphantly, I hope. As far as I know, he ought to be received as a +hero in that world to which he has gone." + +Chester's eyes shone and his face was aglow. "Elder Malby," he +continued, "I remember what you told me just yesterday,--To our immortal +soul, nothing that others can do, matters much; a man's own actions is +what counts. Neither does it matter much when or how a man leaves this +life; the vital thing is what he has done and how he has done it up to +the point of departure. The Lord will take care of the rest." + +As the two men went slowly along the narrow passage way to their state +rooms that night, the older man said to the other, "I guess you're +right, my brother; yes; you are right. Good night, and pleasant sleep." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The next morning the sky was clear and the sea was much smoother. The +sun shone bright and warm; more people came on deck, rejoicing that they +could live in the vigor of the open rather than in their stuffy state +rooms. The two seasick elders thought it wiser to remain quietly in +their berths for another day, so Chester and Elder Malby had the day to +themselves. As the accident of the night before became known to the +passengers, it was the topic of conversation for some time. + +That afternoon Chester and his companion found a cosy corner on deck +away from the cigar smoke, and had a long heart to heart talk. The fact +of the matter was that the young man found comfort in the society of his +older brother. For the first time in nearly two years Chester could pour +out his heart to sympathetic ears, and he found much joy in doing this. + +"Yes," said Chester to a question, "I should like to tell you about +myself. When my story gets tiresome, call my attention to the porpoises, +or declare that you can see a whale." + +"I promise," laughed the other. + +"Well, to begin at the very beginning, I was born in a suburb of +Chicago, and lived in and near that city most of my life. My mother's +name was Anna Lawrence. I never knew my father, not even his name. Yes, +I can talk freely about it to you. The time was when I shunned even the +thoughts of my earthly origin and my childhood days, but I have gotten +over that. I have learned to face the world and all the truth it has for +me. + +"When I was but a child, my mother married Hugh Elston. Shortly after, +they both heard the gospel preached by a 'Mormon' elder, and they +accepted it. I had been placed in the care of some of my relatives, and +when my mother now wished to take me, they would not give me up. They +were, of course, fearful that I, too, would become a 'Mormon.' Mr. +Elston and my mother went west to Utah. I was sent to school, obtained a +fairly good education, and while yet a young man, was conducting a +successful business. + +"I had nearly forgotten that I had a parent at all, when one day, my +mother, without announcement, came to Chicago. She had left her husband. +Mother did not say much to any of us, but I took it for granted that she +had been abused among the 'terrible Mormons.' After a time I took a trip +out to Utah to see about it, meaning to find this Mr. Elston and compel +him to do the right thing for my mother. Well, I went, I saw, and was +conquered. Mr. Elston was a widower living in a spot of green called +Piney Ridge Cottage amid the sage-brush desert,--living there alone with +his daughter Julia. And this Julia--well--Do you see any porpoises, +Brother Malby?" + +"Not yet. Go on." + +"Mr. Elston is a fine, good-hearted man,--a gentleman in very deed. He +soon found out who I was and invited me to his home. Julia was mistress +there. In the midst of the desert, these two had created a beautiful +home. I went to their Sunday School and their meetings. I read Mormon +books. My eyes were opened to the truth, and I was ready to accept it." + +"Thanks to Julia," suggested the listener with a sly glance at Chester. + +"Yes; thanks to Julia, Brother Malby; but not in the sense you hint at. +I think I would have accepted the gospel, even had there been no Julia +mixed up with the finding of it. But Julia helped. She was a living +example of what 'Mormonism' can do for a person, and when I looked at +her, learned her thoughts through her words, and saw her life by her +every-day deeds, I said to myself, 'A system of religion that produces +such a soul, cannot be bad.' Yes; she was a wonderful help; but I repeat +that had the truth come to me by other means and other ways, I believe I +should have accepted it." + +"Forgive me for the thoughtless remark," said Elder Malby. + +"O, I know how justifiable you are for it, so you are forgiven." + +"Did you join the Church in Utah?" + +"No; I went back to Chicago. Away from Utah, from Piney Ridge Cottage +and its influence. I pondered and prayed. I found the elders there and +was baptized. Then I went to Salt Lake City, where Julia had gone to +attend school while her father was away on a mission to England." +Chester paused, looking out on the sea. "You don't blame me for falling +in love with Julia, do you?" asked he. + +"I don't blame you a bit." + +"But there was someone else, a young fellow who had grown up as a +neighbor to her. He also went on a mission, and then I believe Julia +discovered that she thought more of Glen Curtis than of me. I do not now +blame Julia for that. She told me plainly her feelings. I persisted for +a time, but in vain--then I went away, and have never been to Utah +since." + +"And that's the end of your story?" + +"Oh, no; while I was roaming aimlessly about the country trying to mend +a broken heart, mother, becoming uneasy about me, and thinking I was yet +in Utah, journeyed out west to find me. The team on the stage-coach +which took her out to Julia's home, ran away from the drunken driver, +and just before they got to Piney Ridge Cottage the wagon upset on a +dug-way, and mother was mortally hurt. She died under Julia's care, and +now lies in Mr. Elston's private graveyard near Piney Ridge Cottage +beside Mr. Elston's other wife. Let us walk a little." + +The older man linked his arm into Chester's as they paced the long reach +of the promenade deck. They walked for a few minutes, then sat down +again. + +"I hope you'll not think I'm a bore, to continue my personal history; +but there is something in here," said Chester, striking his breast, +"that finds relief in expression to one who understands." + +"Go on; tell me all." + +"Do you know, I was tempted to 'chuck it all' after I had failed with +Julia. I even went so far as to play devilishly near to sin, but thank +the Lord, I came to my senses before I was overcome, and I escaped that +horror. Oh, but I was storm-tossed for a while--I thought of it +yesterday when we had the rough sea--but in time I came out into the +calm again, just as we are coming today on this voyage. But not until I +had said more than once 'not my will, but thine, O Lord, be done,' and +said it from my heart, did I get peace. Then I began to see that the +girl had come into my life, not to be my wife, but to turn my life into +new channels. I, with the rest of the world of which I was a part, had +no definite views or high ideals of life, death, 'and that vast +forever;' and something was needed to change my easy-going course. When +I realized that Julia Elston had been the instrument of the Lord in +doing that, I had to put away resentment and acknowledge the hand of God +in it. I read in the parables of our Lord that a certain merchantman had +to sell all he had in order to get the purchase money to buy the Pearl +of Great Price. Why should it be given me without cost?" + +"We all have to pay for it." + +"And I who had made no sacrifice, railed against fate because I had been +asked to pay a trifle--no it was not a trifle; but I have paid, and hope +to continue to pay to the last call. Now, what do you say, brother? +Tell me what you think." + +"Well, you have an interesting story, my brother, and I am glad you look +on your experiences in the right light. To get the woman one thinks he +ought to get, is, after all, not the whole of life. There are other +blessings. To have one's life changed from darkness into light; to have +one's journey turned from a downward course to one of eternal +exaltation; to obtain a knowledge of the plan of salvation,--these are +important. If one is on the right way, and keeps on that way to the end, +He who rules the world and the destinies of men, will see to it that all +is right. Sometime, somewhere, every man and every woman will come to +his own, whether in life or death, in this world, or the next." + +"Thank you for saying that. Do you know, I am now glad that Julia did +not yield to my entreaties, and marry me out of pity. Think how I would +have felt when the realization of that had come to me. * * * * I found +this expression of Stevenson the other day, purporting to be a test of a +man's fortitude and delicacy: 'To renounce where that shall be +necessary, and not to be embittered.' Thank the Lord, I am not +embittered. Some time ago I chose this declaration of Paul for my motto: +'But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and +reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the +mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'" + +The light of a soul of peace shone from the countenance of the young +man. The smile on the lips added only beauty to the strength of the +face. He arose, shook himself as if to get rid of all past +unpleasantness and weakness, and faced the east as though he were +meeting the world with new power. Then the smile changed to a merry +laugh as he ran to the railing and cried: + +"See, sure enough, there _is_ a school of porpoises!" + + * * * * * + +The ship was in mid-ocean. The rough weather had wholly ceased. The sea +lay glinting like a vast jewel under the slant of the afternoon sun. It +was a day of unflecked beauty. The decks were gay with people, some +walking, some leaning idly on the rail, some sitting with books in their +hands. A few were reading, but most sat with finger in closed book. Why +bother to read _about_ life when it could be seen so full and +interesting all around. + +A day on ship-board is longer than one on shore, and provision must be +made to pass it pleasantly. If the weather is fair, this is quite a +problem. Of course, there are the meals in the well-appointed dining +saloon. They break pleasantly into the long monotony. Then there are the +deck games; the watching for "whales" and passing vessels; the looking +at the spinning log in the foaming water at the stern; the marking of +the chart, which indicates the distance traversed during the twenty-four +hours; the visit to the steerage and the "stoke hole," or boiler room in +the depths of the ship; and last, but not least, the getting acquainted +with one's fellow passengers. "Steamer friendships" are easily made, and +in most cases, soon forgotten. The little world of people speeding +across the deep from shore to shore, is bound together closely for a few +days, and then, its inhabitants scatter. + +Chester Lawrence was enjoying every hour of the voyage. On that day +practically all sea-sickness had gone. The vacant places at the tables +were being filled and the company looked around at each other with +pleasant contentment. The steamship company no longer saved on the +provisions. The chatty old gentleman at Chester's right was back again +after a short absence, and the power of speech had come to the demure +lady on his left, with the return of her appetite. + +Two places opposite Chester were still vacant at the table. That day as +the crowd hastily answered the dinner gong, Chester, being a little +tardy, encountered an elderly man and what appeared to be his daughter +making their way slowly down the companionway towards the dining room. +Chester saw at a glance that neither of them was strong, but both tried +to appear able and were bound to help each other. He smiled at their +well-meaning endeavors, then without asking leave, took the man's free +arm and helped him down the steps, saying, + +"You haven't quite got your sea-legs yet--Now then, steady, and we'll +soon be there. Get a good dinner, and that will help." + +The steward showed them to the two seats opposite Chester which had been +vacant so long. + +"Thank you very much," said the girl to Chester, with a smile, when the +elderly man was well seated. Chester bowed without replying, then went +around the table to his own seat. + +Somehow that gracious little smile had made Chester's heart flutter for +an instant. As he realized it, he said to himself, "What's the matter +with me? Am I getting foolish? It was, certainly a sweet smile, and the +thanks were gracious, too; but what of it?" The first courses were being +served. She was sitting opposite him, just a few feet away. He might +take a good look at the girl to see if there was anything uncommon about +her. He looked down the table, glancing just for an instant opposite. +No; there was nothing striking, or to be disturbed about. The girl was +still solicitous over her companion, meanwhile eating a little herself. +"I musn't be rude, thought Chester, and then looked again across the +table. The man was past middle age. His face was clean shaven, and he +was dressed in the garb of a minister. He was a preacher, then. The girl +had evidently suffered much from sea-sickness, because her face was pale +and somewhat pinched, though there was a tinge of red in her cheeks. +That's a pretty chin, and a lovely mouth--and, well, now, what _is_ the +matter! Chester Lawrence, attend to your chicken." + +The minister and his daughter did not remain for the dessert. As they +arose, he said: + +"Now, that's pretty good for the first time, isn't it?" + +"Yes, father, it is," she replied. "You're getting on famously. Shall we +try the deck for a while?" + +"Yes; it will do us both good to get into the air. Run along into your +room for a wrap." + +Chester was tempted to leave his dinner to help them again; but he +resisted the temptation. They walked quite firmly now, and as they +entered the passageway, the girl glancing back into the room, met +Chester's eyes and smiled once more. Again Chester's heart fluttered. It +would have been a cold, hardened heart indeed not to have responded to +such an appeal. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +On the morning of the fourth day out, Chester Lawrence stood watching +the antics of a young man, who, coatless and hatless, and made brave by +too many visits to the bar, was running up the rope ladders of the mast +to a dangerous height. He climbed up to where the ladder met the one on +the other side, down which he scrambled with the agility of a monkey. +The ladies in the group on deck gasped in fright at his reckless daring. +The fellow jumped to the deck from the rail, and made a sweeping bow to +the spectators: + +"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "'tis nothing at all, I assure you. On +shore I am a circus performer, an' I was just practicing a little. Have +no fear. See--" + +He was about to make a second exhibition when a ship's officer seized +him, threatening to lock him up if he did not desist. + +"O, certainly, if its against the rules," he replied meekly. His hat and +coat were lying on a chair by some ladies. He put these on again, and +then sat down and began talking to the one nearest him. Chester, who had +followed the fellow's capers with some interest, gave a start when he +saw that the lady with whom the man was trying to carry on a +conversation was the minister's daughter. She was visibly annoyed, and +looked about as if for help. Chester thought her eyes fell on him, and +without hesitation he determined to assist her. He went up to them, and +without appearing to see the girl, reached out his hand to the man, +saying: + +"Halloo Jack! Didn't know you were on board till I saw your capers just +now. I want to talk to you a moment. Come along and have a drink first." + +The fellow stared at Chester and was about to deny any acquaintanceship +with him, when the insistent manner of the greeting changed his mind. He +excused himself to the lady, arose and followed. Chester took his arm as +they walked along. + +"Which is your state-room?" asked Chester. + +"It's 340; but what you want to know for? Aren't we going to have a +drink?" + +"Not just now, my man. You're going to your room, and to bed. You got up +too early. Listen,"--as the sobering man began to resent the +interference,--"there's an officer looking at us. He will do nothing if +you will go along quietly with me, but if you make a scene I'll hand you +over to him." + +They found the man's room and he willingly went in and lay down. "Now," +said Chester to him, "remain below until you're sober. And don't bother +that young lady again--do you hear. _Don't you do it_." + +Chester went on deck again, somewhat in wonder at his own conduct. He +was not in the habit of interfering in other people's business, and +never mixed with drunken affairs. But this surely was different. No man +would have refused _that_ appeal for help. Yes; he was sure she had +pleaded with her eyes. Perhaps he ought to go back and receive her +thanks, but he resisted that impulse. He walked to the extreme rear of +the boat and stood looking at the broad white path which the ship was +making in the green sea. He stood gazing for some time, then turned, and +there sitting on a coil of rope was the girl who had been in his mind. +She saw his confusion and smiled at it. + +"I--I came to thank you," she said; "but I did not like to disturb your +meditations, so I sat down to rest." + +"The sea has used you up quite badly, hasn't it?" + +"O no; I was dreadfully ill before I came aboard. This trip is to make +me well, so papa says." + +"I hope so." There was a pause, during which Chester found a seat on a +bit of ship furniture. This girl's voice was like an echo from far-away +Utah and Piney Ridge Cottage. And there was something about the shapely +head now framed in wind-blown hair and the face itself that reminded him +of someone else. Just how the resemblance came in he could not tell, but +there it was. Perhaps, after all, it was just the look in her eyes and +the spirit that accompanied her actions and words that moved him. + +"Is that man a friend of yours?" she asked. + +"You mean that drunken fool? No; I've never met him before." + +"That was just a ruse then--that invitation to drink." + +"I had to do something, and that came first to me." + +"Then you didn't go and drink with him?" + +"Why no, of course not. I took him to his berth, and told him to stay +there." + +"Do you think he will?" + +"Yes; until he sobers up." + +"Well, I don't like drunken men." + +"Neither do I." + +"We're agreed on one thing then, aren't we?" + +Chester laughed with her. Elder Malby was pacing the deck, awaiting the +call for breakfast; but Chester did not join him. + +"The man bothered me yesterday," she said, "and again last night. He +wished to get acquainted, he claimed." + +"You don't know him, then?" + +"I've never seen him before. Papa has had to remain very quiet, and I +haven't been around much. That fellow made me afraid." + +"Well, he'll not bother you again. If he does, let me know." + +"Thank you very much--" + +The call for breakfast came to them faintly, then grew louder as the +beaten gong came up from below to the deck. + +"I must get papa and take him to breakfast. Let me thank you again, and +good morning." + +He might have accompanied her down, but he just stood there watching +her. Elder Malby came up, and the two went down together. + +The minister and his daughter got into their places more actively that +morning. Chester wished heartily that his seat was not opposite. She was +at too close range to allow of any careful observation. He could not +very well help looking across the table, neither could she, although she +had her father to talk to. Chester was really glad when breakfast was +over that morning, and they all filed up to the sun-lit deck again. + +Had Chester been a smoker, he would no doubt have taken consolation in a +pipe with the majority of the men; but as it was, he withdrew as much as +possible from others that he might think matters over and get to a +proper footing; for truth to tell, he was in danger of falling in love +again, and that, he said to himself, would never do. He avoided even +Elder Malby that morning; but to do so he had to go down to the main +deck forward out to the prow. He went to the extreme point, where from +behind the closed railing he could stand as a look-out into the eastern +sea. Gently and slowly the vessel rose and fell as it plowed through the +long, gleaming undulations. + +"What am I coming to," said Chester half-aloud as if the sea might hear +and answer him. "Here I am running away from one heart entanglement only +to go plump into another. She is not Julia, of course, but she has +Julia's twin soul. A perfect stranger, an acquaintance of two days! The +daughter of a minister, a minister of the world!" What was he thinking +of? Who were they? He did not even know her name. She was not a well +girl, that he could see. The roses in her cheeks were not altogether +natural and her face was pale; but those red lips, and that smile when +turned to him! Well, the voyage was half over. Another four or five days +and they would be in Liverpool, where they would go their different ways +forever. He must keep away from her that long, seeing there was danger. +No more playing with the fire that burns so deep. And all this which he +seemed to feel and fear, might be undreamed of by her and very likely +was. A girl like that would not take seriously a "steamer friendship." +She was only doing what all young people do on such trips, making +pleasant acquaintances with whom to pass away the monotonous days. +"Sure, sure," said he, as if to clinch the argument, but nevertheless, +deep within his soul there was an undercurrent of protest against such +final conclusions. + +Chester tried to seek refuge in Elder Malby, but as he was not to be +found, he opened up a conversation with the missionary for Scandinavia. +The missionary was but a boy, it seemed to Chester. The going from home +and the sea-sickness had had their effects, and the young fellow was +glad to have some one to talk to. He came from Arizona, he told Chester; +had lived on a ranch all his life; had never been twenty miles away from +home before,--and now all this at once! It was "tough." + +"But I'm feeling fine now," he said. "Do you know, I've had a peculiar +experience. All the way across the United States from home, something +seemed to say to me, 'You can't stand this. You'll go crazy. You'd +better go back home.' Of course, I was terribly homesick, and I guess +that was the trouble. The cowardly part of me was trying to scare the +better part. But all the time I seemed to hear 'You'll go crazy' until +once or twice I thought I would. + +"Well, it was the same in New York, and the same when we came aboard. I +didn't care much one way or other while sea-sick, but when I got over +it, there was the same taunting voice. At last I got downright angry and +said, 'All right, I'm going right on and fill my mission, _and go +crazy!_' From that moment I have ceased to be bothered, and am now +feeling fine." + +"Good for you," said Chester. "You'll win out. I wish I was sure about +myself." He went no further in explanation, however. + +Ship board etiquette does not require formal introductions before +extended conversations may be carried on. The New England school ma'am +and the German professor were in a deep discussion ten minutes after +they had met for the first time. Many on the ship were going especially +"to do Europe," so there were themes for conversation in common. + +As it happened, Chester was alone again that afternoon and he met the +minister and his daughter on the promenade deck. They were taking their +exercise moderately, pausing frequently to look at any trifling +diversion. Chester tipped his cap at them as they passed. At the next +meeting in the walk, the minister stopped and greeted the young man. + +"I wish to thank you for your act of kindness to my daughter," he said. +"She has told me about it." + +"It was nothing, I assure you, sir," replied Chester. "I don't think the +fellow will annoy her again." + +"I hope not. On these ocean voyages one is thrown so closely into all +kinds of company. We, of course, must suppose all our fellow-passengers +are respectable people, until we find out otherwise--but let us sit +down. Where are our chairs, Lucy?" + +"They're on the other side, I believe, where we left them this morning." + +"It's a little too windy there." + +"I'll bring them around to you," said Chester. Lucy followed him, +pointing out which of the chairs belonged to them. + +"May I not carry one?" she asked. + +"You do not appear strong enough to lift one." + +Chester carried the two chairs around to the side of the sheltered deck, +then found a vacant chair for himself which he placed with the other +two. + +"Thank you very much," said the minister, as they seated themselves. +"The day is really fine, isn't it? After the sea-sickness, there is +something glorious in a pleasant sea voyage. This is my third time +across, but I don't remember just such a fine day as this. Are you a +good sailor?" this to Chester. + +"I've not missed a meal yet, if that's any indication." + +"I envy you. I have often wished I could be on deck in a bit of real +bad weather. We had a little blow the other day, I understand, when that +poor fellow lost his life." + +"Yes; I saw the accident," replied Chester; whereupon he had to relate +the details to them. + +"Well, such is life--and death," was the minister's only comment on the +story. + +The minister did most of the talking. Perhaps that was because he was +used to it, having, as he told Chester, been a preacher for twenty-five +years. The daughter commented briefly now and then, prompting his memory +where it seemed to be weak. Chester listened with great interest to the +man's account of former trips to Europe and his description of famous +places. The speaker's voice was pleasant and well-modulated. His +clean-cut face lighted up under the inspiration of some vivid +description. Chester found himself drawn to the man nearly as much as he +had been to the daughter. + +"You're an American," announced the minister, turning to Chester. + +"Yes." + +"A western American, too." + +"Right again; how can you tell?" + +"Easily enough. How far west?" + +"My home is in Chicago." + +"Well, Lucy and I can beat you. We came from Kansas City. Ever been +there?" + +"I've passed through twice." + +"Through the Union Depot only?" asked Lucy. + +"You must have received a very unpleasant impression of our city." + +"Well, happily I did get away from that depot. I took a ride on the cars +out to Independence, and I saw a good part of the city besides. It's +beautiful out towards Swope Park--" + +"There's where we live," exclaimed the girl. "I think the park's just +grand. I live in it nearly all summer." + +At this point of the conversation, a party to windward, among whom were +the two Catholic Fathers, lighted their pipes, and the smoke streamed +like from so many chimneys into the faces of those sitting near. The +minister looked sharply towards the puffing men, while Lucy tried to +push the denser clouds away with her hands; but no notice was taken of +such gentle remonstrances. + +"I'll speak to them," suggested Chester. + +"No; don't. It would only offend them," said the minister. "They think +they are strictly within their rights, and it does not dawn on their +nicotine poisoned wits that they are taking away other peoples' +rights,--that of breathing the uncontaminated air. We'll just move our +chairs a bit," which they did. + +"You don't smoke, I take it," continued the clergyman, addressing +Chester. + +"No; I quit two years ago." + +"Good for you. It's a vile habit, and I sometimes think the worst effect +smoking has on people is that it dulls the nice gentlemanlyness of a +man's character. Now, those men over there, even the Catholic Fathers, +are, no doubt gentlemen in all respects but one; it's a pity that the +tobacco habit should make the one exception." + +Chester agreed in words, Lucy in looks. + +"You say you have passed through Kansas City," continued the father. +"How far west have you been?" + +"To the Pacific Coast." + +"Lucy and I should have made this trip westward, but the doctor said we +must not cross the mountains, because of her heart. So an ocean voyage +was advised." + +"And I did want so much to see the Rockies," added the young woman. "I +have always had a longing to see our own mountains as well as those of +Switzerland. Next summer we'll take that western trip." + +"I hope so, daughter." + +"I assure you they are worth seeing," said Chester. + +"No doubt about it. Lucy and I have planned it all for some day. Were +you ever in Utah?" + +"I lived for some time in Salt Lake City. Be sure to see that town on +your trip." + +The minister looked somewhat queerly at Chester for a moment. Then his +gaze swept out to the water again as if a momentary disturbing thought +was gotten rid of. Lucy was interested. + +"Tell us about Salt Lake City, and, and the Mormons,'" pleaded she. + +"Never mind the 'Mormons,' Lucy," admonished her father. + +"It's difficult to speak of Utah and Salt Lake without mentioning the +'Mormons,'" added Chester. + +"Then let's talk of something else, something more pleasant." + +Evidently this minister was like all others, Chester concluded; sane and +intelligent on all subjects but one,--the "Mormons." Well, he would set +himself right before these two people, and do it now. + +"I can say," said Chester, "that my experience among the 'Mormon' people +has been among the most pleasant of my life. In fact, I don't know where +I can go to find a more honest, God-fearing, virtuous people. I--" + +"Young man," interrupted the clergyman, looking keenly at him, "are you +a 'Mormon'?" + +"Yes, sir; I have that honor." + +Lucy gave a cry, whether of alarm or gladness, the young man could not +then tell. The minister arose slowly. "Lucy," he said, "let us walk a +little more," and without another word the two resumed their promenade. + +But in Lucy's face there appeared concern. The tears, glittering in her +eyes did not altogether hide the reassuring glance which she turned +about to give Chester as he sat alone by the vacated chairs. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +The next day was Sunday. Even on ship-board there are some indications +that the seventh day is different from the rest. There is always a +little extra to the menu for dinner, and then religious services are +also held; and are not these two things frequently all that distinguish +the Sabbath on the land? + +That morning neither Lucy nor her father was at breakfast. Immediately +after, Chester sought out the chief steward, and by insistency and the +help of a small tip, he got his seat changed to the table occupied by +Elder Malby and the two other missionaries. "No one shall be annoyed by +my near presence, if I can help it," Chester said. + +At the noon meal, the minister and his daughter appeared as usual. +Chester watched them unobserved from his changed position. They looked +at the vacant place opposite, but as far as Chester could determine, his +absence was not discussed. + +That afternoon services were held in three parts of the vessel at the +same time. On the steerage deck a large company of Irish Catholics +surrounded the two Fathers. One of the priests stood in the center of +the group while the people kneeled on the deck. The priest read +something in Latin, the others repeating after him. Then a glass of +"holy water" was passed among them, the worshipers dipping their +fingers in and devoutly crossing themselves. Chester watched the +proceedings for a time, then he went to the second class deck where a +revival meeting was in progress. The preacher was delivering the usual +exhortation to "come to Jesus," while yet there was time. Presently, +there came from the depths of the ship the sound of the dinner gong +being slowly and solemnly beaten, no doubt to imitate, as nearly as +possible, the peal of church bells. The steward who acted as bell ringer +did his duty well, going into the halls and on to the decks, then +disappearing again into the saloon. This was the official announcement +to service. Chester and his friends followed. Quite a congregation had +gathered. Two large pillows had been covered with a Union Jack to serve +as a pulpit. A ship's officer then read the form prescribed for services +on ship-board from the Church of England prayer book. It was all very +dry and uninteresting, "Verily a form of godliness" and a lot of "vain +repetition," said Elder Malby. + +Then the minister--Chester's minister--arose. He had been asked, he +said, to add a few words to the regular service, and he was pleased to +do so. He called attention to the accident which had happened on their +voyage, and felt to say something on the providence of God, and His +watch-care over His children. The preacher's voice was pleasant, the +ministerial tone not being so pronounced as to make his speech +unnatural. Chester listened attentively, as also did Lucy who, Chester +observed, was sitting well up towards the front. + +"God is the source of the being of all men," said the preacher. "He has +brought us all into existence, and made us in His own likeness, and is a +Father to us in fact and in feeling. He owns us and owns His +responsibility for us. He cares for us and overrules all things for our +good. He is worthy of our love and confidence. Since we are His +children, God desires us to be such in very deed--in fellowship and +character, and is satisfied with us only as we are giving ourselves to +the filial life. This relationship which we bear to God cannot be fully +explained. There is a mystery in it beyond the understanding of finite +minds; but of this we are sure that the God of Creation has brought us +all forth into being, and He will take care of us if we will let Him. We +cannot reasonably and reverently think otherwise of Him. + +"Is it not a comfort to think that we cannot get away from the +ever-present watchfulness of God? As the Psalmist puts it: 'Whither +shall I go from thy spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence? +If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, +behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in +the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and +thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover +me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not +from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light +are both alike to thee.' Yes, yes, my friends, 'God is our refuge and +strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear--'" + +Somehow, what the minister said after that came very indistinctly to +Chester Lawrence. He heard the words, but was aware only of a peculiar +feeling, a dim perception of where he was and what he was hearing. There +seemed to him to be a genuine feeling in the voice that uttered those +beautiful words of scripture. They clung to his heart, and the minister +himself became transfigured for an instant into some other being,--stern +of countenance, yet loveliness in the depths of his soul, spiritually +far away, yet heart yearning with nearness of love. Chester came fully +to himself only when Elder Malby took his arm and together they paced a +few turns around the deck. + +That same Sunday evening as Chester stood alone on the promenade deck +watching the moonlight lay as a golden coverlet on the placid sea, his +attention was attracted to the figure of a girl mounting the steps +leading to the deck where he stood. She paused half way as if to rest, +then came slowly up to where he was standing. Her breath came heavily, +and she looked around to find a place to rest. Chester instinctively +took her arm and led her to a deck chair. + +"O thank you," said Lucy, "I--my heart bothered me pretty badly that +time. I am forbidden to climb stairs, but I couldn't find you on the +lower deck." + +"Did you wish to see me?" asked Chester. + +"Yes; I--you'll not think me over bold, will you, but I had to find +you--won't you sit down here--I can't talk very loudly tonight." + +Chester drew a chair close to hers. A light wrap clung about her and the +moonlight streamed on head and face. The young man, in the most +matter-of-course-way adjusted the wrap to the girl's shoulders as he +said: + +"You are not well, tonight." + +"Oh, I'm as well as usual--thank you." She smiled faintly. "Will you +forgive us?" + +He was about to reply, "Forgive you for what?" but he checked himself. +Somehow, he could not feign ignorance as to what she meant, neither +could he use meaningless words to her. + +"We were very rude to you yesterday, both father and I; and I wanted to +make some explanations to you, so you would understand. I am so sorry." + +"You and your father are already forgiven. If there were a grain of +ill-feeling against him this afternoon, it all completely vanished when +I heard him talk at the services." + +"You were there?" + +"Yes. Now don't you worry." He was nearly to say "Little Sister;" but +again he checked himself. "I am a 'Mormon,'" he continued. "I am not +ashamed of it, because I know what it means. Only those who don't know +despise the word." + +"Neither am I ashamed of it," she said as she looked him fairly in the +face. "I know a little--a very little--about the 'Mormons,' but that +which I know is good." + +"What do you know?" + +"I'll tell you. One evening, in Kansas City I stopped to listen to two +young men preaching on the street. They were just boys, and they did not +have the appearance of preachers. You must know that I have always been +interested in religion, and religious problems. Perhaps that is natural, +seeing my father is a minister. I read his books, and many are the +discussions I have had with him over points of doctrine,--and we don't +always agree, either. He, however, usually took my little objections +good naturedly until one day he asked me where I had obtained a certain +notion regarding baptism. In reply I handed him the booklet I had +received at the 'Mormon' street meeting. He looked at it curiously for a +moment, wanted to know where I had obtained it, then locked it up in his +desk. He was really angry; as that was something he had never been +before over any religious question, I was surprised and impressed. I +had, however, read carefully the booklet. Not only that, but I had been +secretly to one of the 'Mormon' services. I there learned that an +acquaintance of mine belonged to the 'Mormon' Church, and depend upon +it, I had her tell me what she knew." + +"And your father?" + +"He objected, of course. At first, I told him everything. He had always +let me go to any and all religious gatherings without objection. He +even laughingly told me I could don the Salvation lassie's bonnet and +beat a drum in the street, if I wanted to; but when it came to the +'Mormons,' O, he was angry, and forbade me from ever going to their +meetings or reading their literature. I thought it strange." + +"It's not strange at all,--when you understand," remarked Chester, who +was intensely interested in her story. "I suppose you obeyed your +father." + +"Well, now, you want me to tell you the truth, of course--I--I wasn't +curious--" + +"Certainly not." + +"You're laughing at me. But I wasn't, I tell you. I was interested. +There is something in 'Mormonism' that draws me to it. I don't know much +about it, to be sure, for it seems that the subject always widens out to +such immensity. I want you to tell me more about Joseph Smith, the Book +of Mormon and the new revelations." + +"But your father will object. What would he say if he knew you were +sitting here in this beautiful moonlight talking to a 'Mormon'?" + +"I'm of age, I guess. I'm doing nothing wrong, I hope." + +"I hope not. Far be it for me to harm you--or any living soul. But I +don't know much about the gospel as we call it--for you must know it is +the simple gospel of Jesus Christ revealed anew. There are three other +'Mormons' on board, missionaries going to Europe. One of them at least +could tell you much." + +"But I'd be pleased to hear you tell me--is, is that father? I wonder if +he is looking for me." + +Chester looked in the direction indicated. A man came up, then passed +on; it was not the minister. The girl crouched into the shadow, and as +she did so her shoulder pressed against Chester's. Then she sprang up. + +"Well, I was foolish," she exclaimed, "to be afraid of dear old daddy!" + +Chester also arose, and the two walked to the railing. They stood there +in the moonlight. Great clouds of black smoke poured from the ship's +funnels, and streamed on to windward, casting a shadow on the white +deck. They looked out to the water, stretching in every direction into +the darkness. Then as if impelled by a common impulse, they looked at +each other, then blushed, and lowered their eyes. The girl's hands lay +on the railing. Chester saw their soft shapeliness, and noted also that +there were no rings on them. + +"I'm glad I've met you," said Chester honestly. + +"And I'm glad, too," she breathed. "Some other time you must tell me so +much. I've so many questions to ask. You'll do that, won't you?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"Now I must go to father. He may be uneasy." She held out her hand. +"Good night--what _do_ you think of me? Am I a rude girl?" + +"I heard your father call you Lucy. That's your name, isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"And I may call you that, may I not? You know these ship-board +acquaintances don't wait on ceremony." + +"But I don't know your name, either. Think of it, how we have been +really confidential and we don't even know each other's name." + +"I know yours." + +"Only half of it. I've two more. How many have you?" + +"Only two." + +"And they are?" + +"Chester Lawrence." + +"Well, mine is Lucy May Strong--and now, goodnight." + +He took her arm and helped her down the steps, gently, for she seemed +such a frail being, one who needed just such stout arms as Chester's to +lean upon. He risked the danger of meeting the father by helping her +down the second flight of steps to the state-room deck. + +"Good night, Lucy." + +"Good night--Brother Lawrence." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +All Monday forenoon, Chester sat on deck reading a book which he had +obtained from the ship's library. It was a most interesting story, and +yet the world of gray-green water and changing clouds drew his attention +from the printed page. He was beginning to realize what the fascination +for the sea was which took hold of men. It would have been difficult for +him to analyze or explain this feeling, but it was there; and it seemed +to him that he would have been content to live out his life on that +boundless ocean which presented a symbol of eternity continually before +his eyes. + +"Good morning." + +Chester started, then turned. It was Lucy's father who found a chair and +drew it up to Chester's. + +"Is the book interesting?" inquired the minister. + +"Not so interesting as this wonderful sea and sky," was the reply. + +"You are right," said the other, following the young man's gaze out to +the distance. "Our universe is now but water and air, and we are but +specks floating between the two layers." + +"But we know that ocean and air are not all. We know there are plains +and mountains, forests and growing fields; so after all our universe +must include not only all we can see with our eyes, but all that comes +within view of our comprehension. Do you know," resumed Chester after a +pause, "I have come to this conclusion, that our universe is limited +only within the bounds of our faith. As we believe, and strive to +convert that belief into a living faith, so shall we know and realize." + +The preacher looked keenly at the "Mormon," as if he would see the +fountain of these thoughts. Chester continued: + +"But you, as a minister of the gospel, understand all these things. +However, I like to think about them and express them to those who will +listen"--and as the minister was listening, the young man went on: + +"I reason it out this way: The Spirit of God--that is, His presence in +influence and knowledge and power, as you so beautifully put it +yesterday at the services, is everywhere in the universe. There is no +place in heaven or hell, or in the uttermost bounds of space but God is +there. As you also stated, we may not fully understand this infinite +magnificence of God, but this has been done to help us: the Father has +revealed Himself to us through his Son. The Son we can comprehend, for +He was one of us. We learn from scripture that this Son had all power +both in heaven and earth given him; that He was, in fact, 'heir of all +things.' Now, when that fact is fixed in my mind, I connect this other +with it, that we, God's children also, are joint heirs with Christ; and +in fact, if we continue on in the way He trod, we shall be like Him. +Now, then, what does this chain of argument lead us to? That we may +follow in the footsteps of God, and where He has gone, or shall go, we +may go. Think of it--no, we can't. Only for an instant can our minds +dwell upon it, then we drop to the common level again, and here we are, +a speck on the surface of the deep." + +"What is that book you are reading?" asked the minister. He had +evidently also dropped to the "common level;" or perhaps he had not +soared with his companion. + +"This? O, this is Kipling's 'Plain Tales from the Hills.' I like +Kipling, but I wish he hadn't written some very untruthful things about +my people." + +"Has he?" + +"Yes. It seems he made a flying visit through Salt Lake City, and took +for gospel truth the lurid stories hack drivers tell to tourists so that +they may get their money's worth." + +"Well, I don't know;--but that brings me to the point of my errand. I +sought you out especially today to ask you not to talk religion to my +daughter. I understand she and you had a discussion on 'Mormonism' last +evening, and she slept very little all night as a result." + +"You are mistaken, sir; I said nothing to her about 'Mormonism.' She +told me a little about--" + +"Well, whatever it was, she was and is still ill over it. Let me tell +you,--and I am sure you will believe me,--my little girl is all I have. +She has been ailing for years, heart trouble mostly, with complications. +A comfortable voyage with no over-excitement might help, the doctors +said; and that's the main reason for this trip. She has always been +interested in religious questions, which I naturally encouraged her in; +but when she got mixed up somewhat with the 'Mormons,' that was quite +another matter." + +"Why, may I ask?" + +"Well, it excited her. It brought her in contact with undesirable +people, people not of her class and standing--" + +"Like me, for instance." + +"I did not say that." + +"You inferred it. But pardon me. I would not, for the world, do anything +that would unfavorably affect your daughter." + +"I knew you would look at the matter sensibly. Perhaps it would be for +the best if you did not meet her oftener than possible. I know it is +difficult on ship-board, but for her sake you might try." + +"For her sake, why certainly, I'll do anything--for I want to tell you, +Mr. Strong, you have a good, sweet daughter." + +"I'm glad you think so." + +"And I think a whole lot of her, I may just as well tell you. We have +met but a few times, but some souls soon understand each other." + +"What! You don't mean--!" + +"That we have been making love to each other," laughed Chester. "O, no; +not that I know; but there is such a thing as true affinity of souls, +nevertheless, the affinity which draws by the Spirit of God. And so I +say again plainly, that you may understand, I regard your daughter +highly." + +"Young man, I thank you for your open manner and speech, but I beseech +of you not to encourage any deeper feeling towards my daughter. She can +never marry. She lives, as it were, on the brink of the grave. Now, I +have been plain also with you." + +"I appreciate it, sir; believe me; I am profoundly sorry for her and for +you; but, let me say this, seeing we are speaking plainly, if I loved +your daughter, and we all knew she would die tomorrow, or next month, +that knowledge would make only this difference, that my love would +become all the holier. If she returned that love, we would be happy in +knowing that in the life beyond we would go on and bring that love to a +perfect consummation." + +The minister looked closely again at the young man. Then, giving voice +to his thoughts, asked: "Have you studied for the ministry? Are you now +a 'Mormon' missionary?" + +"I am not an authorized 'Mormon' missionary. My studying has been no +more than is expected of every 'Mormon.' Every member of our Church is +supposed to be able to give a reason for the hope that is within +him,--and I think I can do that." + +"Do you live in Utah?" + +"No, sir; my home is in Chicago." + +"Chicago!--well, I--are there 'Mormons' in Chicago?" + +"A few, as I suppose there are a few in Kansas City. I joined the +'Mormon' Church in Chicago, but I was converted in Utah." + +"You have been to Utah, then?" + +"O, yes; I spent some time there and got very well acquainted with the +people; and they are a good people, I tell you, sir. I know--" + +"Yes, well, Mr.----, Lucy did tell me your name, but I have forgotten +it." + +"My name is Lawrence--Chester Lawrence." + +The minister had arisen as if about to go, but he now sat down again. +Chester did not understand the strange twitching of the minister's lips +or the pallor of his face. What had he said or done to agitate the man +so much? + +"Chester Lawrence!" repeated Mr. Strong under his breath. + +"You have never met me before, have you? Perhaps--" + +"No; I have never met you before. No, no; of course not. There was just +something come over me. I'm not very well, and I suppose I--" + +He stopped, as if he lacked words. + +"May I get you anything, a drink of water?" suggested Chester. + +"No, no; it was nothing. Sit down again"--for Chester also had +arisen--"and tell me some more about yourself. I am interested." + +"Well, my life has been very uneventful, and yet in a way, I have lived. +As a boy in Chicago, I suppose, my young days passed as others; but it +was when I went out west and met the 'Mormons' that things happened to +me." + +"Yes, yes." + +"I don't mean that I had any adventures or narrow escapes in a physical +way. I lived in the mountains as a miner for a time, but there are no +wild animals or Indians there now, so my adventures were those of the +spirit, if I may use that expression,--and of the heart. Isn't that your +daughter coming this way?" + +Sure enough, Lucy had found them, and came up to them beaming. Chester +failed to see in her any symptoms for the worse, as her father had +indicated. In fact, there certainly was a spring to her step which he +had not seen before. + +"Well, I've found you at last, you run-away papa. Good morning," she +nodded to Chester, who returned the greeting. "Don't you know, papa, you +have kept me waiting for half an hour or more to finish our game." + +"I'll go right now with you," said the father, rising. + +"Well, I don't care so much now, whether it's finished or not. I believe +someone else has it anyway." + +"Oh, we'll go and finish the game," persisted Mr. Strong. + +"Perhaps Mr. Lawrence will come along," suggested the girl, as it seemed +very proper to do. + +"Not now, thank you," replied Chester. "I must finish my book before the +lunch gong sounds." + +The minister took his daughter's arm and they went along the deck to +where a group was laughing merrily over the defeat and victory in the +games. Chester watched them mingle with the company, then he opened his +book again; but he did not complete his story at the time he had +appointed. + +To those who can possess their souls in peace, life on ship-board in +pleasant weather is restful, and may be thoroughly enjoyed. A little +world is here compactly put together, and human nature may be studied at +close range. From the elegant apartments of the saloon to the +ill-smelling quarters of the steerage, there is variety enough. +Representatives are here from nearly "every nation under heaven:" every +creed, every color; every grade of intelligence and worldly position, +from the prince who occupies exclusively the finest suite of rooms, to +the begrimed half-naked stoker in the furnace room in the depths of the +vessel; every occupation; every disposition. And yet, even in this +compact city in a shell of steel, one may seclude himself from his +fellows and commune solely with his own thoughts or his books. + +The three "Mormon" elders, reticent and quiet, had made few +acquaintances. The Rev. Mr. Strong and his daughter, not being very +well, had not been active in the social proceedings of the ship's +company. + +Chester Lawrence had formed an acquaintance which seemed to him to fill +all requirements, so that he cared not whether he learned to know any +more of his fellow travelers. And now further association with this +pleasant acquaintance must stop. Well, once again he said to himself, he +would be glad at sight of Liverpool, and again some deeply hidden voice +protested. + +Chester tried to keep his word with Mr. Strong. He made no efforts to +see Lucy or talk with her, and he even evaded her as much as possible. +This he could not wholly do without acting unmannerly. All were on deck +during those beautiful days, and twice on Tuesday Lucy and Chester and +the elders had played deck quoits, the father joining in one of them. +Lucy beamed on Chester in her quiet way until she noted the change in +his conduct towards her. The pained expression on the girl's face when +she realized this change, went to Chester's heart and he could have +cried out in explanation. + +That evening Lucy found Chester in a corner of the library pretending to +read. There was no escape for him as she approached. What a sweet +creature she was, open-hearted and unafraid! His heart met her half way. + +"What is the matter with you, Brother Lawrence?" she asked. + +"There is nothing the matter with me." + +"Then what have _I_ done?" She seated herself, and Chester laid his book +on the table. He would be plain and open with this girl. In the end +nothing is gained by mystery and silence. He told her plainly what had +taken place between himself and her father. She listened quietly, the +tears welling in her eyes as he progressed. Then for a moment she hid +her face in her hands while she cried softly. + +"I shall not ask you to break your promise," she said at last, "but I +did so want to learn more of the gospel--the true restored gospel. It +isn't true that a discussion of these things affects me unfavorably. I +am never so well as when I am hearing about and thinking of them. +Perhaps father thinks so, however; I shall not misjudge him." + +"So I shall keep my word," said he, "and if I keep it strictly, I should +not now prolong my talk with you. But I have a way out of your trouble. +You know Elder Malby. He is a wise man and knows the gospel much better +than I. He will gladly talk to you." + +"Thank you. That's a good suggestion; but you--" + +"I shall have to be content to look from afar off, or perchance to +listen in silence. Good night." + +And so it happened that the very next morning when the passengers were +looking eagerly to the near approach to Queenstown, Lucy and Elder Malby +were seen sitting on deck in earnest conversation. Chester promenaded at +a distance with some envy in his heart; but he kept away. For fully an +hour the girl and the elderly missionary talked. Then the minister, +coming on deck saw them. He, no doubt, thought she was well out of +harm's way in such company, for he did not know Elder Malby. When he +caught sight of Chester he went up to him, took him by the arm and fell +into his stride. + +Their conversation began with the common ship-board topics. Then the +minister asked his companion more about himself and his life. It seemed +to Chester that he purposely led up to his personal affairs, and he +wondered why. There were some parts of his history that he did not +desire to talk about. What did this man wish to know? + +"How long did you live in Utah?" asked the minister, after receiving +little information about Chester's birth and parentage. + +"Altogether, about a year." + +"And you liked it out there?" + +"Very much. The mountain air is fine; and that is truly the land of +opportunity." + +The two swung around the deck, keeping in step. Chester pressed his +companion's arm close. They reached in their orbit the point nearest to +Lucy and Elder Malby, then without stopping went on around. + +"I knew a man once by the name of Lawrence," said the minister. "I +wonder if he could be related to you." + +Chester did not reply. + +"I don't know whether or not he ever went to Utah." + +"My parents were not with me in Utah. I went alone, after I was a grown +man. My mother had lived there many years before, but had left. She +lived in Chicago the latter part of her life; but she made a trip to +Utah when she was old and feeble,--and she died there. * * * * Her grave +is there now." + +The minister now was silent. His lips twitched again. Chester once more +wondered why such things should affect him. The man's arm clung to +Chester firmly as if he wished support; and Chester's heart warmed to +him. Was he not Lucy's father? Should he not know all he desired to know +about the man who had expressed deep regard for his daughter? + +"I think you are tired," said Chester. "Let's sit here and rest." + +"Yes; all right." + +"The man Lawrence whom you knew was not my father," continued Chester. +"That was my mother's maiden name. I don't know--I never knew my father; +and shall I say, I have no wish to know a man who could treat my mother +and his child the way he did. No; much as I have longed to know a +father's love and care, I cannot but despise a man who becomes a father, +then shirks from the responsibility which follows--who leaves the burden +and the disgrace which follow parenthood outside the marriage relation +to the poor woman alone. Such baseness, such cowardice, such despicable +littleness of soul!--do you wonder why I don't want to know my father?" + +Well, he had done it. Lucy's father knew the truth of his dishonorable +beginning. This highly cultured Christian minister was no doubt shocked +into silence by his outburst of confidence. But he must know also that +this occurred among a Christian community, long before either of the +parties concerned knew of or were connected with the "Mormons." So +Chester explained this to the man at his side, who sat as if deaf to +what was being said. His gaze was fixed far out to sea. His lips did not +now quiver, but the lines in his face were rigid. + +Chester beckoned to the daughter, and when she came, he said: + +"I think your father is not well. Perhaps he ought to go below and +rest." + +"Father," cried the somewhat frightened girl, "what is it? Are you ill?" + +The father shook himself as if to be freed from some binding power, +looked at Chester and then at Lucy, smiled faintly, and said: + +"Oh, I'm all right now, but perhaps I ought to rest a bit. Will you go +down with me, Lucy?" + +The daughter took his arm and was about to lead him away. He stopped and +turned again to Chester. + +"Excuse me," he said, "but what was your mother's full name?" + +"Anna Lawrence." + +"Thank you. All right, Lucy. Let's be going." + +Chester watched them disappear down the companionway, then looked out to +sea at the black smoke made by a steamer crawling along the horizon, +from Liverpool outward bound. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +A number of men and women were sitting on the promenade deck forward +engaged in an earnest discussion. Just as Chester Lawrence came up and +paused to listen, for it seemed to be a public, free-for-all affair, he +noticed that Elder Malby was talking, directing his remarks to a young +man in the group. + +"What is your objective point?" the Elder asked. "What do you live and +work for? What is your philosophy of life by which you are guided and +from which you draw courage, hope, and strength?" + +"Oh, I take the world as it comes to me day by day, trusting to luck, or +to the Lord, perhaps I had better say, for the future," replied the +young fellow. + +"What would you think of a captain of a vessel not knowing nor caring to +know from what port he sailed or what port was his destination? Who did +not know the object of the voyage, knew nothing of how to meet the +storms, the fog, the darkness of the sea?" + +"Well, I'm not the captain of a ship." + +"Yes, you are. You are the captain of your own soul, at least; and you +may not know how many more souls are depending upon you for guidance in +this voyage of life which we are all taking." + +"That's right--true," agreed a number of by-standers. + +"Say, mister," suggested one, "tell us what you think of the +propositions. You seem able to, all right." + +"Well," responded the elder, "I don't want to preach a sermon that will +bore you; but if the ladies and gentlemen here are interested I shall be +pleased to give my views." + +"Sure--go on," came from others. + +One or two found seats, as if they would rather sit through the ordeal, +others following their example. "Yes; it's more comfortable," agreed +Elder Malby, as they drew their chairs in a circle. Two people left, but +two others came and took their places. + +"I hope we are all Christians," began the speaker, "at least so far that +we believe the Scriptures; otherwise my arguments will not appeal to +you." + +A number acknowledged themselves to be Christians. + +"Then I may begin by saying that the purpose of this life-voyage of ours +is that we might obtain the life eternal. 'This is life eternal' that we +might know God and His Son Jesus Christ who was sent to us. If we know +the Son we know the Father, for we are told that the Father has revealed +Himself through the Son. This Son we know as Jesus Christ who was born +into the world as we were. He had a body of flesh. He was like us, His +brethren; yet this Being, the Scriptures tell us, was in the 'form of +God;' that He was the 'image of the invisible God;' that He was 'in the +express image of His Father's person.' When Jesus lived on the earth, +one of His disciples asked Him, 'Show us the Father.' 'He that hath seen +me, hath seen the Father,' was the reply. 'I am the way, the truth, and +the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me.'" + +At this point the Rev. Mr. Strong and his daughter came sauntering along +the deck. They paused to listen, then accepted the chairs which Chester +hurriedly found for them. + +"I am not stating where in the Scriptures these quotations can be +found," continued the elder, "though I shall be pleased to do so to any +who wish to know. Well then, here we have a glorious truth: if we wish +to know God, we are to study the Son. Jesus is the great Example, the +Revealer of the Father. He is the Father's representative in form and in +action. If Jesus, the Son, is meek and lowly, so also is the Father; if +He is wise and good and forgiving, so is the Father; if the Son is +long-suffering and slow to anger, yet not afraid to denounce sin and +call to account the wicked, so likewise may we represent the Father. All +the noble attributes which we find in the Son exist in perfectness in +the Father. + +"Picture this noble Son, the risen Redeemer, my friends, after His +battle with death and His victory over the grave! In the splendid glory +of His divine manhood, all power both in heaven and earth in His hand, +He stands as _the_ shining figure of the ages. Why? Because He is 'God +With Us.'" + +There was perfect stillness in the group of listeners. + +"Thus the Father has shown Himself to us. There is no need for any of us +to plead ignorance of our Divine Parent. The way is marked out, the +path, though at times difficult, is plain. The Son does the will of the +Father. 'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,' said Jesus. 'The Son +can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do; for what +things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' We, then, +are to follow Christ, as He follows the Father. Isn't that plain?" + +"Do I understand," asked one, "that you believe God to be in the form of +man?" + +"Rather that man is in the form of God, for 'God created man in His own +image.'" + +"In His moral image only. God is a spirit. He is everywhere present, and +therefore cannot have a body, such as you claim," objected one. + +"I claim nothing, my friend. I am only telling you what the Scriptures +teach. They say nothing about a 'moral image.' What is a moral image? +Can it have an existence outside and apart from a personality of form?" + +There was no immediate response to this. Some looked at the minister as +if he ought to speak, but that person remained silent. + +"The attributes of God, as far as we know them, are easily put into +words; but try to think of goodness and mercy and love and +long-suffering and wisdom outside and apart from a conscious +personality, an individual, if you please. Try it." + +Some appeared to be trying. + +"Pagan philosophers have largely taken from the world our true +conception of God, and given to us one 'without body, parts, or +passions.' The Father has been robbed of His glorious personality in the +minds of men. Christ also has been spiritualized into an unthinkable +nothingness. And so, to be consistent some have concluded that man also +is non-existent; and it naturally follows that God and Christ and man, +with the whole material universe, are relegated to the emptyness of a +dream." + +"If God is in the form of man He cannot be everywhere," suggested one of +the ladies. "And that's not a pleasant thought." + +"Our friend here," continued the speaker, nodding to Mr. Strong, "quoted +a passage in his splendid sermon last Sunday which explains how God may +be and is present in all His creations. Certainly God the Father cannot +personally be in two places at the same time any more than God the Son +could or can." The elder took a Bible from his pocket. + +"I had better read the passage. It is found in the 139th Psalm. David +exclaims, 'Whither shall I go from thy _spirit_, or whither shall I flee +from thy presence?' You will recall the rest of the passage. Is it not +plain that the Lord is present by His Spirit always and everywhere. His +Spirit sustains and controls and blesses all things throughout the +immensity of space. Fear not, my friend, that that Spirit cannot be +with you and bless you on sea or on land. We cannot get outside its +working power any more than we can escape the Spirit of Christ now and +here, even if His glorified body of flesh and bones now sits on the +right hand of His Father in heaven where Stephen saw it." + +As is usual in all such discussions as this, some soon retire, others +linger, eager not to miss a word. Lucy, you may be sure, was among those +who remained. Her father also, sitting near to Chester, listened with +deep interest. + +"Just one more thought," continued the "Mormon" elder, "in regard to +this lady's fear that God may not be able to take care of all His +children always and everywhere. God is essentially a Father--our Father. +The fathering of God gives me great comfort. By fathering I mean that He +has not only brought us into existence, but He has sent us forth, +provides for us, watches over us. In our darkness He gives us light, in +our weakness He lends us strength. He rebukes our wrong actions, and +chastens us for our good. In fact, He fathers us to the end. Is it not a +great comfort?" + +"It certainly is," said Lucy, unconscious to all else but the spirit of +the Elder's words. + +"In this world," said the Elder, "the God-given power of creation is +exercised unthoughtfully, unwisely, and often wickedly. A +good-for-nothing scamp may become a father in name; but he who attains +to that holy title in fact, must do as God does,--must love, cherish, +sustain and make sacrifices for his child until his offspring becomes +old enough and strong enough to stand for himself,--Don't you think so, +Mr. Strong?" + +All eyes were turned to the minister who was appealed to so directly. +Had the reverend gentleman been listening, or had his thoughts been with +his eyes, out to sea? His face was a study. But that was not to be +wondered at. Was he not a dispenser of the Word himself, and had he not +been listening to strange doctrine? However, he soon shifted his gaze +from the horizon to his questioner. + +"Certainly, I agree with you," he replied. "Father and fathering are +distinct things. Happy the man who combines them in his life--happy, +indeed." + +The afternoon was growing to a close. The sun sank into the western sea. +The Elder, carried along by the awakened missionary spirit, continued +his talk. He explained that the Father had by means of the Son pointed +out the way of life, called the plan of salvation, or gospel of Jesus +Christ. He spoke of faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of +sins; for, said the Elder to himself, even the minister has need of +these things. + +Lucy drank eagerly the words of life. Her father sat unmoved, making no +comment or objection. He had never been one to wrangle over religion; +had prided himself, in fact, on being liberal and broad-minded; so he +would not dispute even though he could not altogether agree. The Elder's +words came to him in a strange way. Had he heard all this before? If so, +it had been in some long-forgotten past; and this man's discourse only +awakened a faint remembrance as of a distant bell tolling across the +hills. Away back in his youth, he must have heard something like this; +or was it an echo of some pre-existent world--he had heard of such +things before. Perhaps it was the man's tone of voice, his mannerism +that recalled, in some way, some past impression. + +The Elder stopped. Lucy touched her father's arm. + +"Father," she said, "I believe you are cold. I had better get your +coat." + +The minister arose, as if stiffened in the joints by long sitting. He +reached out his hand to the Elder. "I have enjoyed your gospel talk," he +said. "May I ask your name, and to what Church you belong, for evidently +you are a preacher." + +"My name is George Malby, and I am an elder of the Church of Jesus +Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as 'Mormons.'" + +"A 'Mormon!'" a number of voices chorused. + +Some confusion followed, and the party broke up. Lucy, her father, and +Chester, still lingered. + +"Father," said Lucy, "I had intended to introduce you to Elder Malby, +but I wanted you to hear, unprejudiced, what he had to say. What he has +been teaching is 'Mormonism,' and you'll admit now that it is not at all +bad. You never would listen nor read." + +"Lucy--that will do. Good evening, gentlemen. Come Lucy." + +Later that same evening when most of the passengers had retired, the +Rev. Mr. Strong came up on deck again. He took off his cap so that the +breeze might blow unhindered through the thin, gray locks. He paced +slowly the length of the promenade deck with hands behind his back and +eyes alternatingly looking into the dark sky and to the deck at his +feet. The old man's usual erect form was bent a little as he walked, his +step broke occasionally from the rhythmatical tread. There was war in +the minister's soul. Conflicting emotions fought desperately for +ascendency. Memories of the past mingled with the scenes of the present, +and these became confused with the future. As a minister of the gospel +for half a lifetime, he had never had quite such a wildly disordered +mind. He wiped the perspiration from his brow. He groaned in spirit so +that moans escaped from his lips. The sea was beautifully still, but +rather would he have had it as wild and as boisterous as that which was +within his heart. + +The man paused now and then at the rail. The Irish coast was not far +away, and the lights of ships could be seen, westward bound. The +minister tried to follow in his mind these little floating worlds; but +they were too slow. Like the lightning he crossed the Atlantic and then +with the same speed flew half way across the American continent to a +big, black, busy city roaring with the traffic of men. Then out a few +miles to the college, where he as a young divinity student had spent +some years of his early manhood--and there and then he had met +her--Also, years later, the woman whom he had married--and at each big +milestone in his journey of life there had been "Mormons" and +"Mormonism." + +"'Mormonism,' 'Mormonism,'" the man whispered hoarsely. +"Anna--Clara--Lucy--Chester--and now--and now what! O, my God!" + +It was nearly midnight when Lucy, becoming alarmed at her father's long +absence from his state room, came slowly on deck, stopping now and then +to rest. She saw him by the rail, went up to him, took him by the arm +and with a few coaxing words led him down into his room. As he kissed +her good-night with uncommon fervor, he looked into her upturned face +and said: + +"Are you going to love this young man--Chester Lawrence?" + +"Father," she cried, "what do you mean?" + +"Just what I say. I am not blind. I made him promise not to seek your +company or talk religion to you. Tomorrow I shall relieve him from that +promise." + +"O, father!" + +"There now, child,--and Lucy, he may talk of religion and love all he +wants. I think those two things, when they are of the right kind and +properly blended, are good for the heart, don't you?" + +"Yes, thank you, dear daddy--we are so near England now that I may call +you daddy." + +"Then good-night, my girl;" and he kissed her again in the doorway. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +But next morning there was no time to talk of either love or religion +for Chester and Lucy. + +The coast of Ireland had been sighted earlier than had been expected, +and there was the usual straining of eyes landward. Chester was among +the first to see the dark points on the horizon which the seamen said +was the Irish coast, and which as the vessel approached, expanded to +green hills, dotted with whitened houses. This then was Europe, old, +historic Europe, land of our forefathers, land of the stories and the +songs that have come down to us from the distant past. + +"Good morning. What do you think of Ireland?" Lucy touched his arm. + +"Oh, good morning. You are up early." + +"I am feeling so fine this morning that I had to get up and join in the +cry of 'Land ho.' No matter how pleasant an ocean voyage has been, we +are always pleased to see the land. Besides, we get off at Queenstown." + +"What!" exclaimed Chester. "I thought you were bound for Liverpool?" + +"Yes, later; but we are to visit some of our people in Ireland first. +Papa has a brother in Cork. We intend to remain there a few days, then +go on to Dublin, Liverpool, London, Paris, etc., etc.," laughed the +girl. + +Chester's heart sank. The separation was coming sooner than he had +thought. Only a few more hours, and this little sun-kissed voyage would +end. He looked at the girl by him; that action was not under embargo. +Yes; she was uncommonly sweet that morning. Perhaps it was the Irish +blood in her quickening at the nearness of the land of her forefathers. +Cheeks and lips and ears were rosy red, and the breeze played with the +somewhat disheveled hair. There was a press of people along the rail +which caused Lucy's shoulders to snuggle closely to his side. Chester +was silent. + +"Yes;" she went on, "there's dear old Ireland. You see, this is my +second visit, and it's like coming home. You go on to Liverpool, I +understand." + +"I have a ticket to Liverpool," he said; "but I suppose they would let +me off at Queenstown, wouldn't they?" + +"Why, certainly--how fast we are nearing land. I'll have to go down now +and awaken father. We haven't much time to get ready." + +He would have held her, had he dared. She was gone, and there were a +hundred and one questions to ask her. She must not get away from him +like this. He must know where they were going--get addresses by which to +find them. He had no plans but what could be easily changed. Seeing +Europe without Lucy Strong would be a dull, profitless excursion. +Chester's thoughts ran along this line, when Lucy appeared again. The +color had left her face. + +"Father is very sick," she said to Chester. "He seems in a stupor. I +can't wake him. Will you find the doctor?" + +"I'll get him," he said. "Don't worry. We'll be down immediately." + +Chester and the doctor found Lucy rubbing her father's hands and +forehead, pleading softly for him to speak to her. The doctor after a +hurried examination, said there was nothing serious. A nervous +break-down of some kind only--no organic trouble--would be all right +again shortly. + +"But doctor, we get off at Queenstown," explained Lucy. + +"Well, I think you can manage it. By the time you are ready to leave, he +will be strong enough. This young man seems able to carry him ashore, if +need be. Are you landing also," he asked of Chester. + +"Well--yes." + +Lucy looked at the young man, but said nothing. The doctor promised to +bring some medicine, then left. + +"But Mr. Lawrence--" began Lucy. + +"I'll listen to no objections," interrupted he. "I couldn't think for a +moment of leaving you two in this condition. You're hardly able to lift +a glass of water, and now you father's ill also. No; I am going with +you, to be your body guard, your servant. Listen! I'm out to see the old +world. I should very much like to begin with Queenstown and Cork." + +The father moved, opened his eyes, then sat up He passed his hand over +his face, then looked at the two young people. "It's all right," he +muttered, then lay down again on the pillow. The doctor came with his +medicine. There were now heard the noise of trunks being hoisted from +the hold and the bustle of getting ready to leave the ship. + +"Father," said Lucy. "We must soon get ready to leave. Will you be +able?" + +"Yes, yes, child"--it seemed difficult for the old man to speak. + +"And Chester--Mr. Lawrence--here is to go with us and help us." + +"Yes." He nodded as if it was easier to give assent in that way. + +"We'll make all things ready, daddy. Don't you worry. Rest as long as +you can. It will be some time yet before you will need to get up." + +The sick man nodded again. + +"I'll remain here while you get ready," said Chester. "Then you may +attend while I do what little is necessary. I'll let my trunk go right +on to Liverpool. + +Lucy hurried away and Chester sat down by the bed. As he smoothed out +the coverlet, the minister reached out and took Chester's hand which he +held in his own as if to get strength from it. There came into the old +man's face an expression of contentment, but he did not try to talk. + +Lucy returned, and Chester hurried to his own room where he soon packed +his few belongings and was ready. He found the elders on deck watching +the approach to Queenstown, and explained to them what had happened to +change somewhat his plans. "I'll surely hunt you up," he said to Elder +Malby, "and visit with you;" and the Elder wished him God-speed and gave +him his blessing. + +Slowly the big ship sailed into Queenstown harbor, and then stopped. The +anchor chains rattled, the big iron grasped the bottom, and the vessel +was still. What a sensation to be once more at rest! Now out from the +shore came a tender to take Queenstown passengers ashore. Small boats +came alongside from which came shrill cries to those far above on deck. +A small rope was thrown up which was caught and hauled in by the +interested spectators. At the end of the small rope there dangled a +heavier one, and at the end of that there was a loop into which a +good-sized Irish woman slipped. "Pull away," came from below, and half a +dozen men responded. Up came the woman, her feet climbing the sides of +the steamer. With great good-nature the men pulled until the woman was +on deck. Then she immediately let down the lighter rope to her companion +in the small boat, where a basket was fastened and drawn up. From the +basket came apples, or "real Irish lace," or sticks of peculiar Irish +woods, all of which found a ready sale among the passengers. + +From one of the lower decks of the steamer, a gang-way was pushed on to +the raised deck platform of the tender, and even then the incline was +quite steep. This bridge was well fastened by ropes, and then the +passengers began to descend, while their heavier baggage was piled on +the decks of the tender. + +Lucy and her father soon appeared. Chester met them below and helped the +sick man up, along the deck, and down the gang-way to the tender, where +he found a seat. Lucy followed, stewards carrying their hand baggage. +From their new position they looked up to the steamer. How big it was! + +The day was beautifully warm. Well wrapped in his coat, the father +rested easily, watching with some interest the busy scene around him. He +being among the last to leave the liner, they were soon ready to be off. +The gang-way was drawn in again, and the tender steamed away towards the +inner harbor. The big ship weighed its anchor, then proceeded on its +course to Liverpool, carrying away its little world of a week's +acquaintance, to which Chester and Lucy waved farewell. + +Queenstown, in terraced ranks, now rose before them. The pier was soon +reached, from which most of the travelers continued their journey by +rail. The minister and his party, however, took passage again on a small +boat for Cork. Everything being new to Chester, and the father being +quite unable to do anything, the initiative, at least, rested on Lucy. +With Chester's help, she managed quite well. + +For an hour they sailed on the placid waters of the harbor and up into +the river Lee. The wooded hills, on either hand, dotted with +farm-houses and villas, presented a pleasing picture. The boat drew up +to a landing at St. Patrick's Bridge, where Uncle Gilbert met them, +greatly surprised and alarmed at his brother's condition. + +Carriages were waiting. Chester was introduced by Lucy in a way which +led to the inference that he was a particular friend of the family +picked up, perhaps, in their time of need. Bag and baggage was piled in +besides them and they drove away through the streets of Cork and into +the suburbs. Slowly the horse climbed the hill, but in a short time they +were at Uncle Gilbert's home, one of the beautiful ones situated among +the green of rolling hillside and the deeper green of trees. + +There was another warm welcome by Aunt Sarah, who took immediate and +personal charge of the sick man. + +"It's a break-down through overwork," she declared. "You Americans live +at such fever heat that it is no wonder you have no nerves. They're +burned out of you. But it's rest only he wants, poor man; and here's +where he'll get it. Don't you worry, Lucy." + +Aunt Sarah's masterful treatment of cases such as these took much care +and anxiety from them all. Away from the bustle and roar of hurrying +humanity and traffic, resting amid the soothing green, and breathing the +mild air of the country; the minister ought surely to get well again +soon. + +He would not go to bed, but chose to sit in a big chair with a pillow +under his head, looking out of the upstairs window which afforded a view +of the town. The sun came in rather strongly during the afternoon and +the father motioned Lucy to partly draw the blind. She did so, then drew +a stool to his chair and seated herself near him. He placed his hands on +her head, patted it caressingly, smiled at her, but said nothing. It was +still difficult for him to speak. + +Presently, there came a light tap at the door. Lucy arose. It was +Chester. + +"Excuse me," he said, "but the people below are somewhat confused over +the trunks. I came to inquire." + +"Come in," said Lucy. "Let the 'confusion' continue for a little while. +Come in to where there is peace. Father is feeling better, I am sure." + +The invalid turned towards the speakers, then with a movement of his +head told them to come near. Lucy took her former position, while +Chester drew up a chair. Yes; he did seem better, there being some color +in his face to add life to his faint smile. + +"Chester," he whispered with effort, as he reached out and took the young +man's hand, "Chester--my boy--I--am--so--glad--you--came--with--us." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +While the father was resting quietly at Kildare Villa, as Uncle +Gilbert's home was called, Chester and Lucy spent a few days in looking +about. + +"Are there any sights worth seeing around here?" asked Chester of Lucy. + +"Are there?" she replied in surprise. "Did you ever hear of the Blarney +Stone?" + +Yes; he had. + +"Well, that's not far away; and those were the Shandon bells you heard +last evening, + + 'The bells of Shandon, + That sound so grand on + The pleasant waters of the river Lee,'" + +she quoted. + +The fact of the matter was that Chester was quite content to remain +quietly with Lucy and her father and the other good people of the place. +Traveling around the country would, without doubt, separate them, and +that disaster would come soon enough, he thought; but when Lucy +announced that she was ready for a "personally conducted tour to all +points of interest," he readily agreed to be "conducted." She was well +enough to do so, she said; and in fact it did look as if health were +coming to her again. + +The morning of the second day at Kildare Villa Chester and Lucy set out +to see the town, riding in Aunt Sarah's car behind the pony. There had +been a sprinkle of rain during the night, so the roads were pleasant. +Lucy pointed out the places of interest, consulting occasionally a guide +book. + +"While viewing the scenery, it is highly educational to get the proper +information," said Lucy as she opened her book. "It states here that +Cork is a city of 76,000 people. According to one authority it had a +beginning in the seventh century. Think of that now, and compare its +growth with that of Kansas City, for instance." + +"I have always associated this city with the small article used as +stoppers for bottles," said Chester. + +"You thought perhaps the British needed a cork to stop up their harbor," +said Lucy, gravely; "but you are entirely mistaken. The book says the +name is a corruption of Corcach, meaning a marsh. The town has, however, +long since overflowed the water, and now occupies not only a large +island in the river, but reaches up the high banks on each side." + +They were evidently in Ireland. + +"A most noticeable peculiarity of Cork is its absolute want of +uniformity, and the striking contrasts in the colors of the houses. The +stone of which the houses in the northern suburb is built is of reddish +brown, that on the south, of a cold gray tint. Some are constructed of +red brick, some are sheathed in slate, some whitewashed; some reddened, +some yellowed. Patrick may surely do as he likes with his own house. The +most conspicuous steeple in the place, that of St. Ann, Shandon's, is +actually red two sides and white the others, + + 'Parti-colored, like the people, + Red and white stands Shandon steeple.' + +and there it is before us," said Lucy. + +The tower loomed from a low, unpretentious church. The two visitors +drove up the hill, stopped the horse while they looked at the tower and +heard the bells strike the hour. + +"What Father Prout could see in such commonplace things to inspire him +to write his fine poem, I can not understand," said Lucy. "There is a +peculiar jingle in his lines which stays with one. Listen: + + "'With deep affectation and recollection + I often think of the Shandon bells, + Whose sounds so wild would, in days of childhood + Fling round my cradle their magic spells-- + On this I ponder, where'er I wander, + And thus grow fonder, sweet Cork of thee + With thy bells of Shandon, + That sound so grand on + The pleasant waters of the river Lee.'" + +Lucy read the four stanzas. + +"It's fine," agreed Chester; "and I think I can answer your question of +a moment ago. Father Prout, as he says, listened to these bells in +childhood days, those days when 'heaven lies about us' and glorifies +even the most common places, and the impressions he then received +remained with him." + +Lucy "guessed" he was right. + +Then they drove by St. Fin Barre's cathedral, considered the most +noteworthy and imposing building in Cork. "'It is thought probable the +poet Spenser was married in the church which formerly stood on the +site,'" Lucy read. "'His bride was a Cork lady, but of the country, not +of the city. Spenser provokingly asks: + + "'Tell me, ye merchants' daughters, did ye see + So fayre a creature in your town before? + Her goodlie eyes, like sapphyres shining bright; + Her forehead, ivory white, + Her lips like cherries charming men to byte.'" + +"Well," remarked Chester as they drove homeward, and he thought he was +brave in doing so. "I don't know about the merchants' daughters of Cork, +but I know a minister's daughter of Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., who +tallies exactly with Spenser's description." + +"Why, Mr. Lawrence!" + +"I might say more," he persisted, "were it not for some foolish promises +I made that same minister a few days ago--but here we are. Where shall +we go after lunch?" + +"I thought we were to go to Blarney Castle." + +"Sure. I had forgotten. That's where the Blarney Stone is?" + +"Sure," repeated the girl mischievously. + +So that afternoon they set out. It was but a short distance by train +through an interesting country. Lucy was the guide again. + +"Do you have an Irish language?" asked Chester. "I heard some natives +talking something I couldn't understand." + +"Of course there's an Irish language," explained his fair instructor. +"Anciently the Irish spoke the Gaelic, a branch of the Celtic. In this +reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Irish language was forbidden. The English +is now universal, but many still speak the Gaelic. In recent years there +has been an awakening of interest in the old tongue. 'One who knows +Irish well,' an Irish historian claims, 'will readily master Latin, +French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian;' and he adds that to the +Irish-speaking people, the Irish language is 'rich, elegant, +soul-stirring, and expressive.'" + +"I can well believe the latter statement when I remember the actions of +those using it," said Chester. + +"Here we are," announced Lucy, as they alighted and walked to the +entrance of the park. "It will cost us six pence to get in." + +Chester paid the man at the gate a shilling. The castle loomed high on +the side of a hill, its big, square tower being about all that now +remains of the ancient structure. A woman was in charge of the castle +proper. + +"The stone that you kiss is away up to the top," explained Lucy. "You +will have to go up alone, as I dare not climb the stairs. I'll wait +here. But stop a minute; the impressions will be more lasting if you get +the proper information first. Here, we'll sit on this bench while I tell +you about the castle." + +Chester readily agreed to this. + +"To sentimental people," began the girl, as she looked straight at the +high walls in front, "Blarney Castle is the greatest object of interest +in Southern Ireland; and, of course, the Blarney Stone is the center of +attraction. It was built by Cormack McCarthy about 1446. Of the siege of +the castle by Cromwell's forces, under Irton, we have the following +picturesque account in verse, which, I must say, has a Kipling-like +ring." + +She opened her book and read: + + "'It was now the poor boys of the castle looked over the + wall, + And they saw that ruffian, ould Cromwell, a-feeding on + powder and ball, + And the fellow that married his daughter, a-chawing + grape-shot in his jaw, + 'Twas bowld I-ray-ton they called him, and he was his + brother-in-law.' + +"The word 'Blarney' means pleasant, deludin' talk, said to have +originated at the court of Queen Elizabeth. McCarthy, the then chieftain +over the clan of that name who resided at Blarney, was repeatedly asked +to come in from 'off his keeping.' He was always promising with fair +words and soft speech to do what was desired, but never could be got to +come to the sticking point. The queen, it is told, when one of his +speeches was brought to her, said: 'This is all Blarney; what he says, +he never means.' + +"Now, this is the reason for kissing the stone up there in the tower. +Listen: + + "'There is a stone there, whoever kisses, + Oh! he never misses to grow eloquent; + 'Tis he may clamber to a lady's chamber, + Or become a Member of Parliament. + A clever spouter, he'll sure turn out, or + An "out--an'--outer" to be let alone; + Don't hope to hinder him, or to bewilder him, + Sure, he's a pilgrim from the Blarney Stone.' + +"Now, then, these are the facts in the case," concluded Lucy. "Proceed +to do." + +Chester climbed the long stairs to the top. From the western edge, he +looked down and waved at Lucy, then hurriedly scanned the beautiful +prospect about him. The wonderful stone then drew his attention. It is +set in the parapet wall, being one of the under stones in the middle of +the tower. This parapet does not form part of the wall, but is detached +from it, being built out about two feet and supported by a sort of +scaffolding brace of masonry. This leaves a space between the battlement +and the wall, which in olden times, enabled the defenders to drop stones +and other trifles on to the heads of assailants one hundred twenty feet +below. Two iron bands now reach around the famous stone, spanning the +open space, and fastened to the wall. The aspirant who wishes to kiss +the stone, must grasp these irons, one in each hand, and hang on for +dear life. As the stone is underneath the parapet, the feat of kissing +it is not easy. In the first place, one must lie on one's back, then +with head extended over the wall, the head must be bent down and back +far enough to touch the lips to the stone. To perform the feat safely, +there must be assistants at hand who must hold one's legs in steady +grip, and others who must sit on the lower part of the body to assure +the proper equilibrium. + +Being entirely alone, it is needless to say, Chester did not kiss the +Blarney Stone. He was satisfied with reaching under and touching it with +his hand. Then he returned to Lucy. + +"You did not kiss the stone," she immediately declared. + +"You know, don't you, that it takes two to kiss--the Blarney Stone?" + +"I've heard it so stated. I've never been up to it." + +The park around the castle is very inviting, especially on a fine, warm +afternoon. There are big trees, grass, and neatly kept walks. Chester +and Lucy sauntered under the trees. A tiny brook gurgled near by, the +birds were singing. Lucy chattered merrily along, but Chester was not so +talkative. She noticed his mood and asked why he was so silent. + +"I was thinking of that promise. I fear I am not doing right." + +"O, that reminds me--Father, of course could not--" + +"Could not what?" + +"Well, the night before he became so ill on the boat he told me he was +going to release you from any promise not to meet me and talk religion +to me." + +"Did he say that?" They paused in their walk. + +"Yes; and he meant it--he means it now, if he could but say as much." + +"I thank you for telling me * * * Let us sit down here on this rustic +seat. Do you know, I believe your father has gotten over his first +dislike for me." + +"O, yes, he has. I think he likes you very much." + +"I was not surprised at his actions when I told him I was a 'Mormon.' He +can hardly be blamed, in view of the life-long training he has had. And +then, knowing that you have been in danger from that source before made +him over-sensitive on the point. I marvel now that he treats me so +well." + +Lucy looked her happiness, rather than expressed it. The guide book lay +open on her lap. Chester picked it up, looked at a picture of Blarney +Castle, and then read aloud: + + "'There's gravel walk there, + For speculation, + And conversation + In sweet solitude. + 'Tis there the lover + May hear the dove, or + The gentle plover + In the afternoon.' + +"Lucy," said Chester, as he closed the book, "I'm going to call you +Lucy--I can't call you Miss Strong in such a lovely place as this. We +have an hour or two before we must return, and I want to talk over a few +matters while we have the chance. In the first place, I want you to tell +me where you are going when you leave Ireland. I want to keep track of +you--I don't want to lose you. If your father would not object, I should +like to travel along with you." + +"Father may remain here a long time, so long that we may not get to see +much of Europe, and of course, you can't wait here for us." + +"Now listen, Lucy. _You_ are Europe to me. I believe you are the whole +world." + +She did not turn from him, though she looked down to the grass where the +point of her sunshade now rested. Her face was diffused with color. + +"Forgive me for saying so much," he continued, "for I realize I am quite +a stranger to you." + +"A stranger?" she asked. + +"Yes; we have not known each other long. You don't know much about me." + +"I seem to have known you a long time," she said, looking up. "I often +think I have met you before. Sometimes I imagine you look like the +young missionary whom I first heard on the streets of Kansas City; but +of course, that can't be." + +"No; I never was on a mission. But I'm glad you think of me as you do, +for then you'll let me come and see you in London, in Paris and wherever +you go. I assure you, it would be rather uninteresting sight-seeing +without your presence, if not always in person, then in spirit. After +all, much depends on the condition of the eyes with which one looks on +an object whether it is interesting or not." + +Then the talk led to personal matters. He spoke of his experiences in +Utah--some of them--and she fold him her simple life's story. Her mother +had died many years ago; she had no very distinct recollection of her. +She and her father had lived with housekeepers for many years. What with +school and home, the one trip before to Europe, a number of excursions +to various parts of her own country, her life had passed very smoothly +and very quietly among her friends and books. As Chester listened to her +he thought how like in some respects her story was to that of Julia +Elston's. And as she sat there under the trees, she again looked like +Julia, yet with a difference. Somehow the first girl had vanished but +she had left behind in his heart a susceptibility to a form and face +like this one beside him. Julia had come into his heart, not to dwell +there, but to purify it, adorn it, and to make it ready for someone +else;--and that other person had come. She filled the sanctuary of his +heart. Peace and love beyond the telling were inmates with her. Had he +not come to his own at last. + +That afternoon, as he sat with Lucy under the trees at Blarney, +listening to her story, told in simplicity with eyes alternating between +smiles and tears, he felt so near heaven that his prayers went easily +ahead of him to the throne of mercy and love, bearing a message of +praise and gratitude to the Giver of all good. + +These two were quite alone that afternoon. Even the care-taker went +within the thick walls of the castle, remembering, perhaps, that she +also had been young once. Birds may have eyes to see and ears to hear, +but they tell nothing to humans. + +On the way back to Cork there was only one other passenger in the +car,--an Irish girl carrying a basket in which were two white kittens. +About half way to the city, the train stopped, and much to the +travelers' surprise, a company of about two hundred Gordon Highlanders +boarded the train, filling the cars completely. + +"What," asked Chester. "Have the Scotch invaded Ireland?" + +"I suppose it's a company just out for a bit of exercise," suggested +Lucy. + +Their bare, brown legs, kilts and equipment were matters of much +interest to Chester. When the train arrived in Cork, the soldiers +formed, and with bagpipes squeeling their loudest, they marched into St. +Patrick's street. Chester and Lucy and the girl with the basket +followed. + +"This is quite an honor," remarked Chester, "to have a company of +soldiers come to meet us, and to be escorted into town by music like +this. How did _they_ know?" + +"Know what?" escaped from Lucy before she discerned his meaning. + +"Why, you silly man," she replied, "the honor is for the kittens!" + +Uncle Gilbert met them at the door. "Your father is sleeping--getting +along fine," he explained. "Now then, young man, did you kiss the +Blarney Stone?" + +"Why--no--I--" + +"You didn't! You missed the greatest opportunity in your life." + +"Oh, no, I didn't." replied Chester. "Far from it." + +Lucy, rosy red, fled past her teasing uncle into the house. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +A warm, gentle rain was falling. No regrets or complaints were heard at +Kildare Villa, for, as Uncle Gilbert said, the farmers needed it, he and +his people were comfortably housed, and the excursionists--meaning +Chester and Lucy--would do well to remain quiet for a day. + +The minister had so far recovered that he walked unaided into the large +living room, where a fire in the grate shed a genial warmth. Chester and +Lucy were already there, she at the piano and he singing softly. At +sight of her father, Lucy ran to him, helped him to a seat, then kissed +him good morning. + +"How much better you are!" she said. + +"Yes; I am glad I am nearly myself again--thanks to Aunt Sarah," he +said, as that good woman entered the room with pillows and footrest for +the invalid, who was made quite comfortable. Then the aunt delivered him +to the care of the two young people, with an admonition against drafts +and loud noises. + +"All right, daddy; now what can we do for you?" asked Lucy. + +"You were singing--when I came in. * * * Sing the song again." + +"But loud noises, you know." + +"Sing--softly," he replied. + +The two went back to the piano. Lucy played and both sang in well +modulated, subdued voices, + + "Jesus, I my cross have taken + All to leave and follow Thee; + Naked, poor, despised, forsaken, + Thou, from hence my all shall be. + Perish every fond ambition, + All I've sought, or hoped, or known, + Yet how rich is my condition, + God and heaven are still my own." + +They sang the three stanzas. The two voices blended beautifully. The +father asked them to sing the song again, which they did. Then they sang +others, some of which were not familiar to the listener. + + "Oh, how lovely was the morning, + Brightly beamed the sun above." + +"What was that last song?" inquired the father. + +The two singers looked at each other as if they had been caught in some +forbidden act. + +"Why"--hesitated Lucy, "that's a Sunday School song." + +"A 'Mormon' song?" + +"Yes." + +"Sing--it again," he said as he lay back on his pillows, closed his eyes +and listened. + +"Do you know any more--'Mormon' songs?" + +Lucy, of course, did not know many. Chester managed "O, my Father," and +one or two more. Then Lucy closed the piano and went back to her father, +where she stood smoothing gently his gray hair. Thus they talked and +read and sang a little more, while the rain fell gently without. + +"This is a beautiful country," said Chester, looking out of the window. +"I do not blame people who have money, desiring to live here." Lucy came +to the window also, and they stood looking out on the rain-washed green. +The father lay still in his chair, and presently he went to sleep. +Chester and Lucy then retired to a corner, and carried on their +conversation in low tones. Faint noises from other parts of the house +came to them. From without, only the occasional shrill whistle of a +locomotive disturbed the silence. The fire burned low in the grate. + +Suddenly, the father awoke with a start. "I tell you he is my son," he +said aloud. "I am his father, and I ought to father him--my heart goes +out--my son--" + +"What is it, father?" cried Lucy, running to him, and putting her arm +around his shoulders. + +The father looked about, fully awakened. + +"I was only dreaming," he explained. "Did I talk in my sleep?" + +Just then Uncle Gilbert came in. He announced that tomorrow he would of +necessity have to leave for Liverpool. It would be a short trip only; he +would be back in two or three days, during which all of them should +continue to make themselves comfortable. + +"George, here, is getting along famously," he declared. "A few more days +of absolute rest, and you'll be all right, eh, brother?" + +"I think so." + +Aunt Sarah now announced luncheon, and they all filed out of the room. + +That evening the two brothers were alone. "I want to talk to you," the +visitor had said; and his brother was willing that he should. Evidently, +something weighed heavily on his mind, some imaginary trouble, brought +on by his weakened physical condition. + +"Now, what is it, brother," said Gilbert as they sat comfortably in +their room. + +"You know that in my younger days I had a little trouble"--began the +minister, now speaking quite freely. + +"I don't recall what you mean." + +"When I was studying for the ministry--a woman, you--" + +"O, yes; I remember; but what of it? That's past and forgotten long +ago." + +"Past, but not forgotten. I have tried to forget, the Lord knows, by +long years of service in the ministry. I hope the Lord has forgiven--but +I forgotten, Oh, no." + +"Look here, brother, you are over-sensitive just now because of your +physical condition. You have nothing to worry over. That little +youthful indiscretion--" + +"But there was a child, Gilbert, a boy." + +"Well, what of it?" + +"That was my boy. I am his father. What has become of him? Where is he +now? Flesh of my flesh, is he handicapped by the stigma I placed upon +him? Is he, perchance, groveling in the gutter, because I cast him +off--had no thought or care for him--" + +"Now, look here--" + +"Listen. I became a father, then shirked the responsibility of +fatherhood. A new word rings in my ears, 'FATHERING.' I can see its +mighty import. I who have spoken the words of the great Father for these +many years, have not followed His example. Listen, brother: if that son +of mine is alive, and I believe he is, I am going to find and claim +him--and not once more do I preach until I do." + +The brother was somewhat alarmed, showing it in his countenance. + +"You may think I am out of my head; but I never was saner in my life. My +thoughts are as clear as a bell, and now that I have said what I wanted +to, I feel better. That's all--don't you worry about me. Now go to bed. +You are to be off in the morning, you know. Good night." + +As Gilbert walked out, his mind not altogether clear about his brother, +Lucy was at the door waiting to bid her father good night. + +"May I come in?" she asked. + +"Yes; come along." + +"I wanted just to say good night." + +"That's right, my girl; and where is Chester?" + +"He--I don't know. I think he's retired." + +"You're looking so well, these days. Are you happy?" + +"Yes, daddy; so happy--and so much better, I believe." + +"All right--there now, good night. If Chester is without, tell him to +come in a moment." + +She kissed him again, then slipped out. Presently, Chester entered. + +"Did you wish to see me, Mr. Strong?" + +"Yes--that is, just to say good night--and to tell you that I am +better--and also to thank you for taking such good care of Lucy." + +"Why, I assure you--" + +"Wait a moment. Stand right where you are, there in that light--you'll +excuse a sick man's humors, I know; but someone told me today that we +two look very much alike. I was just wondering whether it was a fancy +only--but I can't tell, nor you can't tell. It always takes a third +person to say." + +"Yes; I suppose it does," laughed Chester. "But I don't object to the +resemblance." + +"Nor I, my boy. Come here. Continue to take good care of Lucy. She's a +good, sweet girl." The man arose, as if to be off to bed. Chester put +his arm around him. + +"Let me help you," said the young man. "You are not very strong yet." + +"Thank you." He put his arm about Chester's neck so that the stronger +man could nearly carry the weaker. As they walked slowly across the room +under the lamps anyone could see a striking resemblance between the two +men. As they said good night and parted at the father's door, the older +man's hand patted softly the young man's cheek. Chester felt the touch, +so strange that it thrilled him. "That was for Lucy's sake," he said to +himself as he sought the quietness of his own room. + + * * * * * + +There were no apparent reasons why Chester Lawrence should not accompany +Uncle Gilbert to Liverpool, so neither Chester nor Lucy tried to find +any. Plans for meeting in London and on the continent were fully matured +and understood. The separation would be for a week or fortnight at most. +Lucy and Aunt Sarah waved their goodbyes as the train drew out of Cork +for Dublin. + +Chester now understood why Ireland was called the Emerald Isle. Green, +green, everywhere--fields and hedges, trees and bushes, bogs and +hills--everything was green. Uncle Gilbert gave him full information on +all points of interest. + +At Dublin they had a few hours to wait for the boat, so they looked +around the city, not forgetting the beautiful Phoenix Park. It was +evening when they went on board the steamer and to bed. Next morning, +they were awakened by the rattling of cables and chains as they slid +into a dock at Liverpool. + +Chester and Gilbert Strong parted company at Liverpool, the latter to +attend to the business which had brought him there, the former to seek a +place of lodging. First he found 42 Islington, the headquarters of the +mission, introduced himself to the elders in charge, and asked them to +direct him to some cheap, but respectable lodgings. He was shown to a +nearby hotel where the missionaries usually put up, where he obtained a +room. Then he went to the steamship company's office at the pier, +obtained his trunk, and had it taken to his lodgings. After a bath, a +general clean-up and change of clothing, he was ready for the town, or +all England for that matter. + +He went back to "42" for further information. He noticed that the slum +district of the town pressed closely on to the office quarters, and he +saw some sights even that first afternoon which shocked him: dirty, +ragged children, playing in the gutters; boys and girls and women going +in to dram shops and bringing out mugs of beer; men and women drunken. +One sight specially horrified him: a woman, dirty, naked shoulders and +arms; feet and legs bare; a filthy skirt and bodice open at the breast; +hair matted and wild; reeling along the pavement, crying out in drunken +exclamations and mutterings. It was the most sickening sight the young +man had ever seen, and with perhaps the exception of a fight he +witnessed some days later between two such characters, the worst +spectacle of his life. + +All this sordid life so strange and new, drew the attention of the young +westerner. Especially did 42 Islington interest him; for this was an +historic spot for "Mormonism." From here the early missionaries had sent +forth the message of salvation to Great Britain, in fact, to the whole +of Europe. Here within these dingy rooms had trod the strong, sturdy +characters of the pioneer days of the Church. Perhaps in some of these +rooms Orson Pratt had written his masterly presentation of the gospel. +In those days, very likely, there were not so many noises of traffic and +restless humanity. Perhaps such men could take with them the peace and +sublime solitude of their home in the Western Mountains into the +confusing din of the big city, and remain undisturbed. And these were +happy, even as the present elders were, laboring, with a clear +conscience for the salvation of souls. There came to Chester, as he +thought of these things, an expression he had read: "Outside things +cannot make you happy, unless they fit with something inside; and they +are so few and so common that the smallest room can hold them." + +That same evening there was a meeting of the Saints which Chester +attended. The congregation was small, much smaller even than those of +Chicago. Most of the people present appeared to be of the humbler, +working classes; but there was the same light in their faces as that +which shone in faces on the other side of the world, when enlightened by +the Spirit of God. Everywhere, Chester noticed, this Spirit was the +same, giving to rich and poor, learned and unlearned alike, the joy of +its presence. + +"Come around tomorrow, and we'll take a look about the city," said one +of the elders to Chester. "Sitting cramped over a desk day after day, +makes it necessary for me to get out once in a while." + +The afternoon of the following day, Chester called for his friend in the +office, and they set out. "I want you to get rid of the first +impressions of Liverpool," explained the elder. "I want you to get away +from the noise and dirt to the green and quiet and beauty of the town." + +First they took a car to the Botanical Gardens, looked at the flower +beds and inspected the palm-house. Then they walked across the open to +the farther side, followed a short street or two into the big, open +grass-covered Wavertree Playground. Thence it was a short walk to Sefton +Park with its varied and extensive beauties. They watched the children +sail their toy crafts on the lake. There were some men even, trying out +model boats. The bird cage was interesting. The grotto, as usual, was +hard to find. The palm-house took a good part of their time, for the +beautiful statue of Burn's Highland Mary, gleaming white from a bed of +green, took Chester's attention, as also the historical figures +surrounding the house. One of these was of Columbus with an inscription +claiming that he had very much to do with the making of Liverpool, +which is no doubt true. + +The weather was fine, the air was balmy; many people were out. Chester +and his companion strolled about the walks and across the velvety +stretches of grass. They watched for a time, a "gentlemanly game of +cricket," but it was too slow altogether for the Americans. + +It was well towards sundown when the two young men took a car back to +Islington. "Another day we'll see Newsham Park, and the country around +Knotty Ash way. Then again, there is some beautiful country up the +Mersey and across to Birkenhead." The visitor was grateful for these +offers. + +That evening Chester addressed some post-cards to his few friends in +Chicago, one to Hugh Elston, one to Elder Malby in London, and one to +Lucy May Strong, Kildare Villa, Cork, Ireland. He lingered somewhat over +this latter, lost somewhat in wonder at recent events. Was not this +ocean trip and the Irish experience a dream? The noise and smoke about +him were surely that of Chicago, and he was sitting in his room there in +his normal condition of homelessness and friendlessness? Had he not that +day been out with an elder from the Chicago Church office to Lincoln +Park and the lakeside? Surely Lucy and the minister, and Kildare Villa +and Blarney were figments of a pleasant dream! Chester walked back and +forth in the small room. He stopped before a dingy map of Great Britain +on the wall. His finger touched Ireland, moved southward, and stopped +at Cork. Yes; there _was_ such a place, any way, so there must be +Shandon Bells and the Blarney Stone, and a rustic seat under the trees +at Blarney Castle. Well, if all else under the sun were imaginary, that +hour of bliss at Blarney when Chester told Lucy he loved her, and Lucy +told Chester the same sweet words--that was real. He would live in that +reality, for it far surpassed his dreams. + +Chester looked again at the post-card he had addressed to Kildare Villa, +placed it aside, and wrote in its place a long letter. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +Twenty miles out of London. The sun is shining, and the train glides +along by green fields, hedges of hawthorn, and blossoming trees. England +looks to be the huge, well-cared-for farm of a very rich man. This may +be explained by the fact that England is an old country, having been +plowed and planted and harrowed for close on to a thousand years before +America was discovered. This long period of cultivation gives the +country-side a mellowness and well-groomed look. The vaporous sunlight +softens all the outlines, hides the harsh features, and gives the +landscape its dreamy, far-away, misty loveliness. There seems to be no +angles in the scene; field melts into field, and hedge into hedge, with +here and there a ribbon of a road which seems to join them rather than +to separate them. The houses are of brick or of stone, many partly +hidden under the climbing ivy or roses. + +Chester Lawrence is accompanying Elder Malby eastward from London +through Kent to Margate and Ramsgate on the coast. Elder Malby is to +attend to some Church duties, and Chester, by invitation, was glad to +accompany him. It was the young man's policy to keep in touch as much as +possible with the elders and their work, and he was getting somewhat of +the missionary spirit himself. He was greatly enjoying this ride +through the beautiful country. + +"It's really wonderful," said Chester, looking out of the car window, +"this coming from London into the country. Where are all the people? Are +they all in town? Some cows are browsing in the pastures, and sheep +scurry about as the train flies by, but where are the people who have +made this great garden?" + +"You must remember," explained Chester's companion, "all this has not +been done hurriedly by many people within a short time. What the +Englishman doesn't do today he can do tomorrow; and so centuries of work +by a few men has produced what we see." + +"Well, I do occasionally see a few slow-moving men and women, somberly +clad in grays and browns. These, I suppose, are the sturdy supporters of +their country." + +"Here is something I clipped from an American magazine," said Elder +Malby, "which impressed me with its peculiar truth." He read: + +"'England is London says one, England is Parliament says another, +England is the Empire says still another; but if I be not much mistaken, +this stretch of green fields, these hills and valleys, these hedges and +fruit trees, this soft landscape, is the England men love. In India and +Canada, in their ships at sea, in their knots of soldiery all over the +world, Englishmen must close their eyes at times, and when they do, they +see these fields green and brown, these hedges dusted with the soft +snow of blossoms, these houses hung with roses and ivy, and when the +eyes open, they are moist with these memories. The pioneer, the sailor, +the soldier, the colonist may fight, and struggle and suffer, and +proclaim his pride in his new home and possessions, but these are the +love of a wife, of children, of friends; that other is the love, with +its touch of adoration, that is not less nor more, but still different, +that mysterious mingling of care for, and awe of, the one who brought +you into the world. + +"'This is the England, I take it, that makes one feel his duty to be his +religion, and the England that every American comes to as to a shrine. +When this is sunk in the sea, or trampled over by a host of invading +Germans, or mauled into bankruptcy by pandering politicians and sour +socialists, one of the most delightful spots in the whole world will +have been lost, and no artist ever be able to paint such a picture +again, for nowhere else is there just this texture of canvas, just this +quality if pigment, just these fifteen centuries of atmosphere.' I think +this sums it up nicely," commented Elder Malby. + +"Ireland is a pretty fine country, too," said Chester, with far-away +tone, still gazing out of the window. + +Elder Malby laughed heartily, in which his companion joined. Chester had +told him his Irish experiences. + +Ramsgate is a pretty town on the east coast. It being Sunday, the shops +were closed and the streets quiet. After some enquiries and searching, +the local elder was found in the outskirts of the town. The two visitors +were warmly received. A good old-fashioned English dinner was served, +after which the few Saints living in the vicinity gathered for meeting. +Never before had Chester Lawrence experienced the comforting Spirit of +the Lord as in that service when he partook with those simple, +open-minded people the sacrament, and listened to their testimonies, in +which he mingled his own. + +After the services, there was the usual lingering to shake hands and +exchange good words. In the midst of the confusion of voices and +laughter, a large man appeared in the open doorway, and immediately +there was a hush. It was the parish priest, round and sleek, yet stern +of countenance. He looked about the room and found a good many of his +neighbors present. + +"Well, good people," said he, "what are you doing here?" + +The local elder explained civilly the purpose of the gathering. + +"But these men who are holding these services are 'Mormons,' and I come +to warn you that they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Beware of them, +let them alone," said the priest in rising accents. + +The people stood about the room, quietly listening. Elder Malby and +Chester were yet by the table which had served as a pulpit, and to them +the priest advanced. + +"Are you the 'Mormon' elders?" he demanded. + +"We have that honor," serenely replied Elder Malby. + +"You ought to be ashamed to come here to a Christian community with your +vile doctrine. I warn you to keep away." + +"Will you be seated, sir?" asked Elder Malby, who took charge of the +situation. A number of people, who had evidently followed the priest to +see the "fun," came in and gathered round. + +"I'll not sit down. I'll deliver my message to you all," he declared as +he turned to the people. "You may not believe what I say about these +men, that they are not what they pretend; but let me read to you from an +American paper--printed in their own land. Listen: + +"'So fully apparent is the pernicious activity of "Mormonism" of late, +that a general campaign of opposition is being urged against them in +various parts of the country. It has been conclusively shown, by +students of the question, that the "Mormon" Church is simply a great +secret society, engaging in criminal practices under the cloak of their +religion--" + +There was a hum of protest in the room. Elder Malby raised a hand of +warning to let the intruder proceed. + +"'The attitude of "Mormonism" towards moral questions and its disregard +for the laws, have been shown again and again. "Mormon" missionaries are +now making a systematic canvas of every state in the Union, as well as +in Great Britain and other foreign countries. Every home, especially of +the poor and uneducated is to be visited. It would therefore be the part +of wisdom to give a timely word of warning. This is a time to cry aloud +and spare not, lest many be led astray by these pernicious teachings.'" + +The minister followed up this reading by a stream of personal abuse +against "Mormons" in general and Elder Malby--whose name he knew--in +particular. Chester watched with keen interest the proceedings. Elder +Malby's face was a study. The angry priest paused, then stopped. + +"Are you through, sir?" asked Elder Malby quietly. There was no reply, +so he continued. "If you are, I wish to say a word. You are entirely +mistaken, my dear sir. I have not come here to mislead or to teach any +such doctrine as you claim. True, I am now an American citizen, but I +was born an Englishman. This is my native country, and I have as much +right to be here as you have; and, thank God, this country provides for +free speech and allows every man to worship God according to the +dictates of his conscience. I love this, my native land--I love these, +my people. That's why I am here to preach to them the gospel of Jesus +Christ." + +"You're a farmer, and not a minister," sneered the priest. + +"Peter was a fisherman and Paul was a tent-maker," replied the Elder +calmly. "I suppose, sir, that if either of these men came here to +preach, you would look upon their occupation as a reproach." + +There was no reply, so the "Mormon" continued. "It is true I am a +farmer. Some of my friends here know that, because sometimes I assist +them in the fields. And I have given them some helpful American hints +too, have I not, Brother Naylor?" + +"Aye, that you have." + +"Religion is not a thing apart from daily life," said Elder Malby, +speaking more to the listening people than to the priest. "A truly +religious person works with hands and brains as well as prays with lips +and heart. Let me tell you, good people, the 'Mormons' have shown to the +world that heart and hand, faith and works must go together. A religion +which withdraws itself apart from the common people into seclusions of +prayer and contemplation alone is of no value in this world. The +activities of this life and this world is the proper field for religion, +for it is here that we prepare for a future life. The "Mormon" minister +can plow, if he is a farmer, as well as preach. He digs canals, makes +roads through the wilderness, provides work and play for those who look +to him for guidance. Again, let me call your attention to something the +"_Mormon_" preacher does: he preaches for the love of the souls of men, +and not for a salary." + +"You're a tramp," said the priest. + +"Not exactly, my friend," replied the Elder, looking into the priest's +face. "I pay my way, from money earned at home on my farm. Most of the +people here know me, but some are strangers. Let me tell you, briefly, +my story." + +"Go on," some one near the door shouted. + +"I was born a few miles from here. My parents were very poor, but honest +and respectable. I had a longing to go to America, so by dint of long, +hard work and saving, I obtained the passage money. On the way I became +acquainted with the Mormons.' I knew they were the people of God, and I +went with them to the West, which was a new country then. I was a +pioneer. I took up wild, unbroken land, built me a cabin and made me a +farm. It was hard work, but, the exhilaration of working for one's self +gives courage and strength. Now I have a good farm, and a good house. I +am not rich in worldly wealth. We must still economize carefully. +Here--would you like to see my home in America?" + +He took from his pocket a photograph and handed it to the nearest +person, who passed it on. "That house I built with my own hands, most of +it. Those trees I planted. I made the fence and dug the water ditch. +That's my wife standing by the gate--yes, the only one I have, or ever +had--that's my youngest child on the porch, the only one at home now. +The others have married and have homes of their own. Here, I remember, I +received a letter from my wife yesterday. Would you like to read it, +sir?" addressing the priest who was now preparing to leave. + +"The letter will prove that I am not a tramp, sir. Read it aloud to +these people." The Elder held the letter in his extended hand. + +"I'll have nothing further to do with you. I don't want to read your +letter," retorted the priest. + +"Read it, read it," came from a number; but the priest, unheedingly +passed out of the door and down the path. The gate clicked. + +"I'll read it," volunteered a man, one of the strangers who had come in +later. He took the letter, and read so that all might hear, which was +not difficult in that quieted room: + +"'Dear George: By this time I suppose you are in Old England again, and +have fairly started in your missionary work. We received your card from +Chicago and your letter from New York. I hope you had a pleasant voyage +across the ocean, and were not seasick. + +"'We are all well at home, only a bit lonesome, of course. Janie misses +you very much. She hardly knows what to do with herself in the evening. +I was over to George's last night, and when I came in the door the baby +cried "grandpa" before she saw who it was. The little thing looks all +around and can't understand why you don't come. Lizzie's baby has the +measles, but is getting along nicely. + +"I drove around by the field from meeting last Sunday. The wheat is +growing fine. The Bishop said it was the finest stand he had ever seen. +George and Henry are now working on the ditch, and they said they'd work +out your assessment while they were about it. We have had a good deal of +rain lately. + +"'I spoke to Brother Jenson about those two steers. He said prices were +low at present and advised me to wait a little while before selling +them. If you need the money very soon, of course I'll tell him to take +them next time he calls. My eggs and butter help us out wonderfully, as +we two don't require much. The Sunday eggs, you know, go towards the +meeting house fund, and Janie claims the "Saturday crop." She needs a +new school dress which Lizzie has promised to make. + +"'Now, that's about all the news. I hope your health will continue good +and that you are enjoying your mission. Don't worry about us. The Lord +will provide. We want to do our part in sending the gospel to those who +have it not. Our faith and prayers are always with you. + +"'Your loving wife, +"'JANE MALBY. + +"'P.S. I forgot to tell you that the Jersey cow you bought from Brother +Jones has had twin calves, both heifers. Isn't that fine? J.M.'" + +The reader folded the letter and handed it back to its owner. The +postscript saved the situation, for the wet eyes found relief in the +merry laugh which it brought forth. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +On Chester's return to London, he found the following note from Lucy: + +"We're all coming--father and Uncle Gilbert and I. What do you think of +that? Father is well enough to travel, and he has prevailed upon his +brother to accompany us. In fact, I think that Uncle imagines we are two +invalids and need his care--I'm glad he does. I'm so busy packing, I +haven't time to write more. Will tell you all about it when I see you. +Meet us at St. Pancras station Thursday, at 6 p.m. + +"With love from + +"LUCY." + +Elder Malby accompanied Chester to the station to meet his friends from +Ireland. The two brothers were fairly well acquainted with London, so +they had no trouble in finding a hotel in a quiet part of the city. +Lucy's father seemed himself again. He walked with a cane, which, +however, may have been his regular European custom. Lucy was uncommonly +well, declaring that the long journey had not tired her a bit. + +Plans were discussed in the hotel that evening, and it was finally +decided to go to Paris by way of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels. The +stages would have to be easy for the sake of the "two invalids," as +Uncle Gilbert put it, to which Chester heartily agreed. + +Late the next morning, for the travelers needed the rest, Chester called +for them, and the party of four saw a little of London from the top of a +'bus. The weather continued fair, and as the summer was well advanced, +the air was warm. The sightseers had a simple luncheon at a small cafe +which Uncle Gilbert knew near the British Museum, and then they +continued their rambles until the close of the afternoon, when Chester +put them down at the "Mormon" mission headquarters. + +Elder Malby received them warmly, provided easy seats for Lucy and her +father, and took hats and wraps under protestations that they were not +going to stay. A number of missionaries came in and they were +introduced. Lucy beamed with delight, her father unreservedly told the +young men they were from America,--and western America at that; but +Uncle Gilbert was not quite at his ease among the new company. He knew, +of course, that these people were "Mormons," and his knowledge of +"Mormons" and their ways, although somewhat vague, was not reassuring. + +When the good-natured English housekeeper announced that supper was +ready, it seemed impossible to do otherwise than to follow her and Elder +Malby down to the large basement room. In fact, Lucy, without any ifs or +ands took her father's arm and led him along. Uncle Gilbert thought he +had never seen her in such a bold frame of mind. + +Certainly, Chester, Elder Malby, and the housekeeper must have plotted +to bring about that little supper party. The dining room was severely +bare, but scrupulously clean. That evening the threadbare table cloth +had been replaced by a new one. The usual menu of bread, milk, and jam +was augmented by slices of cold meat, a dish of fruit, and a cake. Two +small bouquets adorned the ends of the long table. + +"Visitors," whispered one of the elders to another. + +"Extraordinary visitors," replied the other. "Just like home when Uncle +John came to see us." + +The housekeeper even furnished tea for the Rev. Mr. Strong and his +brother. Lucy said she liked milk better, so she filled her glass along +with Chester's and the other "Mormons." She chatted freely with the +young elder near her, learned that he was from Idaho, that he had been +away six months, that he had not been home-sick, and that he was not +married. The elders were to hold street meetings that evening after +supper. + +"I should like to go with you," she said; but Chester, overhearing the +conversation, told her that for various reasons, such a course would not +be wise. + +Afterwards, there was some singing in the office-parlor, then Chester +went with the party to their hotel. + +"I believe papa is being favorably impressed," said Lucy to Chester +before they parted. "I wish he could see as I do." + +"That would indeed be something to be thankful for," agreed Chester. + +The following afternoon the continental party took the train to Harwich, +then boat for the Hook of Holland, where they arrived next morning. A +short ride by rail brought them to Rotterdam. + +Uncle Gilbert had seen the city before, but the quaint town interested +the others for the first time. "Everything is clean in Holland but the +canals," some one has said. In Rotterdam, the ancient windmills, with +huge spreading arms, stand in the midst of modern shops, and the +contrast is strange. + +Uncle Gilbert directed the party to the Delftshaven church, explaining +that in this ancient building the Pilgrim Fathers worshiped before they +set sail for the New World. Then the sight-seers took train for The +Hague, ten miles away. They visited the House of the Woods, where the +Peace Congresses are held, observed Queen Wilhelmina's residence from +without, looked at some of the famous paintings in the art gallery, then +shuddered over the instruments of torture on exhibition in the "Torture +Chamber" found in the old prison. There were some gruesome articles +here. + +"All in the name of religion," remarked the minister, shaking his head. +"It seems to me that in those days men taxed their ingenuity to find new +and more terrible means of inflicting pain. And men suffered in those +days because of religious belief." + +Someone had expressed himself on the subject in these lines, which they +read from a card: + + "By my soul's hope of rest, + I'd rather have been born, ere man was blessed + With the pure dawn of revelation's light; + Yea; rather plunge me back into pagan night + And take my chances with Socrates for bliss, + Than be a Christian of a faith like this." + +Out from the depressing gloom of the prison, they took the electric car +to Scheveningen, the famous sea-side resort. The season was hardly begun +yet, so there were but few visitors. However, the sands dotted with +their peculiar wicker shelters and the beautiful blue North Sea were +there. Out on the water could be seen the little "pinken"--the fishing +boats, their sails red and taut or white and wing-like, speeding before +the wind. The waves swept in long straight lines, and broke on the sands +in muffled sound. The scene was restful, so the party was served with +something to eat and drink on a table within sound and sight of the open +sea. + +That evening, back in Rotterdam, Chester and Lucy, while the two +brothers took their ease "at home," found the Mission headquarters, +introduced themselves to the elders, and spent a few hours very +pleasantly with them. They learned from the missionaries that the Dutch +were for the most part, an honest, God-fearing people, quite susceptible +to the gospel. There were no meetings that evening, but in lieu +thereof, the presiding elder took them out and introduced them to some +of the Saints. Then, when they came back to the office, the housekeeper +served them with cool milk, white bread, sweet butter, and whiter +cheese. + +The next day the tourists went on to Brussels, stopping a few hours only +at Antwerp, which city was a surprise. As Chester said, "I remember +seeing such a place on the map, but I had no idea it was such a fine, +large city. + +They saw many wide streets lined with the most unique houses, many of +them having "terraced gables" facing the street. + +"This is certainly the town for fancy 'gingerbread' decorations," +commented Chester, as they observed the net-work of cornices and forest +of pinnacles. There was even a full-sized mounted charger on the topmost +point of a seven-story building. The Cathedral, with its tall sculptured +tower, was no doubt an architectural marvel. A brief visit was made to +the art gallery, "full of Ruben's fat women," as Uncle Gilbert expressed +it. + +"'Anvers,'" read the minister from a post-card. "I thought this was +Antwerp?" + +"Antwerp is the English of it," explained Uncle Gilbert. + +"Well, I think names--names of cities and countries, at least, should be +the same in all languages. At any rate, they could be spelled alike. If +this town is Anvers, why not call it that?" + +Sunday evening brought the party to Brussels, or Bruxelles, in the +original. The life and gaity of the city were in full swing, and most of +the shops were doing their usual business. Uncle Gilbert did not want to +remain long, but Lucy said she wished to visit the battle-field of +Waterloo, and one or two points of interest in the city. So the evening +and the next day were consumed. The battle-field is reached by train +from the city. From the Waterloo station, there is a mile or two of +walking or riding in carriages to the immediate field of battle. A great +pyramid of earth covered with grass to its summit marks the spot where +the conflict raged the fiercest. From the top of this monument a fine +view is had. What was once a bloody battle-field was that day decked +with growing fields, dotted with feeding kine. Lucy had again to be +denied the pleasure of the view from the top. She sat in the wagon below +and got what she could from the man who had been left with the horses. +It was all very interesting, but Lucy was so tired when they got back to +the hotel that she could not see more of Brussels. + +Next morning they went on to Paris. All but Chester had been in this gay +city before. The weather was getting quite warm, so the two brothers did +not care to follow the strenuous pace set by Chester in his sight +seeing. During the heat of the day they kept quietly within their rooms +or strolled leisurely along the shaded boulevards. Chester, by promising +to take the utmost care of Lucy, was permitted to take her with him to +visit some of the sights. She knew enough French to make herself fairly +well understood, and that was a great help. + +So these two rode and rambled about Paris for nearly a week, sometimes +with the father, sometimes with Uncle Gilbert, but more often by +themselves. The days were fine. The parks and boulevards were gay with +people. They made purchases in the shops along Rue de Rivoli and at the +Bon Marche, the great department store which Lucy declared they could +equal in Kansas City. They gazed for hours in the Louvre Art Gallery, +coming back time and again to look once more at some picture. The Venus +de Milo had a fascination about it which drew them into the long +gallery, where at the extreme end, the classic marble figure stands +alone. + +They rode on the Seine, wondering at its clear waters. They walked about +the open squares and gardens all of them of historic significance. They +promenaded, very quietly, it is true, along the Champs Elysees. They +lingered about the Petit Palais, one of the most beautiful of Paris +buildings because of its newness, its clean, chaste finish, and the +artistic combination of marble, pictures, and flowers. Was it any wonder +that amid all this interesting beauty Chester's and Lucy's eyes and +hands frequently met to express what words failed to do? + +The four sight-seers were at Napoleon's Tomb, admiring the wonderful +light effect. + +"Every time I visit this place," said Uncle Gilbert, "I like to read a +summary of Napoleon's career which I found and clipped. Would you like +to hear it?" + +The others said they would, so Uncle Gilbert read: + +"Egyptian sands and Russian snows alike invaded; a revolution quelled, +an empire created; his own brethren seated on thrones of vassal +kingdoms; a complete code of jurisprudence formed for France from the +wrecks of mediæval misrule; the most profound strategist of the ages; +denounced by nations as the 'disturber of the peace of the world;' +violating the marriage law of God and man; himself a dwarf in height, +and lowering the physical stature of a generation of his countrymen +through the frightful carnage of wars undertaken largely for his +personal aggrandizement; succumbing in the moment of final victory to +insidious disease; twice expatriated, dying in exile across the seas, +after twenty years; in life, the idol of a race and the detestation of +the rest of the continent; and now, a handful of dust, his spirit in the +presence of its Maker.'" + +This reading furnished a text for the minister, who talked rather more +freely than he had recently done. Notre Dame lay in their route that +afternoon, so naturally enough, they went in, Uncle Gilbert remarking +that this was a fit place for the minister to conclude his sermon. + +"What a dark, musty place," said Lucy. + +"It fits in very well with their religion," suggested Chester. "A lot of +outward show, but within, dark and dead." + +Uncle Gilbert, though living in Ireland, was not a Catholic, so he took +no offense at this remark. + +Then while they were "doing" churches, they visited that of St. Sulpice, +a very large edifice, in the floor of which is a brass line which marks +the Meridian of Paris. At the left of the entrance sits St. Peter in +life-sized bronze, in possession of the Keys. The naked big toe of this +figure is easily reached by the worshipers. + +"I have heard of people kissing images of the Saints," said Chester, +"but I have never seen anything of the kind. Let us rest here a while, +to see if anything happens." + +Lucy was glad of the suggestion as she was more tired than she wished to +acknowledge. The big church was cool and quiet. Worshipers singly and in +twos were coming and going. Presently, a woman, and presumably her +daughter, came in, and as they passed St. Peter they leaned forward and +kissed the shining, metal toe. They passed on to a confessional where +the priest could be seen and faintly heard behind the latticed window. + +All this was exceedingly interesting to the young people. The two +brothers were absorbed more in the building itself than what was going +on within; even to what their two young people were doing. Chester, +surely was prompted by a spirit of sacriledge when he took from an inner +pocket a picture post-card he had bought in Ireland. + +"The kissing of the toe reminded me of it," said he, as he handed the +card to Lucy, who looked at the picture of an Irishman in the act of +kissing his sweetheart, Blarney Castle being shown in the distance. +Underneath was the following: + + "With quare sinsashuns and palpitashuns, + A kiss I'll venture here, Mavrone; + 'Tis swater Blarney, good Father Mahoney, + Kissin' the girls than that dirty stone." + +Lucy's father tapped her on the shoulder. "You're in a church. Behave +yourself," he said. "Come, let's be going." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +It was evident that, notwithstanding the good intentions which all +persons concerned had of not overreaching in the sight-seeing business, +Lucy, at least, was feeling its effects. That she would have to remain +quiet for some days was the verdict of the physician which her father +called. There was no immediate danger, said he to Chester, but the heart +action was feeble. A week of absolute rest would remedy that. + +Chester was packed off to Switzerland alone, contrary to the program he +had looked forward to. Uncle Gilbert did not care to go. Mr. Strong +would have to remain with Lucy, so if Chester was to see Switzerland, he +would have to try it alone. When Chester heard of the arrangement, he +demurred; but when Lucy's father suggested to him that perhaps it would +be best for her, he said no more. + +After Chester's departure, the three settled down to the business at +hand, that of resting. That was easy enough for Lucy and her father, but +Uncle Gilbert was hale and hearty, so he continued to make short daily +excursions to points of interest. They had pleasant quarters, not too +near the noise of the city. The semi-private hotel had but few guests, +so the back garden in which dinner was usually served, proved a +desirable lounging-place. + +Uncle Gilbert was away that afternoon. Lucy was resting in her room. The +Rev. Mr. Strong paced nervously back and forth in the garden for a time, +then dropped heavily into an easy chair. The French maid, stepping +quietly about placed a pillow under his head, which kindness he accepted +gratefully. The garden was still. There were no sharp near-noises, the +city's activity coming merely as a faint distant hum. + +The minister closed his eyes, but he did not go to sleep. His mind was +too active for that, his nerves were tingling again. The bright, gay +life about him did not exist for him. That afternoon he lived in the +past. He marshalled for review contending thoughts, that had for many +years fought for supremacy. Out of the chaos of conflict no order had +yet come. He was getting old before his years justified it. + +Why should he, a minister of the word of God, be so easily moved by +strange religious ideas? Faintly as if from some distant, mostly +forgotten past, there came to him this idea, that the truth, the whole, +clean, simple truth as it exists in Christ Jesus had been told him, and +he had rejected it. Why he had done this was not clear to him. He seemed +to have lived in periods of alternating darkness and light. Then later, +he had come in contact with so-called "Mormonism." Strange to say, its +teachings had the same ring as that which he had heard before; but this +time he rejected it because of its evil name. Once again, a little +later, these same doctrines had come to him, but they were not welcomed +when he learned that those who taught them and lived them were simple, +ofttimes uneducated people, usually called the "scum" of the earth. + +The Rev. Mr. Strong had actually given up his pastorship in two places, +moving westward until he reached Kansas City.--Here for a number of +years, he had experienced peace, a sort of indifferent peace, he +admitted, due more to callousness of soul than to anything else. Then +came Lucy's adventure with the "Mormon" elders on the streets, and her +visit to "Mormon" meetings. She had brought "Mormon" literature home, +and he had read it, read it all. He had asked her to bring more. He had +often sat up till midnight to finish a book, then had railed at Lucy for +bringing it into the house. And now the conflict was on again, harder +than ever. He closed his eyes, saying, "No, no;" then opened them again +to the beautiful light. He stopped his ears, crying, "I will not hear;" +then listened to the sweet music. With all the force of his life's +training, he railed against the doctrine; then in silence contemplated +its glorious truths. He drove the thought of it out of his mind; then +welcomed it eagerly back. Back and forth, in and out, in doubt and fear, +in faith and hope his soul had suffered and wrought. + +What was the outcome to be? Evidently, the end was not yet; for had he +not purposely taken this trip abroad, to get away from some of these +things, and had he not run hard against that which he had hoped to +escape. And in what form had it now come? In that of his son, his only +son, the child of his younger days! Surely God was in this thing. "Yes," +the man muttered, "God is watching me. I cannot escape. His hand is over +me. '_If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost +parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand +shall hold me!_'" + +Uncle Gilbert came in, humming lightly a tune he had caught from the +band in the cafe. He stopped when he saw his brother apparently asleep. +He was about to retreat when his brother, opening his eyes, called: + +"Don't go; come here. I want to talk with you. I want your opinion on a +matter." + +Uncle Gilbert seated himself to listen. + +"You might think it a strange thing for me to ask you about doctrines of +religion," began the brother, "but sometimes a layman has a clearer, +more unbiased view than one who has studied one system, and--and has +made his living from preaching it." + +"I fear, brother, you are worrying too much about such things"-- + +"Not at all--not too much. It's necessary to worry sometimes. I suppose +that's God's way of arousing people. I am worrying--have been worrying +for many years--just now I want someone to talk to--I want you to +listen." + +"I'll do that, if that will help you," said the brother as he placed his +hat and stick on a table and shifted himself into a comfortable +position. The maid peeped in, but seeing the two men, retired again. + +"I have preached hundreds of sermons on the being and nature of God," +said the minister, now sitting erect and looking at his brother. "I have +spoken of Him as a Father, our Father, and all the time He has been out +in time and space, formless, homeless, unthinkable. He has never +appealed to heart or brain. Will God ever be more to me than a force in +and through all nature? Shall we ever see His face? Shall we ever feel +the cares of His hand and hear His voice, not in a figurative sense, but +in reality." + +"Now brother"--said Uncle Gilbert again. + +"Don't interrupt. You do not need to answer my questions--you couldn't +if you wanted to. Listen. What do you think of this: God is our Father, +in reality as we naturally understand it--Father of our spirits. We are, +therefore, His children. That is our relationship. Consequently we are +of a family of Gods. Admit that our Father is God, and that we are His +children, the conclusion is absolute. We are not worms of the dust, only +so far as we degrade our divine nature to that lowness. + +"This Father of ours has in the past eternities trod through time and +space, learning,--yes, suffering, overcoming, conquering, becoming +perfect, until now He sits in the midst of glory, power, and eternal +lives. In might and majesty perfect, He can and does hold us all as in +the hollow of His hand. This little earth of ours, and all the shining +worlds on high are His workmanship. He holds them also by His allwise +power. And yet, my brother, come back to this simple proposition, we are +that great Being's sons and daughters, and if we walk in the way in +which He walked, we are heirs to all that He has! I am one of a great +family, so are you,--all of us. Our Father has but gone before and we +follow. The difference between us is only in degree of development and +not in kind. + +"'O God, I think thy thoughts after Thee,' said Kepler, and thoughts +lead to deeds. + +"Again, the Son, whom we know as Jesus Christ, came to reveal to us this +Father. He was in 'the form of God.' He was the 'image of the invisible +God.' Further, this Son was in the express image of the Father's person. +Jesus Christ was a man like unto us as far as outward form is concerned. +He is one of this great family, the first-born and foremost of the +children, it is true, yet one of us--He acknowledged us as His brethren. +Now, then listen: Jesus follows His Father. 'The Son can do nothing of +Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He +doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' Also, this Son said: 'My +Father worketh hitherto, and I work.' Now, if we follow in the steps of +the Son, as He has commanded us to do, and that Son follows in the steps +of His Father, where is our final destination?" + +The brother listened in wonder. The doctrine was, indeed, strange, but +it was too clear and logical to be the result of a weak mind. The +minister saw the perplexity in his listener's face and said: + +"No, brother, I am not crazy. My mind has never been clearer. I feel +fine now. I tell you, there is manna for a hungry soul in these things. + +"And now again: This life is a school. From the puny, helpless infant to +old age, life is a development of the attributes with which we come into +the world. We get all our education through our senses. No faculty of +mind or body is useless. The perfect man has these all perfectly +developed. We have at least one example of a perfect man, the +resurrected Son of God. What was He like? When He appeared to His +disciples He said, 'Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and +bones, as ye see me have.' He also ate with His brethren. Here, then, we +have, one of us, carrying with Him into the celestial world His body of +flesh and bone. And, mind you, He is the pattern. If we follow Him, we +also shall take with us these bodies, changed, purged, and glorified of +course, but yet bodies in every sense. Will not the eye then see +perfectly, the ear hear every sound in the celestial key? Not only every +attribute of the mind, but every organ of the body will be prefect in +its operation. Think what that will mean!" + +The speaker paused as if to let his listener arrive at the inevitable +conclusion in his own mind. + +"What will it mean?" he asked again. + +"I don't know," replied Uncle Gilbert. + +"It will mean fatherhood--eternal, celestialized fatherhood. We shall +be like Him our Father, not only to beget, but to _father_ a race! Think +of that! Did you ever think of that? No, of course not--and I--musn't--I +who--have never yet made a beginning--how can I expect"-- + +The head fell back on the pillow as Uncle Gilbert quickly came to his +brother's side. The minister's face was pale, his eyes were closed for a +moment. Then he opened them, sat upright, ran his hand over his face, +and smiled at his brother. + +"Don't be alarmed," he said, "it was nothing. I'm all right." + +He walked about while the maid came in and set the table for dinner. The +minister linked his arm into his brother's. "Say, brother," he asked, +"would you not be lonesome up in heaven without Aunt Sarah?" + +Uncle Gilbert was seriously alarmed. He had in mind to call Lucy, when, +providentially she came to them. + +"I think your father's not well, Lucy?" said Uncle Gilbert, as she took +her father's other arm. + +"What's the matter, papa?" she asked. + +"I am well," protested the father--"as well as I ever was. I've just +been telling brother here some things--some gospel truths in fact, and I +guess they're beyond you yet," he said to his brother. + +"Well," replied Uncle Gilbert, "I'll admit I've never heard you talk +like that before." + +"Why, I've preached these things scores of times from the pulpit, and my +congregations have thought them fine. I didn't tell, however, where my +inspiration came from." + +"Where did it come from?" asked Lucy. + +"From your books, my dear." + +"My books?" + +"Yes; from your books on 'Mormonism'." + +Had not dinner just then been announced, it is hard to say what would +have become of Uncle Gilbert's astonishment. Across the table he saw +Lucy's reassuring smile from which he himself took courage that all was +well. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +_My Dear Lucy_:--I am writing this in my room high up on the hillside of +Lucerne, (Luzern) pronounced as if there were a "t" before the "z." The +day is closing. The light is yet bright on the mountains, but the lake +lies in shadows. The lamps are being lighted down below in the town and +along the promenade. I hear faintly the arrival of the steamer at the +pier. + +But let me begin at the beginning, and tell you what I have seen and +done up to the present. This telling is a poor substitute for the +reality, I assure you; but as you have never been in Switzerland, you +might be interested in the sights here--through my eyes! Let me say now, +before I forget, that at every point of beauty and interest, I said in +my heart, "O that Lucy could be here to enjoy this!" It really seemed +selfish in me to be alone. And then, you know, the pleasure of sight +seeing is materially enhanced when one has a sympathetic companion to +whom one may exclaim: "Isn't that grand!" + +We entered Switzerland at Basel, then journeyed on to Zurich. This is +Switzerland's largest city, and in my opinion, it is one of the most +beautiful large cities I have ever seen. Of course, I hunted up the +Church headquarters, where I was fortunate to meet a friend I had known +in Salt Lake. He kindly gave me the information I desired about the +city and even took a few hours off duty to accompany me to points of +interest. + +That evening we went to the Opera house, where Faust was being played. I +had a great desire to see Faust in the original, and though my German is +not up to Goethe's standard, I could follow the plot somewhat, and I was +eagerly watching for Margaret to make her appearance on the stage. After +a long evening, the curtain went down, and all the people got up and +left--yet no Margaret had appeared. I was puzzled; but my friend +explained that the play was only half over. If I desired to see the +rest, I would have to come back the following evening. What do you think +of that? Well, I didn't go back--I went to Lucerne, next morning. + +I wanted to see the Alps, of course, and we got a distant view only of +them from Zurich. Here, at Lucerne, we have them in all their grand +beauty. + +I don't mind admitting to you that my purse would not allow my stopping +longer at the Schweizerhof, than to merely take a good look at the +exterior. I had with me the Lucerne elders' address, and easily found +them. They directed me to a friend who had cheap rooms, and it is here I +am writing to you. The view is just as fine from my window as from the +big hotel--nay, finer, for I am higher up; and after all, Lucy, the five +francs' out-look on a beautiful world is enjoyed quite as much as if it +cost fifteen. I can see the cap or the collar of Mt. Pilatus better +perhaps than the fat, cross, silk-clad lady I saw on the boat +yesterday, can see them. (By "cap" is meant a cloud resting on top, by +"collar" the cloud encircling Pilatus' head.) + +This brings me to my trip on Lake Lucerne day before yesterday. We +started early. The tourist season has hardly begun yet, so we were not +crowded. There was rain threatening. The mountain tops were hidden by +clouds, and the prospect was not assuring. However, by the time we +landed at Brunnen, the clouds had lifted, the sun came out, and the day +became pleasantly warm. From Brunnen, it was our plan to walk along the +Axenstrasse, to Fluelen, a distance of five or six miles. There were +three of us, with an elder for guide. I wish you could have spent that +afternoon with us--with me, strolling along that wonderful road, cut out +of the mountain side bordering the lake. The post cards I am enclosing +will give you an idea of the scenery, and I assure you the blueness of +the lake is not overdone in the picture. + +The road leads along gently sloping hill-sides, covered with farms, then +it pierces the sheer rock, then again borders the cliff, fifty or one +hundred feet from the lake below. The trees are in full leaf and some +are in bloom. The grass is high where we walked, but up towards the tops +of the mountains, the snow still lies. One of the strange sights is to +see large, splendid hotels perched in some cranny away up near the +summit of the peaks. Cog railways now take the tourists up some of the +mountains. + +The region around Lake Lucerne is historic, I am told. Here began the +Swiss struggle for liberty which we read about. The scene of William +Tell's exploits are laid here, and we are shown on the shore of the +lake, Tell's Capelle, said to mark the spot where the apple-shooting +patriot leaped ashore and escaped from the tyrant Gessler. I do not +wonder at men, born and reared amid these mountains not submitting to +the yoke of oppression. + +In reading up on Lucerne, I came upon this, taken from "Romance and +Teutonic Switzerland." + +"The Swiss nation was born on the banks of Lake Luzern, and craddled +upon its waters. First, the chattering waves told the news to the +overhanging beaches; and they whispered it to the forests, to the lonely +cedars on the uplands. The blank precipices smiled, the Alpine roses +blushed their brightest, the summer pastures glowed, the glaciers and +avalanches roared approval; and, finally, the topmost peaks promised to +lend their white mantles for the baptism." That's rather nicely put, +don't you think? + +About half way along Axenstrasse, we discovered that we were hungry, so +we proposed to try one of the farm houses for something to eat. Our +guide, tried one that looked typical of what we wanted, and the rest of +us waited by the road, for fully thirty minutes. + +At last the elder returned, explaining that he had had no easy task. He +had to plead with every member of the household, from grandmother to +daughter, to get them to take us in; but at last he was successful. We +went into a most interesting room. The finish and furnishings were old +and quaint, the woodwork bare of paint and scoured clean and smooth by +years of scrubbing. In time we were served with bread (they were out of +butter, they said) preserved cherries, walnuts, and hot milk. (Our guide +said it was safer to have the milk boiled.) We enjoyed the meal amid the +unique surroundings. The good people were profuse with thanks when we +paid them in good-sized silver. I believe the elder left a gospel tract +with them, so who can tell what will be the outcome of our visit? + +From Fluelen we took steamer back to Lucerne. + +Well, it's getting late. I'd better go to bed. I fear I shall tire you +by my guide-book descriptions. But this for a good-night's thought: Here +I am away from you, away from my world, as it were. I can look back on +my short life, and I can see the hand of an allwise and merciful Father, +shaping events, ever for my good. Was it chance that we two should have +taken the same steamer and be thrown together as we were. Not at all. +There is a power behind the universe--call it what we may--which +directs. This power will not permit any honest, truth-seeking soul to be +overcome and be destroyed. I thank the Lord for His blessings to me. Out +of seeming darkness and despair He has led me to light and happiness. +And may I say it, we two, because of our cleaving to the light as it has +been made known to us, have been brought together. Is it not true? I +wish and pray also that your father may soften his heart towards the +truth. I sometimes fear that his heart does already accept the gospel, +but that his will says no. There now, good night. + + * * * * * + +Good morning. I had a fine sleep. I dreamed that you were with me, and +we were looking at the Lion of Lucerne. The dying lion roared, and you +clasped me so tightly in your fright, that I awoke,--all of which +reminds me that I have not told you much about this city or its sights. + +The Lion, I suppose is Lucerne's most distinctive curiosity. As you will +see by the card, it is a large figure of a lion carved out of the solid +rock in the hillside. Thorwaldsen furnished the model. It was made to +commemorate the bravery of the Swiss guards who fought in the service of +Louis XVI at the outbreak of the French Revolution. + +Switzerland is sometimes called the playground of Europe. Down on the +promenades by the lakes, one may see people from "every nation under +heaven" nearly. By the way, who do you think I met, day before +yesterday? Why, our would-be gallant ship-board friend. Strange to say, +he was sober, and more strange, he appeared pleased to see me. He wanted +to take me to all kinds of places, and treat me to all kinds of good +things; but further, strange(?) to relate, I shook him for the company +of a few native saints, for there was a meeting that evening which I +attended. I had to speak too, in English, of course, with one of the +missionaries interpreting. It was an odd experience. + +The postman has just been here with your note. I was very sorry the news +from you was not better. I am blaming myself for tiring you out too much +with my sight seeing. Send me at least a card everyday to this address, +_please_. I have thought to go through the country to Bern, but I +suppose all the lakes and mountains of Switzerland look much alike. I am +quite satisfied with Lucerne. I was very much interested in what your +father said about "Mormonism." If our prayers are of any avail, we'll +"get him" yet. + +Before I close this long letter, and I must do so now--I want to tell +you of an incident that occurred yesterday. I was taking a stroll up +above the town, by myself, for I will admit I was in a "mood." There are +a lot of monks in Lucerne. You can see them on the street, fat, +rolly-poly looking men, bare, oddly-cropped heads, and outwardly clad in +what looks like a dressing gown. Well, I was curious to see the convent +where the monks live a life of ease, I suppose to get used to the +eternal "rest" which they expect when they get to heaven, of which I +have my "doubts." However, I did not find the convent, nor did I see any +monks, but as I was walking along an unfrequently traveled road, I met a +little boy and girl, walking towards me, hand in hand. They were crying. +When they saw me, they wiped their eyes and stopped. I saw they were +poorly clad, and, somewhat dirty. I became interested in them, but they +were so shy that it was with difficulty I got them to remain. They +looked at the coppers I held out, but they did not move until I placed +a silver piece beside them. Their eyes rounded out, then, and the little +girl became brave enough to come and take them. Well, I tried my German +on them, but they were, evidently, too Swiss to understand me--I was at +the time making a whistle from a small willow which I had cut from the +wayside. I seated myself on the bank and went on making my whistle. The +children watched me pound the bark, then twist off the loosened peeling, +and finish the whistle. When I blew it, they laughed. I handed it to the +boy, who timidly put it to his lips. They sat down by me, and I made a +whistle for the girl, then a third, bigger one, which I stuck into the +boy's pocket, telling him to take it home. You ought to have seen the +changed expression on those two dirty faces when they left me, blowing +happily on their willow whistles. + +I was lonesome no longer. What a little thing will bring joy into a +dreary life! + +Love to all with heaping measures for you, from + +Yours as ever, + +CHESTER. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +A week of comparative quiet brought little change for the better to +Lucy, so it was decided that they would by easy stages, get back to +London, thence to Cork and Kildare Villa. Lucy kept Chester informed of +their doings, saying as little as possible about her health. As she did +not wish to deprive him of the full enjoyment of his visit to +Switzerland, she did not send him word of their intentions, until they +were ready to leave. They would go by way of Calais and Dover, the +short-water route, she wrote him. + +When Chester received this information he hastily cut short his sight +seeing, and started for London by way of Rotterdam. The long ride alone +was somewhat tiresome, and he was glad to meet again some of the elders +in the land of canals and windmills. + +Just before the train rolled into Rotterdam, Chester thought of Glen +Curtis. It came to him as a distinct shock when he realized that he had +entirely forgotten to enquire about Glen on his former visit. "Well," +said he to himself, "so easily do our interests change from one person +to another." But now he must find his old friend. He could freely talk +to him now even about Julia Elston. + +Chester learned from the elder in charge at the office, that Elder +Curtis was released to return home in a few days. He would be in +Rotterdam shortly. When? In a few days. But Chester could not wait that +long, so he took train to the city where Glen was laboring, and found +him making his farewell rounds. + +"Well of all things," exclaimed the elder, as Chester took him firmly by +the hand. + +"I'm the last person on earth you expected to see here in Dutchland, I +suppose?" + +"You certainly are. And what are you doing here?" + +Chester told him as they walked arm in arm along the quiet streets of +the town. + +"And now you're going home. We'll go together," exclaimed Glen. + +"I wish we could," said Chester, "but I fear that my party is not ready, +and Lucy is not well enough to make the trip, I fear." + +"Lucy?" + +Chester smiled goodnaturedly, then told him freely of Lucy. "And when +you get home, you can tell Julia all about me and mine. It will please +her, I am sure. By the way, how is it between Julia and you? I haven't +heard lately." + +"All right," said Glen. + +"You're a lucky boy," declared Chester, "to get such a girl. There's +just _one_ other I would rather have." + +"I'm glad you think so." + +"Of course you are--for--oh, for everybody's sake." + +Chester had to return to Rotterdam the same day, so he claimed. Glen +could not keep him longer, and reluctantly waved him off at the station. + +The boat was slow from the Hook, at least it seemed so to Chester, and +there was a high sea which nearly upset him. He got to London too late +in the evening to call on the Strong's, but next morning he was out +early. + +Lucy met him in the hall with a cry of delight. + +"You've come," she whispered as he pressed her close. "Oh, I thought you +never would." + +"My dear, why did you not say? Why did you let me leave you at all?" + +"I didn't want you to miss anything on my account--but never mind that +now--come in. Papa and uncle will be glad to see you. Do you know," she +added with evident pleasure, "papa has been _nearly_ as anxious about +you as I have,--has continually asked me about you,--and I had to let +him read your lovely long letter." + +"You did? Well, it's all right. There's no harm done, I'm sure. He might +as well know everything." + +"Oh, he knows a lot already." + +They went into the house, and found seats until the others should +appear. + +"Your face shows signs of suffering, Lucy; but otherwise you look quite +well." + +"That's just it with my trouble. I usually deceive my looks; but I feel +better already; and now, let me tell you something else: Father has +nearly consented to my being baptized!" + +"Lucy!" + +"It's true. I've been pleading with him--and preaching to him too; and +the other day he said he would think about it. That's a concession, for +he has always said _he would not_ think of such a thing." + +"I'm so glad so very, very glad, Lucy." + +"And Chester, I believe it's you who have made the change in him. He's +been so different since you have been with us. He hasn't been so angry +with me when I talked of 'Mormonism.' He has let me read my books +without any remonstrance. And do you know, even Uncle Gilbert is +affected. He and papa must have had some profound discussions about us +and our religion for he has asked me to lend him some books. He'll no +doubt want to know from your all about Utah and the people out there." + +"And I shall be pleased to tell him," said Chester. + +The father stood as if hesitating, in the doorway. + +"Come in, papa," said Lucy. "Chester's come." + +"Yes; I see he has," replied the father as he came to greet the young +man, and shake his hand warmly. + +"I'm glad, with Lucy to see you with us again." + +"And I am glad to be with you," said Chester honestly. + +The morning was spent together. The beginnings of a London fog kept them +in doors, which was no hardship, as the three seemed to have so much to +talk about. After lunch, the fog changed its intentions, lifted, +disappeared and let the sun have full sway. To be sure, some smoke still +lingered, but out where the Strongs were staying it only mellowed the +distances. + +That afternoon it occured to Chester that the relationship now existing +between him and Lucy called for a further understanding with the father. +He knew, of course, that the father's attitude toward him had changed; +Lucy's words and the father's actions justified him in the thought. + +Chester managed to accompany the father in his stroll in the park that +afternoon, and without delay, he broached the subject so near his heart. +The minister listened quietly to the young man plead his case, not +interrupting until he had finished. They seated themselves on a bench by +the grass. The father looked down at the figures he was drawing with his +cane on the ground and mused for a moment. Then he said: + +"Yes; I have given my consent, by my actions, at least. I have no +objection to you. I like you very much. Lucy does too, and fathers can't +very well stop such things. But there still remains the fact that Lucy +is not well. There is no telling how long she can live, and yet I have +heard of cases like hers where marriage has been a great benefit." + +"I thank you for your kind words," said Chester. "Let me assure you I +shall be controlled by your judgement as to marriage. We are neither of +us ready for that. Of course, I sincerely hope she will get stronger. I +think she will; but meantime you have no objection to my loving her, and +doing all for her that my love can do?" + +"Certainly not, my boy, certainly not." The father placed his hand on +the young man's shoulder as he said it. Chester noted the faint tremor +in voice and hand, and his heart went out to him. + +"You are a comfort and a strength to Lucy--and to me," continued Mr. +Strong. "We miss you very much when you are away. Can't you stay with us +right along. Perhaps that's not fair to ask--your home and friends--" + +"I have no home, my dear sir; and my friends, are few. I told you, did I +not, my history?" + +"Yes, you told me, I remember." + +"And remembering, you think no less of me." + +"Not a bit--rather more." + +"Let me serve you then, you and Lucy. If you need me, I equally need +you. Let me give what little there is in me to somebody that wants me. +My life, so far, has been full of change and somewhat purposeless. I +have drifted about the world. Let me now anchor with you. I feel as +though I ought to do that--" + +The man clung closer to Chester, who, feeling a thrill of dear +companionship, continued: + +"Let me be a son to you always, and a sister to Lucy, until it can be +something more." + +"Yes, yes, my boy!" + +Others were out basking in the warm sun that afternoon. Those that +walked leisurely and took notice of events about them, were impressed by +the affectionate behavior of the two men. Lucy Strong was herself out. +She was curious to know what had become of Chester and her father, +besides, the sun was inviting. She soon found them, herself +undiscovered. She paused, examined the flower beds, and became +interested in the swans in the lake. Her face beamed with happiness when +she saw them, for their shoulders were close together and Chester had +her father's hands clasped firmly in his own. She tiptoed up behind them +on the grass, then slipped her hands over each of their eyes. + +"Guess," she laughed. + +"A fairy princess," said Chester. + +"Mother Goose," responded the father. + +They moved apart and let her sit between them. + +"The rose between," suggested Chester. + +"The tie that binds," corrected the girl, placing an arm about each of +them. + +Then they all laughed so merrily, that the infection reached a ragged +urchin playing on the gravel-path near by. + +"My dear," said the father. "Chester has promised to stay with us, and +be--" + +"Your man--about--the--house," finished Chester. + +"Which we certainly need," agreed Lucy. "Two people, Strong by name, but +mighty weak by nature, as my old nurse used to say, require some such a +man. I'm glad father picked you." + +"He chose us, rather, Lucy," said the father. + +"Well, either way." + +"Both," affirmed Chester, at which they all laughed again. + +A carriage with liveried coachman and footman, and containing two ladies +drove by. The little boy had to leave his gravel castle while the wheels +of the carriage crushed it to the level. The boy looked at the ruins a +moment, then at the departing vehicle. Then he started his building anew +safely away from wheel tracks. + +"A young philosopher," remarked the minister, observing the occurrence. + +"Papa," said Lucy, after a pause of consideration, "you have made me so +happy to-day. You can make my joy complete by granting me one other +thing." + +"What's that?" asked he unthinkingly. + +"Let me be baptized," she replied softly. + +The father's body stiffened perceptibly, and his face sobered. + +"Believe me, papa, I _am_ sorry to have to annoy you so much on the +matter; but I can't help it. Something within me urges me on. I can't +get away from the testimony which I have, any more than I can get away +from my shadow." + +"You can get away from your shadow," said the minister. + +"Yes; by going into the dark, and that I do not want to do. I want to +live in the light,--the beautiful gospel light always." + +Chester listened in pleased wonder to Lucy's pleadings. He added nothing +as she seemed able to say all that was necessary. In time the father's +face softened again, and he turned to Chester to ask: + +"What do you think of such arguments?" + +"They're splendid--and reasonable--and true, sir." + +"Of course, you would say so. Well, I'll think about it, Lucy." + +"But, papa, you've been thinking about it a lot, and time is going. Say +yes today, now--here with Chester and me--and the Lord alone. Besides, +papa, now I ought to be one with Chester in _everything_. That's right, +isn't it?" + +"Yes; that's right." + +"So you consent?" + +"I didn't say that." + +"You must. I'm of age anyway, and could do it without your consent; but +I don't want to. I want your blessing instead of your disapproval on +such an important step." + +"Could she stand the ordeal, do you think?" asked the father of Chester. + +"In a few days when she gets a little stronger--yes." + +"Well, let's walk a bit. You two go ahead. I must think." + +The two did as they were told nor looked back. The one was not thinking +clearly and logically, so much as he was fighting over the eternal +warfare of conviction against policy. He also knew. He had received more +of a testimony than he ever admitted, even to himself. If he should do +as his innermost conscience told him, he also would join Lucy in baptism +of water for the remission of sins; but that thought he pushed from +him. He, an old man in the ministry, to now change his faith--to cut +himself off from his life's work--no, that would never do. It was +different with Lucy, quite another thing. She had set her heart on it +and on Chester, and it would be best for her--yes, it would be best for +her. + +When Chester was saying good-night to Lucy that evening, the father came +out into the hall to them. + +"Chester," said he, "tell Elder Malby I should like to see him to +morrow. He is the one that attends to baptism into the Mormon Church, +isn't he?" + +"Yes," replied Chester. "I shall tell him." + +"Oh, papa, you dear, good papa!" exclaimed Lucy throwing her arms about +him. + +"There, there now, behave--say good-night to Chester." + +But she clung to him and kissed him through her tears of joy. Then she +went to Chester. + +The father turned to go. + +"Wait a moment, papa," said Lucy: "I want to go with you." + +With a parting kiss for Chester, and a murmured good night, she took her +father's arm and led him in. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +Lucy gained in strength so rapidly that within a week it was thought +safe to let her be baptized. Her father, Uncle Gilbert, Chester, the +housekeeper at headquarters and one other sister were present at the +Baths. Elder Malby performed the ordinance. Three others were also +baptized at the same time. + +Uncle Gilbert was very curious as also a little nervous at what he +called the "dipping." He couldn't see why the ceremony required a whole +swimming pool when a few drops sprinkled on the forehead, had, as long +as he had any recollection, been sufficient. The father witnessed the +ordinance unmoved. Lucy went through the ordeal bravely, and when she +came out from the dressing room where the sisters had helped her, he +kissed her placidly on the forehead. + +The party took a cab to the mission headquarters, where a simple service +was held of singing and prayer, Elder Malby making a few remarks on the +meaning and purpose of the ordinance of baptism. The newly baptized were +then confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day +Saints. Then the housekeeper invited them all down to the dining room, +and again there were a few simple special features in celebration of the +happy occasion. + +And it was a happy time in the one only way which comes from duty done. +A sweet, quiet peace abode in every heart. Was not the Heavenly Father +well pleased with these as He had been when the Son had done likewise. +And the Holy Ghost, the Comforter from heaven rested upon them softly as +a dove,--that was the secret of their supreme joy. + +As Lucy had predicted, Uncle Gilbert's curiosity brought him to Chester +for more information regarding Utah and the "Mormons." The very next day +after the baptism, Uncle Gilbert met Chester before he entered the +house. They greeted each other pleasantly, and then Chester inquired +about Lucy, and how she was feeling. + +"Lucy seems to be all right," was the reply, "though her father isn't so +well this morning. He had a bad night but is sleeping now. That's why I +met you here, so that he might not be disturbed by the bell." + +"I'm sorry," said Chester. "These attacks seem to be coming frequently." + +"My brother has not been well for years. For a long time he has had to +fight hard with himself and his nerves. Sometimes they get the best of +him for a time, and, of course, as he gets older, he has less strength. +I wish we could get him to Kildare Villa. He would be himself again down +there." + +"We were to have gone in a day or two, were we not?" + +"Yes; but he can't leave yet--Do you want to see Lucy?" + +"Just for a few moments; she'll be busy with her father." + +Uncle Gilbert went in the house, considerately sending her out alone. +She was radiantly beautiful to Chester that morning in her soft white +dress, fluffy hair, and glowing eyes; but he only looked his love for +her, and said: + +"Good morning, _Sister_ Strong." + +"Good morning, _Brother_ Lawrence," she responded. + +"How are you feeling?" + +"I am feeling fine. But poor papa--" + +"Yes; Uncle Gilbert told me." + +"We'll have to remain here until he gets over the attack. Uncle is +anxious to get home, and I must admit I'd rather be at Kildare Villa +than here." + +Then Uncle Gilbert came out with hat and cane. He was going for a walk +with Chester, he said, for it would be wiser not to disturb the sleeper. +He explained to Lucy that her father was getting a much needed rest, and +that she was to see to it that he was not disturbed. Chester would +"keep" with his Uncle Gilbert for a few hours. + +The morning was fair, so the two men struck out for Hyde Park. They +walked across the big stretches of grass, then rested on a seat by the +Serpentine. As yet, not many people were about, and the London hum had +not risen to its highest pitch. + +Uncle Gilbert wanted to know about Utah, and Chester entered into a +detailed description of the state and her people. + +"I have, of course, heard of the Mormon people; but I will admit my +ideas are somewhat vague. My brother, as a preacher, must of course, +have come in contact with all sorts of religious professions. He seems +to know considerable about Mormonism. Where did he learn that?" + +Chester explained what part Lucy had played in this. + +"Well, he agrees very much with her belief, for I have heard +conversations which lead me to that conclusion. Of course, all that is +their business, not mine particularly. Let's walk out in the middle of +the park where we can make believe we are not in London, but out in the +beautiful green country which God has made." + +The grass being dry, they could sit down on it to rest. + +"As you are, I presume, to become a member of the family some day," said +Uncle Gilbert, "I am going to tell you something about my brother. It is +not a pleasant subject, but I have concluded that you can be told. It is +a family secret, you must understand, and must be treated as such. It is +only because I believe your knowledge of the truth may help my brother +that I am telling you this. + +Chester thanked him for his confidence. He would be glad to help in any +way he could. + +"Well, the story is this: My brother in his younger days before he was +married, had an unfortunate experience with a young woman. There was a +child as the result. The woman, as nearly as I can make out, married +well enough, and later, joined the Mormons and went to Utah. She did not +take the child with her, for some reason unknown to me, at least; and +so the boy--for it was a boy--became lost to his father, and as far as I +know, to his mother also. I don't suppose all this worried my brother as +a young man; but recently, within the past few years, I should say, his +conscience seems to have pricked him severely. He has some vigorous +views of fatherhood and the obligations flowing therefrom--and I can't +say but he is right--and now he worries about his own great neglect. He +has talked to me about it, so I know. Sometimes he worries himself sick, +and then his nervous trouble gets the overhand." + +Chester lay on the grass looking up into the sky, complacently chewing a +spear of grass, while Uncle Gilbert was talking. + +"What was the woman's name?" asked Chester. + +"I can't recall it just now. In fact, I don't think I ever heard it. +Now, another thing that you must know, and you must not be annoyed at +this: at times, I believe he imagines you to be that boy of his." + +Chester sat up, and exactly at the moment when he looked into the face +of Uncle Gilbert a cog in the machinery of his own thoughts caught into +a cog of the wheel within wheels which the man at his side had been +revealing. The cog caught, then slipped, then caught again. Wheels began +to revolve, bringing into motion and view other possible developments. + +"That's only when his illness makes him delerious," continued Uncle +Gilbert. "As I said, you must pay no attention to him under those +conditions, but I thought you ought to know." + +"Yes; yes," whispered the young man--"Thank you." For him, Hyde Park and +London had disappeared: all earthly things had become mist out of which +he was trying to emerge. + +"You don't know the woman's name," Chester asked again, with dry +lips--"Tell me her name." + +"I don't remember. I'm not sure, but I believe I have heard my brother, +in his times of delerium speak of Anna." + +"Anna. Anna," repeated Chester, as he stared into space. Uncle Gilbert +looked at the young man, and then repented of telling him. He was a +little annoyed at his manner. He arose, brushed the grass from his +clothes, and said: + +"Well, let's be going." + +Chester went along mechanically. At the Marble Arch Uncle Gilbert was +about to hail a bus, when Chester stopped him. + +"You'll excuse me, wont you for not returning with you--I--I--" + +"But I gave my word to Lucy that I would bring you back." + +"Yes; I know, I'll come after a while--but not now--you go +on,--I--I--there's your bus now; you had better take it." + +Uncle Gilbert, still a little annoyed, climbed on the bus and left his +companion looking vacantly at the line of moving busses. + +Chester went back into the park. There was room to breathe there and +some freedom from fellow beings. He left the beaten paths. Oh, that he +could get away from everybody for a time! Old Thunder out among the +Rocky Mountains would be an ideal place just now. + +The wheels of thought went surely and correctly. There was no slipping +of cogs now. _The Rev. Thomas Strong was his father._ + +Every link in the chain of evidence fitted. There was no break. He went +over the ground again and again. There came to him now facts and +incidents which he had heard from his foster parents, and they all +fitted in other facts and strengthened his conclusions. Now he also +remembered and understood some of his mother's remarks about ministers. +Yes, Thomas Strong was his father! Lucy's father! Why, he and Lucy were +brother and sister! + +It is quite useless to try to tell all that was in Chester Lawrence's +thoughts and heart from then on all that afternoon. He did not know, +neither did he care how long he lay on the grass in the park, but there +came a time when his solitude became unbearable, so he walked with +feverish haste into the crowded streets. The lamps were being lighted +when he came to the Thames Embankment, where he watched for a time the +black, sluggish water being sucked out to sea by the outgoing tide. Then +he walked on. St. Paul loomed high in the murky darkness. He got into +the ridiculously narrow streets of Paternoster Row, where he had on his +first visit bought a Bible. The evening was far spent and the crowds +were thinning when he recognized the Bank of England corner. + +Realizing at last that he was tired, he climbed on top of a bus going in +the direction of his lodgings, where he arrived somewhere near midnight. +He went to bed, but not to sleep for many hours. + +"Lucy, you are my sister. I love you as that--but my wife you never can +be--" yes; he would have to tell her that. But why had this father of +his let him and Lucy go on as they had? He had told his father the +secret of his life. He remembered distinctly his father's actions how he +had even called him "son," which he had thought at the time was for +Lucy's sake. Knowing him and Lucy to be brother and sister, why had he +permitted them to form ties such as had been formed? Was it a plot on +his father's part to again bring misery to human souls, to make to +suffer those that were of his own flesh and blood? No, no; that was +impossible. Surely he was not that kind of man. + +More clearly now the panorama of his life came before him. Where was the +Lord in all this? He had thought the Lord had led his steps wonderfully +to so meet one who made his life supremely happy--but now--the darkness +and the despair of soul came again--was this not a hideous nightmare? +The day would bring light and peace. + +Towards morning, Chester dozed fitfully, and at last when he awoke the +day was well advanced. He and Uncle Gilbert had been in the park--uncle +in reality now. Yes; it all came to him again. It had been no dream. + +Chester got up, soused himself in cold water, then as he was dressing +said to himself. "Well, what's to be done? I must make this thing sure +one way or another." Perhaps there may be a mistake, though he could not +understand how. He would go direct to Thomas Strong and ask him. + +He had no appetite for breakfast, so he ate none. As early as he thought +wise, he set out. How should he meet Lucy? What could he say? If he +could only evade her. + +No; Lucy was watching for him, with a worried expression on her face, +which deepened when she saw Chester's. + +"I must see your father," he said with no effort to even take her hand. + +"Papa is not any better, I fear." + +"But I must see him. Where is Uncle Gilbert?" + +"Shall I call him?" + +"Yes, _please_." + +Lucy returned, and Uncle Gilbert met Chester in the hall. + +"He is very nervous again this morning, and I don't think you ought to +excite him," explained the brother. + +"I must see him--just for a minute. I'll not engage him in any extended +conversation." + +"That you cannot do as he can hardly speak. His trouble affects him in +that way." + +"Let me see him just for a moment--alone, please. Is he awake?" + +"Oh yes; he's not that bad. Go in a moment, then, but be careful." + +Chester passed in where the minister sat in an arm chair, propped up +with pillows, signs of Lucy's tender care. As Chester entered, the man +smiled and reached out his hand. The resentment in the young man's heart +vanished, when he saw the yearning in the suffering man's face. Yet he +stood for some time rooted to the spot, looking at the man who was no +doubt his father. Every line of that face stood out boldly to Chester. +How often, in his boyhood days he had pictured to himself what his +father was like--and here he was before him. In those days he had nursed +a hatred against that unknown sire, but now there was no more of that. +If only,--Chester kneeled by the side of the minister's chair, letting +the old man cling to his hand. He looked without wavering into the drawn +face and said: + +"Are you my father?" + +The man's hand dropped as if lifeless, but Chester picked it up again, +holding it close. + +"Tell me," he repeated, "are you my father?" + +"Yes," came slowly and with effort, as tremblingly the father put his +hands first on Chester's shoulders as he kneeled before him, then raised +them to his head, asking, "Do--you--hate--me? Don't--" That seemed to be +all he was able to articulate. + +"No, no; I do not hate you; for are you not--are you not my father!" + +"Yes." + +The son put his arms around his father's neck and kissed him. The father +patted contentedly the head of the young man, as a parent fondly +caresses a child. They were in that position when Lucy tapped lightly on +the door, opened it, and came in. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +Chester got away from Lucy and Uncle Gilbert that morning, without +betraying his father's secret, which had now also become his own. If his +father had kept the secret so long, it was evidently for a purpose; he +would try not to be the first to reveal it. He kissed Lucy somewhat +hurriedly, she thought, as he left. + +The sooner he got away the fewer of his strange actions he would have to +explain. He did not look back when he walked away for fear that Lucy +would be watching him from window or door. + +He went back to his own lodgings rather more by instinct than by +thought. He slipped into his room, looked aimlessly about, then went out +again. He must be alone, yet not confined within walls. The park was not +far away, but he walked by it also, on, on. This London is limitless, he +thought. One could never escape it by walking. He met other men some +hurrying as if stern duty called, others sauntering as if they had no +purpose in life but quiet contemplation. He met women, and if he could +have read through their weary eyes their life's story, he would not +perhaps, have thought his own was the most cruel. A little boy was +gathering dust from the pavement, and Chester was reminded of that other +little fellow's structure which the carriage wheels had demolished. +Well, he was under the wheel of fate himself. He had heard of this +wheel, but never had he been under it until now! + +Chester found himself a street or two from the mission office. He would +call and perhaps have a talk with Elder Malby. Why had he not thought of +that sooner? He quickened his steps, and in a few minutes he was ringing +the bell. He heard it tingle within, but no one responded. He rang +again, and this time steps were heard coming up from the basement. The +housekeeper opened the door. + +"Good morning," she greeted him with a smile. + +"Good morning, is Elder Malby in?" + +"No; none of the elders are in. They are out tracting, I think--but +won't you come in?" + +"No, thank you, I wanted to see Elder Malby." + +"Well, _he_ might be back at any time--come in and rest. You look +tired." + +"Well--I believe I will." + +He followed the motherly housekeeper into the office parlor, where she +bade him be seated. She excused herself as her work could not be +neglected--Would he be interested in the London papers, or the latest +_Deseret News_. She pointed to the table where these papers lay, then +went about her work. + +Chester looked listlessly at the papers, but did not attempt to read. +Presently, the housekeeper came back. + +"I'm having a bite to eat down in the dining room. Come and keep me +company. The Elders don't eat till later, but I must have something in +the middle of the day." + +Chester went with her into the cool, restful room below, and partook +with her of the simple meal. Not having had breakfast, he ate with +relish. Besides, there was a spirit of peace about the place. His aching +heart found some comfort in the talk of the good woman. + +Shortly afterwards, Elder Malby arrived, and he saw in a moment that +something was the matter with his young friend. + +"How are the folks," he asked, "Lucy and her father?" + +"He is not well," Chester replied. + +"That's too bad. And you are worried?" + +"Yes; but not altogether over that. There is something else, Brother +Malby. I'll have to tell you about it. Will we be uninterrupted here?" + +"Come with me," said the elder and he took him into his own room up a +flight of stairs. "Now, then, what can I do to help you?" + +"You will pardon me, I know; but somehow, I was led to tell you my story +on ship-board, and you're the only one I can talk to now." Then Chester +told the elder what he had learned. When he had finished, the elder's +face was very grave. + +"What ought I to do?" asked Chester; "what can I do?" + +The other shook his head. "This is a strange story," he said; "but there +can be no doubt that you are his son. You look like him. I noticed it on +ship-board, but of course said nothing about it. But you _do_ look like +him." + +"Do I?" + +"Yes; but why he encouraged you to make love to your sister--that is +beyond me--I--I don't know what to say." + +"Oh, what _can_ I do?" + +There was a pause. Then the elder as if weighing well every word, said: + +"My boy, you can pray." + +"No; I can't even do that. I haven't said my prayers since this thing +came to me. What can I pray about? What can I ask of God?" + +"Listen. It is easy to pray when everything is going along nicely, and +we are getting everything we ask for; but when we seem to be up against +hard fate; when despair is in our hearts and the Lord appears to have +deserted us, then it is not so easy; but then is when we need most to +pray." + +"Yes, yes, brother, true enough; but what's the use?" + +"Look here, once before, in your life, you felt as you do now; and you +told me yourself that not until you said both in your heart and to God +'Thy will be done' did you get peace. Try it again, brother. There is no +darkness but the Light of Christ can penetrate, there is no seeming evil +but the Lord can turn to your good. What did Job say of the Lord?" + +"I don't know." + +"'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' And you are not yet as +Job. He lost everything. You have gained a father and a sister. That, +certainly, is something." + +"Yes, it is; and yet in the finding of these two, I have lost--well--you +know--" + +"Yes; I know; but the Lord can even make that right. Trust Him, trust +Him, always and in everything. That's my motto for life. I can not get +along without it." + +"Thank you so very much." + +They talked for some time, then they went out for a walk. + +"But you haven't time to spend on me like this," remonstrated Chester. + +"I am here to do all the good I can, and why should my services not be +given to those of the faith as well as to those who have no use for me +nor my message? Come along; I want to tell you of another letter which I +received from home,--yes, the twin calves are doing fine." + +Chester smiled, which was just what his companion wanted. "You remain +here today," continued the elder. "The boys will be in after a while, +and then we shall have dinner. After that, if you are still thinking too +much of your own affairs, we'll take you out on the street and let you +preach to the crowd." + +"That might help," admitted Chester. + +"Help! It's the surest kind of cure." + +Chester remained with the elders during the afternoon and evening, even +going out with them on the street. He was not called on to preach, +however, though he would have attempted it had he been asked. + +Chester slept better that night. He felt so sure of himself next morning +that he could call on Lucy, and do the right thing. He did not forget or +neglect his prayers any more, and he was well on the way of saying +again, "Thy will be done," in the right spirit. + +Uncle Gilbert met Chester at the door, not very graciously, however. He +replied to Chester's inquiries sharply: + +"My brother is quite ill, brought about, I have no doubt, by your unwise +actions of yesterday morning. What was the matter with you? I don't +understand you." + +Chester did not attempt any explanation or defense. + +"And Lucy, too, was quite ill yesterday--no; she is not up yet--no; I +don't think you had better come in. I shall not permit you to see my +brother again until he is better." + +"I'm very sorry," said Chester. "I must see Lucy, however, and so I'll +call again after a while." He walked away. He did not blame Uncle +Gilbert, who was no doubt doing the best he knew, although somewhat in +the dark. He walked in the park for an hour and then came back. + +Lucy met him at the gate. She was dressed as if for walking. Her face +betrayed the disturbance in her soul, and Chester's heart went out in +pity for her. + +"Yes," she said simply, "I was going out to find you, I heard Uncle +Gilbert send you away. Shall we walk in the park?" + +"Yes; I am glad you came out. Is your father worse this morning?" + +"I don't think he is worse. He is simply in the stage of his attacks +when he can't talk. I'm sure he'll be all right in a day or two; but +Uncle Gilbert don't understand." + +"And you, Lucy--you must not worry." + +"How can I help it? Something is the matter with you. Why do you act so +strangely?" + +They found the bench on which they were wont to rest, and seated +themselves. + +Chester could not deny that he had changed; yet how could he tell her +the truth? She must know it, the sooner the better. It might be many +days before her father could tell her, even if he were inclined to do +so. The situation was unbearable. She must know, and he must tell her. + +"Lucy," he said after a little struggle with his throat, "I have +something to tell you,--something strange. Oh, no, nothing evil or bad, +or anything like that." + +He took her hands which were trembling. + +"You must promise me that you will take this news quietly." + +"Just as quietly as I can, Chester." + +"Well, you know how excitement affects your heart, so I shall not tell +you if you will not try to be calm." + +"And now, of course, I can be indifferent, can I, even if you should +say no more? Oh, Chester, what is it? The suspense is a thousand times +harder than the truth. What have you got to tell me? What passed between +you and papa last evening? Is it--have you ceased to love me?" + +"No, no, Lucy, not that. I love you as much as ever, more than ever for +something has been added to my first love--that of a love for a sister." + +"Yes, Chester I know. When I was baptized--" + +"No; you don't know. I don't mean that." + +"What _do_ you mean?" + +Oh, it was so hard to go on. One truth must lead to another. If he told +her he was her brother in the flesh as well as in the spirit, she would +want to know how, why; and the explanation would involve her father. He +had not thought of that quite so plainly. But he could not now stop. He +must go on. He felt about for a way by which to approach the revelation +gradually. + +"You have never had a brother, have you?" he asked. + +"No." + +"Would you like to have one?" + +"I've always wanted a brother." + +"How would I do for one?" + +She looked at him curiously, then the sober face relaxed and she smiled. + +"Oh, you'd make a fine one." + +"You wouldn't object." + +"I should think not." + +"But, now, what would you think if I _was_ your real brother, if my name +was Chester Strong?" + +"I'd think you were just joking a little." + +"But I'm not joking, Lucy; I am in earnest. Take a good look at me, here +at this profile. Do I look like your father?" + +She looked closely. "I believe you do," she said, still without a guess +at the truth. "Your forehead slopes just like his, and your nose has the +same bump on it. I never noticed that before." + +"What might that mean, Lucy?" + +"What might what mean?" + +"That I look like your father." + +He had turned his face to her now, but she still gazed at him, as if the +truth was just struggling for recognition. The smile vanished for an +instant from her face, and then returned. She would not entertain the +advance messenger. + +"I don't object to your looking like my papa, for he's a mighty fine +looking man." + +"Lucy, you saw what your father and I were doing last night?" + +"Yes." + +"What did you think--what do you now think of us?" + +"Again, Chester, I don't object to you and father spooning a bit. In +fact, I think that's rather nice." + +Chester laughed a little now, which loosened the tension considerably; +but he returned to the attack: + +"Lucy, what would you think if your father had a son who had been lost +when a baby, and that now he should return to him as a grown man?" + +"Well, I would think that would be jolly, as the English say." + +"And that his son's name was Chester Lawrence?" he continued as if there +had been no interruption. + +Now the cog in Lucy's mental make-up caught firmly into the machinery +that had been buzzing about her for some time. + +"Are you my brother?" she asked. + +"Yes; I am your brother." + +"My real, live, long lost brother?" + +"Yes." + +"Now I see what you have been driving at all this time. You say you are +my brother, that my father is your father. Now explain." + +"That's not so easy, Lucy. I would much rather your father would do +that. But I can tell you a little, for it's very little I know--and, +Lucy, that little is not pleasant." + +"But I must know." Her face was serious again. She was bracing herself +bravely too. + +"I was born outside the marriage relation, and your father was my +father!" + +That was plain enough--brutally plain. The girl turned to marble. Had he +killed her? + +"Go on," she whispered. + +"No more now--some other time." + +"Go on, Chester." + +Chester told her in brief sentences the simple facts, and what had led +to his discovery of the truth just the other day. It was this that had +caused the change she had noticed in him. + +"Lucy, I was not sure," he said, "so I went to your father last night +and asked him pointedly, directly, and he said 'Yes.' That explains the +situation you found us in. My heart went out to my father, Lucy; and his +heart went out to his son." + +"The son to which his heart has been reaching for many long years, +Chester. Yes, I see it plainly.... You have told the truth ... you are +my brother--you--" + +She trembled, then fell into his arms; but she controlled herself again, +and when he kissed her pale face and stroked her hair, she opened her +eyes and looked steadily up into his face. Thus they remained for a +time, heedless of the few passers-by who but looked at a not uncommon +sight. She closed her eyes again, and when she opened them Chester was +struggling hard to keep back the tears. + +To tell the truth, both of them cried a little about that time, and it +did them good too. They got up, walked about on the grass for a time +until they could look more unmovedly at their changed standing to each +other. Then they talked more freely, but things were truly so newly +mixed that it was difficult to get them untangled. At last Lucy said she +would have to go back to her father--our father, she corrected. + +"And he knows, remember," said Chester to her. "I and you also know. We +know too," he added, "that the Lord is above, and will take care of us +all." + +"Yes," said Lucy. + +Then they went back. The father was still very ill. Chester did not try +to see him, for Uncle Gilbert had not relented. + +"I'm going to see Elder Malby this afternoon," said Chester. "This +evening I shall call again. Meanwhile"--they were alone in the hall +now--"you must keep up your courage and faith. I feel as though +everything will yet turn out well." + +He took her as usual in his arms, and she clung to him closer than she +had ever done before. + +"Chester," she said, "I can't yet _feel_ that there is any difference in +our relationship. You are yet my lover, are you not?" + +"Yes, Lucy; and you are my sweetheart. Somehow, I am not condemned when +I say it. What can it be--" + +"Something that whispers peace to our hearts." + +"The Comforter, Lucy, the Comforter from the Lord." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +The delay in getting back to Kildare Villa was making Uncle Gilbert +nervous. In his own mind, he blamed Chester Lawrence for being the cause +of much of the present trouble, though in what way he could not clearly +tell. The young man's presence disturbed the usual placid life of the +minister. Why such a disturber should be so welcomed into the family, +the brother could not understand. Perhaps this new-fangled religion +called "Mormonism" was at the root of all the trouble. + +In his confusion, Uncle Gilbert determined on a very foolish thing: he +would get his brother and Lucy away with him to Ireland, leaving Chester +behind, for at least a few days. Of course, a young fellow in love as +deeply as Chester seemed to be, would follow up and find them again, but +there would be a respite for a time. With this idea in mind, Uncle +Gilbert, the very next day, found Chester at his lodgings; and +apparently taking him into his confidence, told him of his plan. Chester +was willing to do anything that Uncle Gilbert and "the others" thought +would be for the best. Chester was made to understand that "the others" +agreed to the plan, and although the thought sent a keen pang through +the young man's heart, he did not demur. + +It must also be admitted that Uncle Gilbert was not quite honest with +Lucy, for when he proposed to her to get her father to Ireland as soon +as possible, she understood that Chester was lawfully detained, but +would meet them perhaps in Liverpool. Though she, too, felt keenly the +parting, yet she mistrusted no one. + +So it came about that Lucy and her father were hurried to the station +early next morning to catch a train for Liverpool. The minister was +physically strong enough to stand the journey, but he mutely questioned +the reason for this hasty move. Chester had absented himself all the +previous day, and he did not even see them off at the station. Lucy +could not keep back the tears, though she tried to hide them as she +tucked her father comfortably about with cushions in the first class +compartment which they had reserved. + +Uncle Gilbert's victory was short lived, however; no sooner did the +ailing man realize that Chester was not with them than he become visibly +affected. He tried hard to talk, but to no avail. He looked pleadingly +at Lucy and at his brother as if for information, but without results. +Lucy's pinched, tear-stained face added to his restlessness, and there +was a note of insincerity in Uncle Gilbert's reassuring talk that his +brother did not fail to discern. + +That ride, usually so pleasant over the beautiful green country, was a +most miserable one. It was so painful to see the expression on the +minister's face that Uncle Gilbert began to doubt the wisdom of the plan +he was trying. Lucy became quite alarmed, and asked if they ought not to +stop at one of the midland cities; but Uncle Gilbert said they could +surely go on to Liverpool. + +"But we can't cross over to Ireland. Father could not possibly stand the +trip," she said. + +The uncle agreed to that. "We'll have to stop at Liverpool for a day or +so--I have it!" he exclaimed, "Captain Andrew Brown is now at home. He +told me to be sure to call, and bring you all with me. He has a very +nice house up the Mersey--a fine restful place. We'll go there." + +And they did. Lucy could say nothing for or against, and the father was +so ill by the time they reached Liverpool that he did not seem to +realize what he was doing or where he was going. A cab took them all out +from the noises of the city to the quiet of the countryside. It was +afternoon, and the sun shone slantingly on the waters of the river, +above which on the hills amid trees and flowering gardens stood the +house of Captain Andrew Brown. + +As the carriage rolled along the graveled path to the house, the captain +himself came to meet them, expressing his surprise and delight, and +welcoming them most heartily. The minister was helped out and into the +house, where he was made comfortable. Lucy was shown to her room by the +housekeeper. Uncle Gilbert made explanations to the captain of the +reason for this untoward raid on his hospitality. + +"I'm mighty glad you came," said the captain. "You couldn't possible +have gone on, and as for stopping at a hotel--if you had, I should never +have forgiven you." + +The sick man would not take anything to eat. He lay as if half asleep, +so he was put to bed. Lucy remained with him during the evening. Once in +a while he would open his eyes, reach out his hand for hers and hold it +for a moment. Poor, dear father, she thought, as she stroked his hair +softly. What could Chester mean to leave his father, even for a few +days? He ought to be here.... She could not understand. Was it all just +an excuse to get away from them? to get away from this newly-found +father and sister? She would not believe that of Chester. That couldn't +be true, and yet, and yet-- + +She turned lower the light, went to the window, and looked out on the +river. A crescent moon hung above the mist. The water lay still as if +asleep, only broken now and then by some passing craft. The breeze +played in the trees near the window and the perfumes of the rich flower +beds were wafted to her. The girl stood by the window a long time as if +she expected her lover-brother to come to her through the half darkness. +Perhaps, after all, it was better he did not come. Perhaps he had acted +wisely. + +The father lay as if sleeping, so she continued to look out at the moon +and the water. Her heart burned, but out of it came a prayer. Then she +quietly kneeled by the window sill, and still looking out into the night +she poured out the burden of her heart to the Father whose power to +bless and to comfort is as boundless as the love of parent for child. + +Captain Brown was not an old man, yet in his fine strong face there were +deep lines traced by twenty years on the sea. Ten years on the bridge +basking in the sun, facing storm and danger had told their tale. He was +in the employ of a great navigation company whose ships went to the ends +of the earth for trade. He had built this home-nest for wife and child, +to which and to whom he could set the compass of his heart from any port +and on any sea. Three years ago wife and child had taken passage over +the eternal sea. Now he came back only occasionally, between trips. His +housekeeper always kept the house as nearly as possible like it was when +wife and child were there. + +"I have a week, perhaps ten days ashore," explained Captain Brown next +morning at the breakfast table, "and I was just wondering what I could +do all that time--when here you are! You are to remain a week. Tut, tut, +business"--this to Uncle Gilbert who had protested--"you ought not to +worry any longer about business. Aren't we making you good money? Oh, I +see! Aunt Sarah; well, we'll send for her. Your father can't possibly be +moved, can he, Miss Lucy?" + +"He's very comfortable here," replied Lucy. + +"To be sure he is--and you, too, look as though a rest would help you." + +"I have to get back soon--ought to be in Cork tomorrow, in fact," said +Uncle Gilbert. + +"Well, now Gilbert, if you _have_ to, I've no more to say--about you. +Go, of course; but Lucy and her father are going to stay with me. I'm +the doctor and the nurse. You go to Aunt Sarah, for that's your +'business reason' and it's all right--I'm not blaming you--and in a week +come back for your well brother." + +"Yes, that might do," agreed Uncle Gilbert, with much relief in his +manner of saying it. "I don't like to impose on you--" + +"Look here--if you want to do me a favor, you go to your wife and let me +take care of these people. In fact," he laughed, "I don't want you +around bothering. The steamer sails for Dublin this evening." + +Out of this pleasant banter came the fact that Uncle Gilbert could very +well go on his way to Ireland. His brother was in no immediate +danger--in fact that morning he was resting easily and his power of +speech was returning. Gilbert spoke to his brother about the plan, and +no protest was made. So that evening, sure enough, Uncle Gilbert was +driven in to Liverpool by the captain, where he set sail for home. + +No sooner was his brother well out of the way than Lucy's father called +to her. He had been up and dressed all afternoon. He was now reclining +in the captain's easy chair by the window. Lucy came to him. + +"Yes, father," she said. + +He motioned to her to sit down. She fetched a stool and seated herself +by him, so that he could touch her head caressingly as he seemed to +desire. + +"Where is Chester?" he asked slowly, as was his wont when his speech +came back. + +"In London," she replied. "He could not come with us." + +"So--Gilbert said;--but I--want him." + +"Shall we send for him?" + +"Yes." + +The father looked out of the window where shortly the moon would again +shine down on the river. He stroked the head at his knee. + +"Lucy, you--love me?" + +"Oh, father, dear daddy, what a question!" + +"I--must--tell you--something--should--have told you--long ago--" + +It was difficult for the man to speak; more so, it appeared, because he +was determined to deliver a message to the girl--something that could +not wait, but must be told now. Impatient of his slow speech, he walked +to the table and seated himself by it. + +"Light," he said; and while Lucy brought the lamp and lighted it he +found pencil and paper. She watched him curiously, wondering what was +about to happen. Was he writing a message to Chester? + +From the other side of the table she watched him write slowly and +laboriously until the page was full. Then he paused, looked up at Lucy +opposite, reached for another sheet and began again. That sheet was also +filled, and the girl's wonder grew. Then he pushed them across the +table, saying, "Read;" and while she did so, he turned from her, his +head bowed as if awaiting a sentence of punishment. + +A little cry came from the reader as her eyes ran along the penciled +lines. Then there was silence, broken only by her hard breathing, and +the ticking of the clock on the mantel. Then while the father still sat +with bowed head, the girl arose softly, came up to him, kneeled before +him, placed a hand on each of his cheeks, kissed him, and said: + +"You are my father anyway--always have been, always will be--the only +one I have ever known. Thank you for taking me an outcast, orphaned baby +and adopting me as your own. Oh, I _love you daddy for that_! + +Just a few days before a son had found a father at this man's knee; now +by the same knee Lucy first realized that this man was her father only +in the fact that he had fathered her from a child; but as that, after +all, is what counts most in this world, she thought none the less of +him; rather, her heart went out to the man in a way unknown before. + +"Chester doesn't know this?" she asked. "Chester is _not_ my brother?" + +"No." + +"Oh, he must know this--he must know right away," she panted. + +"Yes--I meant to tell--but I couldn't--" said he. + +"I know daddy dear; I know, don't worry. We'll send for him right +away--poor boy. There's Captain Brown now. I'll run down and ask him to +send a telegram. Yes, I have his address." + +She kissed him again, holding his head between her palms, and saying +softly, "Daddy, dear daddy." Then she sped down to where the Captain was +talking in the hall. The Rev. Thomas Strong looked up, listened to their +conversation, and then smiled. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +The reason why Chester permitted Lucy and his father to set out for +Ireland without him was because he trusted Uncle Gilbert--and the Lord; +however, it was no easy matter to be thus left behind. Surely, he would +be more of a help than a hindrance on the journey. He forced himself to +lie abed the morning they were to be off, until after the train left. +Then, knowing he was safe from doing that which his Uncle had desired +him not to do, he leisurely arose, very late for breakfast. + +The problem with the young man now was what to do while he was waiting. +London sights, even those he had not seen before, were tame now. The +newly-found father and sister had already left him. Had it not been a +dream, and was he not now awake to the reality of his old life? + +He found himself once more attracted to the Mission headquarters. Elder +Malby was at home that morning. Chester told him the latest development. + +"Has she--have they--deserted me, do you think?" asked Chester. + +"No--I don't think so," replied the elder thoughtfully. "Lucy did not +impress me as a girl who would do that. I see no reason for such +actions, but perhaps Uncle Gilbert was right. Your father needed to get +away from you to readjust himself to the new condition." + +"Well, perhaps,--but what can I now do? this waiting will be terrible." + +"You'll come with me this morning. I have some calls to make." + +And so all that day Chester remained with Elder Malby, visiting Saints +and investigators, adjusting difficulties, and explaining principles of +the gospel. It was a splendid thing for the young man, this getting his +thoughts from self; and before evening, he had obtained so much of the +missionary spirit that he asked to be permitted to bear his testimony at +the street meeting. "The louder the mob howls and interrupts, the better +for me," he declared. "You remember the other evening when a young +fellow stood within a few feet of you and kept repeating: 'Liars, liars, +from Utah'?" + +"Yes; I remember." + +"I'd like to talk to that fellow tonight." + +So Chester talked at the street-meeting that evening, but to a very +orderly lot of people. After the services, many pressed around him and +asked him questions. One young man walked with him and the elders to the +mission office. They talked on the gospel, and Chester forgot his own +heartache in ministering to another heart hungering for the truth. + +The next morning, Chester tried again to remain in bed, but this time +without success. He was up in the gray awakening city, walking in the +park, listening to the birds near by and the rumbling beginnings of +London life. After breakfast, he went again to the Church office. + +"You must excuse me for thus being such a bother," he explained to Elder +Malby, "but--but I can't keep away." + +"I hope you never will," replied the elder, encouragingly. "It is when +men like you keep away that there is danger." + +"What's the program today?" + +"Tracting. Do you want to try?" + +"Yes; I want to keep going. Yesterday was not bad. I felt fine all day." + +That afternoon Chester had his first trial in delivering gospel tracts +from door to door. He approached his task timidly, but soon caught the +spirit of the work. He had a number of interesting experiences. One old +gentleman invited him into the house, that he might more freely tell the +young man what he thought of him and his religion, and this was by no +means complimentary. An old lady, limping to the door and learning that +the caller was from America, told him she had a son there--and did he +know him? Then there were doors slammed in his face, and some gracious +smiles and "thank you"--altogether Chester was so busy meeting these +various people that he had no time to worry over those who now should be +nearly to Kildare Villa in green Ireland. + +While he was eating supper with the elders, which Elder Malby said he +had well earned, a messenger came to the door. Was one Chester Lawrence +there? Yes. + +"A telegram for him, please." + +Chester opened the message and read: + +"Come to Liverpool in morning. All well. Tell me when and where to meet +you--Lucy." + +Chester handed the message to Elder Malby. + +"Once more, don't you see," said the elder, smiling, "all is well." + +"Yes; yes," replied Chester in a way which was more of a prayer of +thanksgiving than common speech. + +Early the following morning Captain Brown was rewarded for his gallant +lack of inquisitiveness regarding the sending and the receiving of +telegrams by Lucy coming to him with her sweetest smile and saying: + +"Captain Brown, was that horse and carriage you used yesterday yours?" + +"Oh no; that belongs to my neighbor--only when I am not using it. Do you +wish a drive this morning?" + +"I want to meet the noon train from London at Lime Street Station; and +if it wouldn't be too much trouble--" + +"Not at all. My neighbor is very glad to have me exercise the horse a +bit. Can you drive him alone?" + +"I'm a little nervous." + +"Will I do for coachman?" + +"If you would, Captain?" + +"Then that's settled. I'll go immediately and make arrangements;" which +he did. + +"Papa," said Lucy to her father, "the captain will drive me to the +station. You'll be all right until we get back?" + +"All right, yes; don't worry more about me. I'm getting strong faster +than I ever did before. See." + +He paced back and forth with considerable vim in his movements. "Why," +he continued, stopping in front of Lucy and kissing her gently on the +cheek, "I feel better right now than I have for a long time--better +inside, you know." + +Lucy did not understand exactly what he meant by the "inside," but she +did not puzzle her head about it. She was happy to know that her father +was so well and that Chester was speeding to her. The day promised to be +fair, and the drive to the station would be delightful. She was looking +out of the window. + +"Lucy," said her father, placing his hand on her shoulder, "you need not +tell Captain Brown the little secrets you have learned; and I think your +Uncle Gilbert need not know any more than he does. It is just as well +for all concerned that these things remain to outward appearances just +as they have in the past." + +"All right, papa." + +"We--Chester and you and I will know and understand and be happy. What +else matters?" + +"What, indeed." + +"Now, there's the captain already. He's early; but perhaps he intends +driving you about a bit first." + +That was just it. The morning air was so invigorating, Captain Brown +explained, that it was a pity not to feel it against one's face. He knew +of a number of very pretty drives, round-about ways, to the station, and +the fields were delightfully green just then. + +In a short time away they rattled down the graveled road, the father +waving after them. It was a good thing, said Lucy, that strong hands had +the reins, for the horse was full of life. They sped over the smooth, +hedge-bordered roads, winding about fields and gardens until they +arrived at Calderstone Park. Here the captain pointed out the Calder +Stones, ruins of an ancient Druid place of worship or sacrifice. Then +they drove leisurely through Sefton Park, thence townward to the +station. + +They had a few moments to wait, during which the driver stroked the +horse's nose, talking to him all the while not to be afraid of the noisy +cars. The whistle's shrill pipe sounded and the train rolled in. The +captain stood by his horse, while Lucy went to the platform, and met +Chester as he leaped from the car. + +"Oh, ho," said the captain to his horse, when he saw the meeting. A +partial explanation was given him of the "certain young man" whom they +were to meet. + +The captain held the carriage door open to them like a true coachman. +"Take the back seat, please," he commanded, after the introduction; "in +these vehicles, the driver sits in front." + +The captain drove straight home, so in a very-short time they were set +down at the steps. + +"Go right in," he said. "I'll take the horse back, and be with you +shortly." + +The housekeeper met them in the hall, took wraps and hats, and directed +them upstairs where the "gentleman" was waiting. Lucy had had no +opportunity to tell Chester the secret about herself, so she would have +to let his father do so. They walked quietly to the father's room and +opened the door softly. He appeared to be sleeping in his chair, so they +tip-toed into another room. + +"Is he better?" asked Chester. + +"Nearly well again." They did not seat themselves, but stood by the +table. She came close to him, smiling up into his face and said, +"_Everything's_ all right, Chester." + +"Yes, of course," he replied. "You are looking so rosy and well, I +forget you are an invalid." + +"Don't think of it. I'm going to live a long, long time, Chester--with +you. Listen, dear, and don't look so worried. Things have changed again. +I don't need to break good news gently, so I may tell you now, papa--I +mean, your father, has been telling me something I never dreamed +of--Chester, listen. I'm not your father's child--only by +adoption--you're not my brother, only of course in the brotherhood of +the faith." + +"Lucy, what are you saying?" + +"I am telling you the truth--as I was told it. He adopted me as a +baby--I was an orphan--I am not your sister. Chester--I--" + +He seized her hands, and held her at arms length, while his eyes seemed +to devour her. She could not repress the tears, and when he saw them, he +drew her close and kissed her. + +"Lucy, not my sister, but my sweetheart again, my little wife to +be--what--does it all mean?" + +There came a loud knock at the door, and the father entered without +being bidden. He walked firmly up to them, placed a hand on each +shoulder, and said: + +"My son, I have to ask your forgiveness again. I intended to tell you +about Lucy as soon as you learned the truth about yourself, but I was +hindered. Don't think, my boy, that I would purposely cause you +suffering. What Lucy has told you is true, and I am so glad that the +misunderstanding and the mixups no longer exist between us." + +The three now found seats and talked over the new situation in which +they found themselves, not forgetting the part Uncle Gilbert had taken +in recent events, until the strenuous voice of Captain Brown had to +supplement the housekeeper's bell, before the three would come down for +luncheon. + +Those were golden days to Chester, Lucy, and the Rev. Thomas Strong. Out +of restless uncertainty, doubts, fears, and heart-aching experiences +they now had come to a period of peaceful certainty. Out of straits they +had come to a quiet sun-kissed harbor. + +Captain Brown looked on all this happiness approvingly. His shore leave +was going splendidly. The neighbor's horse and carriage were often +brought into requisition, and the father would not be denied his share +of these drives. The captain's own boat, long since unused, was put into +commission, and with the captain at the tiller the whole family sailed +over the placid Mersy. The moon grew rounder, and as the evenings were +warm, the boat often lingered in the moonlight. Then songs were sung, +Chester and Lucy singing some which the father recognized as "Mormon," +but which the captain knew only as beautiful and full of sweet spirit. + +During those days when the visitors remained with the captain rather +more for his own sake than for any other reason, there was just one +little cloud in Chester's and Lucy's sunlight. That was that the father +took no abiding interest in the religion which now meant so much to +them. Once or twice the subject had been carefully broached by Chester, +but each time the father had not responded. He made no objections. The +young man sometimes thought there would be more hope if he did. However, +he and Lucy were not discouraged. They reasoned, with justice, that it +was no easy matter to change a life-long habit of belief and practice. +They comforted each other by the hope that all would be well in the end. +Had they not already ample evidence of God's providence shaping all +things right. + +It was plainly to be seen, however, that the father took great comfort +in his new-found son; and well any father might, for Chester was a +strong, open-spirited, clean young man. Father and son strolled out +together, Lucy sometimes peeping at them from behind the curtain, but +denying herself of their company. Chester, by his father's request, told +him more of his life's story. The father wished to live as much as could +be by word-telling the years he had missed in the life of his son; and +the father, for his part, acquainted Chester with his more recent years. +"I married quite late in life," said the father, "a sweet girl who did +much for me. That we had no children was a great disappointment to both +of us, and when we saw that very likely we never would have any of our +own, we found and adopted Lucy. She would never have known the truth +about that had not you come and compelled me to tell it. But it's all +right now, and the Lord has been kinder to me than I deserve." + + "'God moves in a mysterious way, + His wonders to perform,'" + +quoted Chester. + + "'He plants his footsteps in the sea + And rides upon the storm,'" + +mused the father. + +At another time the father said to Chester: + +"My boy, it would please me if you would take my name. You need not +discard the one you already have, but add mine to it--yours by all +that's right." + +"Yes, father." + +"I have no great fortune, but I have saved a little; and when I am gone, +it will be yours and Lucy's--I'll hear no objections to that--for can't +you see, all that I can possibly do for you will only in part pay for +the wrong I have done. You say you have no definite plans for the +future. Then you will come with us to Kansas City, where I expect to +take up again my labors in the ministry, at least for a time." + +Lucy came upon them at this point. + +"Chester has promised to take my name," explained the father. + +"That will make it unnecessary for you to change yours," said Chester, +as he put his arm around her. + +A week passed as rapidly as such golden days do. Chester sent the latest +news to Elder Malby. Uncle Gilbert, always impatient, wrote from Kildare +Villa, asking when they were "coming home." Captain Brown had made a +number of trips of inspection to the docks to see how the loading of his +ship was progressing. + +At the captain's invitation they all visited the vessel one afternoon. + +"Why," exclaimed Lucy in surprise, when she saw the steamer at the dock, +"you have a regular ocean liner here. I thought freight boats were small +concerns." + +"Small! well, now, you know better. Come aboard." + +He led the way on deck, and then below. + +"This ship is somewhat old," explained Captain Brown, "but she is still +staunch and seaworthy. As you see, she has once been a passenger boat, +and in fact, she still carries passengers--when we can find some who +would rather spend twelve days in comfort than be rushed across in six +or seven by the latest greyhounds. I say, when we can find such sensible +people," repeated the captain, as he looked curiously at his guests. + +The dining room was spacious, the berths of the large, roomy kind which +the grasp for economy and capacity had not yet cut down. + +"This is a nicer state room than I had coming over," declared Lucy. "Why +can't we return with Captain Brown?" + +"I should be delighted," said the captain. "The booking offices are on +Water Street." + +"When do you sail?" asked the father. + +"In three days, I believe we shall be ready." + +"And your port?" + +"New York." + +"Your cargo?" + +"Mixed." + +"Any passengers?" + +"A dozen or so--plenty of room, you see. We'll make you comfortable, +more so than on a crowded liner. Think about it, Mr. Strong." + +"We shall," said Lucy and her father in unison. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +And thus it came about that the party of three visiting with Captain +Andrew Brown, decided to sail with him to New York. A few more days on +the water was of no consequence, except as Chester said to Lucy, to +enjoy a little longer the after-seasickness period of the voyage. As for +Chester himself, he was very pleased with the proposition. + +A visit to the company's office in Water Street completed the +arrangement. "Yes," said the agent, "we can take care of you. There will +be a very small list of passengers, which gives you all the more room. +Besides, it's worth while to cross with Captain Brown." + +As the boat did not lay up to the Landing Stage, but put directly to sea +from the dock, the passengers were stowed safely away into their +comfortable quarters the evening before sailing. When they awoke next +morning, they were well out into the Irish sea, the Welsh hills slowly +disappearing at the left. Chester was the first on deck. He tipped his +cap to Captain Brown on the bridge as they exchanged their morning +greetings. The day was bright and warm, the sea smooth. Chester stood +looking at the vanishing hills, glancing now and then at the +companionway, for Lucy. As he stood there, he thought of the time, only +a few days since, when he had caught his first sight of those same green +hills. What a lot had happened to him between those two points of time! +A journey begun without distinct purpose had brought to him father and +sweetheart. Outward bound he had been alone, empty and void in his life; +and now he was going home with heart full of love and life rich with +noble purpose. + +Chester's father appeared before Lucy. The son met him and took his arm +as they paced the deck slowly. The father declared to Chester that he +was feeling fine; and, in fact, he looked remarkably well. + +"I am sorry we did not hear from Gilbert before we sailed," said the +father; "but I suppose the fault was ours in not writing to him sooner." + +"He barely had time to get the letter," said Chester. + +"I suppose so. But it doesn't matter. We should only have just stopped +off at Kildare Villa to say goodbye, any way." + +"It's a pity we don't stop at Queenstown. He could have come out on the +tender." + +"Perhaps he would, and then perhaps he wouldn't. It would depend on just +how he felt--halloo, Lucy--you up already?" + +"I couldn't lay abed longer this beautiful morning," exclaimed Lucy as +she came up to them. "Isn't this glorious! Is Wales below the sea yet?" + +"No; there's a tip left. See, there, just above the water." + +"Goodbye, dear old Europe," said Lucy, as she waved her handkerchief. +"I've always loved you--I love you now more than ever." + +Father and son looked and smiled knowingly at her. Then they all went +down to breakfast. + +Just about that same time of day, Thomas Strong's delayed letter +reached his brother in Cork. Uncle Gilbert read the letter while he ate +his breakfast, and Aunt Sarah wondered what could be so disturbing in +its contents; for he would not finish his meal. + +"What is it, Gilbert?" she asked. + +"Thomas, Lucy, and that young fellow, Chester Lawrence are going +to--yes, have already sailed from Liverpool with Captain Brown." + +"And they're not coming to see us before they leave?" + +"Didn't I say, they're already on the water--or should be--off to New +York with Captain Brown--and he doesn't touch at Queenstown, and in that +boat--" + +Uncle Gilbert wiped his forehead. + +"I'm sorry that they did not call," commented Aunt Sarah complacently; +"but I suppose they were in a hurry, and Captain Brown will take care of +them." + +"In a hurry! No. Captain Brown--" but the remark was lost to his wife. +He cut short his eating, hurried to town, and, in faint hopes that it +might be in time, sent a telegram to his brother in Liverpool which +read: + +"Don't sail with Captain Brown. Will explain later." + +This telegram was delivered to Captain Brown's housekeeper, who sent it +to the steamship company's office, where it was safely pigeon-holed. + +The morning passed at Kildare Villa. The telegram brought no reply. In +foolish desperation, hoping against hope, Uncle Gilbert took the first +fast train northward, crossed by mail steamer to Holyhead, thence on to +Liverpool, where he arrived too late. The boat had sailed. He went to +the steamship company's office in Water Street, and passed, without +asking leave, into the manager's office. That official was alone, which +was to Gilbert Strong's purpose. + +"Why did you permit my brother to sail with Captain Brown?" asked he +abruptly. + +"My dear Mr. Strong," said the manager, "calm yourself. I do not +understand." + +"Yes, you do. You know as well as I do that his ship is--is not in the +best condition. You ought not to have allowed passengers at all." + +"Sit down, Mr. Strong. The boat is good for many a trip yet, though it +is true, as you know, that she is to go into dry dock for overhauling on +her return. Has your brother sailed on her?" + +"He has, my brother, his daughter and her young man. I suppose there +were other passengers also?" + +"Yes; a few--perhaps twenty-five all told. Don't worry; Captain Brown +will bring them safely through." + +"Yes," said Gilbert Strong, as he left the office, "yes, if the Lord +will give him a show--but--" + +He could say no more, for did he not know full well that at a meeting of +company directors at which he had been present, it had been decided to +try one more trip with Captain Brown in command, and the fact that the +boat was not in good condition was to be kept as much as possible from +the captain. A little tinkering below and a judicious coat of paint +above would do much to help the appearance of matters, one of the +smiling directors had said. And so--well, he would try not to worry. Of +course, everything would be well. Such things were done right along, +with only occasionally a disaster or loss--fully covered by the +insurance. + +But for all his efforts at self assurance, when he went home to Aunt +Sarah he was not in the most easy frame of mind. + + * * * * * + +The little company under Captain Brown's care was having a delightful +time. The weather was so pleasant that there was very little sickness. +Chester again escaped and even his father and Lucy were indisposed for a +day or two only. After that the long sunny days and much of the starry +nights were spent on deck. The members of the company soon became well +acquainted. Captain Brown called them his "happy family." + +And now Chester and Lucy had opportunity to get near to each other in +heart and mind. With steamer chairs close together up on the promenade +deck where there usually were none but themselves, they would sit for +hours, talking and looking out over the sea. "Shady bowers 'mid trees +and flowers" may be ideal places for lovers; but a quiet protected +corner of a big ship which plows majestically through a changeless, yet +ever-changing sea, has also its charms and advantages. + +On the fourth day out. The water was smooth, the day so warm that the +shade was acceptable. Chester and Lucy had been up on the bridge with +Captain Brown, who had told them stories of the sea, and had showed them +pictures of his wife and baby, both safe in the "Port of Forever," he +had said. All this had had its effect on the two young people, and so +when they went down to escape the glare of the sun on the exposed +bridge, they sought a shady corner amid-ships. When they found chairs, +Chester always saw that she was comfortable, for though well as she +appeared, she was never free from the danger of a troublesome heart. The +light shawl which she usually wore on deck, hung loosely from her +shoulders across her lap, providing a cover behind which two hands could +clasp. They sat for some time that afternoon, in silence, then Lucy +asked abruptly: + +"Chester, you haven't told me much about that girl out West. You liked +her very much, didn't, you?" + +"Yes," he admitted, after a pause. "I think I can truthfully say I did; +but this further I can say, that my liking for her was only a sort of +introduction to the stronger, more matured love which was to follow,--my +love for you. I think I have told you before that you bear a close +resemblence to her; and it occurs to me now that therein is another of +God's wonderful providences." + +"How is that?" + +"Had you not looked like her I would not have been attracted to you, +and very likely, would have missed you and my father, and all this." + +"I'm glad your experience has been turned to such good account. Now, I +for example, never had a beau until you came." + +"What?" + +"Oh, don't feign surprise. You know, I'm no beauty, and I never was +popular with the boys. Someone once told me it was because I was too +religious. What do you think of that?" + +"Too religious! Nonsense. The one thing above another, if there is such, +that I like about you is that your beauty of heart and soul corresponds +to your beauty of face--No; don't contradict. You have the highest type +of beauty--" + +"Beauty is in the eyes that see," she interrupted. + +"Certainly; and in the heart that understands. As I said, the highest +type of beauty is where the inner and the outer are harmoniously +combined. I think that is another application of the truth that the +spiritual and the mortal, or 'element' as the revelation calls it, must +be eternally connected to insure a perfect being. Somehow, I always +sympathize with one whose beautiful spirit is tabernacled in a plain +body. And yet, my pity is a hundred times more profound for one whom God +has given a beautiful face and form, but whose heart and soul have been +made ugly by sin--but there, if I don't look out, I'll be preaching." + +"Well, your congregation likes to hear you preach." + +Space will not permit the recording of the number of times emphasis was +given to various expressions in this conversation by the hand pressure +under the shawl. + +"Now," continued he, "I can't conceive of your not having any admirers." + +"I didn't say admirers--I said beaux." + +"Well, I suppose there is a difference," he laughed. + +"Of course, I have known a good many young men in my time, but those +matrimonially inclined usually passed by on the other side." + +"Perhaps they knew I was coming on this side." + +"Perhaps--There's papa. He looks lonesome. We ought to be ashamed of +ourselves to hide from him as we did yesterday." + +"I agree; but he'll find us now." + +Lucy drew the father's attention, and he found a chair near them. + +"Isn't the sea beautiful," said Lucy, by way of beginning the +conversation properly, now a third person was present. "And what a lot +of water there is!" she continued. "What did Lincoln say about the +common people? The Lord must like them, because he made so many of them. +Well, the Lord must like water also, as He has made so much of it." + +"Water is a very necessary element in the economy of nature," said the +father. "Like the flow of blood in the human body, so is water to this +world. As far as we know, wherever there is life there is water." + +"And that reminds me," said Lucy eagerly, as if a new thought had come +to her, "that water is also a sign of purity. Water is used, not only +to purify the body, but as a symbol to wash away the sins of the soul. +Paul, you remember, was commanded to 'arise, and be baptized, and wash +away thy sins'." Lucy looked at Chester as if giving him a cue. + +"In the economy of God," said Chester, "it seems necessary that we must +pass through water from one world to another. In like manner, the +gateway to the kingdom of heaven is through water. 'Except a man be born +of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God' is +declared by the Savior himself." + +Whether or not the father understood that this brief sermonizing was +intended primarily for him, he did not show any resentment. He listened +attentively, then added: + +"Yes; water has always held an important place among nations. Cicero +tells us that Thales the Milesian asserted God formed all things from +water--Out in Utah, Chester," said the father, turning abruptly to the +young man, "you have an illustration of what water can do in the way of +making the desert to blossom." + +"Yes; it is truly wonderful, what it has done out there," agreed +Chester. Then being urged by both his father and Lucy, he told of the +West and its development. He was adroitly led to talk of Piney Ridge +Cottage and the people who lived there, their home and community life, +their trials, their hopes, their ideals. Ere he was aware, Chester was +again in the canyons, and crags and mountain peaks, whose wildness was +akin to the wildness of the ocean. Then when his story was told, Lucy +said: + +"I know where I could get well." + +"Where?" asked Chester. + +"At Piney Ridge Cottage." + +Chester neither agreed nor denied. Just then a steamer came into sight, +eastward bound. It proved to be an "ocean grayhound," and Captain Brown +coming up, let them look at it through his glass. + +"She's going some," remarked the captain; "but I'll warrant the +passengers are not riding as easy as we." + +"Somehow," said the father, "a passing steamer always brings to me +profound thoughts. Now, there, for example, is a spot on the vast +expanse of water. It is but a speck, yet within it is a little world, +teeming with life. The ship comes into our view, then passes away. +Again, the ship is just a part of a great machine--I use this figure for +want of a better one. Every individual on the ship bears a certain +relationship to the vessel; the steamer is a part of this world; this +world is a cog in the machinery of the solar system; the solar system is +but a small group of worlds, which is a part of and depends on, +something as much vaster as the world is to this ship. This men call the +Universe; but all questions of what or where or when pertaining to this +universe are unanswerable. We are lost--we know nothing about it--it is +beyond our finite minds." + +Captain Brown stood listening to this exposition. His eyes were on the +speaker, then on the passing steamer, then on the speaker again. + +"Mr. Strong," said he, "at the last church service I attended in +Liverpool, the minister was trying to explain what God is,--and just +that which you have said is beyond us, that vast, unknown, unknowable +something he called God." + +"Oh," exclaimed Lucy, involuntarily. + +"I'll admit the definition is not very plain," continued the captain. +"We get no sense of nearness from it. I would not know how to pray to or +worship such a God; but what are we to do? I have never heard anything +more satisfactory, except--well, only when I read my Bible." + +"Why not take the plain statement of the Bible, then?" suggested +Chester. + +"I try to, but my thinking of these things is not clear, because of the +interpretation the preachers put upon them--excuse the statement, Mr. +Strong; but perhaps you are an exception. I have never heard you +preach." + +The minister smiled good-naturedly. Then he said, "Chester here, is +quite a preacher himself. Ask his opinion on the matter." + +"I shall be happy to listen to him. However, I have an errand just now. +Will you go with me?" this to Chester. + +Chester, annoyed for a moment at this unexpected turn, arose and +followed the captain into his quarters. + +"Sit down," said the captain. "I was glad Mr. Strong gave me an +opportunity to get you away, for I have a matter I wish to speak to you +about, a matter which I think best to keep from both Mr. Strong and +Lucy--but which you ought to know." + +"Yes." + +The officer seated himself near his table on which were outspread charts +and maps. About the table hung a framed picture of the captain's wife +and child, a miniature of which he carried in his breast pocket. + +"In the first place," began Captain Brown, "I want you to keep this +which I tell you secret until I deem it wise to be published. I can +trust you for that?" + +"Certainly." + +Always in the company of the passengers, Captain Brown's bearing was one +of assurance. He smiled readily. But now his face was serious, and +Chester saw lines of care and anxiety in it. + +"I am sorry that I ever suggested to you and your friends--and my dear +friends they are too," continued the captain, "that you take this voyage +with me, for if anything should happen, I should never forgive myself. +However, there is no occasion for serious alarm--yet." + +"What is the matter, captain?" + +"I have been deceived regarding the condition of this ship. I was made +to understand that she was perfectly sea-worthy--this is my first trip +with her--but I now learn that the boilers are in a bad state and the +pumps are hardly in a working condition. There is--already a small leak +where it is nearly impossible to be reached. We are holding our own +very well, and we can jog along in this way for some time, so there is +no immediate danger." + +Chester experienced a sinking at the heart. From the many questions +which thronged into his mind, he put this: + +"When might there be danger?" + +"If the leak gets bad and the pumps can not handle it. Then a rough sea +is to be dreaded." + +"What can we do?" + +"At present, nothing but keep cool. You are the only one of the +passengers that knows anything about this, and I am telling you because +I can trust you to be wise and brave, if necessary. If things do not +improve, we shall soon be getting our boats in shape. We shall do this +as quietly as possible, but someone might see and ask questions. We +shall depend on you--and I'll promise to keep you posted on the ship's +true condition." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And now," said the captain as his face resumed its cheerful expression, +"I must make a trip below. When you see me on the bridge again, come up +and make that explanation which Mr. Strong said you were able to do. I +shall be mighty glad to listen to you." + +Chester protested, but the captain would not hear it. "I'll be up in the +course of half an hour," said the seaman. "Promise me you'll come?" + +"Of course, if you really wish it?" + +"I was never more earnest in my life. My boy, let me tell you +something'. I have listened at times to your conversation on religious +themes--you and Lucy have talked when I could not help hearing--and I +want to hear more--I believe you have a message for me." + +There was a smile on the captain's face as he hurried away. And +Chester's heart also arose and was comforted, as he lingered for a few +moments on the deck and then joined Lucy and his father. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +In blissful ignorance of any danger, the passengers and most of the crew +went the daily round of pleasure or duty. The games on deck, the smoking +and card-playing in the gentlemen's room, the sleeping and the eating +all went on uninterrupted. Captain Brown, though quieter than usual, was +as pleasant and thoughtful as ever. The sea was smooth, the weather +fine, and the ship plowed on her course with no visible indication that +she was slowly being crippled. + +Lucy had for her use, one of the largest and best ventilated rooms in +the ship. It was so pleasant there, that she spent much of her time in +its seclusiveness. It is needless to state that Chester shared that +comfort and seclusion. Reading, talking, building castles which reached +into the heavens, these two basked in the warm light of a perfect love. +After a little buffeting about in worldly storms, two hearts had come to +rest; and how penetratingly sweet was that serene peace of soul. In him +she saw her highest ideals realized, her fondest hopes and dreams come +true. In her he found the composite perfectness of woman. All his +visions from early youth to the present materialized in the sweet face, +gentle spirit and pure soul of Lucy Strong! + +Chester, the day after Captain Brown had told him about the condition of +the ship, found Lucy in her room. She was not well, the father had +said, so Chester sought her out. She was reclining on the couch. His +heart, burdened with what he knew melted towards the girl. He drew a +stool up to her, and kissed his good-morning. + +"Not so well today?" he asked. + +"No; my heart has been troubling me all night; but I'm better now." + +"Now, see here, my girl, I'm the one that ought to be ill." + +"How's that?" she smiled at him. + +"Have we not exchanged hearts?" + +"Oh, I see. Yes; but the strength only went with mine. The weakness I +retained. It would not have been fair otherwise." + +She sat up and pushed back her hair. He seated himself near her and drew +her in his arm. He held her close. + +"Some things," said he, "we can not give, much as we would like. Some +burdens we must carry ourselves." + +"Which I take it, is a very wise provision," she added. + +There was silence after that. It was not easy for either of them to +talk, each being constrained with his own crowded thoughts. Chester +listened to the rhythmic beat of the machinery, and wondered vaguely how +long it would continue thus, and what would happen if it had to stop. + +"Chester," said Lucy at last, "what if I should die?" She clung to him +as she said it. + +"But, my dear, you're not going to die. You're going to get completely +well again--You're going to stay with me, you know." + +"That's the worst, when I think of it--the thought of separating from +you--O Chester, I can't do that--All my life I've waited and watched for +you, and now to leave you, to lose you again--and we've been together +such a short time! I can't bear to think of it." The tears welled in her +eyes. + +"Then, my sweetheart mustn't think of it. We are going to be together, +we two. 'Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will +lodge ... where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried!' +quoted the young man, knowing not the prophetic import of his words. She +leaned on his shoulder, and he stroked the hair from her forehead. + +"Did you have a talk with Captain Brown?" she asked. "Did you answer his +questions?" + +Chester started, then understood. "Oh, yes," he replied. "Yesterday on +the bridge we talked for an hour. He asked me all manner of questions, +and I think I satisfied him. He had heard of Mormonism,' of course, but +never of its message of salvation. I believe he's converted already." + +"I'm so glad, for he is such a nice man. Chester, I wish your father +were more susceptible to the gospel. I can't understand him. He never +opposes, nor does he now find fault with me; but as for himself--well, +he says he's going back to the pulpit." + +"I am just as sorry as you, on that score; but we can but do our best, +and let the Lord take care of the rest." + +Now when their thoughts ranged from self to others, Lucy felt so much +better that she declared she was ready for the deck. So leaning on +Chester's arm, they carefully climbed the stairs, and came to the open. +There was a breeze, and a bank of clouds hung low to windward. Chester +adjusted Lucy's wrap closely as they paced the deck slowly. The clouds +lifted into the sky, shutting out the sun. On the horizon, winkings of +lightning flashed. Evidently, a storm was coming. + +Captain Brown was quiet at the luncheon table. Chester noted it, and +afterwards, followed the captain to the bridge. + +"How goes it?" asked Chester. + +"Not well," was the reply. "Do you see that list to larboard." + +"I don't understand." + +Without pointing, which action others might see, the captain explained +that the ship tilted to one side, also that there was a slight "settling +by the head," that is, the ship was deeper in the water forward than at +any other part. Chester noticed it now, and asked what it meant. + +"It means," explained the captain, "that we are slowly +settling--sinking, in plain words. The pumps can not manage the water +coming into the hold. There is also some trouble with the cargo, which +causes the list or leaning to one side. From now on, I shall be on the +lookout for assistance, which I think, will come in ample time--Now +tell me more about this new prophet, Joseph Smith." + +For an hour they conversed. Then the captain had to go below again, and +Chester went in search of Lucy. A number of the passengers were standing +near the larboard rail. They noticed the slope of the deck, but did not +realize its meaning, and Chester did not enlighten them. A peculiar +heart-sinking feeling persisted with him, which the coming storm did not +alleviate. + +The captain was not in his place at dinner, which was all the more +noticeable, because it was the first time he had been absent. Some of +the passengers were beginning to feel the effects of the higher seas, +and they did not eat much. Very few went back to the deck from the +table. Lucy and the minister were among those who went to bed, but +Chester, clad in water proofs was easier on deck. + +The wind was blowing hard, increasing in time to quite a gale. The waves +broke over the ship's prow, slushing the forward deck and driving all +who were out either back or to an upper deck. Chester kept away from +Captain Brown on the bridge, where he no doubt would remain throughout +the night. + +Darkness came on thick and black. The wind howled hideously around +smoke-stack and rigging. The rain came in storms, then ceased only to +gather more strength for the next squall. How well the ship was standing +the rough weather, Chester did not know, and certainly the other +passengers had no fears, as most of them were asleep. Chester went down +the companion-way, glanced into the vacant saloon and hallways, and +paused at Lucy's door All was quiet, so she was no doubt asleep. His +father was also resting easily. He went on deck again. + +As he mounted the steps to the tipper deck, he saw a brilliant light +shine from the bridge. It flashed for an instant, flooding the ship with +light, then went out. "The captain is signalling," thought Chester. In +five minutes the light flashed again, thus at regular intervals. The few +passengers who saw this, becoming alarmed, rushed to the bridge with +anxious questions. The captain met them at the foot of the stairs. + +"My friends," he said in wonderfully calm tones "there is no occasion +for alarm. The weather is very thick, and as we are in the path of +steamers, these lights are set off as a warning." This explanation, as +Chester knew, was not all the truth, but the captain did not want a +panic so early in the trouble. The passengers seemed satisfied, but they +lingered for some time watching the lights and the remarkable effects +they had on the ship and the heaving sea. The captain touched Chester +who was still standing near the steps. + +"You go to bed and get some rest," he said. "You may need all your +strength later. There is no danger tonight. Go to bed." + +Chester took the captain's advice. He went to bed, but it was not easy +to go to sleep, so he did not do this until well towards morning. + +The storm was still on next morning when Chester awoke. He dressed +hurriedly, listened again at Lucy's and his father's doors, but hearing +nothing went on deck. The day was well advanced. The wind seemed not so +strong as the night before, and the waves were not so high. However, the +sea was rough enough to add to the danger of a sinking ship. Chester +noticed the "list to larboard," and the "settling at the head," and +found both of these dangerous conditions worse. The most careless +observer would not now fail to see that something was the matter. And, +in fact, as the passengers came on deck that morning, most of them late +and looking bad from threatened attacks of sea-sickness, they +immediately remarked on the slanting deck. Anxious enquiries from +officers and seamen brought no satisfactory reply. Had there been a +large number of passengers, there would likely have been an unpleasant +panic that morning. + +The breakfast was late, and very few of the passengers were there to +partake of it. Captain Brown was in his place, greeting the few who +slipped carefully into their seats. As the meal progressed and not over +half of the usual company put in an appearance, the captain consulted +with the second officer and the steward. Then at the close of the meal, +the captain arose and said: + +"My friends, I wish you to remain until we can get all who are able to +join us here. I have something to say which I want all of you to hear. +So please remain seated. The steward will see that no one leaves the +room." + +One by one the absent passengers were brought in. Thomas Strong was +among them, but not Lucy, for which Chester was thankful. The steward +reported that all who were able were present, and then amid a tense +silence, emphasized only by the creaking of the ship and the subdued +noise of the sea without, the captain said: + +"I am sorry to have to tell you that the ship is in a sinking condition. +There is a leak which we have been unable to stop. Two of our boilers +are already useless and it is only a matter of time when the water will +reach the others. I have not said anything about this until now, for I +have been hoping to meet with some vessel that could take us off. So +far, none has appeared. However, we are in the steamer zone, and we have +many chances yet. Today sometime or tonight we must take to the boats, +and what I want to impress upon you especially is that you, all of you, +must control yourselves. Do not give way to excitement or fear which +might hinder you from doing what is best. I tell you plainly, that the +worst we have to fear on that score is the crew. They are already near +to mutiny. The first officer and others are guarding their exits and +keeping the stokers at their posts. They are a rough lot of men, and it +will not do to let them get beyond our control. I shall, therefore, ask +the help of every man present. When it comes to launching the boats, it +must be done in order. There are boats enough, but there must not be any +crowding. With the present rough water it will be difficult to get the +boats off. It is necessary, therefore, that the greatest care be taken. +Now, then, that is all. Go about quietly. Each man and woman get a life +belt ready, but you need not put them on until you are told. The steward +will give the order." + +He ceased, turned, and hurried up the companionway. There was silence +for a moment, then a woman screamed, which signaled a general uproar of +cries and talk. Out of the confusion came quiet, assuring commands, and +in time the little company had scattered. Chester and his father went +out together, along the hallway to Lucy's room. They looked mutely at +each other, not knowing what best to say. + +When they stopped at Lucy's door, Chester asked of his father if she was +up. + +"Yes," he replied; "but she is not well. How shall we tell her the evil +news?" + +"We must manage it somehow, for she must know--poor little girl!" + +Between them, they managed to tell Lucy of the situation they were in. +During the telling, she looked at one and then at the other in a dazed +way, as if she could not believe there were any actual danger. They +repeated to her the assurances the captain had given. + +"Can we go on deck?" asked Lucy at last. "I want to get into the air +where the sky is above me." + +They found a protected corner in the smoking-room where Lucy was content +to sit and look out of the open door to see what was going on about the +deck. Officers were inspecting the boats to see that all were ready in +case of need. The work of the crew and the movements of the passengers +were accompanied by a certain nervousness. That the ship was slowly +settling could plainly be seen by all on board. + +Towards noon, the forward hatch was opened, and soon there was a rattle +of chains and clang of machinery. Then up from the hold come bales, +boxes, and barrels which were unceremoniously dropped into the sea. The +cargo must go. No help had yet been sighted, and if they were to remain +afloat much longer, the ship would have to be lightened. "What a pity to +waste so much," said some, forgetting their own peril for the moment; +but human life is worth more than ships or cargos. + +Very few cared to respond to the call for luncheon which the stewards +bravely kept up. The women who were too frightened to go below were +served on deck, being urged to eat by solicitous friends. + +All afternoon the unloading went on. The ship moved slowly leaving a +train of floating merchandise in its wake. On the bridge the captain or +one of the officers paced back and forth with glass in hand eager to +catch the call of the man in the crow's nest if he should catch sight of +other vessels. But none were seen. The afternoon closed; darkness came +on. Then the light burned again from the bridge and the fog-horn added +its din to the dreariness. + +Lucy kept to her position near the open deck. She would not go below, so +wraps and pillows were brought her and she was made as comfortable as +possible. Chester remained with her most of the time, the father came +and went in nervous uncertainty. Captain Brown stopped long enough to +tell Chester that since most of the cargo was overboard, they would +float a little longer, but they were to be ready at any time now to +leave the ship. The boats were provisioned, it was explained, and the +passengers would be allowed to take with them only what could be carried +in a small bundle. Very likely, they would not need to desert the ship +before morning, so they had better rest. + +But there was neither rest nor sleep that night. Chester tucked his +father into a seat, placed a pillow for his head, then, seeing that Lucy +was comfortable, sat down by her. She lifted the cover from her +shoulders, and extended it to his. It dropped to his lap also, so thus +they sat in the dim glow of the electric light. Life belts were within +easy reach. + +It was well past midnight when the lights went out. Then the beat, beat +of the engines grew less, became fainter, and then like a great heart, +ceased. The ship was dead, and lifeless it must float at the mercy of +wind and wave. Then from below came the cries of men, and there were +hurried steps and sharp commands on deck. Chester stepped out to see +what it was. Captain Brown and the first officer stood by the entrance +to the boiler rooms with gleaming revolvers in their hands, holding back +an excited crowd of stokers. + +"Back, every one of you!" shouted the captain. "I shall kill the first +man who comes out until he is given permission." + +The mass of half-naked, grimy men slunk back with curses and +protestations. "The ship is sinking," they cried, "let us get out." + +"Steady there now." commanded Captain Brown. "There is plenty of time. +We shall let you out, but it must be done orderly. One at a time now, +and go get your clothes. Then stand by, ready for orders from the +engineer. Do you agree?" + +"Yes, yes." They filed out one and two at a time, disappearing in the +darkness. Lanterns, prepared for this emergency, flashed here and there. +Chester obtained one and placed it on the table of the smoking room. + +Presently the stewards could be heard running about the ship saying: +"Ready for the boats, ready for the boats--Everybody on the boat deck!" +The frightened passengers crowded up the steps in the half-darkness, the +gleam of lanterns showing the way. Men were clearing the davits, and +presently the first boat was ready to be filled. + +Captain Brown was in command. He now looked out into the night, then +down to the rough sea, hesitating for a moment whether or not the time +had come. He did not wish to set these men and women afloat in small +boats on such a sea if he could possibly help it; but a settling +movement of the ship, which perhaps he only felt, decided him. He +detailed six sailors to the boat that was ready, then said: + +"The women first--no crowding, please--stand back you!"--this to a man +whom panic had seized and who was crowding forward. + +Sharp, clear, came the orders, and everyone understood. Some husbands +were permitted to go with their hysterical wives. Presently, "That will +do," ordered the captain. "There are plenty of boats, and there need be +no overloading. Lower away." + +The first boat went down and was safely floated and rowed away from the +sinking ship. The sailors were busy with the second boat. Captain Brown +caught sight of Chester. "Where is Mr. Strong and Lucy. This is your +boat. Bring them along." + +"When do you go, Captain?" + +"I? On the last boat. Hurry them along, my boy." + +Just as Chester turned, there came from the other side of the ship the +noise of shouting, rushing men. The commands of officers were drowned in +the confusion. The frantic stokers had got beyond the control of the +officer, and they rushed for the boats. Davits creaked, as the boats +were swung out. The crazed men pushed pell mell into them. One boat was +lowered when only half full, and by the time Captain Brown reached the +scene, the second boat was full, ready to be loosened. + +"Hold," he commanded, as he held aloft his lantern and his revolver +pointed directly at the man who held one of the ropes. + +"Out of there, every one of you--out I say--you first," to a man just +climbing in. + +The stokers were not sailors--the riff-raff of many ports they were; and +now with them it was every man for himself. This feeling without proper +knowledge worked their undoing. The ropes were released, one before the +other, and the loaded boat bumped down the side of the vessel, one end +dropping before the other, spilling the screaming, cursing men into the +water. Down the boat slid until one end touched the waves, the rope ends +flying loosely so that they could not be reached by those on the deck. A +wave hit the boat as it hung and swamped it. + +"My God," exclaimed the captain, "two of our boats are lost. There is +only one more left." + +Chester Lawrence stood still and watched by the lantern's light what was +going on. He pressed forward in time to hear Captain Brown's remark +about the boats. Then together they crossed to the other side where that +last boat hung ready to be filled. And there was need for hurry now. +Slowly, but surely, the ship was sinking, and any moment might bring the +final plunge. + +"Load the boat," shouted the Captain, "women first." The half dozen +women found places. + +"Where's Lucy?" he enquired, looking around for Chester who had +disappeared. Lucy was not in the boat. The Captain was sure she had not +gotten away with the first boat. Chester would bring her. + +"Now, fill in," was the order. "Mr. Strong, where are you? Is Mr. Strong +here?" But he was not to be found. + +One by one the few remaining passengers took their places, then the +crew. + +"Is there room for more?" asked the Captain of the officer in the boat. + +"I fear not, sir," came the reply. + +"Some of the men get under the seats," ordered the Captain. "Now, then +in with you men. Don't go yet. There is yet a woman aboard. Hold fast +there, officer, until I find her." He rushed down the stairs with his +lantern, calling for Chester. "Where are you--for God's sake come +quick!" + +"Here I am sir," replied Chester as he came nearly carrying his father. + +"Where is Lucy?" + +"Lucy is not coming, sir. She does not need to--she has gone +already--she--" + +"What? What is it? We need to hurry, my boy!" + +"Lucy is dead!" + +"Dead!--Bring Mr. Strong along. The boat is waiting." + +The boat hung by its davits, ready for lowering. + +"We are full," said the officer, "and the deck is cleared. There is need +for hurry, sir." + +"There is," replied Captain Brown. "Make room for two more." + +"We can't do it sir--not in this sea--we are overcrowded now." + +"You must--close up, lie down, make room." + +One of the officers offered to get out, then another did the same, but +the captain would not hear. "No," he said, "you men have families." + +Still the boat hung there in the darkness. What could be done? The waves +rolled beneath, the wind moaned in the rigging. + +"We might risk one more, sir," came from the boat. + +The captain looked at Chester, big, strong, full of youth, and then at +the slender, gray-haired man. What a pity, and yet he knew the younger +man would have to remain. That is the law of the sea. + +"I'll not go," said the father. "You go, Chester." + +"No, no; we'll manage somehow; but you must take the chance. Here, help +him in." + +Captain Brown stood by with lifted lantern. He did not dictate which of +the two should go. He had no need of that. He saw Chester lift the old +man in his arms, hold him for an instant close to him, kiss him and +murmur, "Goodby father, and God bless and preserve you"--then he handed +him over to outstretched hands in the boat. + +Captain Brown and Chester Lawrence stood by the railing and watched the +boat lowered. Then when they knew it was safely riding the waves, they +turned to each other. + +"Where is your life-belt?" asked the Captain. "Get it, and put it on." + +"Is there a chance?" + +"There is always a chance. Come. We shall go together, one way or +another--the way God wills." + +They walked along the slanting deck down to where Lucy lay on the couch +in the smoking room. Chester did not notice the life-belt on the table, +but he lifted a lantern to Lucy's face, kneeled by it, and kissed it +tenderly. "Lucy," he said, "my sweetheart, where are you? Don't you want +me to come too?" He stroked the still face, and smoothed back the hair +as he was wont. "Aren't you afraid in that new world to which you have +gone--aren't you as lonesome as--I am? O Lucy, Lucy!" + +"Come put on this belt," said the captain, touching him on the shoulder. + +"I'm coming with you, Lucy," continued the young man. "Nothing shall +part us--as I have told you--we two,--O, my God, what can I do?" + +The captain led Chester away from the dead, out to the open deck, and +buckled around him a life-belt. "Wait here" said the officer. "There is +a chance--I'm going to see. I'll be back in a minute." + +Chester was alone, and in those few minutes the wonderful panorama of +life passed before him. He lived in periods, each period ending with +Lucy Strong. His boyhood, and his awakening to the world about +him--then Lucy; his schooldays, with boys and girls--out from them came +Lucy; his early manhood, his forming ideals--completed in Lucy; his +experiences in the West, and at Piney Ridge Cottage, and then came, not +Julia, but Lucy; then the gospel with its new light and assurance of +salvation; and this coupled with Lucy, her faith and love, burned as a +sweet incense in the soul of Chester Lawrence. Fear left him now. He +heard sounds as if they were songs from distant angel-choirs. Words of +comfort and strength were whispered to his heart: "Though I walk through +the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art +near me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...." Eternity! Why, an +immortal soul is always in eternity; and God is always at hand in life +or in death.... Death! what is it but the passing to the other side of a +curtain, where our loved ones are waiting to meet and greet us! + +Chester stepped back to Lucy. It was dark where she lay, but he passed +his hand over her form to her face, touching tenderly her cheek and +closed eyes. The flesh was not yet cold, but he felt that the soul whom +he had come to know as Lucy Strong was not there. + +Captain Brown called through the darkness. Chester groped into the open +again. Was that the captain's figure on the bridge, looming black +against the faint light in the eastern sky? If it was, Chester was in no +condition to know, for just then there came a great sinking. A roar of +waters sounded in his ears, there was a struggle, a moment of agony, +and then the darkness of oblivion. + +When he awoke again, he had passed over the storm-whipped bar into still +waters. There Lucy met him, and together they sailed, guided by the +unerring Light of God into the Harbor of Eternal Peace and Rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +Thomas Strong was a guest at Piney Ridge Cottage. It had taken him a +full year to get over the effects of that dreadful sea disaster wherein +a son, a daughter, and a dear friend had been lost, and to finally make +his way westward to the people to whom both son and daughter had +belonged. He had arrived during apple-blossom time, and the +white-haired, sad-faced man who seemed to have had all mortality burned +from him by fiery trials, was kindly received by Mr. Elston, his +daughter Julia and her husband, Bishop Glen Curtis. These listened to +his strange story, and were profoundly moved by its tragic ending. They +urged him to remain with them, Julia giving him the room on the attic +floor which previously was hers. He was grateful for all these +kindnesses, saying he would be pleased to visit with them for a time. + +Out under the apple trees in the growing orchard Hugh Elston made for +their guest a seat, where during the day he would sit as one alone, +listening and waiting here in this spot away from the noise and traffic +of the world for a final message which the God of the Universe might +send him. As far as his strength would allow, he liked to walk along the +country roads, which now extended for many miles from Piney Ridge, and +chat with the neighbors about the country and its prospects. He also +made some minor excursions up the hillsides, but in this direction he +could not go far. Frequently he stopped to rest by the enclosed graves, +where he sat on the grass, and with hands on cane, looked wonderingly at +the two graves, side by side. + +But whispered messages from out the blue or storms of heaven did not +come to this man. Neither were there angels sent to tell him what to do; +but the Lord had one more thing--simple indeed--to bear upon the +reluctant heart of Thomas Strong. + +In the little attic room which Julia had turned over to her guest were +many books, papers, and magazines. She had told him that everything in +the room was at his service, and so the visitor made good use of the +kind offer. One day he found a small book which had the name Anna +Lawrence--Chester's mother--written on the fly-leaf. Curiously turning +over the pages of the volume, which was simply a school book of the kind +he remembered in his youth, he found between the leaves an old letter. +He unfolded the deeply creased sheets, looked at the strange +handwriting, saw that it was dated thirty years ago, and addressed to +"Miss Anna Lawrence" and signed by a name unknown to him. There could no +harm come from reading this message from the past, so he drew his chair +up to the window, and read: + + +"_Dear Friend Anna_: + +"It is three months now since I left home for this mission, and not +having heard anything yet from you, I thought a few lines from me might +help you get started in the letter-writing direction. I am enjoying my +mission very much, which perhaps you cannot understand, but it is true, +nevertheless. I came to this place yesterday and have already delivered +some tracts. Most of the people are against us, specially is this the +case with preachers. They get after us roughly. My companion isn't as +old as I am, and goodness knows, I'm young and green enough; but we're +both studying hard, and the Lord is with us, which, after all, is our +chief concern. + +"I hope you are getting along at school. Do you remember the fun we had +last vacation? I heard that our friend Sue is about to be married, but I +suppose you know all about that. + +"But I must tell you about something that happened to us before coming +here. It was in a place not far from Chicago, and my companion and I +were tracting as usual. I took one side of the street and he took the +other. Well, along about noon when it was time we should quit, my +companion didn't make his appearance. I waited a long time, then crossed +the street to look for him. The weather was warm and people were mostly +out of doors in the shade. I heard what sounded like a big discussion on +a porch behind some vines. I went up, and sure enough, there was my +companion and another young fellow having it out in great shape. The +young man sat in his shirt sleeves on a table, and the way he was giving +it to that poor friend of mine was a caution. I learned that the young +fellow was studying for the ministry, and because of that, he considered +himself just the person to give it good and hard to a 'Mormon' +missionary. + +"Well, the fellow sat there on the table, his legs swinging as if he +didn't care a--rap. There was a Bible and some other books on the table, +but they had got beyond the use of books. The young fellow ridiculed the +Prophet, poked fun at his revelations, and said the 'Mormons' were a bad +lot altogether. Said they deserved to be driven from decent society into +the desert as they had been. He kept it up like that, and then he said +something odd. 'I wouldn't have your religion at any price,' he said. +'Get out with you.' + +"My companion sat there, not saying a word. I saw the tears come into +his eyes. He wiped them away hurriedly. Then his face became pale, and +it seemed to me that a light actually shone from it. As I told you, he +is just a boy, and as I looked on him then, I thought of the boy +prophet, and what my father has told me so often about him. Well, when +the fellow got through with his abuse, and jumped from the table as if +we were dismissed, my companion arose and in a voice wonderfully gentle +yet vibrant with power, said: + +"'Yes, we will go, but not before I tell you this: You know not what you +say, therefore, you are forgiven, as far as I am concerned. My parents +were driven from this state. All they had was destroyed by mobs. My +mother died on the plains and her body lies there to this day. All that +mortal man can suffer and live my people have suffered, and all for the +sake of the truth, the gospel that I have brought to you this day, and +which you so scornfully reject. And now I tell you in the name of the +Lord, some day you will receive this gospel--but not until you have paid +for it, and paid for it dearly. Like the merchantman in the parable, +_all that you have_ will you pay for this Pearl of Great Price! Good +day, sir.' + +"We both left him standing somewhat dazed, but I tell you--" + +The letter dropped to Thomas Strong's knee, as he looked up and out at +the closing day. He arose, went to the glass door which opened on to the +little porch, stepped out into the air that he might breathe easier. +What he saw was not Old Thunder Mountain, or the wide extent of the +Flat, dim now in the twilight, but a vine-enclosed porch and the pale, +peculiar face of a boy telling him the words he had just read. * * * * +There had been other boy prophets besides the first great one; and yes, +oh Great God, one old, broken man had paid the price. + +The vines on the upper porch of Piney Ridge Cottage now also formed a +cover, and in their shadow Thomas Strong kneeled and prayed as he had +never prayed before. + +An hour later, Julia, wondering what their guest was doing in his room +so long without a light, called to him softly at the foot of the stairs. + +"Yes," he replied, as if he did not realize for the moment who was +calling, "I'm coming--I'm coming now." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +The first Sunday in the month was Fast Day at Piney Ridge the same as in +all wards of the Church. The Bishop had some visiting to do that morning +so he did not get to Sunday School; but he returned about eleven o'clock +and found the horses hitched to the white-top buggy ready to take all +the household to meeting. + +"Are we all ready?" he asked as he came into the house. + +"Just about," replied his wife who was putting the finishing touches to +the baby's bonnet. "Here, hold him." She placed the baby in Glen's arms. +The father somewhat awkwardly tossed him up and down. + +"Now be careful," admonished the mother, "don't muss his clothes up like +that. Today is his first public appearance, you know." + +"Your coming out, eh?" he asked of the baby. "Well, we'll have to be +good, won't we." + +This was in the front room. Thomas Strong sat, hat in hand, ready, while +he smiled at the bear-like antics of the happy father with his first +baby. Then when the mother came in with hat on, the old man arose +slowly, went to the organ and looked at a photograph of Chester +Lawrence, which had recently been framed and now held the place of honor +on the organ. The Bishop, seeing the movement, lifted the baby to the +picture. + +"I believe there _is_ a resemblance," he remarked. The old man only +smiled. + +Hugh Elston now drove up to the door. The young mother climbed into the +front seat, and then was given the baby. Grandpa Elston took a back seat +by Thomas Strong, while the Bishop sat by his wife to drive. Then they +were off. + +"Did I tell you," said Mr. Strong to his companion, "that I got a letter +from my brother last evening?" + +"No; you did not." + +"Well, he's been recently to London and visiting with Elder Malby. It +seems he can't keep away from that man, and I must say Elder Malby is a +wonder. Such a spirit he has with him--" + +"The missionary spirit, Brother Strong--the spirit of the Lord." + +"Yes, yes," mused the man--"strange--and he but a hard-working farmer--I +wouldn't be surprised if Brother Gilbert came to America and out west +here. He intimated as much in his letter. Poor brother, he also has +suffered." + +"If he comes, give him our invitation to visit with us." + +"Thank you, that I shall." + +"Perhaps he will accompany Elder Malby when he is released." + +"Invite them both," said the other. "We shall all like to see them very +much." + +There was a brief silence, as the horses trotted along. Thomas Strong's +gaze roved across the Flat to the mountains, then rested again on his +companion. Presently, he said: + +"Brother Elston, the other day you were speaking of vicarious work for +the dead, 'temple work' you called it. I understand the doctrine of +baptism for the dead, but some other things are not quite plain--for +instance, having the dead married, made husband and wife, which they +would have been had they lived and had the chance--well, you +understand." + +Yes; Hugh Elston understood, and made his explanations to his companion, +who listened attentively and exclaimed at its close: + +"I am so glad--for Chester's and Lucy's sake--so glad!" + +In good time they arrived at the meeting house. The Bishop busied +himself with the business before him. The good people of the ward came +in, exchanged the usual greetings, then found seats. There were flowers +on the sacrament table as usual, and the meeting house looked sweet and +clean--a fit place in which to worship the Lord. + +The opening hymn in which the congregation joined was: + + "God moves in a mysterious way, + His wonders to perform; + He plants his footsteps in the sea, + And rides upon the storm." + +At the close of the song, Thomas Strong nodded his head and whispered, +"Amen." + +Then after prayer and the sacrament, the Bishop announced, "All mothers +who have babies to be blessed will please bring them forward, and all +who were baptized yesterday will kindly take their places on the front +seat." + +Julia, with rosy face, bore her baby to the front, followed by another +mother with less timidity. A little girl tip-toed along the aisle, and a +boy, "just turned eight" trod heavily forward. Then Thomas Strong also +arose, and silently took his place on the front seat alongside the +mothers with the babies and the children. + +The sun shone through the uncurtained window and lay as a broad strip of +light along the front seat. The little boy was nervously twitching his +feet, the little girl's hands were folded serenely, the babies cooed. +The white-haired man sat with the children, now one with them and of +them in very deed. His face was as a child's, as was indeed his heart. +The meeting was still, silenced by the strange, solemn occasion. Then +the Bishop, assisted by his counselors and Patriarch Hugh Elston laid +their hands on the three who had been baptized in water for the +remission of sins and now bestowed on them the Holy Ghost. Then the +officiating Elders came to the mothers. + +"Brother Elston," said the Bishop, "bless the baby." + +Hugh Elston took Julia's baby into his arms, where he lay cooing into +the men's faces as they gathered around. The Patriarch, in slow, +carefully chosen words, gave the babe its name and a blessing: + +"Chester Lawrence--for this is the name by which you shall be known +among the children of men--" + +There was a moment's pause in the blessing. Thomas Strong glanced up to +the men, then looked at Julia in surprise. + +"Oh," said he softly, "my boy's name shall live--Thank God." + + + + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Story of Chester Lawrence, by Nephi Anderson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORY OF CHESTER LAWRENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 13756-8.txt or 13756-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/7/5/13756/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Asad Razzaki and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Story of Chester Lawrence + +Author: Nephi Anderson + +Release Date: October 15, 2004 [EBook #13756] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORY OF CHESTER LAWRENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Asad Razzaki and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>Story of Chester Lawrence</h1> + +<a name="img001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center><a href="images/img001.png"> +<img src="images/img001s.png" width="600" height="341" +alt="Title" /></a> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + +<hr /> + +<a name='Page1'></a> + +<h1>Story of Chester Lawrence</h1> + +<h4>Being the Completed Account of One<br /> +who Played an Important Part in<br /> +"Piney Ridge Cottage"</h4> + + +<h2>By NEPHI ANDERSON</h2> +<h4>Author of "Added Upon," "The Castle Builder,"<br /> +"Piney Ridge Cottage," etc.</h4> +<br /> +<h4>THE DESERET NEWS<br /> +Salt Like City, Utah<br /> +1913</h4> +<a name='Page2'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3>Books by Nephi Anderson.</h3> + +<p class="advert">ADDED UPON, Fifth and Enlarged Edition. A story illustrating "Mormon" +teachings regarding the past, the present, and the future states of +existence.</p> + +<p class="advert">THE CASTLE BUILDER. The scenes and characters are from Norway, the Land +of the Midnight Sun.</p> + +<p class="advert">MARCUS KING, MORMON, is the story of a convert to "Mormonism" who came +to Utah in early pioneer days.</p> + +<p class="advert">PINEY RIDGE COTTAGE, the love story of a "Mormon" country girl.</p> + +<p class="advert">A YOUNG FOLKS' HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. The story of the "Mormon" Church +is told in simple, interesting chapters.</p> + +<center><i>All bound in beautiful cloth, with gold titles</i>,<br /> +Price, 75 cents each.<br /></center> +<br /> +<h4>DESERET NEWS BOOK STORE,<br /> +Salt Lake City, Utah.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<br /> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<h2>Table of Contents</h2> + <a href='#CHAPTER_I'><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_II'><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_III'><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IV'><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_V'><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VI'><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VII'><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_VIII'><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_IX'><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_X'><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XI'><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XII'><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIII'><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIV'><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XV'><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVI'><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVII'><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII'><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XIX'><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XX'><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXI'><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a><br /> + <a href='#CHAPTER_XXII'><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a><br /> + +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='Page3'></a> +<h2>Story of Chester Lawrence.</h2> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_I'></a><h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>It was raining when the ship was ready to sail; yet on the pier a large +crowd of people stood under dripping umbrellas, waving and shouting +farewells to their friends on board. The departing passengers, most of +them protected by an upper deck, pressed four deep against the rail, and +waved and shouted in return.</p> + +<p>The belated passenger, struggling with heavy hand baggage, scrambled up +the gang-plank. The last visitors were hustled ashore; amid noise and +bustle, the plank was drawn away, and the ship was clear. A tremor ran +through the vessel as the propeller began to move, and soon there was a +strip of water between the pier and the ship. Then a tiny tug-boat came +alongside, fastened itself to the steamer, and with calm assurance, +guided its big brother safely into the harbor and down the bay. The +people on shore merged into one dark object; the greetings became +indistinct; the great city itself, back of the pier, melted into a gray +mass as seen through the rain.</p> + +<p>Chester Lawrence stood on the deck of the departing vessel and watched +the interesting scene. He <a name='Page4'></a>stood as one apart from the crowd, having no +portion with either those on board or those left behind. He was a +spectator only. Not a soul in that mass of humanity on the pier, not one +in the big city, knew Chester Lawrence or had a thought for him. No one +cared whether his voyage would be pleasant or otherwise. There were no +tears for him, or fears that he would not return in safety. Of the +hundreds of waving handkerchiefs, none was meant for him; but as a last +show of good-fellowship and as a farewell greeting to his native land, +Chester waved once with the rest.</p> + +<p>The rain continued as the ship dropped down the bay and came safely into +the open sea. Some of the passengers then hurried below, while others +lingered on deck to see as long as possible the fast-receding land. +Chester took his time. He had seen that his grips had been safely stowed +away in his state room, so he had no worries, as others seemed to have, +regarding his belongings. The ship hands (sailors they cannot now be +called) were busy clearing the deck and getting things into their proper +places. The vessel pointed fairly into the vast eastern sea. The land +became a dark, fast-thinning line on the western horizon, and then even +that was swallowed up in the mist of rain.</p> + +<p>"Well, good-by, old home, good-by thou goodly Land of Joseph," spoke +Chester, half aloud, as he stood for one intense moment facing the west, +then turned to go down into his room. The rain must at last have reached +him for his eyes were so <a name='Page5'></a>blurred that he bumped rather abruptly into an +elderly man who was standing at his elbow.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Chester.</p> + +<p>"It was nothing, sir. I, too, was just bidding farewell to the Land of +Joseph, and I fear my sight was also rather dim."</p> + +<p>Chester paused and looked at the man who had heard and repeated his +remark. No one but a Latter-day Saint would call America the Land of +Joseph. He was a pleasant-looking man, with hair and beard tinged with +gray, clear blue eyes, a firm mouth, about which at that moment there +played a faint smile. Apparently, he wished to make further acquaintance +with Chester, for he asked:</p> + +<p>"How far west were you looking just now?"</p> + +<p>The question went deeper than Chester thought possible. He colored a +trifle, but there was no time to reply, for the other continued:</p> + +<p>"Mine was farther than that gray blot called New York, farther than the +Alleghany mountains; in fact, it extended across the plains of the west +to the Rocky Mountains—"</p> + +<p>"So was mine!" exclaimed the younger man. "Let's shake hands upon it. My +name is Chester Lawrence, and I'm a Mormon."</p> + +<p>"My name is George Malby."</p> + +<p>"Elder George Malby?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am a Mormon elder going on a mission to Great Britain."</p> + +<p>"I'm mighty glad to meet you, Elder Malby. I thought there wasn't a soul +on board this vessel that<a name='Page6'></a> I could approach as a friend; now I have a +brother."</p> + +<p>"Three of them," corrected the elder. "There are two more missionaries +on board. Not a large party of us this time. Would you like to meet +them?"</p> + +<p>There was no more land to be seen now. The sea stretched all around, +with clouds above, and the rain. There was more comfort below, so the +two newly-made friends went down. Chester met the other elders who were +younger men, one destined for Scandinavia, the other for the +Netherlands. It did not take long for the four men to become acquainted. +Presently the dinner gong sounded, and all became interested in the +first meal on ship-board.</p> + +<p>Practically every one sat down to that dinner, and did full justice to +it. For many, that was the only meal eaten for days. Chester was not +seated at the same table as his friends. At his right was a chatty old +gentleman and at his left a demure lady who ate in silence. Strangeness, +however, is soon worn off when a company of people must eat at the same +table for a week; that is, if the dreaded sea-sickness does not +interfere too much with the gathering together at meal-time.</p> + +<p>Towards evening the rain ceased. As the darkness came on, the clouds +billowed across the vast upper expanse. Chester and his new-made friends +paced the deck and watched the night settle on the water, and enclose +the ship in its folds. They talked of the strange new experience on +ship-board, then they told somewhat of each other's personal <a name='Page7'></a>history. +The sea was rough, and the ship pitched more and more as it met the +swells of the Atlantic. The question of sea-sickness came up.</p> + +<p>"I have crossed the ocean three times," remarked Elder Malby, "and +escaped the sickness each time. I hope for as good luck now."</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> a matter of luck, I understand," said Chester. "Sea-sickness is +no respecter of persons, times, or so-called preventatives. The weak +sometimes escape, while the strong are laid low. <i>I</i> feel all right +yet."</p> + +<p>The two younger men were fighting bravely, but it was not long before +they excused themselves hurriedly, and went below, and to bed. Chester +and Elder Malby displayed splendid sea-legs, so they walked until they +were tired, then took possession of some chairs in a sheltered corner, +wrapping their coats well around them.</p> + +<p>"I wish I were going on a mission, as you are," Chester was saying. "My +trip is somewhat aimless, I fear. For a year or more I have had a notion +that I ought to see Europe. I have seen a good deal of America, both +East and West. I lived for some time in Salt Lake City, though I became +a Church member in Chicago. But about Europe," he continued as if he did +not then wish to speak of his Western experiences, "you know, one must +have seen somewhat of the Old World to have the proper 'culture,'—must +have seen Europe's pictures, old castles, and historic places. I know +little and care less about the culture, but I have always had a desire +to <a name='Page8'></a>see England, and some of France and Germany, and the Alps—yes, I +want to see the Alps and compare them with our Rockies. Rome, and other +Italian cities, are interesting, too, but I may not get to them this +time. I do hope some good will come of all this—somehow I think it will +not be wholly in vain."</p> + +<p>The older man let him talk without interruption. There was something +uncommon in the life of this young man, but it would not do to show +undue haste in wishing to know it. It was easily to be seen that Chester +was helped in this opportunity to talk to a friend that could understand +and be trusted. They sat late that night. The sea roared about them in +the darkness. There was a fascination about this thing of seeming +life—the ship—forcing itself against wind and wave into the darkness, +and bearing safely with it in light and comfort a thousand precious +souls.</p> + +<p>Chester slept fairly well, and was awake next morning at daylight. +Though the ship was pitching and rocking, he felt no indications of +sea-sickness. He gazed out of the port-hole at the racing waves. Some of +them rose to his window, and he looked into a bank of green water. He +got up and dressed. It was good to think he would not be sick. Very few +were stirring. A number who were, like himself, immune, were briskly +pacing the deck. Chester joined them and looked about. This surely must +be a storm, thought he. He had often wished to witness one, from a safe +position, of course, and here was one. As far as he could see in every +direction, the ocean <a name='Page9'></a>was one mass of rolling, seething water. At a +distance it looked like a boiling pot, but nearer the waves rose higher, +the ship's prow cutting them like a knife.</p> + +<p>"Quite a storm," said Chester to a man washing the deck.</p> + +<p>"Storm? Oh, no, sir; just a bit of a blow."</p> + +<p>No one seemed to have any concern regarding the safety of the ship, so +Chester concluded that there was no danger, that this was no storm at +all, which conclusion was right, as he had later to acknowledge. The sun +came up through a wild sea into a wild sky, casting patches of shifting +light on the waters to the east. Chester kept a lookout for his friends, +the elders. When the breakfast gong sounded, Elder Malby appeared.</p> + +<p>"Where are the others?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"They'll not get up today; perhaps not tomorrow. I see you are all +right. You're lucky. Come, let us go to breakfast."</p> + +<p>Most of the seats were vacant at the table that morning. A few smilingly +looked around, secure in their superior strength. Others were bravely +trying to do the right thing by sitting down to a morning meal; but a +number of these failed, some leaving quietly and deliberately, others +rushing away in unceremonial haste. Chester was quite alone on his side +of the table. If there had been a trifle of "sinking emptiness" in him +before, the meal braced him up wonderfully. In this he thought he had +discovered a sure cure for sea-sickness. One day later he <a name='Page10'></a>imparted this +information to a lady voyager, who received it with the exclamation, +"Oh, horrors!"</p> + +<p>All that day the wind was strong, and the sea rough. Even an officer +acknowledged that if this weather kept up, the "blow" might grow into a +storm. From the upper deck Chester and Elder Malby looked out on the +sublime spectacle. Like great, green, white-crested hills, the waves +raced along the vast expanse. Towards the afternoon the ship and the +wind had shifted their course so that the waves dashed with thunderous +roar against the iron sides of the vessel which only heaved and dipped +and went steadily on its way.</p> + +<p>A number of ladies crowded on deck, and, aided by the stewards, were +safely tucked into chairs in places protected from wind and spray. The +deck stewards tempted them with broth, but they only sipped it +indifferently. These same ladies, just the day before had carried their +feather-tipped heads ever so stately. Now, alas, how had the mighty +leveler laid them low! They did not now care how their gowns fitted, or +whether their hats were on straight. Any common person, not afflicted +with sea-sickness, could have criticised their attitude in the chairs. +One became so indifferent to correct appearances that she slid from her +chair on to the deck, where she undignifiedly sprawled. The deck steward +had to tuck her shawls about her and assist her to a more lady-like +position.</p> + +<p>"That's pretty tough," remarked Chester.</p> + +<p>"All the wits have tried their skill on the subject <a name='Page11'></a>of sea-sickness," +said his companion; "but it's no joke to those who experience it."</p> + +<p>"Can't we help those ladies?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"Not very much. You will find the best thing to do is to let them alone. +They'll not thank you, not now, for any suggestion or proffer of help. +If you should be so foolish as to ask them what you could do for them, +they would reply, if they replied at all, 'Stop the ship for five +minutes.'"</p> + +<p>"Then I'll be wise," said Chester.</p> + +<p>The night came on, dark and stormy. The two friends kept up well. They +ate the evening meal with appetite, then went on deck again.</p> + +<p>Night adds awfulness to the sublimity of a storm at sea. The world about +the ship is in wild commotion. The sky seems to have dropped into the +sea, and now joins the roaring waves as they rush along. The blackness +of the night is impenetrable, save as the lights from the ship gleam for +an instant into the moving mass of water. Now and then a wave, rearing +its crested head higher than the rest, breaks in spray upon the deck. +The wind seems eager to hurl every movable object from the vessel, but +as everything is fast, it must be content to shriek in the rigging and +to sweep out into the darkness, and lend its madness to the sea and sky.</p> + +<p>But let us leave this awe-inspiring uproar and go down into the saloon. +Here we come into another world, a world of light and peace and +contentment. The drawn curtains exclude the sight of the angry elements +without, and save for the gentle rocking of <a name='Page12'></a>the ship and the occasional +splashing of water against its sides, we can easily imagine that we are +a thousand miles from the sea. Passengers sit at the long tables, +reading or chatting. Other groups are playing cards or chess. In the +cushioned corners, young men and maidens are exchanging banter with +words and glances. A young lady is playing the piano, and over all this +scene of life, and light, and gaiety, the electric lamps gleam in steady +splendor.</p> + +<p>Elder Malby soon retired. Chester remained in the saloon for a time, +studying the various aspects of life about him; then he made a +good-night visit to the deck. He looked into the men's smoking room, +where a few yet sat with pipes and beer, playing cards. Among them were +two men, fat-cheeked, smoothly shaven, who were dressed in priestly +garb. There was an expressive American in the company, an Englishman and +a quiet German. Before the American could carry into effect his +intention of asking Chester to join them, the latter had passed by and +out beyond the stench of the tobacco smoke.</p> + +<p>"This air, washed clean by a thousand miles of scouring waves, is good +enough for me," thought he.</p> + +<p>The wind was not blowing so hard. The sky was nearly clear of clouds. +The moon hung full and bright above the heaving horizon. Here was +another aspect of the wonderful sea, and Chester lingered to get its +full beauty. The steamer rolled heavily between the big waves. The young +man leaned on the railing, and watched the ship's deck <a name='Page13'></a>dip nearly to +the water, then heave back until the iron sides were exposed nearly to +the keel.</p> + +<p>Chester was about to turn in for the night when he heard a commotion, +apparently among the third class passengers. He walked along to where he +could look down on the forward main deck. A number of people were +running about shouting excitedly. Chester ran down the steps to get a +nearer view.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Someone overboard, I think."</p> + +<p>People were crowding to the rail at the extreme forward end of the ship. +Someone with authority was trying to push them back, using the +old-fashioned ship-board language to aid him. Chester drew near enough +not to be in the way, but so that he could observe what was going on. By +leaning well over the rail, he could see what appeared to be two persons +clinging to the anchor, which hung on the ship's side, about half-way +down to the water. One was a dark figure, the other appeared in the +moonlight to be a woman dressed in white. Other ships-men now rushed up.</p> + +<p>"Clear way here! Where's the rope? Hang on, my man; we'll soon get +you"—this down the side of the ship. There came some words in reply, +but Chester did not hear them. A rope was lowered. "Slip the loop around +the lady," was the order from above. The man on the anchor tried to +obey. He moved as if cautiously and slowly. "Hurry, my man!" But there +was no haste. Limbs and fingers made stiff by long exposure and cramped +position, <a name='Page14'></a>clinging desperately to prevent himself and his burden from +falling into the sea, were not now likely to be nimble; but in a few +minutes, which, however, seemed a long time, some words were spoken by +the man on the anchor, the command to haul in was given, and slowly the +nearly-unconscious form of a young woman was drawn up to safety.</p> + +<p>"Now, my man, your next," shouted the officer. The rope soon dangled +down again, the man reached out a hand for it. The ship cut into a big +wave, whose crest touched the man below. He grasped wildly for the rope, +missed it, and fell with a cry into the sea. Chester tried to see him as +the ship rushed on, but the commotion and the darkness prevented him.</p> + +<p>"Man overboard! stop the ship!" came from the excited passengers. "Man +overboard!" What could be done! The man was gone. He had not one chance +in a thousand to be rescued. Had he fallen overboard without much +notice, the ship would have gone right on—Why should a world be stopped +in its even course to save one soul?—but too many had seen this. Signal +bells were rung, the engines slowed down, and then stopped. Lights +flashed here and there, other officers of higher rank came on the scene; +a boat fully manned was lowered. It bobbed up and down on the waves like +a cork. Back into the track of the ship it went, and was soon lost to +view.</p> + +<p>The search was continued for an hour, then given <a name='Page15'></a>up. No trace of the +man could be found. The small boat was raised to the deck, the engine +moved again, and the big ship went on its way.</p> + +<p>Chester lingered among the steerage, passengers and listened to the +story of the lost man who, it seems, had been one of those unfortunate +ones who had failed to pass the health inspector at New York and had +therefore been sent back to his native land, Ireland. He was known as +Mike, what else, no one could tell. And the woman? Poor girl, she had +wandered in her night dress to the ship's side, and in some unknown way +had gotten overboard as far as the protruding piece of iron. How Mike +had reached her, or how long they had occupied their perilous position, +no one could tell. He was gone, and the woman was saved to her husband +and her baby.</p> + +<p>The night was growing late; but there was no sleep for Chester. Many of +the passengers, having been awakened by the stopping of the ship, were +up, hurriedly dressed, and enquiring what the trouble was. Chester met +Elder Malby in the companion-way.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked the Elder.</p> + +<p>"A man has been lost at sea," replied the other. "Come into the saloon, +and I'll tell you about it."</p> + +<p>Chester was visibly affected as he related what he had seen. At the +conclusion of his story he bowed his face into his hands for a moment. +Then he looked into the Elder's face with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's too bad, too bad," said George Malby.</p><a name='Page16'></a> + +<p>"Do you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Well—why—isn't it a terrible thing to die like that?"</p> + +<p>"I hope not," replied Chester. "I think the dying part was easy enough, +and the manner of it was glorious. He was a poor fellow who had failed +to land. He had no doubt thought to make fame and fortune in the new +world. Now he has gone to a new world indeed. He entered it +triumphantly, I hope. As far as I know, he ought to be received as a +hero in that world to which he has gone."</p> + +<p>Chester's eyes shone and his face was aglow. "Elder Malby," he +continued, "I remember what you told me just yesterday,—To our immortal +soul, nothing that others can do, matters much; a man's own actions is +what counts. Neither does it matter much when or how a man leaves this +life; the vital thing is what he has done and how he has done it up to +the point of departure. The Lord will take care of the rest."</p> + +<p>As the two men went slowly along the narrow passage way to their state +rooms that night, the older man said to the other, "I guess you're +right, my brother; yes; you are right. Good night, and pleasant sleep."</p><a name='Page17'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_II'></a><h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>The next morning the sky was clear and the sea was much smoother. The +sun shone bright and warm; more people came on deck, rejoicing that they +could live in the vigor of the open rather than in their stuffy state +rooms. The two seasick elders thought it wiser to remain quietly in +their berths for another day, so Chester and Elder Malby had the day to +themselves. As the accident of the night before became known to the +passengers, it was the topic of conversation for some time.</p> + +<p>That afternoon Chester and his companion found a cosy corner on deck +away from the cigar smoke, and had a long heart to heart talk. The fact +of the matter was that the young man found comfort in the society of his +older brother. For the first time in nearly two years Chester could pour +out his heart to sympathetic ears, and he found much joy in doing this.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Chester to a question, "I should like to tell you about +myself. When my story gets tiresome, call my attention to the porpoises, +or declare that you can see a whale."</p> + +<p>"I promise," laughed the other.</p> + +<p>"Well, to begin at the very beginning, I was born in a suburb of +Chicago, and lived in and near that city most of my life. My mother's +name was Anna Lawrence. I never knew my father, not even his <a name='Page18'></a>name. Yes, +I can talk freely about it to you. The time was when I shunned even the +thoughts of my earthly origin and my childhood days, but I have gotten +over that. I have learned to face the world and all the truth it has for +me.</p> + +<p>"When I was but a child, my mother married Hugh Elston. Shortly after, +they both heard the gospel preached by a 'Mormon' elder, and they +accepted it. I had been placed in the care of some of my relatives, and +when my mother now wished to take me, they would not give me up. They +were, of course, fearful that I, too, would become a 'Mormon.' Mr. +Elston and my mother went west to Utah. I was sent to school, obtained a +fairly good education, and while yet a young man, was conducting a +successful business.</p> + +<p>"I had nearly forgotten that I had a parent at all, when one day, my +mother, without announcement, came to Chicago. She had left her husband. +Mother did not say much to any of us, but I took it for granted that she +had been abused among the 'terrible Mormons.' After a time I took a trip +out to Utah to see about it, meaning to find this Mr. Elston and compel +him to do the right thing for my mother. Well, I went, I saw, and was +conquered. Mr. Elston was a widower living in a spot of green called +Piney Ridge Cottage amid the sage-brush desert,—living there alone with +his daughter Julia. And this Julia—well—Do you see any porpoises, +Brother Malby?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet. Go on."</p><a name='Page19'></a> + +<p>"Mr. Elston is a fine, good-hearted man,—a gentleman in very deed. He +soon found out who I was and invited me to his home. Julia was mistress +there. In the midst of the desert, these two had created a beautiful +home. I went to their Sunday School and their meetings. I read Mormon +books. My eyes were opened to the truth, and I was ready to accept it."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to Julia," suggested the listener with a sly glance at Chester.</p> + +<p>"Yes; thanks to Julia, Brother Malby; but not in the sense you hint at. +I think I would have accepted the gospel, even had there been no Julia +mixed up with the finding of it. But Julia helped. She was a living +example of what 'Mormonism' can do for a person, and when I looked at +her, learned her thoughts through her words, and saw her life by her +every-day deeds, I said to myself, 'A system of religion that produces +such a soul, cannot be bad.' Yes; she was a wonderful help; but I repeat +that had the truth come to me by other means and other ways, I believe I +should have accepted it."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me for the thoughtless remark," said Elder Malby.</p> + +<p>"O, I know how justifiable you are for it, so you are forgiven."</p> + +<p>"Did you join the Church in Utah?"</p> + +<p>"No; I went back to Chicago. Away from Utah, from Piney Ridge Cottage +and its influence. I pondered and prayed. I found the elders there and +was baptized. Then I went to Salt Lake City, where<a name='Page20'></a> Julia had gone to +attend school while her father was away on a mission to England." +Chester paused, looking out on the sea. "You don't blame me for falling +in love with Julia, do you?" asked he.</p> + +<p>"I don't blame you a bit."</p> + +<p>"But there was someone else, a young fellow who had grown up as a +neighbor to her. He also went on a mission, and then I believe Julia +discovered that she thought more of Glen Curtis than of me. I do not now +blame Julia for that. She told me plainly her feelings. I persisted for +a time, but in vain—then I went away, and have never been to Utah +since."</p> + +<p>"And that's the end of your story?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; while I was roaming aimlessly about the country trying to mend +a broken heart, mother, becoming uneasy about me, and thinking I was yet +in Utah, journeyed out west to find me. The team on the stage-coach +which took her out to Julia's home, ran away from the drunken driver, +and just before they got to Piney Ridge Cottage the wagon upset on a +dug-way, and mother was mortally hurt. She died under Julia's care, and +now lies in Mr. Elston's private graveyard near Piney Ridge Cottage +beside Mr. Elston's other wife. Let us walk a little."</p> + +<p>The older man linked his arm into Chester's as they paced the long reach +of the promenade deck. They walked for a few minutes, then sat down +again.</p> + +<p>"I hope you'll not think I'm a bore, to continue my personal history; +but there is something in here,"<a name='Page21'></a> said Chester, striking his breast, +"that finds relief in expression to one who understands."</p> + +<p>"Go on; tell me all."</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I was tempted to 'chuck it all' after I had failed with +Julia. I even went so far as to play devilishly near to sin, but thank +the Lord, I came to my senses before I was overcome, and I escaped that +horror. Oh, but I was storm-tossed for a while—I thought of it +yesterday when we had the rough sea—but in time I came out into the +calm again, just as we are coming today on this voyage. But not until I +had said more than once 'not my will, but thine, O Lord, be done,' and +said it from my heart, did I get peace. Then I began to see that the +girl had come into my life, not to be my wife, but to turn my life into +new channels. I, with the rest of the world of which I was a part, had +no definite views or high ideals of life, death, 'and that vast +forever;' and something was needed to change my easy-going course. When +I realized that Julia Elston had been the instrument of the Lord in +doing that, I had to put away resentment and acknowledge the hand of God +in it. I read in the parables of our Lord that a certain merchantman had +to sell all he had in order to get the purchase money to buy the Pearl +of Great Price. Why should it be given me without cost?"</p> + +<p>"We all have to pay for it."</p> + +<p>"And I who had made no sacrifice, railed against fate because I had been +asked to pay a trifle—no it was not a trifle; but I have paid, and hope +to continue <a name='Page22'></a>to pay to the last call. Now, what do you say, brother? +Tell me what you think."</p> + +<p>"Well, you have an interesting story, my brother, and I am glad you look +on your experiences in the right light. To get the woman one thinks he +ought to get, is, after all, not the whole of life. There are other +blessings. To have one's life changed from darkness into light; to have +one's journey turned from a downward course to one of eternal +exaltation; to obtain a knowledge of the plan of salvation,—these are +important. If one is on the right way, and keeps on that way to the end, +He who rules the world and the destinies of men, will see to it that all +is right. Sometime, somewhere, every man and every woman will come to +his own, whether in life or death, in this world, or the next."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for saying that. Do you know, I am now glad that Julia did +not yield to my entreaties, and marry me out of pity. Think how I would +have felt when the realization of that had come to me. * * * * I found +this expression of Stevenson the other day, purporting to be a test of a +man's fortitude and delicacy: 'To renounce where that shall be +necessary, and not to be embittered.' Thank the Lord, I am not +embittered. Some time ago I chose this declaration of Paul for my motto: +'But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and +reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the +mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'"</p><a name='Page23'></a> + +<p>The light of a soul of peace shone from the countenance of the young +man. The smile on the lips added only beauty to the strength of the +face. He arose, shook himself as if to get rid of all past +unpleasantness and weakness, and faced the east as though he were +meeting the world with new power. Then the smile changed to a merry +laugh as he ran to the railing and cried:</p> + +<p>"See, sure enough, there <i>is</i> a school of porpoises!"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The ship was in mid-ocean. The rough weather had wholly ceased. The sea +lay glinting like a vast jewel under the slant of the afternoon sun. It +was a day of unflecked beauty. The decks were gay with people, some +walking, some leaning idly on the rail, some sitting with books in their +hands. A few were reading, but most sat with finger in closed book. Why +bother to read <i>about</i> life when it could be seen so full and +interesting all around.</p> + +<p>A day on ship-board is longer than one on shore, and provision must be +made to pass it pleasantly. If the weather is fair, this is quite a +problem. Of course, there are the meals in the well-appointed dining +saloon. They break pleasantly into the long monotony. Then there are the +deck games; the watching for "whales" and passing vessels; the looking +at the spinning log in the foaming water at the stern; the marking of +the chart, which indicates the distance traversed during the twenty-four +hours; the visit to the steerage and the "stoke hole," or boiler room in +the depths of the ship; and last, but not <a name='Page24'></a>least, the getting acquainted +with one's fellow passengers. "Steamer friendships" are easily made, and +in most cases, soon forgotten. The little world of people speeding +across the deep from shore to shore, is bound together closely for a few +days, and then, its inhabitants scatter.</p> + +<p>Chester Lawrence was enjoying every hour of the voyage. On that day +practically all sea-sickness had gone. The vacant places at the tables +were being filled and the company looked around at each other with +pleasant contentment. The steamship company no longer saved on the +provisions. The chatty old gentleman at Chester's right was back again +after a short absence, and the power of speech had come to the demure +lady on his left, with the return of her appetite.</p> + +<p>Two places opposite Chester were still vacant at the table. That day as +the crowd hastily answered the dinner gong, Chester, being a little +tardy, encountered an elderly man and what appeared to be his daughter +making their way slowly down the companionway towards the dining room. +Chester saw at a glance that neither of them was strong, but both tried +to appear able and were bound to help each other. He smiled at their +well-meaning endeavors, then without asking leave, took the man's free +arm and helped him down the steps, saying,</p> + +<p>"You haven't quite got your sea-legs yet—Now then, steady, and we'll +soon be there. Get a good dinner, and that will help."</p><a name='Page25'></a> + +<p>The steward showed them to the two seats opposite Chester which had been +vacant so long.</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much," said the girl to Chester, with a smile, when the +elderly man was well seated. Chester bowed without replying, then went +around the table to his own seat.</p> + +<p>Somehow that gracious little smile had made Chester's heart flutter for +an instant. As he realized it, he said to himself, "What's the matter +with me? Am I getting foolish? It was, certainly a sweet smile, and the +thanks were gracious, too; but what of it?" The first courses were being +served. She was sitting opposite him, just a few feet away. He might +take a good look at the girl to see if there was anything uncommon about +her. He looked down the table, glancing just for an instant opposite. +No; there was nothing striking, or to be disturbed about. The girl was +still solicitous over her companion, meanwhile eating a little herself. +"I musn't be rude, thought Chester, and then looked again across the +table. The man was past middle age. His face was clean shaven, and he +was dressed in the garb of a minister. He was a preacher, then. The girl +had evidently suffered much from sea-sickness, because her face was pale +and somewhat pinched, though there was a tinge of red in her cheeks. +That's a pretty chin, and a lovely mouth—and, well, now, what <i>is</i> the +matter! Chester Lawrence, attend to your chicken."</p> + +<p>The minister and his daughter did not remain for the dessert. As they +arose, he said:</p><a name='Page26'></a> + +<p>"Now, that's pretty good for the first time, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father, it is," she replied. "You're getting on famously. Shall we +try the deck for a while?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it will do us both good to get into the air. Run along into your +room for a wrap."</p> + +<p>Chester was tempted to leave his dinner to help them again; but he +resisted the temptation. They walked quite firmly now, and as they +entered the passageway, the girl glancing back into the room, met +Chester's eyes and smiled once more. Again Chester's heart fluttered. It +would have been a cold, hardened heart indeed not to have responded to +such an appeal.</p><a name='Page27'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_III'></a><h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>On the morning of the fourth day out, Chester Lawrence stood watching +the antics of a young man, who, coatless and hatless, and made brave by +too many visits to the bar, was running up the rope ladders of the mast +to a dangerous height. He climbed up to where the ladder met the one on +the other side, down which he scrambled with the agility of a monkey. +The ladies in the group on deck gasped in fright at his reckless daring. +The fellow jumped to the deck from the rail, and made a sweeping bow to +the spectators:</p> + +<p>"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "'tis nothing at all, I assure you. On +shore I am a circus performer, an' I was just practicing a little. Have +no fear. See—"</p> + +<p>He was about to make a second exhibition when a ship's officer seized +him, threatening to lock him up if he did not desist.</p> + +<p>"O, certainly, if its against the rules," he replied meekly. His hat and +coat were lying on a chair by some ladies. He put these on again, and +then sat down and began talking to the one nearest him. Chester, who had +followed the fellow's capers with some interest, gave a start when he +saw that the lady with whom the man was trying to carry on a +conversation was the minister's daughter. She was visibly annoyed, and +looked about as if for help.<a name='Page28'></a> Chester thought her eyes fell on him, and +without hesitation he determined to assist her. He went up to them, and +without appearing to see the girl, reached out his hand to the man, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Halloo Jack! Didn't know you were on board till I saw your capers just +now. I want to talk to you a moment. Come along and have a drink first."</p> + +<p>The fellow stared at Chester and was about to deny any acquaintanceship +with him, when the insistent manner of the greeting changed his mind. He +excused himself to the lady, arose and followed. Chester took his arm as +they walked along.</p> + +<p>"Which is your state-room?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"It's 340; but what you want to know for? Aren't we going to have a +drink?"</p> + +<p>"Not just now, my man. You're going to your room, and to bed. You got up +too early. Listen,"—as the sobering man began to resent the +interference,—"there's an officer looking at us. He will do nothing if +you will go along quietly with me, but if you make a scene I'll hand you +over to him."</p> + +<p>They found the man's room and he willingly went in and lay down. "Now," +said Chester to him, "remain below until you're sober. And don't bother +that young lady again—do you hear. <i>Don't you do it</i>."</p> + +<p>Chester went on deck again, somewhat in wonder at his own conduct. He +was not in the habit of interfering in other people's business, and +never mixed with drunken affairs. But this surely was different. No man +would have refused <i>that</i> appeal <a name='Page29'></a>for help. Yes; he was sure she had +pleaded with her eyes. Perhaps he ought to go back and receive her +thanks, but he resisted that impulse. He walked to the extreme rear of +the boat and stood looking at the broad white path which the ship was +making in the green sea. He stood gazing for some time, then turned, and +there sitting on a coil of rope was the girl who had been in his mind. +She saw his confusion and smiled at it.</p> + +<p>"I—I came to thank you," she said; "but I did not like to disturb your +meditations, so I sat down to rest."</p> + +<p>"The sea has used you up quite badly, hasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"O no; I was dreadfully ill before I came aboard. This trip is to make +me well, so papa says."</p> + +<p>"I hope so." There was a pause, during which Chester found a seat on a +bit of ship furniture. This girl's voice was like an echo from far-away +Utah and Piney Ridge Cottage. And there was something about the shapely +head now framed in wind-blown hair and the face itself that reminded him +of someone else. Just how the resemblance came in he could not tell, but +there it was. Perhaps, after all, it was just the look in her eyes and +the spirit that accompanied her actions and words that moved him.</p> + +<p>"Is that man a friend of yours?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You mean that drunken fool? No; I've never met him before."</p> + +<p>"That was just a ruse then—that invitation to drink."</p><a name='Page30'></a> + +<p>"I had to do something, and that came first to me."</p> + +<p>"Then you didn't go and drink with him?"</p> + +<p>"Why no, of course not. I took him to his berth, and told him to stay +there."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he will?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; until he sobers up."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't like drunken men."</p> + +<p>"Neither do I."</p> + +<p>"We're agreed on one thing then, aren't we?"</p> + +<p>Chester laughed with her. Elder Malby was pacing the deck, awaiting the +call for breakfast; but Chester did not join him.</p> + +<p>"The man bothered me yesterday," she said, "and again last night. He +wished to get acquainted, he claimed."</p> + +<p>"You don't know him, then?"</p> + +<p>"I've never seen him before. Papa has had to remain very quiet, and I +haven't been around much. That fellow made me afraid."</p> + +<p>"Well, he'll not bother you again. If he does, let me know."</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much—"</p> + +<p>The call for breakfast came to them faintly, then grew louder as the +beaten gong came up from below to the deck.</p> + +<p>"I must get papa and take him to breakfast. Let me thank you again, and +good morning."</p> + +<p>He might have accompanied her down, but he just stood there watching +her. Elder Malby came up, and the two went down together.</p><a name='Page31'></a> + +<p>The minister and his daughter got into their places more actively that +morning. Chester wished heartily that his seat was not opposite. She was +at too close range to allow of any careful observation. He could not +very well help looking across the table, neither could she, although she +had her father to talk to. Chester was really glad when breakfast was +over that morning, and they all filed up to the sun-lit deck again.</p> + +<p>Had Chester been a smoker, he would no doubt have taken consolation in a +pipe with the majority of the men; but as it was, he withdrew as much as +possible from others that he might think matters over and get to a +proper footing; for truth to tell, he was in danger of falling in love +again, and that, he said to himself, would never do. He avoided even +Elder Malby that morning; but to do so he had to go down to the main +deck forward out to the prow. He went to the extreme point, where from +behind the closed railing he could stand as a look-out into the eastern +sea. Gently and slowly the vessel rose and fell as it plowed through the +long, gleaming undulations.</p> + +<p>"What am I coming to," said Chester half-aloud as if the sea might hear +and answer him. "Here I am running away from one heart entanglement only +to go plump into another. She is not Julia, of course, but she has +Julia's twin soul. A perfect stranger, an acquaintance of two days! The +daughter of a minister, a minister of the world!" What was he thinking +of? Who were they? He did not <a name='Page32'></a>even know her name. She was not a well +girl, that he could see. The roses in her cheeks were not altogether +natural and her face was pale; but those red lips, and that smile when +turned to him! Well, the voyage was half over. Another four or five days +and they would be in Liverpool, where they would go their different ways +forever. He must keep away from her that long, seeing there was danger. +No more playing with the fire that burns so deep. And all this which he +seemed to feel and fear, might be undreamed of by her and very likely +was. A girl like that would not take seriously a "steamer friendship." +She was only doing what all young people do on such trips, making +pleasant acquaintances with whom to pass away the monotonous days. +"Sure, sure," said he, as if to clinch the argument, but nevertheless, +deep within his soul there was an undercurrent of protest against such +final conclusions.</p> + +<p>Chester tried to seek refuge in Elder Malby, but as he was not to be +found, he opened up a conversation with the missionary for Scandinavia. +The missionary was but a boy, it seemed to Chester. The going from home +and the sea-sickness had had their effects, and the young fellow was +glad to have some one to talk to. He came from Arizona, he told Chester; +had lived on a ranch all his life; had never been twenty miles away from +home before,—and now all this at once! It was "tough."</p> + +<p>"But I'm feeling fine now," he said. "Do you know, I've had a peculiar +experience. All the way across the United States from home, something +<a name='Page33'></a>seemed to say to me, 'You can't stand this. You'll go crazy. You'd +better go back home.' Of course, I was terribly homesick, and I guess +that was the trouble. The cowardly part of me was trying to scare the +better part. But all the time I seemed to hear 'You'll go crazy' until +once or twice I thought I would.</p> + +<p>"Well, it was the same in New York, and the same when we came aboard. I +didn't care much one way or other while sea-sick, but when I got over +it, there was the same taunting voice. At last I got downright angry and +said, 'All right, I'm going right on and fill my mission, <i>and go +crazy!</i>' From that moment I have ceased to be bothered, and am now +feeling fine."</p> + +<p>"Good for you," said Chester. "You'll win out. I wish I was sure about +myself." He went no further in explanation, however.</p> + +<p>Ship board etiquette does not require formal introductions before +extended conversations may be carried on. The New England school ma'am +and the German professor were in a deep discussion ten minutes after +they had met for the first time. Many on the ship were going especially +"to do Europe," so there were themes for conversation in common.</p> + +<p>As it happened, Chester was alone again that afternoon and he met the +minister and his daughter on the promenade deck. They were taking their +exercise moderately, pausing frequently to look at any trifling +diversion. Chester tipped his cap at them as they passed. At the next +meeting in the <a name='Page34'></a>walk, the minister stopped and greeted the young man.</p> + +<p>"I wish to thank you for your act of kindness to my daughter," he said. +"She has told me about it."</p> + +<p>"It was nothing, I assure you, sir," replied Chester. "I don't think the +fellow will annoy her again."</p> + +<p>"I hope not. On these ocean voyages one is thrown so closely into all +kinds of company. We, of course, must suppose all our fellow-passengers +are respectable people, until we find out otherwise—but let us sit +down. Where are our chairs, Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"They're on the other side, I believe, where we left them this morning."</p> + +<p>"It's a little too windy there."</p> + +<p>"I'll bring them around to you," said Chester. Lucy followed him, +pointing out which of the chairs belonged to them.</p> + +<p>"May I not carry one?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You do not appear strong enough to lift one."</p> + +<p>Chester carried the two chairs around to the side of the sheltered deck, +then found a vacant chair for himself which he placed with the other +two.</p> + +<p>"Thank you very much," said the minister, as they seated themselves. +"The day is really fine, isn't it? After the sea-sickness, there is +something glorious in a pleasant sea voyage. This is my third time +across, but I don't remember just such a fine day as this. Are you a +good sailor?" this to Chester.</p> + +<p>"I've not missed a meal yet, if that's any indication."</p> + +<p>"I envy you. I have often wished I could be on <a name='Page35'></a>deck in a bit of real +bad weather. We had a little blow the other day, I understand, when that +poor fellow lost his life."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I saw the accident," replied Chester; whereupon he had to relate +the details to them.</p> + +<p>"Well, such is life—and death," was the minister's only comment on the +story.</p> + +<p>The minister did most of the talking. Perhaps that was because he was +used to it, having, as he told Chester, been a preacher for twenty-five +years. The daughter commented briefly now and then, prompting his memory +where it seemed to be weak. Chester listened with great interest to the +man's account of former trips to Europe and his description of famous +places. The speaker's voice was pleasant and well-modulated. His +clean-cut face lighted up under the inspiration of some vivid +description. Chester found himself drawn to the man nearly as much as he +had been to the daughter.</p> + +<p>"You're an American," announced the minister, turning to Chester.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"A western American, too."</p> + +<p>"Right again; how can you tell?"</p> + +<p>"Easily enough. How far west?"</p> + +<p>"My home is in Chicago."</p> + +<p>"Well, Lucy and I can beat you. We came from Kansas City. Ever been +there?"</p> + +<p>"I've passed through twice."</p> + +<p>"Through the Union Depot only?" asked Lucy.</p><a name='Page36'></a> + +<p>"You must have received a very unpleasant impression of our city."</p> + +<p>"Well, happily I did get away from that depot. I took a ride on the cars +out to Independence, and I saw a good part of the city besides. It's +beautiful out towards Swope Park—"</p> + +<p>"There's where we live," exclaimed the girl. "I think the park's just +grand. I live in it nearly all summer."</p> + +<p>At this point of the conversation, a party to windward, among whom were +the two Catholic Fathers, lighted their pipes, and the smoke streamed +like from so many chimneys into the faces of those sitting near. The +minister looked sharply towards the puffing men, while Lucy tried to +push the denser clouds away with her hands; but no notice was taken of +such gentle remonstrances.</p> + +<p>"I'll speak to them," suggested Chester.</p> + +<p>"No; don't. It would only offend them," said the minister. "They think +they are strictly within their rights, and it does not dawn on their +nicotine poisoned wits that they are taking away other peoples' +rights,—that of breathing the uncontaminated air. We'll just move our +chairs a bit," which they did.</p> + +<p>"You don't smoke, I take it," continued the clergyman, addressing +Chester.</p> + +<p>"No; I quit two years ago."</p> + +<p>"Good for you. It's a vile habit, and I sometimes think the worst effect +smoking has on people is that it dulls the nice gentlemanlyness of a +man's character. Now, those men over there, even the<a name='Page37'></a> Catholic Fathers, +are, no doubt gentlemen in all respects but one; it's a pity that the +tobacco habit should make the one exception."</p> + +<p>Chester agreed in words, Lucy in looks.</p> + +<p>"You say you have passed through Kansas City," continued the father. +"How far west have you been?"</p> + +<p>"To the Pacific Coast."</p> + +<p>"Lucy and I should have made this trip westward, but the doctor said we +must not cross the mountains, because of her heart. So an ocean voyage +was advised."</p> + +<p>"And I did want so much to see the Rockies," added the young woman. "I +have always had a longing to see our own mountains as well as those of +Switzerland. Next summer we'll take that western trip."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, daughter."</p> + +<p>"I assure you they are worth seeing," said Chester.</p> + +<p>"No doubt about it. Lucy and I have planned it all for some day. Were +you ever in Utah?"</p> + +<p>"I lived for some time in Salt Lake City. Be sure to see that town on +your trip."</p> + +<p>The minister looked somewhat queerly at Chester for a moment. Then his +gaze swept out to the water again as if a momentary disturbing thought +was gotten rid of. Lucy was interested.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about Salt Lake City, and, and the Mormons,'" pleaded she.</p><a name='Page38'></a> + +<p>"Never mind the 'Mormons,' Lucy," admonished her father.</p> + +<p>"It's difficult to speak of Utah and Salt Lake without mentioning the +'Mormons,'" added Chester.</p> + +<p>"Then let's talk of something else, something more pleasant."</p> + +<p>Evidently this minister was like all others, Chester concluded; sane and +intelligent on all subjects but one,—the "Mormons." Well, he would set +himself right before these two people, and do it now.</p> + +<p>"I can say," said Chester, "that my experience among the 'Mormon' people +has been among the most pleasant of my life. In fact, I don't know where +I can go to find a more honest, God-fearing, virtuous people. I—"</p> + +<p>"Young man," interrupted the clergyman, looking keenly at him, "are you +a 'Mormon'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I have that honor."</p> + +<p>Lucy gave a cry, whether of alarm or gladness, the young man could not +then tell. The minister arose slowly. "Lucy," he said, "let us walk a +little more," and without another word the two resumed their promenade.</p> + +<p>But in Lucy's face there appeared concern. The tears, glittering in her +eyes did not altogether hide the reassuring glance which she turned +about to give Chester as he sat alone by the vacated chairs.</p><a name='Page39'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV'></a><h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>The next day was Sunday. Even on ship-board there are some indications +that the seventh day is different from the rest. There is always a +little extra to the menu for dinner, and then religious services are +also held; and are not these two things frequently all that distinguish +the Sabbath on the land?</p> + +<p>That morning neither Lucy nor her father was at breakfast. Immediately +after, Chester sought out the chief steward, and by insistency and the +help of a small tip, he got his seat changed to the table occupied by +Elder Malby and the two other missionaries. "No one shall be annoyed by +my near presence, if I can help it," Chester said.</p> + +<p>At the noon meal, the minister and his daughter appeared as usual. +Chester watched them unobserved from his changed position. They looked +at the vacant place opposite, but as far as Chester could determine, his +absence was not discussed.</p> + +<p>That afternoon services were held in three parts of the vessel at the +same time. On the steerage deck a large company of Irish Catholics +surrounded the two Fathers. One of the priests stood in the center of +the group while the people kneeled on the deck. The priest read +something in Latin, the others repeating after him. Then a glass of +"holy water" was passed among them, the worshipers dipping <a name='Page40'></a>their +fingers in and devoutly crossing themselves. Chester watched the +proceedings for a time, then he went to the second class deck where a +revival meeting was in progress. The preacher was delivering the usual +exhortation to "come to Jesus," while yet there was time. Presently, +there came from the depths of the ship the sound of the dinner gong +being slowly and solemnly beaten, no doubt to imitate, as nearly as +possible, the peal of church bells. The steward who acted as bell ringer +did his duty well, going into the halls and on to the decks, then +disappearing again into the saloon. This was the official announcement +to service. Chester and his friends followed. Quite a congregation had +gathered. Two large pillows had been covered with a Union Jack to serve +as a pulpit. A ship's officer then read the form prescribed for services +on ship-board from the Church of England prayer book. It was all very +dry and uninteresting, "Verily a form of godliness" and a lot of "vain +repetition," said Elder Malby.</p> + +<p>Then the minister—Chester's minister—arose. He had been asked, he +said, to add a few words to the regular service, and he was pleased to +do so. He called attention to the accident which had happened on their +voyage, and felt to say something on the providence of God, and His +watch-care over His children. The preacher's voice was pleasant, the +ministerial tone not being so pronounced as to make his speech +unnatural. Chester listened attentively, <a name='Page41'></a>as also did Lucy who, Chester +observed, was sitting well up towards the front.</p> + +<p>"God is the source of the being of all men," said the preacher. "He has +brought us all into existence, and made us in His own likeness, and is a +Father to us in fact and in feeling. He owns us and owns His +responsibility for us. He cares for us and overrules all things for our +good. He is worthy of our love and confidence. Since we are His +children, God desires us to be such in very deed—in fellowship and +character, and is satisfied with us only as we are giving ourselves to +the filial life. This relationship which we bear to God cannot be fully +explained. There is a mystery in it beyond the understanding of finite +minds; but of this we are sure that the God of Creation has brought us +all forth into being, and He will take care of us if we will let Him. We +cannot reasonably and reverently think otherwise of Him.</p> + +<p>"Is it not a comfort to think that we cannot get away from the +ever-present watchfulness of God? As the Psalmist puts it: 'Whither +shall I go from thy spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence? +If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, +behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in +the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and +thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover +me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not +from <a name='Page42'></a>thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light +are both alike to thee.' Yes, yes, my friends, 'God is our refuge and +strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear—'"</p> + +<p>Somehow, what the minister said after that came very indistinctly to +Chester Lawrence. He heard the words, but was aware only of a peculiar +feeling, a dim perception of where he was and what he was hearing. There +seemed to him to be a genuine feeling in the voice that uttered those +beautiful words of scripture. They clung to his heart, and the minister +himself became transfigured for an instant into some other being,—stern +of countenance, yet loveliness in the depths of his soul, spiritually +far away, yet heart yearning with nearness of love. Chester came fully +to himself only when Elder Malby took his arm and together they paced a +few turns around the deck.</p> + +<p>That same Sunday evening as Chester stood alone on the promenade deck +watching the moonlight lay as a golden coverlet on the placid sea, his +attention was attracted to the figure of a girl mounting the steps +leading to the deck where he stood. She paused half way as if to rest, +then came slowly up to where he was standing. Her breath came heavily, +and she looked around to find a place to rest. Chester instinctively +took her arm and led her to a deck chair.</p> + +<p>"O thank you," said Lucy, "I—my heart bothered me pretty badly that +time. I am forbidden <a name='Page43'></a>to climb stairs, but I couldn't find you on the +lower deck."</p> + +<p>"Did you wish to see me?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I—you'll not think me over bold, will you, but I had to find +you—won't you sit down here—I can't talk very loudly tonight."</p> + +<p>Chester drew a chair close to hers. A light wrap clung about her and the +moonlight streamed on head and face. The young man, in the most +matter-of-course-way adjusted the wrap to the girl's shoulders as he +said:</p> + +<p>"You are not well, tonight."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm as well as usual—thank you." She smiled faintly. "Will you +forgive us?"</p> + +<p>He was about to reply, "Forgive you for what?" but he checked himself. +Somehow, he could not feign ignorance as to what she meant, neither +could he use meaningless words to her.</p> + +<p>"We were very rude to you yesterday, both father and I; and I wanted to +make some explanations to you, so you would understand. I am so sorry."</p> + +<p>"You and your father are already forgiven. If there were a grain of +ill-feeling against him this afternoon, it all completely vanished when +I heard him talk at the services."</p> + +<p>"You were there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Now don't you worry." He was nearly to say "Little Sister;" but +again he checked himself. "I am a 'Mormon,'" he continued. "I am not +ashamed of it, because I know what it means. Only those who don't know +despise the word."</p><a name='Page44'></a> + +<p>"Neither am I ashamed of it," she said as she looked him fairly in the +face. "I know a little—a very little—about the 'Mormons,' but that +which I know is good."</p> + +<p>"What do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you. One evening, in Kansas City I stopped to listen to two +young men preaching on the street. They were just boys, and they did not +have the appearance of preachers. You must know that I have always been +interested in religion, and religious problems. Perhaps that is natural, +seeing my father is a minister. I read his books, and many are the +discussions I have had with him over points of doctrine,—and we don't +always agree, either. He, however, usually took my little objections +good naturedly until one day he asked me where I had obtained a certain +notion regarding baptism. In reply I handed him the booklet I had +received at the 'Mormon' street meeting. He looked at it curiously for a +moment, wanted to know where I had obtained it, then locked it up in his +desk. He was really angry; as that was something he had never been +before over any religious question, I was surprised and impressed. I +had, however, read carefully the booklet. Not only that, but I had been +secretly to one of the 'Mormon' services. I there learned that an +acquaintance of mine belonged to the 'Mormon' Church, and depend upon +it, I had her tell me what she knew."</p> + +<p>"And your father?"</p> + +<p>"He objected, of course. At first, I told him everything. He had always +let me go to any and <a name='Page45'></a>all religious gatherings without objection. He +even laughingly told me I could don the Salvation lassie's bonnet and +beat a drum in the street, if I wanted to; but when it came to the +'Mormons,' O, he was angry, and forbade me from ever going to their +meetings or reading their literature. I thought it strange."</p> + +<p>"It's not strange at all,—when you understand," remarked Chester, who +was intensely interested in her story. "I suppose you obeyed your +father."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, you want me to tell you the truth, of course—I—I wasn't +curious—"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>"You're laughing at me. But I wasn't, I tell you. I was interested. +There is something in 'Mormonism' that draws me to it. I don't know much +about it, to be sure, for it seems that the subject always widens out to +such immensity. I want you to tell me more about Joseph Smith, the Book +of Mormon and the new revelations."</p> + +<p>"But your father will object. What would he say if he knew you were +sitting here in this beautiful moonlight talking to a 'Mormon'?"</p> + +<p>"I'm of age, I guess. I'm doing nothing wrong, I hope."</p> + +<p>"I hope not. Far be it for me to harm you—or any living soul. But I +don't know much about the gospel as we call it—for you must know it is +the simple gospel of Jesus Christ revealed anew. There are three other +'Mormons' on board, missionaries going to Europe. One of them at least +could tell you much."</p><a name='Page46'></a> + +<p>"But I'd be pleased to hear you tell me—is, is that father? I wonder if +he is looking for me."</p> + +<p>Chester looked in the direction indicated. A man came up, then passed +on; it was not the minister. The girl crouched into the shadow, and as +she did so her shoulder pressed against Chester's. Then she sprang up.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was foolish," she exclaimed, "to be afraid of dear old daddy!"</p> + +<p>Chester also arose, and the two walked to the railing. They stood there +in the moonlight. Great clouds of black smoke poured from the ship's +funnels, and streamed on to windward, casting a shadow on the white +deck. They looked out to the water, stretching in every direction into +the darkness. Then as if impelled by a common impulse, they looked at +each other, then blushed, and lowered their eyes. The girl's hands lay +on the railing. Chester saw their soft shapeliness, and noted also that +there were no rings on them.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I've met you," said Chester honestly.</p> + +<p>"And I'm glad, too," she breathed. "Some other time you must tell me so +much. I've so many questions to ask. You'll do that, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Why do you ask?"</p> + +<p>"Now I must go to father. He may be uneasy." She held out her hand. +"Good night—what <i>do</i> you think of me? Am I a rude girl?"</p> + +<p>"I heard your father call you Lucy. That's your name, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p><a name='Page47'></a> + +<p>"And I may call you that, may I not? You know these ship-board +acquaintances don't wait on ceremony."</p> + +<p>"But I don't know your name, either. Think of it, how we have been +really confidential and we don't even know each other's name."</p> + +<p>"I know yours."</p> + +<p>"Only half of it. I've two more. How many have you?"</p> + +<p>"Only two."</p> + +<p>"And they are?"</p> + +<p>"Chester Lawrence."</p> + +<p>"Well, mine is Lucy May Strong—and now, goodnight."</p> + +<p>He took her arm and helped her down the steps, gently, for she seemed +such a frail being, one who needed just such stout arms as Chester's to +lean upon. He risked the danger of meeting the father by helping her +down the second flight of steps to the state-room deck.</p> + +<p>"Good night, Lucy."</p> + +<p>"Good night—Brother Lawrence."</p><a name='Page48'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_V'></a><h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>All Monday forenoon, Chester sat on deck reading a book which he had +obtained from the ship's library. It was a most interesting story, and +yet the world of gray-green water and changing clouds drew his attention +from the printed page. He was beginning to realize what the fascination +for the sea was which took hold of men. It would have been difficult for +him to analyze or explain this feeling, but it was there; and it seemed +to him that he would have been content to live out his life on that +boundless ocean which presented a symbol of eternity continually before +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Good morning."</p> + +<p>Chester started, then turned. It was Lucy's father who found a chair and +drew it up to Chester's.</p> + +<p>"Is the book interesting?" inquired the minister.</p> + +<p>"Not so interesting as this wonderful sea and sky," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"You are right," said the other, following the young man's gaze out to +the distance. "Our universe is now but water and air, and we are but +specks floating between the two layers."</p> + +<p>"But we know that ocean and air are not all. We know there are plains +and mountains, forests and growing fields; so after all our universe +must include not only all we can see with our eyes, but all that comes +within view of our comprehension. Do <a name='Page49'></a>you know," resumed Chester after a +pause, "I have come to this conclusion, that our universe is limited +only within the bounds of our faith. As we believe, and strive to +convert that belief into a living faith, so shall we know and realize."</p> + +<p>The preacher looked keenly at the "Mormon," as if he would see the +fountain of these thoughts. Chester continued:</p> + +<p>"But you, as a minister of the gospel, understand all these things. +However, I like to think about them and express them to those who will +listen"—and as the minister was listening, the young man went on:</p> + +<p>"I reason it out this way: The Spirit of God—that is, His presence in +influence and knowledge and power, as you so beautifully put it +yesterday at the services, is everywhere in the universe. There is no +place in heaven or hell, or in the uttermost bounds of space but God is +there. As you also stated, we may not fully understand this infinite +magnificence of God, but this has been done to help us: the Father has +revealed Himself to us through his Son. The Son we can comprehend, for +He was one of us. We learn from scripture that this Son had all power +both in heaven and earth given him; that He was, in fact, 'heir of all +things.' Now, when that fact is fixed in my mind, I connect this other +with it, that we, God's children also, are joint heirs with Christ; and +in fact, if we continue on in the way He trod, we shall be like Him. +Now, then, what does this chain of argument lead us to? That we may +follow <a name='Page50'></a>in the footsteps of God, and where He has gone, or shall go, we +may go. Think of it—no, we can't. Only for an instant can our minds +dwell upon it, then we drop to the common level again, and here we are, +a speck on the surface of the deep."</p> + +<p>"What is that book you are reading?" asked the minister. He had +evidently also dropped to the "common level;" or perhaps he had not +soared with his companion.</p> + +<p>"This? O, this is Kipling's 'Plain Tales from the Hills.' I like +Kipling, but I wish he hadn't written some very untruthful things about +my people."</p> + +<p>"Has he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. It seems he made a flying visit through Salt Lake City, and took +for gospel truth the lurid stories hack drivers tell to tourists so that +they may get their money's worth."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know;—but that brings me to the point of my errand. I +sought you out especially today to ask you not to talk religion to my +daughter. I understand she and you had a discussion on 'Mormonism' last +evening, and she slept very little all night as a result."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, sir; I said nothing to her about 'Mormonism.' She +told me a little about—"</p> + +<p>"Well, whatever it was, she was and is still ill over it. Let me tell +you,—and I am sure you will believe me,—my little girl is all I have. +She has been ailing for years, heart trouble mostly, with complications. +A comfortable voyage with no over-excitement might help, the doctors +said; and that's <a name='Page51'></a>the main reason for this trip. She has always been +interested in religious questions, which I naturally encouraged her in; +but when she got mixed up somewhat with the 'Mormons,' that was quite +another matter."</p> + +<p>"Why, may I ask?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it excited her. It brought her in contact with undesirable +people, people not of her class and standing—"</p> + +<p>"Like me, for instance."</p> + +<p>"I did not say that."</p> + +<p>"You inferred it. But pardon me. I would not, for the world, do anything +that would unfavorably affect your daughter."</p> + +<p>"I knew you would look at the matter sensibly. Perhaps it would be for +the best if you did not meet her oftener than possible. I know it is +difficult on ship-board, but for her sake you might try."</p> + +<p>"For her sake, why certainly, I'll do anything—for I want to tell you, +Mr. Strong, you have a good, sweet daughter."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you think so."</p> + +<p>"And I think a whole lot of her, I may just as well tell you. We have +met but a few times, but some souls soon understand each other."</p> + +<p>"What! You don't mean—!"</p> + +<p>"That we have been making love to each other," laughed Chester. "O, no; +not that I know; but there is such a thing as true affinity of souls, +nevertheless, the affinity which draws by the Spirit of God.<a name='Page52'></a> And so I +say again plainly, that you may understand, I regard your daughter +highly."</p> + +<p>"Young man, I thank you for your open manner and speech, but I beseech +of you not to encourage any deeper feeling towards my daughter. She can +never marry. She lives, as it were, on the brink of the grave. Now, I +have been plain also with you."</p> + +<p>"I appreciate it, sir; believe me; I am profoundly sorry for her and for +you; but, let me say this, seeing we are speaking plainly, if I loved +your daughter, and we all knew she would die tomorrow, or next month, +that knowledge would make only this difference, that my love would +become all the holier. If she returned that love, we would be happy in +knowing that in the life beyond we would go on and bring that love to a +perfect consummation."</p> + +<p>The minister looked closely again at the young man. Then, giving voice +to his thoughts, asked: "Have you studied for the ministry? Are you now +a 'Mormon' missionary?"</p> + +<p>"I am not an authorized 'Mormon' missionary. My studying has been no +more than is expected of every 'Mormon.' Every member of our Church is +supposed to be able to give a reason for the hope that is within +him,—and I think I can do that."</p> + +<p>"Do you live in Utah?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; my home is in Chicago."</p> + +<p>"Chicago!—well, I—are there 'Mormons' in Chicago?"</p> + +<p>"A few, as I suppose there are a few in Kansas<a name='Page53'></a> City. I joined the +'Mormon' Church in Chicago, but I was converted in Utah."</p> + +<p>"You have been to Utah, then?"</p> + +<p>"O, yes; I spent some time there and got very well acquainted with the +people; and they are a good people, I tell you, sir. I know—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, well, Mr.——, Lucy did tell me your name, but I have forgotten +it."</p> + +<p>"My name is Lawrence—Chester Lawrence."</p> + +<p>The minister had arisen as if about to go, but he now sat down again. +Chester did not understand the strange twitching of the minister's lips +or the pallor of his face. What had he said or done to agitate the man +so much?</p> + +<p>"Chester Lawrence!" repeated Mr. Strong under his breath.</p> + +<p>"You have never met me before, have you? Perhaps—"</p> + +<p>"No; I have never met you before. No, no; of course not. There was just +something come over me. I'm not very well, and I suppose I—"</p> + +<p>He stopped, as if he lacked words.</p> + +<p>"May I get you anything, a drink of water?" suggested Chester.</p> + +<p>"No, no; it was nothing. Sit down again"—for Chester also had +arisen—"and tell me some more about yourself. I am interested."</p> + +<p>"Well, my life has been very uneventful, and yet in a way, I have lived. +As a boy in Chicago, I suppose, my young days passed as others; but it +was <a name='Page54'></a>when I went out west and met the 'Mormons' that things happened to +me."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean that I had any adventures or narrow escapes in a physical +way. I lived in the mountains as a miner for a time, but there are no +wild animals or Indians there now, so my adventures were those of the +spirit, if I may use that expression,—and of the heart. Isn't that your +daughter coming this way?"</p> + +<p>Sure enough, Lucy had found them, and came up to them beaming. Chester +failed to see in her any symptoms for the worse, as her father had +indicated. In fact, there certainly was a spring to her step which he +had not seen before.</p> + +<p>"Well, I've found you at last, you run-away papa. Good morning," she +nodded to Chester, who returned the greeting. "Don't you know, papa, you +have kept me waiting for half an hour or more to finish our game."</p> + +<p>"I'll go right now with you," said the father, rising.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't care so much now, whether it's finished or not. I believe +someone else has it anyway."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll go and finish the game," persisted Mr. Strong.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps Mr. Lawrence will come along," suggested the girl, as it seemed +very proper to do.</p><a name='Page55'></a> + +<p>"Not now, thank you," replied Chester. "I must finish my book before the +lunch gong sounds."</p> + +<p>The minister took his daughter's arm and they went along the deck to +where a group was laughing merrily over the defeat and victory in the +games. Chester watched them mingle with the company, then he opened his +book again; but he did not complete his story at the time he had +appointed.</p> + +<p>To those who can possess their souls in peace, life on ship-board in +pleasant weather is restful, and may be thoroughly enjoyed. A little +world is here compactly put together, and human nature may be studied at +close range. From the elegant apartments of the saloon to the +ill-smelling quarters of the steerage, there is variety enough. +Representatives are here from nearly "every nation under heaven:" every +creed, every color; every grade of intelligence and worldly position, +from the prince who occupies exclusively the finest suite of rooms, to +the begrimed half-naked stoker in the furnace room in the depths of the +vessel; every occupation; every disposition. And yet, even in this +compact city in a shell of steel, one may seclude himself from his +fellows and commune solely with his own thoughts or his books.</p> + +<p>The three "Mormon" elders, reticent and quiet, had made few +acquaintances. The Rev. Mr. Strong and his daughter, not being very +well, had not been active in the social proceedings of the ship's +company.</p> + +<p>Chester Lawrence had formed an acquaintance <a name='Page56'></a>which seemed to him to fill +all requirements, so that he cared not whether he learned to know any +more of his fellow travelers. And now further association with this +pleasant acquaintance must stop. Well, once again he said to himself, he +would be glad at sight of Liverpool, and again some deeply hidden voice +protested.</p> + +<p>Chester tried to keep his word with Mr. Strong. He made no efforts to +see Lucy or talk with her, and he even evaded her as much as possible. +This he could not wholly do without acting unmannerly. All were on deck +during those beautiful days, and twice on Tuesday Lucy and Chester and +the elders had played deck quoits, the father joining in one of them. +Lucy beamed on Chester in her quiet way until she noted the change in +his conduct towards her. The pained expression on the girl's face when +she realized this change, went to Chester's heart and he could have +cried out in explanation.</p> + +<p>That evening Lucy found Chester in a corner of the library pretending to +read. There was no escape for him as she approached. What a sweet +creature she was, open-hearted and unafraid! His heart met her half way.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you, Brother Lawrence?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing the matter with me."</p> + +<p>"Then what have <i>I</i> done?" She seated herself, and Chester laid his book +on the table. He would be plain and open with this girl. In the end +nothing <a name='Page57'></a>is gained by mystery and silence. He told her plainly what had +taken place between himself and her father. She listened quietly, the +tears welling in her eyes as he progressed. Then for a moment she hid +her face in her hands while she cried softly.</p> + +<p>"I shall not ask you to break your promise," she said at last, "but I +did so want to learn more of the gospel—the true restored gospel. It +isn't true that a discussion of these things affects me unfavorably. I +am never so well as when I am hearing about and thinking of them. +Perhaps father thinks so, however; I shall not misjudge him."</p> + +<p>"So I shall keep my word," said he, "and if I keep it strictly, I should +not now prolong my talk with you. But I have a way out of your trouble. +You know Elder Malby. He is a wise man and knows the gospel much better +than I. He will gladly talk to you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. That's a good suggestion; but you—"</p> + +<p>"I shall have to be content to look from afar off, or perchance to +listen in silence. Good night."</p> + +<p>And so it happened that the very next morning when the passengers were +looking eagerly to the near approach to Queenstown, Lucy and Elder Malby +were seen sitting on deck in earnest conversation. Chester promenaded at +a distance with some envy in his heart; but he kept away. For fully an +hour the girl and the elderly missionary talked. Then the minister, +coming on deck saw them. He, no doubt, thought she was well out of +harm's way <a name='Page58'></a>in such company, for he did not know Elder Malby. When he +caught sight of Chester he went up to him, took him by the arm and fell +into his stride.</p> + +<p>Their conversation began with the common ship-board topics. Then the +minister asked his companion more about himself and his life. It seemed +to Chester that he purposely led up to his personal affairs, and he +wondered why. There were some parts of his history that he did not +desire to talk about. What did this man wish to know?</p> + +<p>"How long did you live in Utah?" asked the minister, after receiving +little information about Chester's birth and parentage.</p> + +<p>"Altogether, about a year."</p> + +<p>"And you liked it out there?"</p> + +<p>"Very much. The mountain air is fine; and that is truly the land of +opportunity."</p> + +<p>The two swung around the deck, keeping in step. Chester pressed his +companion's arm close. They reached in their orbit the point nearest to +Lucy and Elder Malby, then without stopping went on around.</p> + +<p>"I knew a man once by the name of Lawrence," said the minister. "I +wonder if he could be related to you."</p> + +<p>Chester did not reply.</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether or not he ever went to Utah."</p> + +<p>"My parents were not with me in Utah. I went alone, after I was a grown +man. My mother had lived there many years before, but had left. She +lived in Chicago the latter part of her life; but she <a name='Page59'></a>made a trip to +Utah when she was old and feeble,—and she died there. * * * * Her grave +is there now."</p> + +<p>The minister now was silent. His lips twitched again. Chester once more +wondered why such things should affect him. The man's arm clung to +Chester firmly as if he wished support; and Chester's heart warmed to +him. Was he not Lucy's father? Should he not know all he desired to know +about the man who had expressed deep regard for his daughter?</p> + +<p>"I think you are tired," said Chester. "Let's sit here and rest."</p> + +<p>"Yes; all right."</p> + +<p>"The man Lawrence whom you knew was not my father," continued Chester. +"That was my mother's maiden name. I don't know—I never knew my father; +and shall I say, I have no wish to know a man who could treat my mother +and his child the way he did. No; much as I have longed to know a +father's love and care, I cannot but despise a man who becomes a father, +then shirks from the responsibility which follows—who leaves the burden +and the disgrace which follow parenthood outside the marriage relation +to the poor woman alone. Such baseness, such cowardice, such despicable +littleness of soul!—do you wonder why I don't want to know my father?"</p> + +<p>Well, he had done it. Lucy's father knew the truth of his dishonorable +beginning. This highly cultured Christian minister was no doubt shocked +<a name='Page60'></a>into silence by his outburst of confidence. But he must know also that +this occurred among a Christian community, long before either of the +parties concerned knew of or were connected with the "Mormons." So +Chester explained this to the man at his side, who sat as if deaf to +what was being said. His gaze was fixed far out to sea. His lips did not +now quiver, but the lines in his face were rigid.</p> + +<p>Chester beckoned to the daughter, and when she came, he said:</p> + +<p>"I think your father is not well. Perhaps he ought to go below and +rest."</p> + +<p>"Father," cried the somewhat frightened girl, "what is it? Are you ill?"</p> + +<p>The father shook himself as if to be freed from some binding power, +looked at Chester and then at Lucy, smiled faintly, and said:</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm all right now, but perhaps I ought to rest a bit. Will you go +down with me, Lucy?"</p> + +<p>The daughter took his arm and was about to lead him away. He stopped and +turned again to Chester.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," he said, "but what was your mother's full name?"</p> + +<p>"Anna Lawrence."</p> + +<p>"Thank you. All right, Lucy. Let's be going."</p> + +<p>Chester watched them disappear down the companionway, then looked out to +sea at the black smoke made by a steamer crawling along the horizon, +from Liverpool outward bound.</p><a name='Page61'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI'></a><h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>A number of men and women were sitting on the promenade deck forward +engaged in an earnest discussion. Just as Chester Lawrence came up and +paused to listen, for it seemed to be a public, free-for-all affair, he +noticed that Elder Malby was talking, directing his remarks to a young +man in the group.</p> + +<p>"What is your objective point?" the Elder asked. "What do you live and +work for? What is your philosophy of life by which you are guided and +from which you draw courage, hope, and strength?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I take the world as it comes to me day by day, trusting to luck, or +to the Lord, perhaps I had better say, for the future," replied the +young fellow.</p> + +<p>"What would you think of a captain of a vessel not knowing nor caring to +know from what port he sailed or what port was his destination? Who did +not know the object of the voyage, knew nothing of how to meet the +storms, the fog, the darkness of the sea?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not the captain of a ship."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are. You are the captain of your own soul, at least; and you +may not know how many more souls are depending upon you for guidance in +this voyage of life which we are all taking."</p> + +<p>"That's right—true," agreed a number of by-standers.</p><a name='Page62'></a> + +<p>"Say, mister," suggested one, "tell us what you think of the +propositions. You seem able to, all right."</p> + +<p>"Well," responded the elder, "I don't want to preach a sermon that will +bore you; but if the ladies and gentlemen here are interested I shall be +pleased to give my views."</p> + +<p>"Sure—go on," came from others.</p> + +<p>One or two found seats, as if they would rather sit through the ordeal, +others following their example. "Yes; it's more comfortable," agreed +Elder Malby, as they drew their chairs in a circle. Two people left, but +two others came and took their places.</p> + +<p>"I hope we are all Christians," began the speaker, "at least so far that +we believe the Scriptures; otherwise my arguments will not appeal to +you."</p> + +<p>A number acknowledged themselves to be Christians.</p> + +<p>"Then I may begin by saying that the purpose of this life-voyage of ours +is that we might obtain the life eternal. 'This is life eternal' that we +might know God and His Son Jesus Christ who was sent to us. If we know +the Son we know the Father, for we are told that the Father has revealed +Himself through the Son. This Son we know as Jesus Christ who was born +into the world as we were. He had a body of flesh. He was like us, His +brethren; yet this Being, the Scriptures tell us, was in the 'form of +God;' that He was the 'image of the invisible God;' that He was 'in the +express image of His<a name='Page63'></a> Father's person.' When Jesus lived on the earth, +one of His disciples asked Him, 'Show us the Father.' 'He that hath seen +me, hath seen the Father,' was the reply. 'I am the way, the truth, and +the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me.'"</p> + +<p>At this point the Rev. Mr. Strong and his daughter came sauntering along +the deck. They paused to listen, then accepted the chairs which Chester +hurriedly found for them.</p> + +<p>"I am not stating where in the Scriptures these quotations can be +found," continued the elder, "though I shall be pleased to do so to any +who wish to know. Well then, here we have a glorious truth: if we wish +to know God, we are to study the Son. Jesus is the great Example, the +Revealer of the Father. He is the Father's representative in form and in +action. If Jesus, the Son, is meek and lowly, so also is the Father; if +He is wise and good and forgiving, so is the Father; if the Son is +long-suffering and slow to anger, yet not afraid to denounce sin and +call to account the wicked, so likewise may we represent the Father. All +the noble attributes which we find in the Son exist in perfectness in +the Father.</p> + +<p>"Picture this noble Son, the risen Redeemer, my friends, after His +battle with death and His victory over the grave! In the splendid glory +of His divine manhood, all power both in heaven and earth in His hand, +He stands as <i>the</i> shining figure of the ages. Why? Because He is 'God +With Us.'"</p><a name='Page64'></a> + +<p>There was perfect stillness in the group of listeners.</p> + +<p>"Thus the Father has shown Himself to us. There is no need for any of us +to plead ignorance of our Divine Parent. The way is marked out, the +path, though at times difficult, is plain. The Son does the will of the +Father. 'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,' said Jesus. 'The Son +can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do; for what +things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' We, then, +are to follow Christ, as He follows the Father. Isn't that plain?"</p> + +<p>"Do I understand," asked one, "that you believe God to be in the form of +man?"</p> + +<p>"Rather that man is in the form of God, for 'God created man in His own +image.'"</p> + +<p>"In His moral image only. God is a spirit. He is everywhere present, and +therefore cannot have a body, such as you claim," objected one.</p> + +<p>"I claim nothing, my friend. I am only telling you what the Scriptures +teach. They say nothing about a 'moral image.' What is a moral image? +Can it have an existence outside and apart from a personality of form?"</p> + +<p>There was no immediate response to this. Some looked at the minister as +if he ought to speak, but that person remained silent.</p> + +<p>"The attributes of God, as far as we know them, are easily put into +words; but try to think of goodness and mercy and love and +long-suffering and wisdom <a name='Page65'></a>outside and apart from a conscious +personality, an individual, if you please. Try it."</p> + +<p>Some appeared to be trying.</p> + +<p>"Pagan philosophers have largely taken from the world our true +conception of God, and given to us one 'without body, parts, or +passions.' The Father has been robbed of His glorious personality in the +minds of men. Christ also has been spiritualized into an unthinkable +nothingness. And so, to be consistent some have concluded that man also +is non-existent; and it naturally follows that God and Christ and man, +with the whole material universe, are relegated to the emptyness of a +dream."</p> + +<p>"If God is in the form of man He cannot be everywhere," suggested one of +the ladies. "And that's not a pleasant thought."</p> + +<p>"Our friend here," continued the speaker, nodding to Mr. Strong, "quoted +a passage in his splendid sermon last Sunday which explains how God may +be and is present in all His creations. Certainly God the Father cannot +personally be in two places at the same time any more than God the Son +could or can." The elder took a Bible from his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I had better read the passage. It is found in the 139th Psalm. David +exclaims, 'Whither shall I go from thy <i>spirit</i>, or whither shall I flee +from thy presence?' You will recall the rest of the passage. Is it not +plain that the Lord is present by His Spirit always and everywhere. His +Spirit sustains and controls and blesses all things throughout the +immensity of space. Fear not, my friend, that that<a name='Page66'></a> Spirit cannot be +with you and bless you on sea or on land. We cannot get outside its +working power any more than we can escape the Spirit of Christ now and +here, even if His glorified body of flesh and bones now sits on the +right hand of His Father in heaven where Stephen saw it."</p> + +<p>As is usual in all such discussions as this, some soon retire, others +linger, eager not to miss a word. Lucy, you may be sure, was among those +who remained. Her father also, sitting near to Chester, listened with +deep interest.</p> + +<p>"Just one more thought," continued the "Mormon" elder, "in regard to +this lady's fear that God may not be able to take care of all His +children always and everywhere. God is essentially a Father—our Father. +The fathering of God gives me great comfort. By fathering I mean that He +has not only brought us into existence, but He has sent us forth, +provides for us, watches over us. In our darkness He gives us light, in +our weakness He lends us strength. He rebukes our wrong actions, and +chastens us for our good. In fact, He fathers us to the end. Is it not a +great comfort?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," said Lucy, unconscious to all else but the spirit of +the Elder's words.</p> + +<p>"In this world," said the Elder, "the God-given power of creation is +exercised unthoughtfully, unwisely, and often wickedly. A +good-for-nothing scamp may become a father in name; but he who attains +to that holy title in fact, must do as God does,—must love, cherish, +sustain and make sacrifices <a name='Page67'></a>for his child until his offspring becomes +old enough and strong enough to stand for himself,—Don't you think so, +Mr. Strong?"</p> + +<p>All eyes were turned to the minister who was appealed to so directly. +Had the reverend gentleman been listening, or had his thoughts been with +his eyes, out to sea? His face was a study. But that was not to be +wondered at. Was he not a dispenser of the Word himself, and had he not +been listening to strange doctrine? However, he soon shifted his gaze +from the horizon to his questioner.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I agree with you," he replied. "Father and fathering are +distinct things. Happy the man who combines them in his life—happy, +indeed."</p> + +<p>The afternoon was growing to a close. The sun sank into the western sea. +The Elder, carried along by the awakened missionary spirit, continued +his talk. He explained that the Father had by means of the Son pointed +out the way of life, called the plan of salvation, or gospel of Jesus +Christ. He spoke of faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of +sins; for, said the Elder to himself, even the minister has need of +these things.</p> + +<p>Lucy drank eagerly the words of life. Her father sat unmoved, making no +comment or objection. He had never been one to wrangle over religion; +had prided himself, in fact, on being liberal and broad-minded; so he +would not dispute even though he could not altogether agree. The Elder's +words came to him in a strange way. Had he heard all this before? If so, +it had been in some long-forgotten <a name='Page68'></a>past; and this man's discourse only +awakened a faint remembrance as of a distant bell tolling across the +hills. Away back in his youth, he must have heard something like this; +or was it an echo of some pre-existent world—he had heard of such +things before. Perhaps it was the man's tone of voice, his mannerism +that recalled, in some way, some past impression.</p> + +<p>The Elder stopped. Lucy touched her father's arm.</p> + +<p>"Father," she said, "I believe you are cold. I had better get your +coat."</p> + +<p>The minister arose, as if stiffened in the joints by long sitting. He +reached out his hand to the Elder. "I have enjoyed your gospel talk," he +said. "May I ask your name, and to what Church you belong, for evidently +you are a preacher."</p> + +<p>"My name is George Malby, and I am an elder of the Church of Jesus +Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as 'Mormons.'"</p> + +<p>"A 'Mormon!'" a number of voices chorused.</p> + +<p>Some confusion followed, and the party broke up. Lucy, her father, and +Chester, still lingered.</p> + +<p>"Father," said Lucy, "I had intended to introduce you to Elder Malby, +but I wanted you to hear, unprejudiced, what he had to say. What he has +been teaching is 'Mormonism,' and you'll admit now that it is not at all +bad. You never would listen nor read."</p> + +<p>"Lucy—that will do. Good evening, gentlemen. Come Lucy."</p><a name='Page69'></a> + +<p>Later that same evening when most of the passengers had retired, the +Rev. Mr. Strong came up on deck again. He took off his cap so that the +breeze might blow unhindered through the thin, gray locks. He paced +slowly the length of the promenade deck with hands behind his back and +eyes alternatingly looking into the dark sky and to the deck at his +feet. The old man's usual erect form was bent a little as he walked, his +step broke occasionally from the rhythmatical tread. There was war in +the minister's soul. Conflicting emotions fought desperately for +ascendency. Memories of the past mingled with the scenes of the present, +and these became confused with the future. As a minister of the gospel +for half a lifetime, he had never had quite such a wildly disordered +mind. He wiped the perspiration from his brow. He groaned in spirit so +that moans escaped from his lips. The sea was beautifully still, but +rather would he have had it as wild and as boisterous as that which was +within his heart.</p> + +<p>The man paused now and then at the rail. The Irish coast was not far +away, and the lights of ships could be seen, westward bound. The +minister tried to follow in his mind these little floating worlds; but +they were too slow. Like the lightning he crossed the Atlantic and then +with the same speed flew half way across the American continent to a +big, black, busy city roaring with the traffic of men. Then out a few +miles to the college, where he as a young divinity student had spent +some years <a name='Page70'></a>of his early manhood—and there and then he had met +her—Also, years later, the woman whom he had married—and at each big +milestone in his journey of life there had been "Mormons" and +"Mormonism."</p> + +<p>"'Mormonism,' 'Mormonism,'" the man whispered hoarsely. +"Anna—Clara—Lucy—Chester—and now—and now what! O, my God!"</p> + +<p>It was nearly midnight when Lucy, becoming alarmed at her father's long +absence from his state room, came slowly on deck, stopping now and then +to rest. She saw him by the rail, went up to him, took him by the arm +and with a few coaxing words led him down into his room. As he kissed +her good-night with uncommon fervor, he looked into her upturned face +and said:</p> + +<p>"Are you going to love this young man—Chester Lawrence?"</p> + +<p>"Father," she cried, "what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Just what I say. I am not blind. I made him promise not to seek your +company or talk religion to you. Tomorrow I shall relieve him from that +promise."</p> + +<p>"O, father!"</p> + +<p>"There now, child,—and Lucy, he may talk of religion and love all he +wants. I think those two things, when they are of the right kind and +properly blended, are good for the heart, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, thank you, dear daddy—we are so near England now that I may call +you daddy."</p> + +<p>"Then good-night, my girl;" and he kissed her again in the doorway.</p><a name='Page71'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>But next morning there was no time to talk of either love or religion +for Chester and Lucy.</p> + +<p>The coast of Ireland had been sighted earlier than had been expected, +and there was the usual straining of eyes landward. Chester was among +the first to see the dark points on the horizon which the seamen said +was the Irish coast, and which as the vessel approached, expanded to +green hills, dotted with whitened houses. This then was Europe, old, +historic Europe, land of our forefathers, land of the stories and the +songs that have come down to us from the distant past.</p> + +<p>"Good morning. What do you think of Ireland?" Lucy touched his arm.</p> + +<p>"Oh, good morning. You are up early."</p> + +<p>"I am feeling so fine this morning that I had to get up and join in the +cry of 'Land ho.' No matter how pleasant an ocean voyage has been, we +are always pleased to see the land. Besides, we get off at Queenstown."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Chester. "I thought you were bound for Liverpool?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, later; but we are to visit some of our people in Ireland first. +Papa has a brother in Cork. We intend to remain there a few days, then +go on to Dublin, Liverpool, London, Paris, etc., etc.," laughed the +girl.</p><a name='Page72'></a> + +<p>Chester's heart sank. The separation was coming sooner than he had +thought. Only a few more hours, and this little sun-kissed voyage would +end. He looked at the girl by him; that action was not under embargo. +Yes; she was uncommonly sweet that morning. Perhaps it was the Irish +blood in her quickening at the nearness of the land of her forefathers. +Cheeks and lips and ears were rosy red, and the breeze played with the +somewhat disheveled hair. There was a press of people along the rail +which caused Lucy's shoulders to snuggle closely to his side. Chester +was silent.</p> + +<p>"Yes;" she went on, "there's dear old Ireland. You see, this is my +second visit, and it's like coming home. You go on to Liverpool, I +understand."</p> + +<p>"I have a ticket to Liverpool," he said; "but I suppose they would let +me off at Queenstown, wouldn't they?"</p> + +<p>"Why, certainly—how fast we are nearing land. I'll have to go down now +and awaken father. We haven't much time to get ready."</p> + +<p>He would have held her, had he dared. She was gone, and there were a +hundred and one questions to ask her. She must not get away from him +like this. He must know where they were going—get addresses by which to +find them. He had no plans but what could be easily changed. Seeing +Europe without Lucy Strong would be a dull, profitless excursion. +Chester's thoughts ran along this line, when Lucy appeared again. The +color had left her face.</p><a name='Page73'></a> + +<p>"Father is very sick," she said to Chester. "He seems in a stupor. I +can't wake him. Will you find the doctor?"</p> + +<p>"I'll get him," he said. "Don't worry. We'll be down immediately."</p> + +<p>Chester and the doctor found Lucy rubbing her father's hands and +forehead, pleading softly for him to speak to her. The doctor after a +hurried examination, said there was nothing serious. A nervous +break-down of some kind only—no organic trouble—would be all right +again shortly.</p> + +<p>"But doctor, we get off at Queenstown," explained Lucy.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you can manage it. By the time you are ready to leave, he +will be strong enough. This young man seems able to carry him ashore, if +need be. Are you landing also," he asked of Chester.</p> + +<p>"Well—yes."</p> + +<p>Lucy looked at the young man, but said nothing. The doctor promised to +bring some medicine, then left.</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Lawrence—" began Lucy.</p> + +<p>"I'll listen to no objections," interrupted he. "I couldn't think for a +moment of leaving you two in this condition. You're hardly able to lift +a glass of water, and now you father's ill also. No; I am going with +you, to be your body guard, your servant. Listen! I'm out to see the old +world. I should very much like to begin with Queenstown and Cork."</p> + +<p><a name='Page74'></a>The father moved, opened his eyes, then sat up He passed his hand over +his face, then looked at the two young people. "It's all right," he +muttered, then lay down again on the pillow. The doctor came with his +medicine. There were now heard the noise of trunks being hoisted from +the hold and the bustle of getting ready to leave the ship.</p> + +<p>"Father," said Lucy. "We must soon get ready to leave. Will you be +able?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, child"—it seemed difficult for the old man to speak.</p> + +<p>"And Chester—Mr. Lawrence—here is to go with us and help us."</p> + +<p>"Yes." He nodded as if it was easier to give assent in that way.</p> + +<p>"We'll make all things ready, daddy. Don't you worry. Rest as long as +you can. It will be some time yet before you will need to get up."</p> + +<p>The sick man nodded again.</p> + +<p>"I'll remain here while you get ready," said Chester. "Then you may +attend while I do what little is necessary. I'll let my trunk go right +on to Liverpool.</p> + +<p>Lucy hurried away and Chester sat down by the bed. As he smoothed out +the coverlet, the minister reached out and took Chester's hand which he +held in his own as if to get strength from it. There came into the old +man's face an expression of contentment, but he did not try to talk.</p> + +<p>Lucy returned, and Chester hurried to his own room where he soon packed +his few belongings and <a name='Page75'></a>was ready. He found the elders on deck watching +the approach to Queenstown, and explained to them what had happened to +change somewhat his plans. "I'll surely hunt you up," he said to Elder +Malby, "and visit with you;" and the Elder wished him God-speed and gave +him his blessing.</p> + +<p>Slowly the big ship sailed into Queenstown harbor, and then stopped. The +anchor chains rattled, the big iron grasped the bottom, and the vessel +was still. What a sensation to be once more at rest! Now out from the +shore came a tender to take Queenstown passengers ashore. Small boats +came alongside from which came shrill cries to those far above on deck. +A small rope was thrown up which was caught and hauled in by the +interested spectators. At the end of the small rope there dangled a +heavier one, and at the end of that there was a loop into which a +good-sized Irish woman slipped. "Pull away," came from below, and half a +dozen men responded. Up came the woman, her feet climbing the sides of +the steamer. With great good-nature the men pulled until the woman was +on deck. Then she immediately let down the lighter rope to her companion +in the small boat, where a basket was fastened and drawn up. From the +basket came apples, or "real Irish lace," or sticks of peculiar Irish +woods, all of which found a ready sale among the passengers.</p> + +<p>From one of the lower decks of the steamer, a gang-way was pushed on to +the raised deck platform of the tender, and even then the incline was +<a name='Page76'></a>quite steep. This bridge was well fastened by ropes, and then the +passengers began to descend, while their heavier baggage was piled on +the decks of the tender.</p> + +<p>Lucy and her father soon appeared. Chester met them below and helped the +sick man up, along the deck, and down the gang-way to the tender, where +he found a seat. Lucy followed, stewards carrying their hand baggage. +From their new position they looked up to the steamer. How big it was!</p> + +<p>The day was beautifully warm. Well wrapped in his coat, the father +rested easily, watching with some interest the busy scene around him. He +being among the last to leave the liner, they were soon ready to be off. +The gang-way was drawn in again, and the tender steamed away towards the +inner harbor. The big ship weighed its anchor, then proceeded on its +course to Liverpool, carrying away its little world of a week's +acquaintance, to which Chester and Lucy waved farewell.</p> + +<p>Queenstown, in terraced ranks, now rose before them. The pier was soon +reached, from which most of the travelers continued their journey by +rail. The minister and his party, however, took passage again on a small +boat for Cork. Everything being new to Chester, and the father being +quite unable to do anything, the initiative, at least, rested on Lucy. +With Chester's help, she managed quite well.</p> + +<p>For an hour they sailed on the placid waters of the harbor and up into +the river Lee. The wooded <a name='Page77'></a>hills, on either hand, dotted with +farm-houses and villas, presented a pleasing picture. The boat drew up +to a landing at St. Patrick's Bridge, where Uncle Gilbert met them, +greatly surprised and alarmed at his brother's condition.</p> + +<p>Carriages were waiting. Chester was introduced by Lucy in a way which +led to the inference that he was a particular friend of the family +picked up, perhaps, in their time of need. Bag and baggage was piled in +besides them and they drove away through the streets of Cork and into +the suburbs. Slowly the horse climbed the hill, but in a short time they +were at Uncle Gilbert's home, one of the beautiful ones situated among +the green of rolling hillside and the deeper green of trees.</p> + +<p>There was another warm welcome by Aunt Sarah, who took immediate and +personal charge of the sick man.</p> + +<p>"It's a break-down through overwork," she declared. "You Americans live +at such fever heat that it is no wonder you have no nerves. They're +burned out of you. But it's rest only he wants, poor man; and here's +where he'll get it. Don't you worry, Lucy."</p> + +<p>Aunt Sarah's masterful treatment of cases such as these took much care +and anxiety from them all. Away from the bustle and roar of hurrying +humanity and traffic, resting amid the soothing green, and breathing the +mild air of the country; the minister ought surely to get well again +soon.</p> + +<p>He would not go to bed, but chose to sit in a <a name='Page78'></a>big chair with a pillow +under his head, looking out of the upstairs window which afforded a view +of the town. The sun came in rather strongly during the afternoon and +the father motioned Lucy to partly draw the blind. She did so, then drew +a stool to his chair and seated herself near him. He placed his hands on +her head, patted it caressingly, smiled at her, but said nothing. It was +still difficult for him to speak.</p> + +<p>Presently, there came a light tap at the door. Lucy arose. It was +Chester.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," he said, "but the people below are somewhat confused over +the trunks. I came to inquire."</p> + +<p>"Come in," said Lucy. "Let the 'confusion' continue for a little while. +Come in to where there is peace. Father is feeling better, I am sure."</p> + +<p>The invalid turned towards the speakers, then with a movement of his +head told them to come near. Lucy took her former position, while +Chester drew up a chair. Yes; he did seem better, there being some color +in his face to add life to his faint smile.</p> + +<p>"Chester," he whispered with effort, as he reached out and took the +young man's hand, "Chester—my +boy—I—am—so—glad—you—came—with—us."</p><a name='Page79'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>While the father was resting quietly at Kildare Villa, as Uncle +Gilbert's home was called, Chester and Lucy spent a few days in looking +about.</p> + +<p>"Are there any sights worth seeing around here?" asked Chester of Lucy.</p> + +<p>"Are there?" she replied in surprise. "Did you ever hear of the Blarney +Stone?"</p> + +<p>Yes; he had.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's not far away; and those were the Shandon bells you heard +last evening,</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span class='i2'>'The bells of Shandon,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>That sound so grand on<br /></span> +<span>The pleasant waters of the river Lee,'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>she quoted.</p> + +<p>The fact of the matter was that Chester was quite content to remain +quietly with Lucy and her father and the other good people of the place. +Traveling around the country would, without doubt, separate them, and +that disaster would come soon enough, he thought; but when Lucy +announced that she was ready for a "personally conducted tour to all +points of interest," he readily agreed to be "conducted." She was well +enough to do so, she said; and in fact it did look as if health were +coming to her again.</p> + +<p>The morning of the second day at Kildare Villa<a name='Page80'></a> Chester and Lucy set out +to see the town, riding in Aunt Sarah's car behind the pony. There had +been a sprinkle of rain during the night, so the roads were pleasant. +Lucy pointed out the places of interest, consulting occasionally a guide +book.</p> + +<p>"While viewing the scenery, it is highly educational to get the proper +information," said Lucy as she opened her book. "It states here that +Cork is a city of 76,000 people. According to one authority it had a +beginning in the seventh century. Think of that now, and compare its +growth with that of Kansas City, for instance."</p> + +<p>"I have always associated this city with the small article used as +stoppers for bottles," said Chester.</p> + +<p>"You thought perhaps the British needed a cork to stop up their harbor," +said Lucy, gravely; "but you are entirely mistaken. The book says the +name is a corruption of Corcach, meaning a marsh. The town has, however, +long since overflowed the water, and now occupies not only a large +island in the river, but reaches up the high banks on each side."</p> + +<p>They were evidently in Ireland.</p> + +<p>"A most noticeable peculiarity of Cork is its absolute want of +uniformity, and the striking contrasts in the colors of the houses. The +stone of which the houses in the northern suburb is built is of reddish +brown, that on the south, of a cold gray tint. Some are constructed of +red brick, some are sheathed in slate, some whitewashed; some reddened, +some yellowed. Patrick may surely do as he likes with his own house. The +most conspicuous steeple in the <a name='Page81'></a>place, that of St. Ann, Shandon's, is +actually red two sides and white the others,</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>'Parti-colored, like the people,<br /></span> +<span>Red and white stands Shandon steeple.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>and there it is before us," said Lucy.</p> + +<p>The tower loomed from a low, unpretentious church. The two visitors +drove up the hill, stopped the horse while they looked at the tower and +heard the bells strike the hour.</p> + +<p>"What Father Prout could see in such commonplace things to inspire him +to write his fine poem, I can not understand," said Lucy. "There is a +peculiar jingle in his lines which stays with one. Listen:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'With deep affectation and recollection<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>I often think of the Shandon bells,<br /></span> +<span>Whose sounds so wild would, in days of childhood<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Fling round my cradle their magic spells—<br /></span> +<span>On this I ponder, where'er I wander,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>And thus grow fonder, sweet Cork of thee<br /></span> +<span class='i4'>With thy bells of Shandon,<br /></span> +<span class='i4'>That sound so grand on<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>The pleasant waters of the river Lee.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Lucy read the four stanzas.</p> + +<p>"It's fine," agreed Chester; "and I think I can answer your question of +a moment ago. Father Prout, as he says, listened to these bells in +childhood days, those days when 'heaven lies about us' and <a name='Page82'></a>glorifies +even the most common places, and the impressions he then received +remained with him."</p> + +<p>Lucy "guessed" he was right.</p> + +<p>Then they drove by St. Fin Barre's cathedral, considered the most +noteworthy and imposing building in Cork. "'It is thought probable the +poet Spenser was married in the church which formerly stood on the +site,'" Lucy read. "'His bride was a Cork lady, but of the country, not +of the city. Spenser provokingly asks:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'Tell me, ye merchants' daughters, did ye see<br /></span> +<span>So fayre a creature in your town before?<br /></span> +<span>Her goodlie eyes, like sapphyres shining bright;<br /></span> +<span>Her forehead, ivory white,<br /></span> +<span>Her lips like cherries charming men to byte.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Well," remarked Chester as they drove homeward, and he thought he was +brave in doing so. "I don't know about the merchants' daughters of Cork, +but I know a minister's daughter of Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., who +tallies exactly with Spenser's description."</p> + +<p>"Why, Mr. Lawrence!"</p> + +<p>"I might say more," he persisted, "were it not for some foolish promises +I made that same minister a few days ago—but here we are. Where shall +we go after lunch?"</p> + +<p>"I thought we were to go to Blarney Castle."</p> + +<p>"Sure. I had forgotten. That's where the Blarney Stone is?"</p><a name='Page83'></a> + +<p>"Sure," repeated the girl mischievously.</p> + +<p>So that afternoon they set out. It was but a short distance by train +through an interesting country. Lucy was the guide again.</p> + +<p>"Do you have an Irish language?" asked Chester. "I heard some natives +talking something I couldn't understand."</p> + +<p>"Of course there's an Irish language," explained his fair instructor. +"Anciently the Irish spoke the Gaelic, a branch of the Celtic. In this +reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Irish language was forbidden. The English +is now universal, but many still speak the Gaelic. In recent years there +has been an awakening of interest in the old tongue. 'One who knows +Irish well,' an Irish historian claims, 'will readily master Latin, +French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian;' and he adds that to the +Irish-speaking people, the Irish language is 'rich, elegant, +soul-stirring, and expressive.'"</p> + +<p>"I can well believe the latter statement when I remember the actions of +those using it," said Chester.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," announced Lucy, as they alighted and walked to the +entrance of the park. "It will cost us six pence to get in."</p> + +<p>Chester paid the man at the gate a shilling. The castle loomed high on +the side of a hill, its big, square tower being about all that now +remains of the ancient structure. A woman was in charge of the castle +proper.</p> + +<p>"The stone that you kiss is away up to the top,"<a name='Page84'></a> explained Lucy. "You +will have to go up alone, as I dare not climb the stairs. I'll wait +here. But stop a minute; the impressions will be more lasting if you get +the proper information first. Here, we'll sit on this bench while I tell +you about the castle."</p> + +<p>Chester readily agreed to this.</p> + +<p>"To sentimental people," began the girl, as she looked straight at the +high walls in front, "Blarney Castle is the greatest object of interest +in Southern Ireland; and, of course, the Blarney Stone is the center of +attraction. It was built by Cormack McCarthy about 1446. Of the siege of +the castle by Cromwell's forces, under Irton, we have the following +picturesque account in verse, which, I must say, has a Kipling-like +ring."</p> + +<p>She opened her book and read:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'It was now the poor boys of the castle looked over the wall,<br /></span> +<span>And they saw that ruffian, ould Cromwell, a-feeding on powder and ball,<br /></span> +<span>And the fellow that married his daughter, a-chawing grape-shot in his jaw,<br /></span> +<span>'Twas bowld I-ray-ton they called him, and he was his brother-in-law.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"The word 'Blarney' means pleasant, deludin' talk, said to have +originated at the court of Queen Elizabeth. McCarthy, the then chieftain +over the clan of that name who resided at Blarney, was repeatedly asked +to come in from 'off his keeping.'<a name='Page85'></a> He was always promising with fair +words and soft speech to do what was desired, but never could be got to +come to the sticking point. The queen, it is told, when one of his +speeches was brought to her, said: 'This is all Blarney; what he says, +he never means.'</p> + +<p>"Now, this is the reason for kissing the stone up there in the tower. +Listen:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'There is a stone there, whoever kisses,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Oh! he never misses to grow eloquent;<br /></span> +<span>'Tis he may clamber to a lady's chamber,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Or become a Member of Parliament.<br /></span> +<span>A clever spouter, he'll sure turn out, or<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>An "out—an'—outer" to be let alone;<br /></span> +<span>Don't hope to hinder him, or to bewilder him,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Sure, he's a pilgrim from the Blarney Stone.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Now, then, these are the facts in the case," concluded Lucy. "Proceed +to do."</p> + +<p>Chester climbed the long stairs to the top. From the western edge, he +looked down and waved at Lucy, then hurriedly scanned the beautiful +prospect about him. The wonderful stone then drew his attention. It is +set in the parapet wall, being one of the under stones in the middle of +the tower. This parapet does not form part of the wall, but is detached +from it, being built out about two feet and supported by a sort of +scaffolding brace of masonry. This leaves a space between the battlement +and the wall, which in olden times, enabled the defenders to drop stones +and other trifles on to the heads of <a name='Page86'></a>assailants one hundred twenty feet +below. Two iron bands now reach around the famous stone, spanning the +open space, and fastened to the wall. The aspirant who wishes to kiss +the stone, must grasp these irons, one in each hand, and hang on for +dear life. As the stone is underneath the parapet, the feat of kissing +it is not easy. In the first place, one must lie on one's back, then +with head extended over the wall, the head must be bent down and back +far enough to touch the lips to the stone. To perform the feat safely, +there must be assistants at hand who must hold one's legs in steady +grip, and others who must sit on the lower part of the body to assure +the proper equilibrium.</p> + +<p>Being entirely alone, it is needless to say, Chester did not kiss the +Blarney Stone. He was satisfied with reaching under and touching it with +his hand. Then he returned to Lucy.</p> + +<p>"You did not kiss the stone," she immediately declared.</p> + +<p>"You know, don't you, that it takes two to kiss—the Blarney Stone?"</p> + +<p>"I've heard it so stated. I've never been up to it."</p> + +<p>The park around the castle is very inviting, especially on a fine, warm +afternoon. There are big trees, grass, and neatly kept walks. Chester +and Lucy sauntered under the trees. A tiny brook gurgled near by, the +birds were singing. Lucy chattered merrily along, but Chester was not so +talkative. She noticed his mood and asked why he was so silent.</p><a name='Page87'></a> + +<p>"I was thinking of that promise. I fear I am not doing right."</p> + +<p>"O, that reminds me—Father, of course could not—"</p> + +<p>"Could not what?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the night before he became so ill on the boat he told me he was +going to release you from any promise not to meet me and talk religion +to me."</p> + +<p>"Did he say that?" They paused in their walk.</p> + +<p>"Yes; and he meant it—he means it now, if he could but say as much."</p> + +<p>"I thank you for telling me * * * Let us sit down here on this rustic +seat. Do you know, I believe your father has gotten over his first +dislike for me."</p> + +<p>"O, yes, he has. I think he likes you very much."</p> + +<p>"I was not surprised at his actions when I told him I was a 'Mormon.' He +can hardly be blamed, in view of the life-long training he has had. And +then, knowing that you have been in danger from that source before made +him over-sensitive on the point. I marvel now that he treats me so +well."</p> + +<p>Lucy looked her happiness, rather than expressed it. The guide book lay +open on her lap. Chester picked it up, looked at a picture of Blarney +Castle, and then read aloud:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'There's gravel walk there,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>For speculation,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>And conversation<br /></span> +<span>In sweet solitude.<br /></span><a name='Page88'></a> +<span>'Tis there the lover<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>May hear the dove, or<br /></span> +<span>The gentle plover<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>In the afternoon.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Lucy," said Chester, as he closed the book, "I'm going to call you +Lucy—I can't call you Miss Strong in such a lovely place as this. We +have an hour or two before we must return, and I want to talk over a few +matters while we have the chance. In the first place, I want you to tell +me where you are going when you leave Ireland. I want to keep track of +you—I don't want to lose you. If your father would not object, I should +like to travel along with you."</p> + +<p>"Father may remain here a long time, so long that we may not get to see +much of Europe, and of course, you can't wait here for us."</p> + +<p>"Now listen, Lucy. <i>You</i> are Europe to me. I believe you are the whole +world."</p> + +<p>She did not turn from him, though she looked down to the grass where the +point of her sunshade now rested. Her face was diffused with color.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me for saying so much," he continued, "for I realize I am quite +a stranger to you."</p> + +<p>"A stranger?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; we have not known each other long. You don't know much about me."</p> + +<p>"I seem to have known you a long time," she said, looking up. "I often +think I have met you <a name='Page89'></a>before. Sometimes I imagine you look like the +young missionary whom I first heard on the streets of Kansas City; but +of course, that can't be."</p> + +<p>"No; I never was on a mission. But I'm glad you think of me as you do, +for then you'll let me come and see you in London, in Paris and wherever +you go. I assure you, it would be rather uninteresting sight-seeing +without your presence, if not always in person, then in spirit. After +all, much depends on the condition of the eyes with which one looks on +an object whether it is interesting or not."</p> + +<p>Then the talk led to personal matters. He spoke of his experiences in +Utah—some of them—and she fold him her simple life's story. Her mother +had died many years ago; she had no very distinct recollection of her. +She and her father had lived with housekeepers for many years. What with +school and home, the one trip before to Europe, a number of excursions +to various parts of her own country, her life had passed very smoothly +and very quietly among her friends and books. As Chester listened to her +he thought how like in some respects her story was to that of Julia +Elston's. And as she sat there under the trees, she again looked like +Julia, yet with a difference. Somehow the first girl had vanished but +she had left behind in his heart a susceptibility to a form and face +like this one beside him. Julia had come into his heart, not to dwell +there, but to purify it, adorn it, and to make it ready for someone +else;—and that other person had come. She filled the sanctuary of his +heart. Peace and love beyond the <a name='Page90'></a>telling were inmates with her. Had he +not come to his own at last.</p> + +<p>That afternoon, as he sat with Lucy under the trees at Blarney, +listening to her story, told in simplicity with eyes alternating between +smiles and tears, he felt so near heaven that his prayers went easily +ahead of him to the throne of mercy and love, bearing a message of +praise and gratitude to the Giver of all good.</p> + +<p>These two were quite alone that afternoon. Even the care-taker went +within the thick walls of the castle, remembering, perhaps, that she +also had been young once. Birds may have eyes to see and ears to hear, +but they tell nothing to humans.</p> + +<p>On the way back to Cork there was only one other passenger in the +car,—an Irish girl carrying a basket in which were two white kittens. +About half way to the city, the train stopped, and much to the +travelers' surprise, a company of about two hundred Gordon Highlanders +boarded the train, filling the cars completely.</p> + +<p>"What," asked Chester. "Have the Scotch invaded Ireland?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose it's a company just out for a bit of exercise," suggested +Lucy.</p> + +<p>Their bare, brown legs, kilts and equipment were matters of much +interest to Chester. When the train arrived in Cork, the soldiers +formed, and with bagpipes squeeling their loudest, they marched into St. +Patrick's street. Chester and Lucy and the girl with the basket +followed.</p><a name='Page91'></a> + +<p>"This is quite an honor," remarked Chester, "to have a company of +soldiers come to meet us, and to be escorted into town by music like +this. How did <i>they</i> know?"</p> + +<p>"Know what?" escaped from Lucy before she discerned his meaning.</p> + +<p>"Why, you silly man," she replied, "the honor is for the kittens!"</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert met them at the door. "Your father is sleeping—getting +along fine," he explained. "Now then, young man, did you kiss the +Blarney Stone?"</p> + +<p>"Why—no—I—"</p> + +<p>"You didn't! You missed the greatest opportunity in your life."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, I didn't." replied Chester. "Far from it."</p> + +<p>Lucy, rosy red, fled past her teasing uncle into the house.</p><a name='Page92'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX'></a><h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>A warm, gentle rain was falling. No regrets or complaints were heard at +Kildare Villa, for, as Uncle Gilbert said, the farmers needed it, he and +his people were comfortably housed, and the excursionists—meaning +Chester and Lucy—would do well to remain quiet for a day.</p> + +<p>The minister had so far recovered that he walked unaided into the large +living room, where a fire in the grate shed a genial warmth. Chester and +Lucy were already there, she at the piano and he singing softly. At +sight of her father, Lucy ran to him, helped him to a seat, then kissed +him good morning.</p> + +<p>"How much better you are!" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am glad I am nearly myself again—thanks to Aunt Sarah," he +said, as that good woman entered the room with pillows and footrest for +the invalid, who was made quite comfortable. Then the aunt delivered him +to the care of the two young people, with an admonition against drafts +and loud noises.</p> + +<p>"All right, daddy; now what can we do for you?" asked Lucy.</p> + +<p>"You were singing—when I came in. * * * Sing the song again."</p> + +<p>"But loud noises, you know."</p> + +<p>"Sing—softly," he replied.</p><a name='Page93'></a> + +<p>The two went back to the piano. Lucy played and both sang in well +modulated, subdued voices,</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"Jesus, I my cross have taken<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>All to leave and follow Thee;<br /></span> +<span>Naked, poor, despised, forsaken,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Thou, from hence my all shall be.<br /></span> +<span>Perish every fond ambition,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>All I've sought, or hoped, or known,<br /></span> +<span>Yet how rich is my condition,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>God and heaven are still my own."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>They sang the three stanzas. The two voices blended beautifully. The +father asked them to sing the song again, which they did. Then they sang +others, some of which were not familiar to the listener.</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"Oh, how lovely was the morning,<br /></span> +<span>Brightly beamed the sun above."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"What was that last song?" inquired the father.</p> + +<p>The two singers looked at each other as if they had been caught in some +forbidden act.</p> + +<p>"Why"—hesitated Lucy, "that's a Sunday School song."</p> + +<p>"A 'Mormon' song?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Sing—it again," he said as he lay back on his pillows, closed his eyes +and listened.</p> + +<p>"Do you know any more—'Mormon' songs?"</p> + +<p>Lucy, of course, did not know many. Chester <a name='Page94'></a>managed "O, my Father," and +one or two more. Then Lucy closed the piano and went back to her father, +where she stood smoothing gently his gray hair. Thus they talked and +read and sang a little more, while the rain fell gently without.</p> + +<p>"This is a beautiful country," said Chester, looking out of the window. +"I do not blame people who have money, desiring to live here." Lucy came +to the window also, and they stood looking out on the rain-washed green. +The father lay still in his chair, and presently he went to sleep. +Chester and Lucy then retired to a corner, and carried on their +conversation in low tones. Faint noises from other parts of the house +came to them. From without, only the occasional shrill whistle of a +locomotive disturbed the silence. The fire burned low in the grate.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, the father awoke with a start. "I tell you he is my son," he +said aloud. "I am his father, and I ought to father him—my heart goes +out—my son—"</p> + +<p>"What is it, father?" cried Lucy, running to him, and putting her arm +around his shoulders.</p> + +<p>The father looked about, fully awakened.</p> + +<p>"I was only dreaming," he explained. "Did I talk in my sleep?"</p> + +<p>Just then Uncle Gilbert came in. He announced that tomorrow he would of +necessity have to leave for Liverpool. It would be a short trip only; he +would be back in two or three days, during which <a name='Page95'></a>all of them should +continue to make themselves comfortable.</p> + +<p>"George, here, is getting along famously," he declared. "A few more days +of absolute rest, and you'll be all right, eh, brother?"</p> + +<p>"I think so."</p> + +<p>Aunt Sarah now announced luncheon, and they all filed out of the room.</p> + +<p>That evening the two brothers were alone. "I want to talk to you," the +visitor had said; and his brother was willing that he should. Evidently, +something weighed heavily on his mind, some imaginary trouble, brought +on by his weakened physical condition.</p> + +<p>"Now, what is it, brother," said Gilbert as they sat comfortably in +their room.</p> + +<p>"You know that in my younger days I had a little trouble"—began the +minister, now speaking quite freely.</p> + +<p>"I don't recall what you mean."</p> + +<p>"When I was studying for the ministry—a woman, you—"</p> + +<p>"O, yes; I remember; but what of it? That's past and forgotten long +ago."</p> + +<p>"Past, but not forgotten. I have tried to forget, the Lord knows, by +long years of service in the ministry. I hope the Lord has forgiven—but +I forgotten, Oh, no."</p> + +<p>"Look here, brother, you are over-sensitive just now because of your +physical condition. You have <a name='Page96'></a>nothing to worry over. That little +youthful indiscretion—"</p> + +<p>"But there was a child, Gilbert, a boy."</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it?"</p> + +<p>"That was my boy. I am his father. What has become of him? Where is he +now? Flesh of my flesh, is he handicapped by the stigma I placed upon +him? Is he, perchance, groveling in the gutter, because I cast him +off—had no thought or care for him—"</p> + +<p>"Now, look here—"</p> + +<p>"Listen. I became a father, then shirked the responsibility of +fatherhood. A new word rings in my ears, 'FATHERING.' I can see its +mighty import. I who have spoken the words of the great Father for these +many years, have not followed His example. Listen, brother: if that son +of mine is alive, and I believe he is, I am going to find and claim +him—and not once more do I preach until I do."</p> + +<p>The brother was somewhat alarmed, showing it in his countenance.</p> + +<p>"You may think I am out of my head; but I never was saner in my life. My +thoughts are as clear as a bell, and now that I have said what I wanted +to, I feel better. That's all—don't you worry about me. Now go to bed. +You are to be off in the morning, you know. Good night."</p> + +<p>As Gilbert walked out, his mind not altogether clear about his brother, +Lucy was at the door waiting to bid her father good night.</p> + +<p>"May I come in?" she asked.</p><a name='Page97'></a> + +<p>"Yes; come along."</p> + +<p>"I wanted just to say good night."</p> + +<p>"That's right, my girl; and where is Chester?"</p> + +<p>"He—I don't know. I think he's retired."</p> + +<p>"You're looking so well, these days. Are you happy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, daddy; so happy—and so much better, I believe."</p> + +<p>"All right—there now, good night. If Chester is without, tell him to +come in a moment."</p> + +<p>She kissed him again, then slipped out. Presently, Chester entered.</p> + +<p>"Did you wish to see me, Mr. Strong?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—that is, just to say good night—and to tell you that I am +better—and also to thank you for taking such good care of Lucy."</p> + +<p>"Why, I assure you—"</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment. Stand right where you are, there in that light—you'll +excuse a sick man's humors, I know; but someone told me today that we +two look very much alike. I was just wondering whether it was a fancy +only—but I can't tell, nor you can't tell. It always takes a third +person to say."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I suppose it does," laughed Chester. "But I don't object to the +resemblance."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, my boy. Come here. Continue to take good care of Lucy. She's a +good, sweet girl." The man arose, as if to be off to bed. Chester put +his arm around him.</p><a name='Page98'></a> + +<p>"Let me help you," said the young man. "You are not very strong yet."</p> + +<p>"Thank you." He put his arm about Chester's neck so that the stronger +man could nearly carry the weaker. As they walked slowly across the room +under the lamps anyone could see a striking resemblance between the two +men. As they said good night and parted at the father's door, the older +man's hand patted softly the young man's cheek. Chester felt the touch, +so strange that it thrilled him. "That was for Lucy's sake," he said to +himself as he sought the quietness of his own room.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>There were no apparent reasons why Chester Lawrence should not accompany +Uncle Gilbert to Liverpool, so neither Chester nor Lucy tried to find +any. Plans for meeting in London and on the continent were fully matured +and understood. The separation would be for a week or fortnight at most. +Lucy and Aunt Sarah waved their goodbyes as the train drew out of Cork +for Dublin.</p> + +<p>Chester now understood why Ireland was called the Emerald Isle. Green, +green, everywhere—fields and hedges, trees and bushes, bogs and +hills—everything was green. Uncle Gilbert gave him full information on +all points of interest.</p> + +<p>At Dublin they had a few hours to wait for the boat, so they looked +around the city, not forgetting the beautiful Phoenix Park. It was +evening when they went on board the steamer and to bed. Next <a name='Page99'></a>morning, +they were awakened by the rattling of cables and chains as they slid +into a dock at Liverpool.</p> + +<p>Chester and Gilbert Strong parted company at Liverpool, the latter to +attend to the business which had brought him there, the former to seek a +place of lodging. First he found 42 Islington, the headquarters of the +mission, introduced himself to the elders in charge, and asked them to +direct him to some cheap, but respectable lodgings. He was shown to a +nearby hotel where the missionaries usually put up, where he obtained a +room. Then he went to the steamship company's office at the pier, +obtained his trunk, and had it taken to his lodgings. After a bath, a +general clean-up and change of clothing, he was ready for the town, or +all England for that matter.</p> + +<p>He went back to "42" for further information. He noticed that the slum +district of the town pressed closely on to the office quarters, and he +saw some sights even that first afternoon which shocked him: dirty, +ragged children, playing in the gutters; boys and girls and women going +in to dram shops and bringing out mugs of beer; men and women drunken. +One sight specially horrified him: a woman, dirty, naked shoulders and +arms; feet and legs bare; a filthy skirt and bodice open at the breast; +hair matted and wild; reeling along the pavement, crying out in drunken +exclamations and mutterings. It was the most sickening sight the young +man had <a name='Page100'></a>ever seen, and with perhaps the exception of a fight he +witnessed some days later between two such characters, the worst +spectacle of his life.</p> + +<p>All this sordid life so strange and new, drew the attention of the young +westerner. Especially did 42 Islington interest him; for this was an +historic spot for "Mormonism." From here the early missionaries had sent +forth the message of salvation to Great Britain, in fact, to the whole +of Europe. Here within these dingy rooms had trod the strong, sturdy +characters of the pioneer days of the Church. Perhaps in some of these +rooms Orson Pratt had written his masterly presentation of the gospel. +In those days, very likely, there were not so many noises of traffic and +restless humanity. Perhaps such men could take with them the peace and +sublime solitude of their home in the Western Mountains into the +confusing din of the big city, and remain undisturbed. And these were +happy, even as the present elders were, laboring, with a clear +conscience for the salvation of souls. There came to Chester, as he +thought of these things, an expression he had read: "Outside things +cannot make you happy, unless they fit with something inside; and they +are so few and so common that the smallest room can hold them."</p> + +<p>That same evening there was a meeting of the Saints which Chester +attended. The congregation was small, much smaller even than those of +Chicago. Most of the people present appeared to be of the humbler, +working classes; but there was the same <a name='Page101'></a>light in their faces as that +which shone in faces on the other side of the world, when enlightened by +the Spirit of God. Everywhere, Chester noticed, this Spirit was the +same, giving to rich and poor, learned and unlearned alike, the joy of +its presence.</p> + +<p>"Come around tomorrow, and we'll take a look about the city," said one +of the elders to Chester. "Sitting cramped over a desk day after day, +makes it necessary for me to get out once in a while."</p> + +<p>The afternoon of the following day, Chester called for his friend in the +office, and they set out. "I want you to get rid of the first +impressions of Liverpool," explained the elder. "I want you to get away +from the noise and dirt to the green and quiet and beauty of the town."</p> + +<p>First they took a car to the Botanical Gardens, looked at the flower +beds and inspected the palm-house. Then they walked across the open to +the farther side, followed a short street or two into the big, open +grass-covered Wavertree Playground. Thence it was a short walk to Sefton +Park with its varied and extensive beauties. They watched the children +sail their toy crafts on the lake. There were some men even, trying out +model boats. The bird cage was interesting. The grotto, as usual, was +hard to find. The palm-house took a good part of their time, for the +beautiful statue of Burn's Highland Mary, gleaming white from a bed of +green, took Chester's attention, as also the historical figures +surrounding the house. One of these was of Columbus with an inscription +claiming that he <a name='Page102'></a>had very much to do with the making of Liverpool, +which is no doubt true.</p> + +<p>The weather was fine, the air was balmy; many people were out. Chester +and his companion strolled about the walks and across the velvety +stretches of grass. They watched for a time, a "gentlemanly game of +cricket," but it was too slow altogether for the Americans.</p> + +<p>It was well towards sundown when the two young men took a car back to +Islington. "Another day we'll see Newsham Park, and the country around +Knotty Ash way. Then again, there is some beautiful country up the +Mersey and across to Birkenhead." The visitor was grateful for these +offers.</p> + +<p>That evening Chester addressed some post-cards to his few friends in +Chicago, one to Hugh Elston, one to Elder Malby in London, and one to +Lucy May Strong, Kildare Villa, Cork, Ireland. He lingered somewhat over +this latter, lost somewhat in wonder at recent events. Was not this +ocean trip and the Irish experience a dream? The noise and smoke about +him were surely that of Chicago, and he was sitting in his room there in +his normal condition of homelessness and friendlessness? Had he not that +day been out with an elder from the Chicago Church office to Lincoln +Park and the lakeside? Surely Lucy and the minister, and Kildare Villa +and Blarney were figments of a pleasant dream! Chester walked back and +forth in the small room. He stopped before a dingy map of Great Britain +on the wall. His finger touched Ireland, <a name='Page103'></a>moved southward, and stopped +at Cork. Yes; there <i>was</i> such a place, any way, so there must be +Shandon Bells and the Blarney Stone, and a rustic seat under the trees +at Blarney Castle. Well, if all else under the sun were imaginary, that +hour of bliss at Blarney when Chester told Lucy he loved her, and Lucy +told Chester the same sweet words—that was real. He would live in that +reality, for it far surpassed his dreams.</p> + +<p>Chester looked again at the post-card he had addressed to Kildare Villa, +placed it aside, and wrote in its place a long letter.</p><a name='Page104'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_X'></a><h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>Twenty miles out of London. The sun is shining, and the train glides +along by green fields, hedges of hawthorn, and blossoming trees. England +looks to be the huge, well-cared-for farm of a very rich man. This may +be explained by the fact that England is an old country, having been +plowed and planted and harrowed for close on to a thousand years before +America was discovered. This long period of cultivation gives the +country-side a mellowness and well-groomed look. The vaporous sunlight +softens all the outlines, hides the harsh features, and gives the +landscape its dreamy, far-away, misty loveliness. There seems to be no +angles in the scene; field melts into field, and hedge into hedge, with +here and there a ribbon of a road which seems to join them rather than +to separate them. The houses are of brick or of stone, many partly +hidden under the climbing ivy or roses.</p> + +<p>Chester Lawrence is accompanying Elder Malby eastward from London +through Kent to Margate and Ramsgate on the coast. Elder Malby is to +attend to some Church duties, and Chester, by invitation, was glad to +accompany him. It was the young man's policy to keep in touch as much as +possible with the elders and their work, and he was getting somewhat of +the missionary spirit himself. He was <a name='Page105'></a>greatly enjoying this ride +through the beautiful country.</p> + +<p>"It's really wonderful," said Chester, looking out of the car window, +"this coming from London into the country. Where are all the people? Are +they all in town? Some cows are browsing in the pastures, and sheep +scurry about as the train flies by, but where are the people who have +made this great garden?"</p> + +<p>"You must remember," explained Chester's companion, "all this has not +been done hurriedly by many people within a short time. What the +Englishman doesn't do today he can do tomorrow; and so centuries of work +by a few men has produced what we see."</p> + +<p>"Well, I do occasionally see a few slow-moving men and women, somberly +clad in grays and browns. These, I suppose, are the sturdy supporters of +their country."</p> + +<p>"Here is something I clipped from an American magazine," said Elder +Malby, "which impressed me with its peculiar truth." He read:</p> + +<p>"'England is London says one, England is Parliament says another, +England is the Empire says still another; but if I be not much mistaken, +this stretch of green fields, these hills and valleys, these hedges and +fruit trees, this soft landscape, is the England men love. In India and +Canada, in their ships at sea, in their knots of soldiery all over the +world, Englishmen must close their eyes at times, and when they do, they +see these fields green and <a name='Page106'></a>brown, these hedges dusted with the soft +snow of blossoms, these houses hung with roses and ivy, and when the +eyes open, they are moist with these memories. The pioneer, the sailor, +the soldier, the colonist may fight, and struggle and suffer, and +proclaim his pride in his new home and possessions, but these are the +love of a wife, of children, of friends; that other is the love, with +its touch of adoration, that is not less nor more, but still different, +that mysterious mingling of care for, and awe of, the one who brought +you into the world.</p> + +<p>"'This is the England, I take it, that makes one feel his duty to be his +religion, and the England that every American comes to as to a shrine. +When this is sunk in the sea, or trampled over by a host of invading +Germans, or mauled into bankruptcy by pandering politicians and sour +socialists, one of the most delightful spots in the whole world will +have been lost, and no artist ever be able to paint such a picture +again, for nowhere else is there just this texture of canvas, just this +quality if pigment, just these fifteen centuries of atmosphere.' I think +this sums it up nicely," commented Elder Malby.</p> + +<p>"Ireland is a pretty fine country, too," said Chester, with far-away +tone, still gazing out of the window.</p> + +<p>Elder Malby laughed heartily, in which his companion joined. Chester had +told him his Irish experiences.</p> + +<p>Ramsgate is a pretty town on the east coast. It being Sunday, the shops +were closed and the streets <a name='Page107'></a>quiet. After some enquiries and searching, +the local elder was found in the outskirts of the town. The two visitors +were warmly received. A good old-fashioned English dinner was served, +after which the few Saints living in the vicinity gathered for meeting. +Never before had Chester Lawrence experienced the comforting Spirit of +the Lord as in that service when he partook with those simple, +open-minded people the sacrament, and listened to their testimonies, in +which he mingled his own.</p> + +<p>After the services, there was the usual lingering to shake hands and +exchange good words. In the midst of the confusion of voices and +laughter, a large man appeared in the open doorway, and immediately +there was a hush. It was the parish priest, round and sleek, yet stern +of countenance. He looked about the room and found a good many of his +neighbors present.</p> + +<p>"Well, good people," said he, "what are you doing here?"</p> + +<p>The local elder explained civilly the purpose of the gathering.</p> + +<p>"But these men who are holding these services are 'Mormons,' and I come +to warn you that they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Beware of them, +let them alone," said the priest in rising accents.</p> + +<p>The people stood about the room, quietly listening. Elder Malby and +Chester were yet by the table which had served as a pulpit, and to them +the priest advanced.</p> + +<p>"Are you the 'Mormon' elders?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"<a name='Page108'></a>We have that honor," serenely replied Elder Malby.</p> + +<p>"You ought to be ashamed to come here to a Christian community with your +vile doctrine. I warn you to keep away."</p> + +<p>"Will you be seated, sir?" asked Elder Malby, who took charge of the +situation. A number of people, who had evidently followed the priest to +see the "fun," came in and gathered round.</p> + +<p>"I'll not sit down. I'll deliver my message to you all," he declared as +he turned to the people. "You may not believe what I say about these +men, that they are not what they pretend; but let me read to you from an +American paper—printed in their own land. Listen:</p> + +<p>"'So fully apparent is the pernicious activity of "Mormonism" of late, +that a general campaign of opposition is being urged against them in +various parts of the country. It has been conclusively shown, by +students of the question, that the "Mormon" Church is simply a great +secret society, engaging in criminal practices under the cloak of their +religion—"</p> + +<p>There was a hum of protest in the room. Elder Malby raised a hand of +warning to let the intruder proceed.</p> + +<p>"'The attitude of "Mormonism" towards moral questions and its disregard +for the laws, have been shown again and again. "Mormon" missionaries are +now making a systematic canvas of every state in the Union, as well as +in Great Britain and other <a name='Page109'></a>foreign countries. Every home, especially of +the poor and uneducated is to be visited. It would therefore be the part +of wisdom to give a timely word of warning. This is a time to cry aloud +and spare not, lest many be led astray by these pernicious teachings.'"</p> + +<p>The minister followed up this reading by a stream of personal abuse +against "Mormons" in general and Elder Malby—whose name he knew—in +particular. Chester watched with keen interest the proceedings. Elder +Malby's face was a study. The angry priest paused, then stopped.</p> + +<p>"Are you through, sir?" asked Elder Malby quietly. There was no reply, +so he continued. "If you are, I wish to say a word. You are entirely +mistaken, my dear sir. I have not come here to mislead or to teach any +such doctrine as you claim. True, I am now an American citizen, but I +was born an Englishman. This is my native country, and I have as much +right to be here as you have; and, thank God, this country provides for +free speech and allows every man to worship God according to the +dictates of his conscience. I love this, my native land—I love these, +my people. That's why I am here to preach to them the gospel of Jesus +Christ."</p> + +<p>"You're a farmer, and not a minister," sneered the priest.</p> + +<p>"Peter was a fisherman and Paul was a tent-maker," replied the Elder +calmly. "I suppose, sir, that if either of these men came here to +preach, you would look upon their occupation as a reproach."</p><a name='Page110'></a> + +<p>There was no reply, so the "Mormon" continued. "It is true I am a +farmer. Some of my friends here know that, because sometimes I assist +them in the fields. And I have given them some helpful American hints +too, have I not, Brother Naylor?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, that you have."</p> + +<p>"Religion is not a thing apart from daily life," said Elder Malby, +speaking more to the listening people than to the priest. "A truly +religious person works with hands and brains as well as prays with lips +and heart. Let me tell you, good people, the 'Mormons' have shown to the +world that heart and hand, faith and works must go together. A religion +which withdraws itself apart from the common people into seclusions of +prayer and contemplation alone is of no value in this world. The +activities of this life and this world is the proper field for religion, +for it is here that we prepare for a future life. The "Mormon" minister +can plow, if he is a farmer, as well as preach. He digs canals, makes +roads through the wilderness, provides work and play for those who look +to him for guidance. Again, let me call your attention to something the +"<i>Mormon</i>" preacher does: he preaches for the love of the souls of men, +and not for a salary."</p> + +<p>"You're a tramp," said the priest.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly, my friend," replied the Elder, looking into the priest's +face. "I pay my way, from money earned at home on my farm. Most of the +people here know me, but some are strangers. Let me tell you, briefly, +my story."</p> + +<p>"<a name='Page111'></a>Go on," some one near the door shouted.</p> + +<p>"I was born a few miles from here. My parents were very poor, but honest +and respectable. I had a longing to go to America, so by dint of long, +hard work and saving, I obtained the passage money. On the way I became +acquainted with the Mormons.' I knew they were the people of God, and I +went with them to the West, which was a new country then. I was a +pioneer. I took up wild, unbroken land, built me a cabin and made me a +farm. It was hard work, but, the exhilaration of working for one's self +gives courage and strength. Now I have a good farm, and a good house. I +am not rich in worldly wealth. We must still economize carefully. +Here—would you like to see my home in America?"</p> + +<p>He took from his pocket a photograph and handed it to the nearest +person, who passed it on. "That house I built with my own hands, most of +it. Those trees I planted. I made the fence and dug the water ditch. +That's my wife standing by the gate—yes, the only one I have, or ever +had—that's my youngest child on the porch, the only one at home now. +The others have married and have homes of their own. Here, I remember, I +received a letter from my wife yesterday. Would you like to read it, +sir?" addressing the priest who was now preparing to leave.</p> + +<p>"The letter will prove that I am not a tramp, sir. Read it aloud to +these people." The Elder held the letter in his extended hand.</p><a name='Page112'></a> + +<p>"I'll have nothing further to do with you. I don't want to read your +letter," retorted the priest.</p> + +<p>"Read it, read it," came from a number; but the priest, unheedingly +passed out of the door and down the path. The gate clicked.</p> + +<p>"I'll read it," volunteered a man, one of the strangers who had come in +later. He took the letter, and read so that all might hear, which was +not difficult in that quieted room:</p> + +<p>"'Dear George: By this time I suppose you are in Old England again, and +have fairly started in your missionary work. We received your card from +Chicago and your letter from New York. I hope you had a pleasant voyage +across the ocean, and were not seasick.</p> + +<p>"'We are all well at home, only a bit lonesome, of course. Janie misses +you very much. She hardly knows what to do with herself in the evening. +I was over to George's last night, and when I came in the door the baby +cried "grandpa" before she saw who it was. The little thing looks all +around and can't understand why you don't come. Lizzie's baby has the +measles, but is getting along nicely.</p> + +<p>"I drove around by the field from meeting last Sunday. The wheat is +growing fine. The Bishop said it was the finest stand he had ever seen. +George and Henry are now working on the ditch, and they said they'd work +out your assessment while they were about it. We have had a good deal of +rain lately.</p> + +<p>"'I spoke to Brother Jenson about those two <a name='Page113'></a>steers. He said prices were +low at present and advised me to wait a little while before selling +them. If you need the money very soon, of course I'll tell him to take +them next time he calls. My eggs and butter help us out wonderfully, as +we two don't require much. The Sunday eggs, you know, go towards the +meeting house fund, and Janie claims the "Saturday crop." She needs a +new school dress which Lizzie has promised to make.</p> + +<p>"'Now, that's about all the news. I hope your health will continue good +and that you are enjoying your mission. Don't worry about us. The Lord +will provide. We want to do our part in sending the gospel to those who +have it not. Our faith and prayers are always with you.</p> + +"'Your loving wife,<br /> +"'JANE MALBY.<br /> + +<p>"'P.S. I forgot to tell you that the Jersey cow you bought from Brother +Jones has had twin calves, both heifers. Isn't that fine? J.M.'"</p> + +<p>The reader folded the letter and handed it back to its owner. The +postscript saved the situation, for the wet eyes found relief in the +merry laugh which it brought forth.</p><a name='Page114'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>On Chester's return to London, he found the following note from Lucy:</p> + +<p>"We're all coming—father and Uncle Gilbert and I. What do you think of +that? Father is well enough to travel, and he has prevailed upon his +brother to accompany us. In fact, I think that Uncle imagines we are two +invalids and need his care—I'm glad he does. I'm so busy packing, I +haven't time to write more. Will tell you all about it when I see you. +Meet us at St. Pancras station Thursday, at 6 p.m.</p> + +<p>"With love from</p> + +<p>"LUCY."</p> + +<p>Elder Malby accompanied Chester to the station to meet his friends from +Ireland. The two brothers were fairly well acquainted with London, so +they had no trouble in finding a hotel in a quiet part of the city. +Lucy's father seemed himself again. He walked with a cane, which, +however, may have been his regular European custom. Lucy was uncommonly +well, declaring that the long journey had not tired her a bit.</p> + +<p>Plans were discussed in the hotel that evening, and it was finally +decided to go to Paris by way of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels. The +stages <a name='Page115'></a>would have to be easy for the sake of the "two invalids," as +Uncle Gilbert put it, to which Chester heartily agreed.</p> + +<p>Late the next morning, for the travelers needed the rest, Chester called +for them, and the party of four saw a little of London from the top of a +'bus. The weather continued fair, and as the summer was well advanced, +the air was warm. The sightseers had a simple luncheon at a small cafe +which Uncle Gilbert knew near the British Museum, and then they +continued their rambles until the close of the afternoon, when Chester +put them down at the "Mormon" mission headquarters.</p> + +<p>Elder Malby received them warmly, provided easy seats for Lucy and her +father, and took hats and wraps under protestations that they were not +going to stay. A number of missionaries came in and they were +introduced. Lucy beamed with delight, her father unreservedly told the +young men they were from America,—and western America at that; but +Uncle Gilbert was not quite at his ease among the new company. He knew, +of course, that these people were "Mormons," and his knowledge of +"Mormons" and their ways, although somewhat vague, was not reassuring.</p> + +<p>When the good-natured English housekeeper announced that supper was +ready, it seemed impossible to do otherwise than to follow her and Elder +Malby down to the large basement room. In fact, Lucy, without any ifs or +ands took her father's arm and <a name='Page116'></a>led him along. Uncle Gilbert thought he +had never seen her in such a bold frame of mind.</p> + +<p>Certainly, Chester, Elder Malby, and the housekeeper must have plotted +to bring about that little supper party. The dining room was severely +bare, but scrupulously clean. That evening the threadbare table cloth +had been replaced by a new one. The usual menu of bread, milk, and jam +was augmented by slices of cold meat, a dish of fruit, and a cake. Two +small bouquets adorned the ends of the long table.</p> + +<p>"Visitors," whispered one of the elders to another.</p> + +<p>"Extraordinary visitors," replied the other. "Just like home when Uncle +John came to see us."</p> + +<p>The housekeeper even furnished tea for the Rev. Mr. Strong and his +brother. Lucy said she liked milk better, so she filled her glass along +with Chester's and the other "Mormons." She chatted freely with the +young elder near her, learned that he was from Idaho, that he had been +away six months, that he had not been home-sick, and that he was not +married. The elders were to hold street meetings that evening after +supper.</p> + +<p>"I should like to go with you," she said; but Chester, overhearing the +conversation, told her that for various reasons, such a course would not +be wise.</p> + +<p>Afterwards, there was some singing in the office-parlor, then Chester +went with the party to their hotel.</p> + +<p>"I believe papa is being favorably impressed,"<a name='Page117'></a> said Lucy to Chester +before they parted. "I wish he could see as I do."</p> + +<p>"That would indeed be something to be thankful for," agreed Chester.</p> + +<p>The following afternoon the continental party took the train to Harwich, +then boat for the Hook of Holland, where they arrived next morning. A +short ride by rail brought them to Rotterdam.</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert had seen the city before, but the quaint town interested +the others for the first time. "Everything is clean in Holland but the +canals," some one has said. In Rotterdam, the ancient windmills, with +huge spreading arms, stand in the midst of modern shops, and the +contrast is strange.</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert directed the party to the Delftshaven church, explaining +that in this ancient building the Pilgrim Fathers worshiped before they +set sail for the New World. Then the sight-seers took train for The +Hague, ten miles away. They visited the House of the Woods, where the +Peace Congresses are held, observed Queen Wilhelmina's residence from +without, looked at some of the famous paintings in the art gallery, then +shuddered over the instruments of torture on exhibition in the "Torture +Chamber" found in the old prison. There were some gruesome articles +here.</p> + +<p>"All in the name of religion," remarked the minister, shaking his head. +"It seems to me that in those days men taxed their ingenuity to find new +and more terrible means of inflicting pain. And men suffered in those +days because of religious belief."</p> + +<p><a name='Page118'></a>Someone had expressed himself on the subject in these lines, which they +read from a card:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"By my soul's hope of rest,<br /></span> +<span>I'd rather have been born, ere man was blessed<br /></span> +<span>With the pure dawn of revelation's light;<br /></span> +<span>Yea; rather plunge me back into pagan night<br /></span> +<span>And take my chances with Socrates for bliss,<br /></span> +<span>Than be a Christian of a faith like this."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Out from the depressing gloom of the prison, they took the electric car +to Scheveningen, the famous sea-side resort. The season was hardly begun +yet, so there were but few visitors. However, the sands dotted with +their peculiar wicker shelters and the beautiful blue North Sea were +there. Out on the water could be seen the little "pinken"—the fishing +boats, their sails red and taut or white and wing-like, speeding before +the wind. The waves swept in long straight lines, and broke on the sands +in muffled sound. The scene was restful, so the party was served with +something to eat and drink on a table within sound and sight of the open +sea.</p> + +<p>That evening, back in Rotterdam, Chester and Lucy, while the two +brothers took their ease "at home," found the Mission headquarters, +introduced themselves to the elders, and spent a few hours very +pleasantly with them. They learned from the missionaries that the Dutch +were for the most part, an honest, God-fearing people, quite susceptible +to the gospel. There were no meetings that evening, but <a name='Page119'></a>in lieu +thereof, the presiding elder took them out and introduced them to some +of the Saints. Then, when they came back to the office, the housekeeper +served them with cool milk, white bread, sweet butter, and whiter +cheese.</p> + +<p>The next day the tourists went on to Brussels, stopping a few hours only +at Antwerp, which city was a surprise. As Chester said, "I remember +seeing such a place on the map, but I had no idea it was such a fine, +large city.</p> + +<p>They saw many wide streets lined with the most unique houses, many of +them having "terraced gables" facing the street.</p> + +<p>"This is certainly the town for fancy 'gingerbread' decorations," +commented Chester, as they observed the net-work of cornices and forest +of pinnacles. There was even a full-sized mounted charger on the topmost +point of a seven-story building. The Cathedral, with its tall sculptured +tower, was no doubt an architectural marvel. A brief visit was made to +the art gallery, "full of Ruben's fat women," as Uncle Gilbert expressed +it.</p> + +<p>"'Anvers,'" read the minister from a post-card. "I thought this was +Antwerp?"</p> + +<p>"Antwerp is the English of it," explained Uncle Gilbert.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think names—names of cities and countries, at least, should be +the same in all languages. At any rate, they could be spelled alike. If +this town is Anvers, why not call it that?"</p> + +<p>Sunday evening brought the party to Brussels, or<a name='Page120'></a> Bruxelles, in the +original. The life and gaity of the city were in full swing, and most of +the shops were doing their usual business. Uncle Gilbert did not want to +remain long, but Lucy said she wished to visit the battle-field of +Waterloo, and one or two points of interest in the city. So the evening +and the next day were consumed. The battle-field is reached by train +from the city. From the Waterloo station, there is a mile or two of +walking or riding in carriages to the immediate field of battle. A great +pyramid of earth covered with grass to its summit marks the spot where +the conflict raged the fiercest. From the top of this monument a fine +view is had. What was once a bloody battle-field was that day decked +with growing fields, dotted with feeding kine. Lucy had again to be +denied the pleasure of the view from the top. She sat in the wagon below +and got what she could from the man who had been left with the horses. +It was all very interesting, but Lucy was so tired when they got back to +the hotel that she could not see more of Brussels.</p> + +<p>Next morning they went on to Paris. All but Chester had been in this gay +city before. The weather was getting quite warm, so the two brothers did +not care to follow the strenuous pace set by Chester in his sight +seeing. During the heat of the day they kept quietly within their rooms +or strolled leisurely along the shaded boulevards. Chester, by promising +to take the utmost care of Lucy, was permitted to take her with him to +visit some of the <a name='Page121'></a>sights. She knew enough French to make herself fairly +well understood, and that was a great help.</p> + +<p>So these two rode and rambled about Paris for nearly a week, sometimes +with the father, sometimes with Uncle Gilbert, but more often by +themselves. The days were fine. The parks and boulevards were gay with +people. They made purchases in the shops along Rue de Rivoli and at the +Bon Marche, the great department store which Lucy declared they could +equal in Kansas City. They gazed for hours in the Louvre Art Gallery, +coming back time and again to look once more at some picture. The Venus +de Milo had a fascination about it which drew them into the long +gallery, where at the extreme end, the classic marble figure stands +alone.</p> + +<p>They rode on the Seine, wondering at its clear waters. They walked about +the open squares and gardens all of them of historic significance. They +promenaded, very quietly, it is true, along the Champs Elysees. They +lingered about the Petit Palais, one of the most beautiful of Paris +buildings because of its newness, its clean, chaste finish, and the +artistic combination of marble, pictures, and flowers. Was it any wonder +that amid all this interesting beauty Chester's and Lucy's eyes and +hands frequently met to express what words failed to do?</p> + +<p>The four sight-seers were at Napoleon's Tomb, admiring the wonderful +light effect.</p> + +<p>"Every time I visit this place," said Uncle Gilbert, "I like to read a +summary of Napoleon's career <a name='Page122'></a>which I found and clipped. Would you like +to hear it?"</p> + +<p>The others said they would, so Uncle Gilbert read:</p> + +<p>"Egyptian sands and Russian snows alike invaded; a revolution quelled, +an empire created; his own brethren seated on thrones of vassal +kingdoms; a complete code of jurisprudence formed for France from the +wrecks of mediæval misrule; the most profound strategist of the ages; +denounced by nations as the 'disturber of the peace of the world;' +violating the marriage law of God and man; himself a dwarf in height, +and lowering the physical stature of a generation of his countrymen +through the frightful carnage of wars undertaken largely for his +personal aggrandizement; succumbing in the moment of final victory to +insidious disease; twice expatriated, dying in exile across the seas, +after twenty years; in life, the idol of a race and the detestation of +the rest of the continent; and now, a handful of dust, his spirit in the +presence of its Maker.'"</p> + +<p>This reading furnished a text for the minister, who talked rather more +freely than he had recently done. Notre Dame lay in their route that +afternoon, so naturally enough, they went in, Uncle Gilbert remarking +that this was a fit place for the minister to conclude his sermon.</p> + +<p>"What a dark, musty place," said Lucy.</p> + +<p>"It fits in very well with their religion," suggested Chester. "A lot of +outward show, but within, dark and dead."</p> + +<p><a name='Page123'></a>Uncle Gilbert, though living in Ireland, was not a Catholic, so he took +no offense at this remark.</p> + +<p>Then while they were "doing" churches, they visited that of St. Sulpice, +a very large edifice, in the floor of which is a brass line which marks +the Meridian of Paris. At the left of the entrance sits St. Peter in +life-sized bronze, in possession of the Keys. The naked big toe of this +figure is easily reached by the worshipers.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of people kissing images of the Saints," said Chester, +"but I have never seen anything of the kind. Let us rest here a while, +to see if anything happens."</p> + +<p>Lucy was glad of the suggestion as she was more tired than she wished to +acknowledge. The big church was cool and quiet. Worshipers singly and in +twos were coming and going. Presently, a woman, and presumably her +daughter, came in, and as they passed St. Peter they leaned forward and +kissed the shining, metal toe. They passed on to a confessional where +the priest could be seen and faintly heard behind the latticed window.</p> + +<p>All this was exceedingly interesting to the young people. The two +brothers were absorbed more in the building itself than what was going +on within; even to what their two young people were doing. Chester, +surely was prompted by a spirit of sacriledge when he took from an inner +pocket a picture post-card he had bought in Ireland.</p> + +<p>"The kissing of the toe reminded me of it," said he, as he handed the +card to Lucy, who looked at <a name='Page124'></a>the picture of an Irishman in the act of +kissing his sweetheart, Blarney Castle being shown in the distance. +Underneath was the following:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"With quare sinsashuns and palpitashuns,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>A kiss I'll venture here, Mavrone;<br /></span> +<span>'Tis swater Blarney, good Father Mahoney,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>Kissin' the girls than that dirty stone."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Lucy's father tapped her on the shoulder. "You're in a church. Behave +yourself," he said. "Come, let's be going."</p><a name='Page125'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>It was evident that, notwithstanding the good intentions which all +persons concerned had of not overreaching in the sight-seeing business, +Lucy, at least, was feeling its effects. That she would have to remain +quiet for some days was the verdict of the physician which her father +called. There was no immediate danger, said he to Chester, but the heart +action was feeble. A week of absolute rest would remedy that.</p> + +<p>Chester was packed off to Switzerland alone, contrary to the program he +had looked forward to. Uncle Gilbert did not care to go. Mr. Strong +would have to remain with Lucy, so if Chester was to see Switzerland, he +would have to try it alone. When Chester heard of the arrangement, he +demurred; but when Lucy's father suggested to him that perhaps it would +be best for her, he said no more.</p> + +<p>After Chester's departure, the three settled down to the business at +hand, that of resting. That was easy enough for Lucy and her father, but +Uncle Gilbert was hale and hearty, so he continued to make short daily +excursions to points of interest. They had pleasant quarters, not too +near the noise of the city. The semi-private hotel had but few guests, +so the back garden in which dinner was usually served, proved a +desirable lounging-place.</p><a name='Page126'></a> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert was away that afternoon. Lucy was resting in her room. The +Rev. Mr. Strong paced nervously back and forth in the garden for a time, +then dropped heavily into an easy chair. The French maid, stepping +quietly about placed a pillow under his head, which kindness he accepted +gratefully. The garden was still. There were no sharp near-noises, the +city's activity coming merely as a faint distant hum.</p> + +<p>The minister closed his eyes, but he did not go to sleep. His mind was +too active for that, his nerves were tingling again. The bright, gay +life about him did not exist for him. That afternoon he lived in the +past. He marshalled for review contending thoughts, that had for many +years fought for supremacy. Out of the chaos of conflict no order had +yet come. He was getting old before his years justified it.</p> + +<p>Why should he, a minister of the word of God, be so easily moved by +strange religious ideas? Faintly as if from some distant, mostly +forgotten past, there came to him this idea, that the truth, the whole, +clean, simple truth as it exists in Christ Jesus had been told him, and +he had rejected it. Why he had done this was not clear to him. He seemed +to have lived in periods of alternating darkness and light. Then later, +he had come in contact with so-called "Mormonism." Strange to say, its +teachings had the same ring as that which he had heard before; but this +time he rejected it because of its evil name. Once again, a little +later, these same doctrines <a name='Page127'></a>had come to him, but they were not welcomed +when he learned that those who taught them and lived them were simple, +ofttimes uneducated people, usually called the "scum" of the earth.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Mr. Strong had actually given up his pastorship in two places, +moving westward until he reached Kansas City.—Here for a number of +years, he had experienced peace, a sort of indifferent peace, he +admitted, due more to callousness of soul than to anything else. Then +came Lucy's adventure with the "Mormon" elders on the streets, and her +visit to "Mormon" meetings. She had brought "Mormon" literature home, +and he had read it, read it all. He had asked her to bring more. He had +often sat up till midnight to finish a book, then had railed at Lucy for +bringing it into the house. And now the conflict was on again, harder +than ever. He closed his eyes, saying, "No, no;" then opened them again +to the beautiful light. He stopped his ears, crying, "I will not hear;" +then listened to the sweet music. With all the force of his life's +training, he railed against the doctrine; then in silence contemplated +its glorious truths. He drove the thought of it out of his mind; then +welcomed it eagerly back. Back and forth, in and out, in doubt and fear, +in faith and hope his soul had suffered and wrought.</p> + +<p>What was the outcome to be? Evidently, the end was not yet; for had he +not purposely taken this trip abroad, to get away from some of these +things, and had he not run hard against that which he had hoped to +escape. And in what form had it <a name='Page128'></a>now come? In that of his son, his only +son, the child of his younger days! Surely God was in this thing. "Yes," +the man muttered, "God is watching me. I cannot escape. His hand is over +me. '<i>If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost +parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand +shall hold me!</i>'"</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert came in, humming lightly a tune he had caught from the +band in the cafe. He stopped when he saw his brother apparently asleep. +He was about to retreat when his brother, opening his eyes, called:</p> + +<p>"Don't go; come here. I want to talk with you. I want your opinion on a +matter."</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert seated himself to listen.</p> + +<p>"You might think it a strange thing for me to ask you about doctrines of +religion," began the brother, "but sometimes a layman has a clearer, +more unbiased view than one who has studied one system, and—and has +made his living from preaching it."</p> + +<p>"I fear, brother, you are worrying too much about such things"—</p> + +<p>"Not at all—not too much. It's necessary to worry sometimes. I suppose +that's God's way of arousing people. I am worrying—have been worrying +for many years—just now I want someone to talk to—I want you to +listen."</p> + +<p>"I'll do that, if that will help you," said the brother as he placed his +hat and stick on a table and shifted himself into a comfortable +position. The <a name='Page129'></a>maid peeped in, but seeing the two men, retired again.</p> + +<p>"I have preached hundreds of sermons on the being and nature of God," +said the minister, now sitting erect and looking at his brother. "I have +spoken of Him as a Father, our Father, and all the time He has been out +in time and space, formless, homeless, unthinkable. He has never +appealed to heart or brain. Will God ever be more to me than a force in +and through all nature? Shall we ever see His face? Shall we ever feel +the cares of His hand and hear His voice, not in a figurative sense, but +in reality."</p> + +<p>"Now brother"—said Uncle Gilbert again.</p> + +<p>"Don't interrupt. You do not need to answer my questions—you couldn't +if you wanted to. Listen. What do you think of this: God is our Father, +in reality as we naturally understand it—Father of our spirits. We are, +therefore, His children. That is our relationship. Consequently we are +of a family of Gods. Admit that our Father is God, and that we are His +children, the conclusion is absolute. We are not worms of the dust, only +so far as we degrade our divine nature to that lowness.</p> + +<p>"This Father of ours has in the past eternities trod through time and +space, learning,—yes, suffering, overcoming, conquering, becoming +perfect, until now He sits in the midst of glory, power, and eternal +lives. In might and majesty perfect, He can and does hold us all as in +the hollow of His hand. This <a name='Page130'></a>little earth of ours, and all the shining +worlds on high are His workmanship. He holds them also by His allwise +power. And yet, my brother, come back to this simple proposition, we are +that great Being's sons and daughters, and if we walk in the way in +which He walked, we are heirs to all that He has! I am one of a great +family, so are you,—all of us. Our Father has but gone before and we +follow. The difference between us is only in degree of development and +not in kind.</p> + +<p>"'O God, I think thy thoughts after Thee,' said Kepler, and thoughts +lead to deeds.</p> + +<p>"Again, the Son, whom we know as Jesus Christ, came to reveal to us this +Father. He was in 'the form of God.' He was the 'image of the invisible +God.' Further, this Son was in the express image of the Father's person. +Jesus Christ was a man like unto us as far as outward form is concerned. +He is one of this great family, the first-born and foremost of the +children, it is true, yet one of us—He acknowledged us as His brethren. +Now, then listen: Jesus follows His Father. 'The Son can do nothing of +Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He +doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' Also, this Son said: 'My +Father worketh hitherto, and I work.' Now, if we follow in the steps of +the Son, as He has commanded us to do, and that Son follows in the steps +of His Father, where is our final destination?"</p> + +<p>The brother listened in wonder. The doctrine was, indeed, strange, but +it was too clear and logical <a name='Page131'></a>to be the result of a weak mind. The +minister saw the perplexity in his listener's face and said:</p> + +<p>"No, brother, I am not crazy. My mind has never been clearer. I feel +fine now. I tell you, there is manna for a hungry soul in these things.</p> + +<p>"And now again: This life is a school. From the puny, helpless infant to +old age, life is a development of the attributes with which we come into +the world. We get all our education through our senses. No faculty of +mind or body is useless. The perfect man has these all perfectly +developed. We have at least one example of a perfect man, the +resurrected Son of God. What was He like? When He appeared to His +disciples He said, 'Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and +bones, as ye see me have.' He also ate with His brethren. Here, then, we +have, one of us, carrying with Him into the celestial world His body of +flesh and bone. And, mind you, He is the pattern. If we follow Him, we +also shall take with us these bodies, changed, purged, and glorified of +course, but yet bodies in every sense. Will not the eye then see +perfectly, the ear hear every sound in the celestial key? Not only every +attribute of the mind, but every organ of the body will be prefect in +its operation. Think what that will mean!"</p> + +<p>The speaker paused as if to let his listener arrive at the inevitable +conclusion in his own mind.</p> + +<p>"What will it mean?" he asked again.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Uncle Gilbert.</p> + +<p>"It will mean fatherhood—eternal, celestialized <a name='Page132'></a>fatherhood. We shall +be like Him our Father, not only to beget, but to <i>father</i> a race! Think +of that! Did you ever think of that? No, of course not—and I—musn't—I +who—have never yet made a beginning—how can I expect"—</p> + +<p>The head fell back on the pillow as Uncle Gilbert quickly came to his +brother's side. The minister's face was pale, his eyes were closed for a +moment. Then he opened them, sat upright, ran his hand over his face, +and smiled at his brother.</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed," he said, "it was nothing. I'm all right."</p> + +<p>He walked about while the maid came in and set the table for dinner. The +minister linked his arm into his brother's. "Say, brother," he asked, +"would you not be lonesome up in heaven without Aunt Sarah?"</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert was seriously alarmed. He had in mind to call Lucy, when, +providentially she came to them.</p> + +<p>"I think your father's not well, Lucy?" said Uncle Gilbert, as she took +her father's other arm.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, papa?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I am well," protested the father—"as well as I ever was. I've just +been telling brother here some things—some gospel truths in fact, and I +guess they're beyond you yet," he said to his brother.</p> + +<p>"Well," replied Uncle Gilbert, "I'll admit I've never heard you talk +like that before."</p> + +<p>"Why, I've preached these things scores of times from the pulpit, and my +congregations have thought <a name='Page133'></a>them fine. I didn't tell, however, where my +inspiration came from."</p> + +<p>"Where did it come from?" asked Lucy.</p> + +<p>"From your books, my dear."</p> + +<p>"My books?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; from your books on 'Mormonism'."</p> + +<p>Had not dinner just then been announced, it is hard to say what would +have become of Uncle Gilbert's astonishment. Across the table he saw +Lucy's reassuring smile from which he himself took courage that all was +well.</p><a name='Page134'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p><i>My Dear Lucy</i>:—I am writing this in my room high up on the hillside of +Lucerne, (Luzern) pronounced as if there were a "t" before the "z." The +day is closing. The light is yet bright on the mountains, but the lake +lies in shadows. The lamps are being lighted down below in the town and +along the promenade. I hear faintly the arrival of the steamer at the +pier.</p> + +<p>But let me begin at the beginning, and tell you what I have seen and +done up to the present. This telling is a poor substitute for the +reality, I assure you; but as you have never been in Switzerland, you +might be interested in the sights here—through my eyes! Let me say now, +before I forget, that at every point of beauty and interest, I said in +my heart, "O that Lucy could be here to enjoy this!" It really seemed +selfish in me to be alone. And then, you know, the pleasure of sight +seeing is materially enhanced when one has a sympathetic companion to +whom one may exclaim: "Isn't that grand!"</p> + +<p>We entered Switzerland at Basel, then journeyed on to Zurich. This is +Switzerland's largest city, and in my opinion, it is one of the most +beautiful large cities I have ever seen. Of course, I hunted up the +Church headquarters, where I was fortunate to meet a friend I had known +in Salt Lake. He kindly gave <a name='Page135'></a>me the information I desired about the +city and even took a few hours off duty to accompany me to points of +interest.</p> + +<p>That evening we went to the Opera house, where Faust was being played. I +had a great desire to see Faust in the original, and though my German is +not up to Goethe's standard, I could follow the plot somewhat, and I was +eagerly watching for Margaret to make her appearance on the stage. After +a long evening, the curtain went down, and all the people got up and +left—yet no Margaret had appeared. I was puzzled; but my friend +explained that the play was only half over. If I desired to see the +rest, I would have to come back the following evening. What do you think +of that? Well, I didn't go back—I went to Lucerne, next morning.</p> + +<p>I wanted to see the Alps, of course, and we got a distant view only of +them from Zurich. Here, at Lucerne, we have them in all their grand +beauty.</p> + +<p>I don't mind admitting to you that my purse would not allow my stopping +longer at the Schweizerhof, than to merely take a good look at the +exterior. I had with me the Lucerne elders' address, and easily found +them. They directed me to a friend who had cheap rooms, and it is here I +am writing to you. The view is just as fine from my window as from the +big hotel—nay, finer, for I am higher up; and after all, Lucy, the five +francs' out-look on a beautiful world is enjoyed quite as much as if it +cost fifteen. I can see the cap or the collar of Mt. Pilatus better +perhaps than the fat, <a name='Page136'></a>cross, silk-clad lady I saw on the boat +yesterday, can see them. (By "cap" is meant a cloud resting on top, by +"collar" the cloud encircling Pilatus' head.)</p> + +<p>This brings me to my trip on Lake Lucerne day before yesterday. We +started early. The tourist season has hardly begun yet, so we were not +crowded. There was rain threatening. The mountain tops were hidden by +clouds, and the prospect was not assuring. However, by the time we +landed at Brunnen, the clouds had lifted, the sun came out, and the day +became pleasantly warm. From Brunnen, it was our plan to walk along the +Axenstrasse, to Fluelen, a distance of five or six miles. There were +three of us, with an elder for guide. I wish you could have spent that +afternoon with us—with me, strolling along that wonderful road, cut out +of the mountain side bordering the lake. The post cards I am enclosing +will give you an idea of the scenery, and I assure you the blueness of +the lake is not overdone in the picture.</p> + +<p>The road leads along gently sloping hill-sides, covered with farms, then +it pierces the sheer rock, then again borders the cliff, fifty or one +hundred feet from the lake below. The trees are in full leaf and some +are in bloom. The grass is high where we walked, but up towards the tops +of the mountains, the snow still lies. One of the strange sights is to +see large, splendid hotels perched in some cranny away up near the +summit of the peaks. Cog railways now take the tourists up some of the +mountains.</p><a name='Page137'></a> + +<p>The region around Lake Lucerne is historic, I am told. Here began the +Swiss struggle for liberty which we read about. The scene of William +Tell's exploits are laid here, and we are shown on the shore of the +lake, Tell's Capelle, said to mark the spot where the apple-shooting +patriot leaped ashore and escaped from the tyrant Gessler. I do not +wonder at men, born and reared amid these mountains not submitting to +the yoke of oppression.</p> + +<p>In reading up on Lucerne, I came upon this, taken from "Romance and +Teutonic Switzerland."</p> + +<p>"The Swiss nation was born on the banks of Lake Luzern, and craddled +upon its waters. First, the chattering waves told the news to the +overhanging beaches; and they whispered it to the forests, to the lonely +cedars on the uplands. The blank precipices smiled, the Alpine roses +blushed their brightest, the summer pastures glowed, the glaciers and +avalanches roared approval; and, finally, the topmost peaks promised to +lend their white mantles for the baptism." That's rather nicely put, +don't you think?</p> + +<p>About half way along Axenstrasse, we discovered that we were hungry, so +we proposed to try one of the farm houses for something to eat. Our +guide, tried one that looked typical of what we wanted, and the rest of +us waited by the road, for fully thirty minutes.</p> + +<p>At last the elder returned, explaining that he had had no easy task. He +had to plead with every member of the household, from grandmother to +daughter, to get them to take us in; but at last he <a name='Page138'></a>was successful. We +went into a most interesting room. The finish and furnishings were old +and quaint, the woodwork bare of paint and scoured clean and smooth by +years of scrubbing. In time we were served with bread (they were out of +butter, they said) preserved cherries, walnuts, and hot milk. (Our guide +said it was safer to have the milk boiled.) We enjoyed the meal amid the +unique surroundings. The good people were profuse with thanks when we +paid them in good-sized silver. I believe the elder left a gospel tract +with them, so who can tell what will be the outcome of our visit?</p> + +<p>From Fluelen we took steamer back to Lucerne.</p> + +<p>Well, it's getting late. I'd better go to bed. I fear I shall tire you +by my guide-book descriptions. But this for a good-night's thought: Here +I am away from you, away from my world, as it were. I can look back on +my short life, and I can see the hand of an allwise and merciful Father, +shaping events, ever for my good. Was it chance that we two should have +taken the same steamer and be thrown together as we were. Not at all. +There is a power behind the universe—call it what we may—which +directs. This power will not permit any honest, truth-seeking soul to be +overcome and be destroyed. I thank the Lord for His blessings to me. Out +of seeming darkness and despair He has led me to light and happiness. +And may I say it, we two, because of our cleaving to the light as it has +been made known to us, have been brought together. Is it not true? I +wish and pray also that your <a name='Page139'></a>father may soften his heart towards the +truth. I sometimes fear that his heart does already accept the gospel, +but that his will says no. There now, good night.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Good morning. I had a fine sleep. I dreamed that you were with me, and +we were looking at the Lion of Lucerne. The dying lion roared, and you +clasped me so tightly in your fright, that I awoke,—all of which +reminds me that I have not told you much about this city or its sights.</p> + +<p>The Lion, I suppose is Lucerne's most distinctive curiosity. As you will +see by the card, it is a large figure of a lion carved out of the solid +rock in the hillside. Thorwaldsen furnished the model. It was made to +commemorate the bravery of the Swiss guards who fought in the service of +Louis XVI at the outbreak of the French Revolution.</p> + +<p>Switzerland is sometimes called the playground of Europe. Down on the +promenades by the lakes, one may see people from "every nation under +heaven" nearly. By the way, who do you think I met, day before +yesterday? Why, our would-be gallant ship-board friend. Strange to say, +he was sober, and more strange, he appeared pleased to see me. He wanted +to take me to all kinds of places, and treat me to all kinds of good +things; but further, strange(?) to relate, I shook him for the company +of a few native saints, for there was a meeting that evening which I +attended. I had to speak too, in English, of course, with one of the +missionaries interpreting. It was an odd experience.</p><a name='Page140'></a> + +<p>The postman has just been here with your note. I was very sorry the news +from you was not better. I am blaming myself for tiring you out too much +with my sight seeing. Send me at least a card everyday to this address, +<i>please</i>. I have thought to go through the country to Bern, but I +suppose all the lakes and mountains of Switzerland look much alike. I am +quite satisfied with Lucerne. I was very much interested in what your +father said about "Mormonism." If our prayers are of any avail, we'll +"get him" yet.</p> + +<p>Before I close this long letter, and I must do so now—I want to tell +you of an incident that occurred yesterday. I was taking a stroll up +above the town, by myself, for I will admit I was in a "mood." There are +a lot of monks in Lucerne. You can see them on the street, fat, +rolly-poly looking men, bare, oddly-cropped heads, and outwardly clad in +what looks like a dressing gown. Well, I was curious to see the convent +where the monks live a life of ease, I suppose to get used to the +eternal "rest" which they expect when they get to heaven, of which I +have my "doubts." However, I did not find the convent, nor did I see any +monks, but as I was walking along an unfrequently traveled road, I met a +little boy and girl, walking towards me, hand in hand. They were crying. +When they saw me, they wiped their eyes and stopped. I saw they were +poorly clad, and, somewhat dirty. I became interested in them, but they +were so shy that it was with difficulty I got them to remain. They +looked at the coppers I held <a name='Page141'></a>out, but they did not move until I placed +a silver piece beside them. Their eyes rounded out, then, and the little +girl became brave enough to come and take them. Well, I tried my German +on them, but they were, evidently, too Swiss to understand me—I was at +the time making a whistle from a small willow which I had cut from the +wayside. I seated myself on the bank and went on making my whistle. The +children watched me pound the bark, then twist off the loosened peeling, +and finish the whistle. When I blew it, they laughed. I handed it to the +boy, who timidly put it to his lips. They sat down by me, and I made a +whistle for the girl, then a third, bigger one, which I stuck into the +boy's pocket, telling him to take it home. You ought to have seen the +changed expression on those two dirty faces when they left me, blowing +happily on their willow whistles.</p> + +<p>I was lonesome no longer. What a little thing will bring joy into a +dreary life!</p> + +<p>Love to all with heaping measures for you, from</p> + +<p>Yours as ever,</p> + +<p>CHESTER.</p><a name='Page142'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>A week of comparative quiet brought little change for the better to +Lucy, so it was decided that they would by easy stages, get back to +London, thence to Cork and Kildare Villa. Lucy kept Chester informed of +their doings, saying as little as possible about her health. As she did +not wish to deprive him of the full enjoyment of his visit to +Switzerland, she did not send him word of their intentions, until they +were ready to leave. They would go by way of Calais and Dover, the +short-water route, she wrote him.</p> + +<p>When Chester received this information he hastily cut short his sight +seeing, and started for London by way of Rotterdam. The long ride alone +was somewhat tiresome, and he was glad to meet again some of the elders +in the land of canals and windmills.</p> + +<p>Just before the train rolled into Rotterdam, Chester thought of Glen +Curtis. It came to him as a distinct shock when he realized that he had +entirely forgotten to enquire about Glen on his former visit. "Well," +said he to himself, "so easily do our interests change from one person +to another." But now he must find his old friend. He could freely talk +to him now even about Julia Elston.</p> + +<p>Chester learned from the elder in charge at the office, that Elder +Curtis was released to return home <a name='Page143'></a>in a few days. He would be in +Rotterdam shortly. When? In a few days. But Chester could not wait that +long, so he took train to the city where Glen was laboring, and found +him making his farewell rounds.</p> + +<p>"Well of all things," exclaimed the elder, as Chester took him firmly by +the hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm the last person on earth you expected to see here in Dutchland, I +suppose?"</p> + +<p>"You certainly are. And what are you doing here?"</p> + +<p>Chester told him as they walked arm in arm along the quiet streets of +the town.</p> + +<p>"And now you're going home. We'll go together," exclaimed Glen.</p> + +<p>"I wish we could," said Chester, "but I fear that my party is not ready, +and Lucy is not well enough to make the trip, I fear."</p> + +<p>"Lucy?"</p> + +<p>Chester smiled goodnaturedly, then told him freely of Lucy. "And when +you get home, you can tell Julia all about me and mine. It will please +her, I am sure. By the way, how is it between Julia and you? I haven't +heard lately."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Glen.</p> + +<p>"You're a lucky boy," declared Chester, "to get such a girl. There's +just <i>one</i> other I would rather have."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you think so."</p> + +<p>"Of course you are—for—oh, for everybody's sake."</p> + +<p>Chester had to return to Rotterdam the same day, <a name='Page144'></a>so he claimed. Glen +could not keep him longer, and reluctantly waved him off at the station.</p> + +<p>The boat was slow from the Hook, at least it seemed so to Chester, and +there was a high sea which nearly upset him. He got to London too late +in the evening to call on the Strong's, but next morning he was out +early.</p> + +<p>Lucy met him in the hall with a cry of delight.</p> + +<p>"You've come," she whispered as he pressed her close. "Oh, I thought you +never would."</p> + +<p>"My dear, why did you not say? Why did you let me leave you at all?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't want you to miss anything on my account—but never mind that +now—come in. Papa and uncle will be glad to see you. Do you know," she +added with evident pleasure, "papa has been <i>nearly</i> as anxious about +you as I have,—has continually asked me about you,—and I had to let +him read your lovely long letter."</p> + +<p>"You did? Well, it's all right. There's no harm done, I'm sure. He might +as well know everything."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he knows a lot already."</p> + +<p>They went into the house, and found seats until the others should +appear.</p> + +<p>"Your face shows signs of suffering, Lucy; but otherwise you look quite +well."</p> + +<p>"That's just it with my trouble. I usually deceive my looks; but I feel +better already; and now, let me tell you something else: Father has +nearly consented to my being baptized!"</p> + +<p>"Lucy!"</p><a name='Page145'></a> + +<p>"It's true. I've been pleading with him—and preaching to him too; and +the other day he said he would think about it. That's a concession, for +he has always said <i>he would not</i> think of such a thing."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad so very, very glad, Lucy."</p> + +<p>"And Chester, I believe it's you who have made the change in him. He's +been so different since you have been with us. He hasn't been so angry +with me when I talked of 'Mormonism.' He has let me read my books +without any remonstrance. And do you know, even Uncle Gilbert is +affected. He and papa must have had some profound discussions about us +and our religion for he has asked me to lend him some books. He'll no +doubt want to know from your all about Utah and the people out there."</p> + +<p>"And I shall be pleased to tell him," said Chester.</p> + +<p>The father stood as if hesitating, in the doorway.</p> + +<p>"Come in, papa," said Lucy. "Chester's come."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I see he has," replied the father as he came to greet the young +man, and shake his hand warmly.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad, with Lucy to see you with us again."</p> + +<p>"And I am glad to be with you," said Chester honestly.</p> + +<p>The morning was spent together. The beginnings of a London fog kept them +in doors, which was no hardship, as the three seemed to have so much to +talk about. After lunch, the fog changed its intentions, lifted, +disappeared and let the sun have full sway. To be sure, some smoke still +lingered, but out where <a name='Page146'></a>the Strongs were staying it only mellowed the +distances.</p> + +<p>That afternoon it occured to Chester that the relationship now existing +between him and Lucy called for a further understanding with the father. +He knew, of course, that the father's attitude toward him had changed; +Lucy's words and the father's actions justified him in the thought.</p> + +<p>Chester managed to accompany the father in his stroll in the park that +afternoon, and without delay, he broached the subject so near his heart. +The minister listened quietly to the young man plead his case, not +interrupting until he had finished. They seated themselves on a bench by +the grass. The father looked down at the figures he was drawing with his +cane on the ground and mused for a moment. Then he said:</p> + +<p>"Yes; I have given my consent, by my actions, at least. I have no +objection to you. I like you very much. Lucy does too, and fathers can't +very well stop such things. But there still remains the fact that Lucy +is not well. There is no telling how long she can live, and yet I have +heard of cases like hers where marriage has been a great benefit."</p> + +<p>"I thank you for your kind words," said Chester. "Let me assure you I +shall be controlled by your judgement as to marriage. We are neither of +us ready for that. Of course, I sincerely hope she will get stronger. I +think she will; but meantime you have no objection to my loving her, and +doing all for her that my love can do?"</p><a name='Page147'></a> + +<p>"Certainly not, my boy, certainly not." The father placed his hand on +the young man's shoulder as he said it. Chester noted the faint tremor +in voice and hand, and his heart went out to him.</p> + +<p>"You are a comfort and a strength to Lucy—and to me," continued Mr. +Strong. "We miss you very much when you are away. Can't you stay with us +right along. Perhaps that's not fair to ask—your home and friends—"</p> + +<p>"I have no home, my dear sir; and my friends, are few. I told you, did I +not, my history?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you told me, I remember."</p> + +<p>"And remembering, you think no less of me."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit—rather more."</p> + +<p>"Let me serve you then, you and Lucy. If you need me, I equally need +you. Let me give what little there is in me to somebody that wants me. +My life, so far, has been full of change and somewhat purposeless. I +have drifted about the world. Let me now anchor with you. I feel as +though I ought to do that—"</p> + +<p>The man clung closer to Chester, who, feeling a thrill of dear +companionship, continued:</p> + +<p>"Let me be a son to you always, and a sister to Lucy, until it can be +something more."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, my boy!"</p> + +<p>Others were out basking in the warm sun that afternoon. Those that +walked leisurely and took notice of events about them, were impressed by +the affectionate behavior of the two men. Lucy Strong was herself out. +She was curious to know what had <a name='Page148'></a>become of Chester and her father, +besides, the sun was inviting. She soon found them, herself +undiscovered. She paused, examined the flower beds, and became +interested in the swans in the lake. Her face beamed with happiness when +she saw them, for their shoulders were close together and Chester had +her father's hands clasped firmly in his own. She tiptoed up behind them +on the grass, then slipped her hands over each of their eyes.</p> + +<p>"Guess," she laughed.</p> + +<p>"A fairy princess," said Chester.</p> + +<p>"Mother Goose," responded the father.</p> + +<p>They moved apart and let her sit between them.</p> + +<p>"The rose between," suggested Chester.</p> + +<p>"The tie that binds," corrected the girl, placing an arm about each of +them.</p> + +<p>Then they all laughed so merrily, that the infection reached a ragged +urchin playing on the gravel-path near by.</p> + +<p>"My dear," said the father. "Chester has promised to stay with us, and +be—"</p> + +<p>"Your man—about—the—house," finished Chester.</p> + +<p>"Which we certainly need," agreed Lucy. "Two people, Strong by name, but +mighty weak by nature, as my old nurse used to say, require some such a +man. I'm glad father picked you."</p> + +<p>"He chose us, rather, Lucy," said the father.</p> + +<p>"Well, either way."</p> + +<p>"Both," affirmed Chester, at which they all laughed again.</p><a name='Page149'></a> + +<p>A carriage with liveried coachman and footman, and containing two ladies +drove by. The little boy had to leave his gravel castle while the wheels +of the carriage crushed it to the level. The boy looked at the ruins a +moment, then at the departing vehicle. Then he started his building anew +safely away from wheel tracks.</p> + +<p>"A young philosopher," remarked the minister, observing the occurrence.</p> + +<p>"Papa," said Lucy, after a pause of consideration, "you have made me so +happy to-day. You can make my joy complete by granting me one other +thing."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked he unthinkingly.</p> + +<p>"Let me be baptized," she replied softly.</p> + +<p>The father's body stiffened perceptibly, and his face sobered.</p> + +<p>"Believe me, papa, I <i>am</i> sorry to have to annoy you so much on the +matter; but I can't help it. Something within me urges me on. I can't +get away from the testimony which I have, any more than I can get away +from my shadow."</p> + +<p>"You can get away from your shadow," said the minister.</p> + +<p>"Yes; by going into the dark, and that I do not want to do. I want to +live in the light,—the beautiful gospel light always."</p> + +<p>Chester listened in pleased wonder to Lucy's pleadings. He added nothing +as she seemed able to say all that was necessary. In time the father's +<a name='Page150'></a>face softened again, and he turned to Chester to ask:</p> + +<p>"What do you think of such arguments?"</p> + +<p>"They're splendid—and reasonable—and true, sir."</p> + +<p>"Of course, you would say so. Well, I'll think about it, Lucy."</p> + +<p>"But, papa, you've been thinking about it a lot, and time is going. Say +yes today, now—here with Chester and me—and the Lord alone. Besides, +papa, now I ought to be one with Chester in <i>everything</i>. That's right, +isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that's right."</p> + +<p>"So you consent?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say that."</p> + +<p>"You must. I'm of age anyway, and could do it without your consent; but +I don't want to. I want your blessing instead of your disapproval on +such an important step."</p> + +<p>"Could she stand the ordeal, do you think?" asked the father of Chester.</p> + +<p>"In a few days when she gets a little stronger—yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's walk a bit. You two go ahead. I must think."</p> + +<p>The two did as they were told nor looked back. The one was not thinking +clearly and logically, so much as he was fighting over the eternal +warfare of conviction against policy. He also knew. He had received more +of a testimony than he ever admitted, even to himself. If he should do +as his innermost conscience told him, he also would join Lucy in baptism +<a name='Page151'></a>of water for the remission of sins; but that thought he pushed from +him. He, an old man in the ministry, to now change his faith—to cut +himself off from his life's work—no, that would never do. It was +different with Lucy, quite another thing. She had set her heart on it +and on Chester, and it would be best for her—yes, it would be best for +her.</p> + +<p>When Chester was saying good-night to Lucy that evening, the father came +out into the hall to them.</p> + +<p>"Chester," said he, "tell Elder Malby I should like to see him to +morrow. He is the one that attends to baptism into the Mormon Church, +isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Chester. "I shall tell him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, papa, you dear, good papa!" exclaimed Lucy throwing her arms about +him.</p> + +<p>"There, there now, behave—say good-night to Chester."</p> + +<p>But she clung to him and kissed him through her tears of joy. Then she +went to Chester.</p> + +<p>The father turned to go.</p> + +<p>"Wait a moment, papa," said Lucy: "I want to go with you."</p> + +<p>With a parting kiss for Chester, and a murmured good night, she took her +father's arm and led him in.</p><a name='Page152'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV'></a><h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>Lucy gained in strength so rapidly that within a week it was thought +safe to let her be baptized. Her father, Uncle Gilbert, Chester, the +housekeeper at headquarters and one other sister were present at the +Baths. Elder Malby performed the ordinance. Three others were also +baptized at the same time.</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert was very curious as also a little nervous at what he +called the "dipping." He couldn't see why the ceremony required a whole +swimming pool when a few drops sprinkled on the forehead, had, as long +as he had any recollection, been sufficient. The father witnessed the +ordinance unmoved. Lucy went through the ordeal bravely, and when she +came out from the dressing room where the sisters had helped her, he +kissed her placidly on the forehead.</p> + +<p>The party took a cab to the mission headquarters, where a simple service +was held of singing and prayer, Elder Malby making a few remarks on the +meaning and purpose of the ordinance of baptism. The newly baptized were +then confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day +Saints. Then the housekeeper invited them all down to the dining room, +and again there were a few simple special features in celebration of the +happy occasion.</p> + +<p>And it was a happy time in the one only way which comes from duty done. +A sweet, quiet peace abode <a name='Page153'></a>in every heart. Was not the Heavenly Father +well pleased with these as He had been when the Son had done likewise. +And the Holy Ghost, the Comforter from heaven rested upon them softly as +a dove,—that was the secret of their supreme joy.</p> + +<p>As Lucy had predicted, Uncle Gilbert's curiosity brought him to Chester +for more information regarding Utah and the "Mormons." The very next day +after the baptism, Uncle Gilbert met Chester before he entered the +house. They greeted each other pleasantly, and then Chester inquired +about Lucy, and how she was feeling.</p> + +<p>"Lucy seems to be all right," was the reply, "though her father isn't so +well this morning. He had a bad night but is sleeping now. That's why I +met you here, so that he might not be disturbed by the bell."</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said Chester. "These attacks seem to be coming frequently."</p> + +<p>"My brother has not been well for years. For a long time he has had to +fight hard with himself and his nerves. Sometimes they get the best of +him for a time, and, of course, as he gets older, he has less strength. +I wish we could get him to Kildare Villa. He would be himself again down +there."</p> + +<p>"We were to have gone in a day or two, were we not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but he can't leave yet—Do you want to see Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"Just for a few moments; she'll be busy with her father."</p><a name='Page154'></a> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert went in the house, considerately sending her out alone. +She was radiantly beautiful to Chester that morning in her soft white +dress, fluffy hair, and glowing eyes; but he only looked his love for +her, and said:</p> + +<p>"Good morning, <i>Sister</i> Strong."</p> + +<p>"Good morning, <i>Brother</i> Lawrence," she responded.</p> + +<p>"How are you feeling?"</p> + +<p>"I am feeling fine. But poor papa—"</p> + +<p>"Yes; Uncle Gilbert told me."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to remain here until he gets over the attack. Uncle is +anxious to get home, and I must admit I'd rather be at Kildare Villa +than here."</p> + +<p>Then Uncle Gilbert came out with hat and cane. He was going for a walk +with Chester, he said, for it would be wiser not to disturb the sleeper. +He explained to Lucy that her father was getting a much needed rest, and +that she was to see to it that he was not disturbed. Chester would +"keep" with his Uncle Gilbert for a few hours.</p> + +<p>The morning was fair, so the two men struck out for Hyde Park. They +walked across the big stretches of grass, then rested on a seat by the +Serpentine. As yet, not many people were about, and the London hum had +not risen to its highest pitch.</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert wanted to know about Utah, and Chester entered into a +detailed description of the state and her people.</p> + +<p>"I have, of course, heard of the Mormon people; but I will admit my +ideas are somewhat vague. My <a name='Page155'></a>brother, as a preacher, must of course, +have come in contact with all sorts of religious professions. He seems +to know considerable about Mormonism. Where did he learn that?"</p> + +<p>Chester explained what part Lucy had played in this.</p> + +<p>"Well, he agrees very much with her belief, for I have heard +conversations which lead me to that conclusion. Of course, all that is +their business, not mine particularly. Let's walk out in the middle of +the park where we can make believe we are not in London, but out in the +beautiful green country which God has made."</p> + +<p>The grass being dry, they could sit down on it to rest.</p> + +<p>"As you are, I presume, to become a member of the family some day," said +Uncle Gilbert, "I am going to tell you something about my brother. It is +not a pleasant subject, but I have concluded that you can be told. It is +a family secret, you must understand, and must be treated as such. It is +only because I believe your knowledge of the truth may help my brother +that I am telling you this.</p> + +<p>Chester thanked him for his confidence. He would be glad to help in any +way he could.</p> + +<p>"Well, the story is this: My brother in his younger days before he was +married, had an unfortunate experience with a young woman. There was a +child as the result. The woman, as nearly as I can make out, married +well enough, and later, joined the Mormons and went to Utah. She did not +take the child <a name='Page156'></a>with her, for some reason unknown to me, at least; and +so the boy—for it was a boy—became lost to his father, and as far as I +know, to his mother also. I don't suppose all this worried my brother as +a young man; but recently, within the past few years, I should say, his +conscience seems to have pricked him severely. He has some vigorous +views of fatherhood and the obligations flowing therefrom—and I can't +say but he is right—and now he worries about his own great neglect. He +has talked to me about it, so I know. Sometimes he worries himself sick, +and then his nervous trouble gets the overhand."</p> + +<p>Chester lay on the grass looking up into the sky, complacently chewing a +spear of grass, while Uncle Gilbert was talking.</p> + +<p>"What was the woman's name?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"I can't recall it just now. In fact, I don't think I ever heard it. +Now, another thing that you must know, and you must not be annoyed at +this: at times, I believe he imagines you to be that boy of his."</p> + +<p>Chester sat up, and exactly at the moment when he looked into the face +of Uncle Gilbert a cog in the machinery of his own thoughts caught into +a cog of the wheel within wheels which the man at his side had been +revealing. The cog caught, then slipped, then caught again. Wheels began +to revolve, bringing into motion and view other possible developments.</p> + +<p>"That's only when his illness makes him delerious," continued Uncle +Gilbert. "As I said, you must <a name='Page157'></a>pay no attention to him under those +conditions, but I thought you ought to know."</p> + +<p>"Yes; yes," whispered the young man—"Thank you." For him, Hyde Park and +London had disappeared: all earthly things had become mist out of which +he was trying to emerge.</p> + +<p>"You don't know the woman's name," Chester asked again, with dry +lips—"Tell me her name."</p> + +<p>"I don't remember. I'm not sure, but I believe I have heard my brother, +in his times of delerium speak of Anna."</p> + +<p>"Anna. Anna," repeated Chester, as he stared into space. Uncle Gilbert +looked at the young man, and then repented of telling him. He was a +little annoyed at his manner. He arose, brushed the grass from his +clothes, and said:</p> + +<p>"Well, let's be going."</p> + +<p>Chester went along mechanically. At the Marble Arch Uncle Gilbert was +about to hail a bus, when Chester stopped him.</p> + +<p>"You'll excuse me, wont you for not returning with you—I—I—"</p> + +<p>"But I gave my word to Lucy that I would bring you back."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I know, I'll come after a while—but not now—you go +on,—I—I—there's your bus now; you had better take it."</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert, still a little annoyed, climbed on the bus and left his +companion looking vacantly at the line of moving busses.</p><a name='Page158'></a> + +<p>Chester went back into the park. There was room to breathe there and +some freedom from fellow beings. He left the beaten paths. Oh, that he +could get away from everybody for a time! Old Thunder out among the +Rocky Mountains would be an ideal place just now.</p> + +<p>The wheels of thought went surely and correctly. There was no slipping +of cogs now. <i>The Rev. Thomas Strong was his father.</i></p> + +<p>Every link in the chain of evidence fitted. There was no break. He went +over the ground again and again. There came to him now facts and +incidents which he had heard from his foster parents, and they all +fitted in other facts and strengthened his conclusions. Now he also +remembered and understood some of his mother's remarks about ministers. +Yes, Thomas Strong was his father! Lucy's father! Why, he and Lucy were +brother and sister!</p> + +<p>It is quite useless to try to tell all that was in Chester Lawrence's +thoughts and heart from then on all that afternoon. He did not know, +neither did he care how long he lay on the grass in the park, but there +came a time when his solitude became unbearable, so he walked with +feverish haste into the crowded streets. The lamps were being lighted +when he came to the Thames Embankment, where he watched for a time the +black, sluggish water being sucked out to sea by the outgoing tide. Then +he walked on. St. Paul loomed high in the murky darkness. He got into +the ridiculously narrow streets of Paternoster Row, where he had on his +first visit <a name='Page159'></a>bought a Bible. The evening was far spent and the crowds +were thinning when he recognized the Bank of England corner.</p> + +<p>Realizing at last that he was tired, he climbed on top of a bus going in +the direction of his lodgings, where he arrived somewhere near midnight. +He went to bed, but not to sleep for many hours.</p> + +<p>"Lucy, you are my sister. I love you as that—but my wife you never can +be—" yes; he would have to tell her that. But why had this father of +his let him and Lucy go on as they had? He had told his father the +secret of his life. He remembered distinctly his father's actions how he +had even called him "son," which he had thought at the time was for +Lucy's sake. Knowing him and Lucy to be brother and sister, why had he +permitted them to form ties such as had been formed? Was it a plot on +his father's part to again bring misery to human souls, to make to +suffer those that were of his own flesh and blood? No, no; that was +impossible. Surely he was not that kind of man.</p> + +<p>More clearly now the panorama of his life came before him. Where was the +Lord in all this? He had thought the Lord had led his steps wonderfully +to so meet one who made his life supremely happy—but now—the darkness +and the despair of soul came again—was this not a hideous nightmare? +The day would bring light and peace.</p> + +<p>Towards morning, Chester dozed fitfully, and at last when he awoke the +day was well advanced. He and Uncle Gilbert had been in the park—uncle +in <a name='Page160'></a>reality now. Yes; it all came to him again. It had been no dream.</p> + +<p>Chester got up, soused himself in cold water, then as he was dressing +said to himself. "Well, what's to be done? I must make this thing sure +one way or another." Perhaps there may be a mistake, though he could not +understand how. He would go direct to Thomas Strong and ask him.</p> + +<p>He had no appetite for breakfast, so he ate none. As early as he thought +wise, he set out. How should he meet Lucy? What could he say? If he +could only evade her.</p> + +<p>No; Lucy was watching for him, with a worried expression on her face, +which deepened when she saw Chester's.</p> + +<p>"I must see your father," he said with no effort to even take her hand.</p> + +<p>"Papa is not any better, I fear."</p> + +<p>"But I must see him. Where is Uncle Gilbert?"</p> + +<p>"Shall I call him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, <i>please</i>."</p> + +<p>Lucy returned, and Uncle Gilbert met Chester in the hall.</p> + +<p>"He is very nervous again this morning, and I don't think you ought to +excite him," explained the brother.</p> + +<p>"I must see him—just for a minute. I'll not engage him in any extended +conversation."</p> + +<p>"That you cannot do as he can hardly speak. His trouble affects him in +that way."</p><a name='Page161'></a> + +<p>"Let me see him just for a moment—alone, please. Is he awake?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes; he's not that bad. Go in a moment, then, but be careful."</p> + +<p>Chester passed in where the minister sat in an arm chair, propped up +with pillows, signs of Lucy's tender care. As Chester entered, the man +smiled and reached out his hand. The resentment in the young man's heart +vanished, when he saw the yearning in the suffering man's face. Yet he +stood for some time rooted to the spot, looking at the man who was no +doubt his father. Every line of that face stood out boldly to Chester. +How often, in his boyhood days he had pictured to himself what his +father was like—and here he was before him. In those days he had nursed +a hatred against that unknown sire, but now there was no more of that. +If only,—Chester kneeled by the side of the minister's chair, letting +the old man cling to his hand. He looked without wavering into the drawn +face and said:</p> + +<p>"Are you my father?"</p> + +<p>The man's hand dropped as if lifeless, but Chester picked it up again, +holding it close.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," he repeated, "are you my father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," came slowly and with effort, as tremblingly the father put his +hands first on Chester's shoulders as he kneeled before him, then raised +them to his head, asking, "Do—you—hate—me? Don't—" That seemed to be +all he was able to articulate.</p><a name='Page162'></a> + +<p>"No, no; I do not hate you; for are you not—are you not my father!"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The son put his arms around his father's neck and kissed him. The father +patted contentedly the head of the young man, as a parent fondly +caresses a child. They were in that position when Lucy tapped lightly on +the door, opened it, and came in.</p><a name='Page163'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>Chester got away from Lucy and Uncle Gilbert that morning, without +betraying his father's secret, which had now also become his own. If his +father had kept the secret so long, it was evidently for a purpose; he +would try not to be the first to reveal it. He kissed Lucy somewhat +hurriedly, she thought, as he left.</p> + +<p>The sooner he got away the fewer of his strange actions he would have to +explain. He did not look back when he walked away for fear that Lucy +would be watching him from window or door.</p> + +<p>He went back to his own lodgings rather more by instinct than by +thought. He slipped into his room, looked aimlessly about, then went out +again. He must be alone, yet not confined within walls. The park was not +far away, but he walked by it also, on, on. This London is limitless, he +thought. One could never escape it by walking. He met other men some +hurrying as if stern duty called, others sauntering as if they had no +purpose in life but quiet contemplation. He met women, and if he could +have read through their weary eyes their life's story, he would not +perhaps, have thought his own was the most cruel. A little boy was +gathering dust from the pavement, and Chester was reminded of that other +little fellow's structure which the carriage wheels had demolished. +Well, he was under the <a name='Page164'></a>wheel of fate himself. He had heard of this +wheel, but never had he been under it until now!</p> + +<p>Chester found himself a street or two from the mission office. He would +call and perhaps have a talk with Elder Malby. Why had he not thought of +that sooner? He quickened his steps, and in a few minutes he was ringing +the bell. He heard it tingle within, but no one responded. He rang +again, and this time steps were heard coming up from the basement. The +housekeeper opened the door.</p> + +<p>"Good morning," she greeted him with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, is Elder Malby in?"</p> + +<p>"No; none of the elders are in. They are out tracting, I think—but +won't you come in?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you, I wanted to see Elder Malby."</p> + +<p>"Well, <i>he</i> might be back at any time—come in and rest. You look +tired."</p> + +<p>"Well—I believe I will."</p> + +<p>He followed the motherly housekeeper into the office parlor, where she +bade him be seated. She excused herself as her work could not be +neglected—Would he be interested in the London papers, or the latest +<i>Deseret News</i>. She pointed to the table where these papers lay, then +went about her work.</p> + +<p>Chester looked listlessly at the papers, but did not attempt to read. +Presently, the housekeeper came back.</p> + +<p>"I'm having a bite to eat down in the dining room. Come and keep me +company. The Elders don't eat <a name='Page165'></a>till later, but I must have something in +the middle of the day."</p> + +<p>Chester went with her into the cool, restful room below, and partook +with her of the simple meal. Not having had breakfast, he ate with +relish. Besides, there was a spirit of peace about the place. His aching +heart found some comfort in the talk of the good woman.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards, Elder Malby arrived, and he saw in a moment that +something was the matter with his young friend.</p> + +<p>"How are the folks," he asked, "Lucy and her father?"</p> + +<p>"He is not well," Chester replied.</p> + +<p>"That's too bad. And you are worried?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but not altogether over that. There is something else, Brother +Malby. I'll have to tell you about it. Will we be uninterrupted here?"</p> + +<p>"Come with me," said the elder and he took him into his own room up a +flight of stairs. "Now, then, what can I do to help you?"</p> + +<p>"You will pardon me, I know; but somehow, I was led to tell you my story +on ship-board, and you're the only one I can talk to now." Then Chester +told the elder what he had learned. When he had finished, the elder's +face was very grave.</p> + +<p>"What ought I to do?" asked Chester; "what can I do?"</p> + +<p>The other shook his head. "This is a strange story," he said; "but there +can be no doubt that you are his son. You look like him. I noticed it on +<a name='Page166'></a>ship-board, but of course said nothing about it. But you <i>do</i> look like +him."</p> + +<p>"Do I?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but why he encouraged you to make love to your sister—that is +beyond me—I—I don't know what to say."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what <i>can</i> I do?"</p> + +<p>There was a pause. Then the elder as if weighing well every word, said:</p> + +<p>"My boy, you can pray."</p> + +<p>"No; I can't even do that. I haven't said my prayers since this thing +came to me. What can I pray about? What can I ask of God?"</p> + +<p>"Listen. It is easy to pray when everything is going along nicely, and +we are getting everything we ask for; but when we seem to be up against +hard fate; when despair is in our hearts and the Lord appears to have +deserted us, then it is not so easy; but then is when we need most to +pray."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, brother, true enough; but what's the use?"</p> + +<p>"Look here, once before, in your life, you felt as you do now; and you +told me yourself that not until you said both in your heart and to God +'Thy will be done' did you get peace. Try it again, brother. There is no +darkness but the Light of Christ can penetrate, there is no seeming evil +but the Lord can turn to your good. What did Job say of the Lord?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' And you are not yet as +Job. He lost everything.<a name='Page167'></a> You have gained a father and a sister. That, +certainly, is something."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is; and yet in the finding of these two, I have lost—well—you +know—"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I know; but the Lord can even make that right. Trust Him, trust +Him, always and in everything. That's my motto for life. I can not get +along without it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you so very much."</p> + +<p>They talked for some time, then they went out for a walk.</p> + +<p>"But you haven't time to spend on me like this," remonstrated Chester.</p> + +<p>"I am here to do all the good I can, and why should my services not be +given to those of the faith as well as to those who have no use for me +nor my message? Come along; I want to tell you of another letter which I +received from home,—yes, the twin calves are doing fine."</p> + +<p>Chester smiled, which was just what his companion wanted. "You remain +here today," continued the elder. "The boys will be in after a while, +and then we shall have dinner. After that, if you are still thinking too +much of your own affairs, we'll take you out on the street and let you +preach to the crowd."</p> + +<p>"That might help," admitted Chester.</p> + +<p>"Help! It's the surest kind of cure."</p> + +<p>Chester remained with the elders during the afternoon and evening, even +going out with them on the street. He was not called on to preach, +however, <a name='Page168'></a>though he would have attempted it had he been asked.</p> + +<p>Chester slept better that night. He felt so sure of himself next morning +that he could call on Lucy, and do the right thing. He did not forget or +neglect his prayers any more, and he was well on the way of saying +again, "Thy will be done," in the right spirit.</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert met Chester at the door, not very graciously, however. He +replied to Chester's inquiries sharply:</p> + +<p>"My brother is quite ill, brought about, I have no doubt, by your unwise +actions of yesterday morning. What was the matter with you? I don't +understand you."</p> + +<p>Chester did not attempt any explanation or defense.</p> + +<p>"And Lucy, too, was quite ill yesterday—no; she is not up yet—no; I +don't think you had better come in. I shall not permit you to see my +brother again until he is better."</p> + +<p>"I'm very sorry," said Chester. "I must see Lucy, however, and so I'll +call again after a while." He walked away. He did not blame Uncle +Gilbert, who was no doubt doing the best he knew, although somewhat in +the dark. He walked in the park for an hour and then came back.</p> + +<p>Lucy met him at the gate. She was dressed as if for walking. Her face +betrayed the disturbance in her soul, and Chester's heart went out in +pity for her.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said simply, "I was going out to find <a name='Page169'></a>you, I heard Uncle +Gilbert send you away. Shall we walk in the park?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am glad you came out. Is your father worse this morning?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think he is worse. He is simply in the stage of his attacks +when he can't talk. I'm sure he'll be all right in a day or two; but +Uncle Gilbert don't understand."</p> + +<p>"And you, Lucy—you must not worry."</p> + +<p>"How can I help it? Something is the matter with you. Why do you act so +strangely?"</p> + +<p>They found the bench on which they were wont to rest, and seated +themselves.</p> + +<p>Chester could not deny that he had changed; yet how could he tell her +the truth? She must know it, the sooner the better. It might be many +days before her father could tell her, even if he were inclined to do +so. The situation was unbearable. She must know, and he must tell her.</p> + +<p>"Lucy," he said after a little struggle with his throat, "I have +something to tell you,—something strange. Oh, no, nothing evil or bad, +or anything like that."</p> + +<p>He took her hands which were trembling.</p> + +<p>"You must promise me that you will take this news quietly."</p> + +<p>"Just as quietly as I can, Chester."</p> + +<p>"Well, you know how excitement affects your heart, so I shall not tell +you if you will not try to be calm."</p> + +<p>"And now, of course, I can be indifferent, can I, <a name='Page170'></a>even if you should +say no more? Oh, Chester, what is it? The suspense is a thousand times +harder than the truth. What have you got to tell me? What passed between +you and papa last evening? Is it—have you ceased to love me?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Lucy, not that. I love you as much as ever, more than ever for +something has been added to my first love—that of a love for a sister."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Chester I know. When I was baptized—"</p> + +<p>"No; you don't know. I don't mean that."</p> + +<p>"What <i>do</i> you mean?"</p> + +<p>Oh, it was so hard to go on. One truth must lead to another. If he told +her he was her brother in the flesh as well as in the spirit, she would +want to know how, why; and the explanation would involve her father. He +had not thought of that quite so plainly. But he could not now stop. He +must go on. He felt about for a way by which to approach the revelation +gradually.</p> + +<p>"You have never had a brother, have you?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Would you like to have one?"</p> + +<p>"I've always wanted a brother."</p> + +<p>"How would I do for one?"</p> + +<p>She looked at him curiously, then the sober face relaxed and she smiled.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'd make a fine one."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't object."</p> + +<p>"I should think not."</p><a name='Page171'></a> + +<p>"But, now, what would you think if I <i>was</i> your real brother, if my name +was Chester Strong?"</p> + +<p>"I'd think you were just joking a little."</p> + +<p>"But I'm not joking, Lucy; I am in earnest. Take a good look at me, here +at this profile. Do I look like your father?"</p> + +<p>She looked closely. "I believe you do," she said, still without a guess +at the truth. "Your forehead slopes just like his, and your nose has the +same bump on it. I never noticed that before."</p> + +<p>"What might that mean, Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"What might what mean?"</p> + +<p>"That I look like your father."</p> + +<p>He had turned his face to her now, but she still gazed at him, as if the +truth was just struggling for recognition. The smile vanished for an +instant from her face, and then returned. She would not entertain the +advance messenger.</p> + +<p>"I don't object to your looking like my papa, for he's a mighty fine +looking man."</p> + +<p>"Lucy, you saw what your father and I were doing last night?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What did you think—what do you now think of us?"</p> + +<p>"Again, Chester, I don't object to you and father spooning a bit. In +fact, I think that's rather nice."</p> + +<p>Chester laughed a little now, which loosened the tension considerably; +but he returned to the attack:</p> + +<p>"Lucy, what would you think if your father had <a name='Page172'></a>a son who had been lost +when a baby, and that now he should return to him as a grown man?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I would think that would be jolly, as the English say."</p> + +<p>"And that his son's name was Chester Lawrence?" he continued as if there +had been no interruption.</p> + +<p>Now the cog in Lucy's mental make-up caught firmly into the machinery +that had been buzzing about her for some time.</p> + +<p>"Are you my brother?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am your brother."</p> + +<p>"My real, live, long lost brother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Now I see what you have been driving at all this time. You say you are +my brother, that my father is your father. Now explain."</p> + +<p>"That's not so easy, Lucy. I would much rather your father would do +that. But I can tell you a little, for it's very little I know—and, +Lucy, that little is not pleasant."</p> + +<p>"But I must know." Her face was serious again. She was bracing herself +bravely too.</p> + +<p>"I was born outside the marriage relation, and your father was my +father!"</p> + +<p>That was plain enough—brutally plain. The girl turned to marble. Had he +killed her?</p> + +<p>"Go on," she whispered.</p> + +<p>"No more now—some other time."</p> + +<p>"Go on, Chester."</p><a name='Page173'></a> + +<p>Chester told her in brief sentences the simple facts, and what had led +to his discovery of the truth just the other day. It was this that had +caused the change she had noticed in him.</p> + +<p>"Lucy, I was not sure," he said, "so I went to your father last night +and asked him pointedly, directly, and he said 'Yes.' That explains the +situation you found us in. My heart went out to my father, Lucy; and his +heart went out to his son."</p> + +<p>"The son to which his heart has been reaching for many long years, +Chester. Yes, I see it plainly.... You have told the truth ... you are +my brother—you—"</p> + +<p>She trembled, then fell into his arms; but she controlled herself again, +and when he kissed her pale face and stroked her hair, she opened her +eyes and looked steadily up into his face. Thus they remained for a +time, heedless of the few passers-by who but looked at a not uncommon +sight. She closed her eyes again, and when she opened them Chester was +struggling hard to keep back the tears.</p> + +<p>To tell the truth, both of them cried a little about that time, and it +did them good too. They got up, walked about on the grass for a time +until they could look more unmovedly at their changed standing to each +other. Then they talked more freely, but things were truly so newly +mixed that it was difficult to get them untangled. At last Lucy said she +would have to go back to her father—our father, she corrected.</p> + +<p>"And he knows, remember," said Chester to her. "I and you also know. We +know too," he added,<a name='Page174'></a> "that the Lord is above, and will take care of us +all."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Lucy.</p> + +<p>Then they went back. The father was still very ill. Chester did not try +to see him, for Uncle Gilbert had not relented.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to see Elder Malby this afternoon," said Chester. "This +evening I shall call again. Meanwhile"—they were alone in the hall +now—"you must keep up your courage and faith. I feel as though +everything will yet turn out well."</p> + +<p>He took her as usual in his arms, and she clung to him closer than she +had ever done before.</p> + +<p>"Chester," she said, "I can't yet <i>feel</i> that there is any difference in +our relationship. You are yet my lover, are you not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Lucy; and you are my sweetheart. Somehow, I am not condemned when +I say it. What can it be—"</p> + +<p>"Something that whispers peace to our hearts."</p> + +<p>"The Comforter, Lucy, the Comforter from the Lord."</p><a name='Page175'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>The delay in getting back to Kildare Villa was making Uncle Gilbert +nervous. In his own mind, he blamed Chester Lawrence for being the cause +of much of the present trouble, though in what way he could not clearly +tell. The young man's presence disturbed the usual placid life of the +minister. Why such a disturber should be so welcomed into the family, +the brother could not understand. Perhaps this new-fangled religion +called "Mormonism" was at the root of all the trouble.</p> + +<p>In his confusion, Uncle Gilbert determined on a very foolish thing: he +would get his brother and Lucy away with him to Ireland, leaving Chester +behind, for at least a few days. Of course, a young fellow in love as +deeply as Chester seemed to be, would follow up and find them again, but +there would be a respite for a time. With this idea in mind, Uncle +Gilbert, the very next day, found Chester at his lodgings; and +apparently taking him into his confidence, told him of his plan. Chester +was willing to do anything that Uncle Gilbert and "the others" thought +would be for the best. Chester was made to understand that "the others" +agreed to the plan, and although the thought sent a keen pang through +the young man's heart, he did not demur.</p> + +<p>It must also be admitted that Uncle Gilbert was not quite honest with +Lucy, for when he proposed to <a name='Page176'></a>her to get her father to Ireland as soon +as possible, she understood that Chester was lawfully detained, but +would meet them perhaps in Liverpool. Though she, too, felt keenly the +parting, yet she mistrusted no one.</p> + +<p>So it came about that Lucy and her father were hurried to the station +early next morning to catch a train for Liverpool. The minister was +physically strong enough to stand the journey, but he mutely questioned +the reason for this hasty move. Chester had absented himself all the +previous day, and he did not even see them off at the station. Lucy +could not keep back the tears, though she tried to hide them as she +tucked her father comfortably about with cushions in the first class +compartment which they had reserved.</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert's victory was short lived, however; no sooner did the +ailing man realize that Chester was not with them than he become visibly +affected. He tried hard to talk, but to no avail. He looked pleadingly +at Lucy and at his brother as if for information, but without results. +Lucy's pinched, tear-stained face added to his restlessness, and there +was a note of insincerity in Uncle Gilbert's reassuring talk that his +brother did not fail to discern.</p> + +<p>That ride, usually so pleasant over the beautiful green country, was a +most miserable one. It was so painful to see the expression on the +minister's face that Uncle Gilbert began to doubt the wisdom of the plan +he was trying. Lucy became quite alarmed, and asked if they ought not to +stop at one of the <a name='Page177'></a>midland cities; but Uncle Gilbert said they could +surely go on to Liverpool.</p> + +<p>"But we can't cross over to Ireland. Father could not possibly stand the +trip," she said.</p> + +<p>The uncle agreed to that. "We'll have to stop at Liverpool for a day or +so—I have it!" he exclaimed, "Captain Andrew Brown is now at home. He +told me to be sure to call, and bring you all with me. He has a very +nice house up the Mersey—a fine restful place. We'll go there."</p> + +<p>And they did. Lucy could say nothing for or against, and the father was +so ill by the time they reached Liverpool that he did not seem to +realize what he was doing or where he was going. A cab took them all out +from the noises of the city to the quiet of the countryside. It was +afternoon, and the sun shone slantingly on the waters of the river, +above which on the hills amid trees and flowering gardens stood the +house of Captain Andrew Brown.</p> + +<p>As the carriage rolled along the graveled path to the house, the captain +himself came to meet them, expressing his surprise and delight, and +welcoming them most heartily. The minister was helped out and into the +house, where he was made comfortable. Lucy was shown to her room by the +housekeeper. Uncle Gilbert made explanations to the captain of the +reason for this untoward raid on his hospitality.</p> + +<p>"I'm mighty glad you came," said the captain. "You couldn't possible +have gone on, and as for stopping at a hotel—if you had, I should never +have forgiven you."</p><a name='Page178'></a> + +<p>The sick man would not take anything to eat. He lay as if half asleep, +so he was put to bed. Lucy remained with him during the evening. Once in +a while he would open his eyes, reach out his hand for hers and hold it +for a moment. Poor, dear father, she thought, as she stroked his hair +softly. What could Chester mean to leave his father, even for a few +days? He ought to be here.... She could not understand. Was it all just +an excuse to get away from them? to get away from this newly-found +father and sister? She would not believe that of Chester. That couldn't +be true, and yet, and yet—</p> + +<p>She turned lower the light, went to the window, and looked out on the +river. A crescent moon hung above the mist. The water lay still as if +asleep, only broken now and then by some passing craft. The breeze +played in the trees near the window and the perfumes of the rich flower +beds were wafted to her. The girl stood by the window a long time as if +she expected her lover-brother to come to her through the half darkness. +Perhaps, after all, it was better he did not come. Perhaps he had acted +wisely.</p> + +<p>The father lay as if sleeping, so she continued to look out at the moon +and the water. Her heart burned, but out of it came a prayer. Then she +quietly kneeled by the window sill, and still looking out into the night +she poured out the burden of her heart to the Father whose power to +bless and to comfort is as boundless as the love of parent for child.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown was not an old man, yet in his fine strong face there were +deep lines traced by twenty <a name='Page179'></a>years on the sea. Ten years on the bridge +basking in the sun, facing storm and danger had told their tale. He was +in the employ of a great navigation company whose ships went to the ends +of the earth for trade. He had built this home-nest for wife and child, +to which and to whom he could set the compass of his heart from any port +and on any sea. Three years ago wife and child had taken passage over +the eternal sea. Now he came back only occasionally, between trips. His +housekeeper always kept the house as nearly as possible like it was when +wife and child were there.</p> + +<p>"I have a week, perhaps ten days ashore," explained Captain Brown next +morning at the breakfast table, "and I was just wondering what I could +do all that time—when here you are! You are to remain a week. Tut, tut, +business"—this to Uncle Gilbert who had protested—"you ought not to +worry any longer about business. Aren't we making you good money? Oh, I +see! Aunt Sarah; well, we'll send for her. Your father can't possibly be +moved, can he, Miss Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"He's very comfortable here," replied Lucy.</p> + +<p>"To be sure he is—and you, too, look as though a rest would help you."</p> + +<p>"I have to get back soon—ought to be in Cork tomorrow, in fact," said +Uncle Gilbert.</p> + +<p>"Well, now Gilbert, if you <i>have</i> to, I've no more to say—about you. +Go, of course; but Lucy and her father are going to stay with me. I'm +the doctor and the nurse. You go to Aunt Sarah, for that's <a name='Page180'></a>your +'business reason' and it's all right—I'm not blaming you—and in a week +come back for your well brother."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that might do," agreed Uncle Gilbert, with much relief in his +manner of saying it. "I don't like to impose on you—"</p> + +<p>"Look here—if you want to do me a favor, you go to your wife and let me +take care of these people. In fact," he laughed, "I don't want you +around bothering. The steamer sails for Dublin this evening."</p> + +<p>Out of this pleasant banter came the fact that Uncle Gilbert could very +well go on his way to Ireland. His brother was in no immediate +danger—in fact that morning he was resting easily and his power of +speech was returning. Gilbert spoke to his brother about the plan, and +no protest was made. So that evening, sure enough, Uncle Gilbert was +driven in to Liverpool by the captain, where he set sail for home.</p> + +<p>No sooner was his brother well out of the way than Lucy's father called +to her. He had been up and dressed all afternoon. He was now reclining +in the captain's easy chair by the window. Lucy came to him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, father," she said.</p> + +<p>He motioned to her to sit down. She fetched a stool and seated herself +by him, so that he could touch her head caressingly as he seemed to +desire.</p> + +<p>"Where is Chester?" he asked slowly, as was his wont when his speech +came back.</p> + +<p>"In London," she replied. "He could not come with us."</p><a name='Page181'></a> + +<p>"So—Gilbert said;—but I—want him."</p> + +<p>"Shall we send for him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The father looked out of the window where shortly the moon would again +shine down on the river. He stroked the head at his knee.</p> + +<p>"Lucy, you—love me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, father, dear daddy, what a question!"</p> + +<p>"I—must—tell you—something—should—have told you—long ago—"</p> + +<p>It was difficult for the man to speak; more so, it appeared, because he +was determined to deliver a message to the girl—something that could +not wait, but must be told now. Impatient of his slow speech, he walked +to the table and seated himself by it.</p> + +<p>"Light," he said; and while Lucy brought the lamp and lighted it he +found pencil and paper. She watched him curiously, wondering what was +about to happen. Was he writing a message to Chester?</p> + +<p>From the other side of the table she watched him write slowly and +laboriously until the page was full. Then he paused, looked up at Lucy +opposite, reached for another sheet and began again. That sheet was also +filled, and the girl's wonder grew. Then he pushed them across the +table, saying, "Read;" and while she did so, he turned from her, his +head bowed as if awaiting a sentence of punishment.</p> + +<p>A little cry came from the reader as her eyes ran along the penciled +lines. Then there was silence, broken only by her hard breathing, and +the ticking <a name='Page182'></a>of the clock on the mantel. Then while the father still sat +with bowed head, the girl arose softly, came up to him, kneeled before +him, placed a hand on each of his cheeks, kissed him, and said:</p> + +<p>"You are my father anyway—always have been, always will be—the only +one I have ever known. Thank you for taking me an outcast, orphaned baby +and adopting me as your own. Oh, I <i>love you daddy for that</i>!</p> + +<p>Just a few days before a son had found a father at this man's knee; now +by the same knee Lucy first realized that this man was her father only +in the fact that he had fathered her from a child; but as that, after +all, is what counts most in this world, she thought none the less of +him; rather, her heart went out to the man in a way unknown before.</p> + +<p>"Chester doesn't know this?" she asked. "Chester is <i>not</i> my brother?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he must know this—he must know right away," she panted.</p> + +<p>"Yes—I meant to tell—but I couldn't—" said he.</p> + +<p>"I know daddy dear; I know, don't worry. We'll send for him right +away—poor boy. There's Captain Brown now. I'll run down and ask him to +send a telegram. Yes, I have his address."</p> + +<p>She kissed him again, holding his head between her palms, and saying +softly, "Daddy, dear daddy." Then she sped down to where the Captain was +talking in the hall. The Rev. Thomas Strong looked up, listened to their +conversation, and then smiled.</p><a name='Page183'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>The reason why Chester permitted Lucy and his father to set out for +Ireland without him was because he trusted Uncle Gilbert—and the Lord; +however, it was no easy matter to be thus left behind. Surely, he would +be more of a help than a hindrance on the journey. He forced himself to +lie abed the morning they were to be off, until after the train left. +Then, knowing he was safe from doing that which his Uncle had desired +him not to do, he leisurely arose, very late for breakfast.</p> + +<p>The problem with the young man now was what to do while he was waiting. +London sights, even those he had not seen before, were tame now. The +newly-found father and sister had already left him. Had it not been a +dream, and was he not now awake to the reality of his old life?</p> + +<p>He found himself once more attracted to the Mission headquarters. Elder +Malby was at home that morning. Chester told him the latest development.</p> + +<p>"Has she—have they—deserted me, do you think?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"No—I don't think so," replied the elder thoughtfully. "Lucy did not +impress me as a girl who would do that. I see no reason for such +actions, but perhaps Uncle Gilbert was right. Your father needed to get +away from you to readjust himself to the new condition."</p><a name='Page184'></a> + +<p>"Well, perhaps,—but what can I now do? this waiting will be terrible."</p> + +<p>"You'll come with me this morning. I have some calls to make."</p> + +<p>And so all that day Chester remained with Elder Malby, visiting Saints +and investigators, adjusting difficulties, and explaining principles of +the gospel. It was a splendid thing for the young man, this getting his +thoughts from self; and before evening, he had obtained so much of the +missionary spirit that he asked to be permitted to bear his testimony at +the street meeting. "The louder the mob howls and interrupts, the better +for me," he declared. "You remember the other evening when a young +fellow stood within a few feet of you and kept repeating: 'Liars, liars, +from Utah'?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I remember."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to talk to that fellow tonight."</p> + +<p>So Chester talked at the street-meeting that evening, but to a very +orderly lot of people. After the services, many pressed around him and +asked him questions. One young man walked with him and the elders to the +mission office. They talked on the gospel, and Chester forgot his own +heartache in ministering to another heart hungering for the truth.</p> + +<p>The next morning, Chester tried again to remain in bed, but this time +without success. He was up in the gray awakening city, walking in the +park, listening to the birds near by and the rumbling beginnings of +London life. After breakfast, he went again to the Church office.</p><a name='Page185'></a> + +<p>"You must excuse me for thus being such a bother," he explained to Elder +Malby, "but—but I can't keep away."</p> + +<p>"I hope you never will," replied the elder, encouragingly. "It is when +men like you keep away that there is danger."</p> + +<p>"What's the program today?"</p> + +<p>"Tracting. Do you want to try?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I want to keep going. Yesterday was not bad. I felt fine all day."</p> + +<p>That afternoon Chester had his first trial in delivering gospel tracts +from door to door. He approached his task timidly, but soon caught the +spirit of the work. He had a number of interesting experiences. One old +gentleman invited him into the house, that he might more freely tell the +young man what he thought of him and his religion, and this was by no +means complimentary. An old lady, limping to the door and learning that +the caller was from America, told him she had a son there—and did he +know him? Then there were doors slammed in his face, and some gracious +smiles and "thank you"—altogether Chester was so busy meeting these +various people that he had no time to worry over those who now should be +nearly to Kildare Villa in green Ireland.</p> + +<p>While he was eating supper with the elders, which Elder Malby said he +had well earned, a messenger came to the door. Was one Chester Lawrence +there? Yes.</p> + +<p>"A telegram for him, please."</p> + +<p><a name='Page186'></a>Chester opened the message and read:</p> + +<p>"Come to Liverpool in morning. All well. Tell me when and where to meet +you—Lucy."</p> + +<p>Chester handed the message to Elder Malby.</p> + +<p>"Once more, don't you see," said the elder, smiling, "all is well."</p> + +<p>"Yes; yes," replied Chester in a way which was more of a prayer of +thanksgiving than common speech.</p> + +<p>Early the following morning Captain Brown was rewarded for his gallant +lack of inquisitiveness regarding the sending and the receiving of +telegrams by Lucy coming to him with her sweetest smile and saying:</p> + +<p>"Captain Brown, was that horse and carriage you used yesterday yours?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no; that belongs to my neighbor—only when I am not using it. Do you +wish a drive this morning?"</p> + +<p>"I want to meet the noon train from London at Lime Street Station; and +if it wouldn't be too much trouble—"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. My neighbor is very glad to have me exercise the horse a +bit. Can you drive him alone?"</p> + +<p>"I'm a little nervous."</p> + +<p>"Will I do for coachman?"</p> + +<p>"If you would, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"Then that's settled. I'll go immediately and make arrangements;" which +he did.</p><a name='Page187'></a> + +<p>"Papa," said Lucy to her father, "the captain will drive me to the +station. You'll be all right until we get back?"</p> + +<p>"All right, yes; don't worry more about me. I'm getting strong faster +than I ever did before. See."</p> + +<p>He paced back and forth with considerable vim in his movements. "Why," +he continued, stopping in front of Lucy and kissing her gently on the +cheek, "I feel better right now than I have for a long time—better +inside, you know."</p> + +<p>Lucy did not understand exactly what he meant by the "inside," but she +did not puzzle her head about it. She was happy to know that her father +was so well and that Chester was speeding to her. The day promised to be +fair, and the drive to the station would be delightful. She was looking +out of the window.</p> + +<p>"Lucy," said her father, placing his hand on her shoulder, "you need not +tell Captain Brown the little secrets you have learned; and I think your +Uncle Gilbert need not know any more than he does. It is just as well +for all concerned that these things remain to outward appearances just +as they have in the past."</p> + +<p>"All right, papa."</p> + +<p>"We—Chester and you and I will know and understand and be happy. What +else matters?"</p> + +<p>"What, indeed."</p> + +<p>"Now, there's the captain already. He's early; but perhaps he intends +driving you about a bit first."</p><a name='Page188'></a> + +<p>That was just it. The morning air was so invigorating, Captain Brown +explained, that it was a pity not to feel it against one's face. He knew +of a number of very pretty drives, round-about ways, to the station, and +the fields were delightfully green just then.</p> + +<p>In a short time away they rattled down the graveled road, the father +waving after them. It was a good thing, said Lucy, that strong hands had +the reins, for the horse was full of life. They sped over the smooth, +hedge-bordered roads, winding about fields and gardens until they +arrived at Calderstone Park. Here the captain pointed out the Calder +Stones, ruins of an ancient Druid place of worship or sacrifice. Then +they drove leisurely through Sefton Park, thence townward to the +station.</p> + +<p>They had a few moments to wait, during which the driver stroked the +horse's nose, talking to him all the while not to be afraid of the noisy +cars. The whistle's shrill pipe sounded and the train rolled in. The +captain stood by his horse, while Lucy went to the platform, and met +Chester as he leaped from the car.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ho," said the captain to his horse, when he saw the meeting. A +partial explanation was given him of the "certain young man" whom they +were to meet.</p> + +<p>The captain held the carriage door open to them like a true coachman. +"Take the back seat, please," he commanded, after the introduction; "in +these vehicles, the driver sits in front."</p><a name='Page189'></a> + +<p>The captain drove straight home, so in a very-short time they were set +down at the steps.</p> + +<p>"Go right in," he said. "I'll take the horse back, and be with you +shortly."</p> + +<p>The housekeeper met them in the hall, took wraps and hats, and directed +them upstairs where the "gentleman" was waiting. Lucy had had no +opportunity to tell Chester the secret about herself, so she would have +to let his father do so. They walked quietly to the father's room and +opened the door softly. He appeared to be sleeping in his chair, so they +tip-toed into another room.</p> + +<p>"Is he better?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"Nearly well again." They did not seat themselves, but stood by the +table. She came close to him, smiling up into his face and said, +"<i>Everything's</i> all right, Chester."</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course," he replied. "You are looking so rosy and well, I +forget you are an invalid."</p> + +<p>"Don't think of it. I'm going to live a long, long time, Chester—with +you. Listen, dear, and don't look so worried. Things have changed again. +I don't need to break good news gently, so I may tell you now, papa—I +mean, your father, has been telling me something I never dreamed +of—Chester, listen. I'm not your father's child—only by +adoption—you're not my brother, only of course in the brotherhood of +the faith."</p> + +<p>"Lucy, what are you saying?"</p> + +<p>"I am telling you the truth—as I was told it. He <a name='Page190'></a>adopted me as a +baby—I was an orphan—I am not your sister. Chester—I—"</p> + +<p>He seized her hands, and held her at arms length, while his eyes seemed +to devour her. She could not repress the tears, and when he saw them, he +drew her close and kissed her.</p> + +<p>"Lucy, not my sister, but my sweetheart again, my little wife to +be—what—does it all mean?"</p> + +<p>There came a loud knock at the door, and the father entered without +being bidden. He walked firmly up to them, placed a hand on each +shoulder, and said:</p> + +<p>"My son, I have to ask your forgiveness again. I intended to tell you +about Lucy as soon as you learned the truth about yourself, but I was +hindered. Don't think, my boy, that I would purposely cause you +suffering. What Lucy has told you is true, and I am so glad that the +misunderstanding and the mixups no longer exist between us."</p> + +<p>The three now found seats and talked over the new situation in which +they found themselves, not forgetting the part Uncle Gilbert had taken +in recent events, until the strenuous voice of Captain Brown had to +supplement the housekeeper's bell, before the three would come down for +luncheon.</p> + +<p>Those were golden days to Chester, Lucy, and the Rev. Thomas Strong. Out +of restless uncertainty, doubts, fears, and heart-aching experiences +they now had come to a period of peaceful certainty. Out of straits they +had come to a quiet sun-kissed harbor.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown looked on all this happiness approvingly.<a name='Page191'></a> His shore leave +was going splendidly. The neighbor's horse and carriage were often +brought into requisition, and the father would not be denied his share +of these drives. The captain's own boat, long since unused, was put into +commission, and with the captain at the tiller the whole family sailed +over the placid Mersy. The moon grew rounder, and as the evenings were +warm, the boat often lingered in the moonlight. Then songs were sung, +Chester and Lucy singing some which the father recognized as "Mormon," +but which the captain knew only as beautiful and full of sweet spirit.</p> + +<p>During those days when the visitors remained with the captain rather +more for his own sake than for any other reason, there was just one +little cloud in Chester's and Lucy's sunlight. That was that the father +took no abiding interest in the religion which now meant so much to +them. Once or twice the subject had been carefully broached by Chester, +but each time the father had not responded. He made no objections. The +young man sometimes thought there would be more hope if he did. However, +he and Lucy were not discouraged. They reasoned, with justice, that it +was no easy matter to change a life-long habit of belief and practice. +They comforted each other by the hope that all would be well in the end. +Had they not already ample evidence of God's providence shaping all +things right.</p> + +<p>It was plainly to be seen, however, that the father took great comfort +in his new-found son; and well <a name='Page192'></a>any father might, for Chester was a +strong, open-spirited, clean young man. Father and son strolled out +together, Lucy sometimes peeping at them from behind the curtain, but +denying herself of their company. Chester, by his father's request, told +him more of his life's story. The father wished to live as much as could +be by word-telling the years he had missed in the life of his son; and +the father, for his part, acquainted Chester with his more recent years. +"I married quite late in life," said the father, "a sweet girl who did +much for me. That we had no children was a great disappointment to both +of us, and when we saw that very likely we never would have any of our +own, we found and adopted Lucy. She would never have known the truth +about that had not you come and compelled me to tell it. But it's all +right now, and the Lord has been kinder to me than I deserve."</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'God moves in a mysterious way,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>His wonders to perform,'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>quoted Chester.</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"'He plants his footsteps in the sea<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>And rides upon the storm,'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>mused the father.</p> + +<p>At another time the father said to Chester:</p> + +<p>"My boy, it would please me if you would take my name. You need not +discard the one you already have, but add mine to it—yours by all +that's right."</p><a name='Page193'></a> + +<p>"Yes, father."</p> + +<p>"I have no great fortune, but I have saved a little; and when I am gone, +it will be yours and Lucy's—I'll hear no objections to that—for can't +you see, all that I can possibly do for you will only in part pay for +the wrong I have done. You say you have no definite plans for the +future. Then you will come with us to Kansas City, where I expect to +take up again my labors in the ministry, at least for a time."</p> + +<p>Lucy came upon them at this point.</p> + +<p>"Chester has promised to take my name," explained the father.</p> + +<p>"That will make it unnecessary for you to change yours," said Chester, +as he put his arm around her.</p> + +<p>A week passed as rapidly as such golden days do. Chester sent the latest +news to Elder Malby. Uncle Gilbert, always impatient, wrote from Kildare +Villa, asking when they were "coming home." Captain Brown had made a +number of trips of inspection to the docks to see how the loading of his +ship was progressing.</p> + +<p>At the captain's invitation they all visited the vessel one afternoon.</p> + +<p>"Why," exclaimed Lucy in surprise, when she saw the steamer at the dock, +"you have a regular ocean liner here. I thought freight boats were small +concerns."</p> + +<p>"Small! well, now, you know better. Come aboard."</p> + +<p>He led the way on deck, and then below.</p> + +<p>"This ship is somewhat old," explained Captain<a name='Page194'></a> Brown, "but she is still +staunch and seaworthy. As you see, she has once been a passenger boat, +and in fact, she still carries passengers—when we can find some who +would rather spend twelve days in comfort than be rushed across in six +or seven by the latest greyhounds. I say, when we can find such sensible +people," repeated the captain, as he looked curiously at his guests.</p> + +<p>The dining room was spacious, the berths of the large, roomy kind which +the grasp for economy and capacity had not yet cut down.</p> + +<p>"This is a nicer state room than I had coming over," declared Lucy. "Why +can't we return with Captain Brown?"</p> + +<p>"I should be delighted," said the captain. "The booking offices are on +Water Street."</p> + +<p>"When do you sail?" asked the father.</p> + +<p>"In three days, I believe we shall be ready."</p> + +<p>"And your port?"</p> + +<p>"New York."</p> + +<p>"Your cargo?"</p> + +<p>"Mixed."</p> + +<p>"Any passengers?"</p> + +<p>"A dozen or so—plenty of room, you see. We'll make you comfortable, +more so than on a crowded liner. Think about it, Mr. Strong."</p> + +<p>"We shall," said Lucy and her father in unison.</p><a name='Page195'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>And thus it came about that the party of three visiting with Captain +Andrew Brown, decided to sail with him to New York. A few more days on +the water was of no consequence, except as Chester said to Lucy, to +enjoy a little longer the after-seasickness period of the voyage. As for +Chester himself, he was very pleased with the proposition.</p> + +<p>A visit to the company's office in Water Street completed the +arrangement. "Yes," said the agent, "we can take care of you. There will +be a very small list of passengers, which gives you all the more room. +Besides, it's worth while to cross with Captain Brown."</p> + +<p>As the boat did not lay up to the Landing Stage, but put directly to sea +from the dock, the passengers were stowed safely away into their +comfortable quarters the evening before sailing. When they awoke next +morning, they were well out into the Irish sea, the Welsh hills slowly +disappearing at the left. Chester was the first on deck. He tipped his +cap to Captain Brown on the bridge as they exchanged their morning +greetings. The day was bright and warm, the sea smooth. Chester stood +looking at the vanishing hills, glancing now and then at the +companionway, for Lucy. As he stood there, he thought of the time, only +a few days since, when he had caught his first sight of those same green +hills. What a lot had happened to him between those two points of time! +A journey begun without distinct purpose <a name='Page196'></a>had brought to him father and +sweetheart. Outward bound he had been alone, empty and void in his life; +and now he was going home with heart full of love and life rich with +noble purpose.</p> + +<p>Chester's father appeared before Lucy. The son met him and took his arm +as they paced the deck slowly. The father declared to Chester that he +was feeling fine; and, in fact, he looked remarkably well.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry we did not hear from Gilbert before we sailed," said the +father; "but I suppose the fault was ours in not writing to him sooner."</p> + +<p>"He barely had time to get the letter," said Chester.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so. But it doesn't matter. We should only have just stopped +off at Kildare Villa to say goodbye, any way."</p> + +<p>"It's a pity we don't stop at Queenstown. He could have come out on the +tender."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he would, and then perhaps he wouldn't. It would depend on just +how he felt—halloo, Lucy—you up already?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't lay abed longer this beautiful morning," exclaimed Lucy as +she came up to them. "Isn't this glorious! Is Wales below the sea yet?"</p> + +<p>"No; there's a tip left. See, there, just above the water."</p> + +<p>"Goodbye, dear old Europe," said Lucy, as she waved her handkerchief. +"I've always loved you—I love you now more than ever."</p> + +<p>Father and son looked and smiled knowingly at her. Then they all went +down to breakfast.</p> + +<p><a name='Page197'></a>Just about that same time of day, Thomas Strong's delayed letter +reached his brother in Cork. Uncle Gilbert read the letter while he ate +his breakfast, and Aunt Sarah wondered what could be so disturbing in +its contents; for he would not finish his meal.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Gilbert?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Thomas, Lucy, and that young fellow, Chester Lawrence are going +to—yes, have already sailed from Liverpool with Captain Brown."</p> + +<p>"And they're not coming to see us before they leave?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't I say, they're already on the water—or should be—off to New +York with Captain Brown—and he doesn't touch at Queenstown, and in that +boat—"</p> + +<p>Uncle Gilbert wiped his forehead.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry that they did not call," commented Aunt Sarah complacently; +"but I suppose they were in a hurry, and Captain Brown will take care of +them."</p> + +<p>"In a hurry! No. Captain Brown—" but the remark was lost to his wife. +He cut short his eating, hurried to town, and, in faint hopes that it +might be in time, sent a telegram to his brother in Liverpool which +read:</p> + +<p>"Don't sail with Captain Brown. Will explain later."</p> + +<p>This telegram was delivered to Captain Brown's housekeeper, who sent it +to the steamship company's office, where it was safely pigeon-holed.</p><a name='Page198'></a> + +<p>The morning passed at Kildare Villa. The telegram brought no reply. In +foolish desperation, hoping against hope, Uncle Gilbert took the first +fast train northward, crossed by mail steamer to Holyhead, thence on to +Liverpool, where he arrived too late. The boat had sailed. He went to +the steamship company's office in Water Street, and passed, without +asking leave, into the manager's office. That official was alone, which +was to Gilbert Strong's purpose.</p> + +<p>"Why did you permit my brother to sail with Captain Brown?" asked he +abruptly.</p> + +<p>"My dear Mr. Strong," said the manager, "calm yourself. I do not +understand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you do. You know as well as I do that his ship is—is not in the +best condition. You ought not to have allowed passengers at all."</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Strong. The boat is good for many a trip yet, though it +is true, as you know, that she is to go into dry dock for overhauling on +her return. Has your brother sailed on her?"</p> + +<p>"He has, my brother, his daughter and her young man. I suppose there +were other passengers also?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; a few—perhaps twenty-five all told. Don't worry; Captain Brown +will bring them safely through."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Gilbert Strong, as he left the office, "yes, if the Lord +will give him a show—but—"</p> + +<p>He could say no more, for did he not know full well that at a meeting of +company directors at which he had been present, it had been decided to +try one <a name='Page199'></a>more trip with Captain Brown in command, and the fact that the +boat was not in good condition was to be kept as much as possible from +the captain. A little tinkering below and a judicious coat of paint +above would do much to help the appearance of matters, one of the +smiling directors had said. And so—well, he would try not to worry. Of +course, everything would be well. Such things were done right along, +with only occasionally a disaster or loss—fully covered by the +insurance.</p> + +<p>But for all his efforts at self assurance, when he went home to Aunt +Sarah he was not in the most easy frame of mind.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The little company under Captain Brown's care was having a delightful +time. The weather was so pleasant that there was very little sickness. +Chester again escaped and even his father and Lucy were indisposed for a +day or two only. After that the long sunny days and much of the starry +nights were spent on deck. The members of the company soon became well +acquainted. Captain Brown called them his "happy family."</p> + +<p>And now Chester and Lucy had opportunity to get near to each other in +heart and mind. With steamer chairs close together up on the promenade +deck where there usually were none but themselves, they would sit for +hours, talking and looking out over the sea. "Shady bowers 'mid trees +and flowers" may be ideal places for lovers; but a quiet protected +corner of a big ship which plows majestically <a name='Page200'></a>through a changeless, yet +ever-changing sea, has also its charms and advantages.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day out. The water was smooth, the day so warm that the +shade was acceptable. Chester and Lucy had been up on the bridge with +Captain Brown, who had told them stories of the sea, and had showed them +pictures of his wife and baby, both safe in the "Port of Forever," he +had said. All this had had its effect on the two young people, and so +when they went down to escape the glare of the sun on the exposed +bridge, they sought a shady corner amid-ships. When they found chairs, +Chester always saw that she was comfortable, for though well as she +appeared, she was never free from the danger of a troublesome heart. The +light shawl which she usually wore on deck, hung loosely from her +shoulders across her lap, providing a cover behind which two hands could +clasp. They sat for some time that afternoon, in silence, then Lucy +asked abruptly:</p> + +<p>"Chester, you haven't told me much about that girl out West. You liked +her very much, didn't, you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he admitted, after a pause. "I think I can truthfully say I did; +but this further I can say, that my liking for her was only a sort of +introduction to the stronger, more matured love which was to follow,—my +love for you. I think I have told you before that you bear a close +resemblence to her; and it occurs to me now that therein is another of +God's wonderful providences."</p> + +<p>"How is that?"</p> + +<p>"Had you not looked like her I would not have <a name='Page201'></a>been attracted to you, +and very likely, would have missed you and my father, and all this."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad your experience has been turned to such good account. Now, I +for example, never had a beau until you came."</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't feign surprise. You know, I'm no beauty, and I never was +popular with the boys. Someone once told me it was because I was too +religious. What do you think of that?"</p> + +<p>"Too religious! Nonsense. The one thing above another, if there is such, +that I like about you is that your beauty of heart and soul corresponds +to your beauty of face—No; don't contradict. You have the highest type +of beauty—"</p> + +<p>"Beauty is in the eyes that see," she interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Certainly; and in the heart that understands. As I said, the highest +type of beauty is where the inner and the outer are harmoniously +combined. I think that is another application of the truth that the +spiritual and the mortal, or 'element' as the revelation calls it, must +be eternally connected to insure a perfect being. Somehow, I always +sympathize with one whose beautiful spirit is tabernacled in a plain +body. And yet, my pity is a hundred times more profound for one whom God +has given a beautiful face and form, but whose heart and soul have been +made ugly by sin—but there, if I don't look out, I'll be preaching."</p> + +<p>"Well, your congregation likes to hear you preach."</p><a name='Page202'></a> + +<p>Space will not permit the recording of the number of times emphasis was +given to various expressions in this conversation by the hand pressure +under the shawl.</p> + +<p>"Now," continued he, "I can't conceive of your not having any admirers."</p> + +<p>"I didn't say admirers—I said beaux."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose there is a difference," he laughed.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I have known a good many young men in my time, but those +matrimonially inclined usually passed by on the other side."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they knew I was coming on this side."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps—There's papa. He looks lonesome. We ought to be ashamed of +ourselves to hide from him as we did yesterday."</p> + +<p>"I agree; but he'll find us now."</p> + +<p>Lucy drew the father's attention, and he found a chair near them.</p> + +<p>"Isn't the sea beautiful," said Lucy, by way of beginning the +conversation properly, now a third person was present. "And what a lot +of water there is!" she continued. "What did Lincoln say about the +common people? The Lord must like them, because he made so many of them. +Well, the Lord must like water also, as He has made so much of it."</p> + +<p>"Water is a very necessary element in the economy of nature," said the +father. "Like the flow of blood in the human body, so is water to this +world. As far as we know, wherever there is life there is water."</p> + +<p>"And that reminds me," said Lucy eagerly, as if a new thought had come +to her, "that water is also <a name='Page203'></a>a sign of purity. Water is used, not only +to purify the body, but as a symbol to wash away the sins of the soul. +Paul, you remember, was commanded to 'arise, and be baptized, and wash +away thy sins'." Lucy looked at Chester as if giving him a cue.</p> + +<p>"In the economy of God," said Chester, "it seems necessary that we must +pass through water from one world to another. In like manner, the +gateway to the kingdom of heaven is through water. 'Except a man be born +of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God' is +declared by the Savior himself."</p> + +<p>Whether or not the father understood that this brief sermonizing was +intended primarily for him, he did not show any resentment. He listened +attentively, then added:</p> + +<p>"Yes; water has always held an important place among nations. Cicero +tells us that Thales the Milesian asserted God formed all things from +water—Out in Utah, Chester," said the father, turning abruptly to the +young man, "you have an illustration of what water can do in the way of +making the desert to blossom."</p> + +<p>"Yes; it is truly wonderful, what it has done out there," agreed +Chester. Then being urged by both his father and Lucy, he told of the +West and its development. He was adroitly led to talk of Piney Ridge +Cottage and the people who lived there, their home and community life, +their trials, their hopes, their ideals. Ere he was aware, Chester was +again in the canyons, and crags and mountain peaks, whose <a name='Page204'></a>wildness was +akin to the wildness of the ocean. Then when his story was told, Lucy +said:</p> + +<p>"I know where I could get well."</p> + +<p>"Where?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"At Piney Ridge Cottage."</p> + +<p>Chester neither agreed nor denied. Just then a steamer came into sight, +eastward bound. It proved to be an "ocean grayhound," and Captain Brown +coming up, let them look at it through his glass.</p> + +<p>"She's going some," remarked the captain; "but I'll warrant the +passengers are not riding as easy as we."</p> + +<p>"Somehow," said the father, "a passing steamer always brings to me +profound thoughts. Now, there, for example, is a spot on the vast +expanse of water. It is but a speck, yet within it is a little world, +teeming with life. The ship comes into our view, then passes away. +Again, the ship is just a part of a great machine—I use this figure for +want of a better one. Every individual on the ship bears a certain +relationship to the vessel; the steamer is a part of this world; this +world is a cog in the machinery of the solar system; the solar system is +but a small group of worlds, which is a part of and depends on, +something as much vaster as the world is to this ship. This men call the +Universe; but all questions of what or where or when pertaining to this +universe are unanswerable. We are lost—we know nothing about it—it is +beyond our finite minds."</p> + +<p>Captain Brown stood listening to this exposition.<a name='Page205'></a> His eyes were on the +speaker, then on the passing steamer, then on the speaker again.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Strong," said he, "at the last church service I attended in +Liverpool, the minister was trying to explain what God is,—and just +that which you have said is beyond us, that vast, unknown, unknowable +something he called God."</p> + +<p>"Oh," exclaimed Lucy, involuntarily.</p> + +<p>"I'll admit the definition is not very plain," continued the captain. +"We get no sense of nearness from it. I would not know how to pray to or +worship such a God; but what are we to do? I have never heard anything +more satisfactory, except—well, only when I read my Bible."</p> + +<p>"Why not take the plain statement of the Bible, then?" suggested +Chester.</p> + +<p>"I try to, but my thinking of these things is not clear, because of the +interpretation the preachers put upon them—excuse the statement, Mr. +Strong; but perhaps you are an exception. I have never heard you +preach."</p> + +<p>The minister smiled good-naturedly. Then he said, "Chester here, is +quite a preacher himself. Ask his opinion on the matter."</p> + +<p>"I shall be happy to listen to him. However, I have an errand just now. +Will you go with me?" this to Chester.</p> + +<p>Chester, annoyed for a moment at this unexpected turn, arose and +followed the captain into his quarters.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," said the captain. "I was glad Mr.<a name='Page206'></a> Strong gave me an +opportunity to get you away, for I have a matter I wish to speak to you +about, a matter which I think best to keep from both Mr. Strong and +Lucy—but which you ought to know."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>The officer seated himself near his table on which were outspread charts +and maps. About the table hung a framed picture of the captain's wife +and child, a miniature of which he carried in his breast pocket.</p> + +<p>"In the first place," began Captain Brown, "I want you to keep this +which I tell you secret until I deem it wise to be published. I can +trust you for that?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly."</p> + +<p>Always in the company of the passengers, Captain Brown's bearing was one +of assurance. He smiled readily. But now his face was serious, and +Chester saw lines of care and anxiety in it.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry that I ever suggested to you and your friends—and my dear +friends they are too," continued the captain, "that you take this voyage +with me, for if anything should happen, I should never forgive myself. +However, there is no occasion for serious alarm—yet."</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, captain?"</p> + +<p>"I have been deceived regarding the condition of this ship. I was made +to understand that she was perfectly sea-worthy—this is my first trip +with her—but I now learn that the boilers are in a bad state and the +pumps are hardly in a working condition. There is—already a small leak +where it is nearly impossible to be reached. We are holding <a name='Page207'></a>our own +very well, and we can jog along in this way for some time, so there is +no immediate danger."</p> + +<p>Chester experienced a sinking at the heart. From the many questions +which thronged into his mind, he put this:</p> + +<p>"When might there be danger?"</p> + +<p>"If the leak gets bad and the pumps can not handle it. Then a rough sea +is to be dreaded."</p> + +<p>"What can we do?"</p> + +<p>"At present, nothing but keep cool. You are the only one of the +passengers that knows anything about this, and I am telling you because +I can trust you to be wise and brave, if necessary. If things do not +improve, we shall soon be getting our boats in shape. We shall do this +as quietly as possible, but someone might see and ask questions. We +shall depend on you—and I'll promise to keep you posted on the ship's +true condition."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir."</p> + +<p>"And now," said the captain as his face resumed its cheerful expression, +"I must make a trip below. When you see me on the bridge again, come up +and make that explanation which Mr. Strong said you were able to do. I +shall be mighty glad to listen to you."</p> + +<p>Chester protested, but the captain would not hear it. "I'll be up in the +course of half an hour," said the seaman. "Promise me you'll come?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you really wish it?"</p> + +<p>"I was never more earnest in my life. My boy, let me tell you +something'. I have listened at times <a name='Page208'></a>to your conversation on religious +themes—you and Lucy have talked when I could not help hearing—and I +want to hear more—I believe you have a message for me."</p> + +<p>There was a smile on the captain's face as he hurried away. And +Chester's heart also arose and was comforted, as he lingered for a few +moments on the deck and then joined Lucy and his father.</p><a name='Page209'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX'></a><h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>In blissful ignorance of any danger, the passengers and most of the crew +went the daily round of pleasure or duty. The games on deck, the smoking +and card-playing in the gentlemen's room, the sleeping and the eating +all went on uninterrupted. Captain Brown, though quieter than usual, was +as pleasant and thoughtful as ever. The sea was smooth, the weather +fine, and the ship plowed on her course with no visible indication that +she was slowly being crippled.</p> + +<p>Lucy had for her use, one of the largest and best ventilated rooms in +the ship. It was so pleasant there, that she spent much of her time in +its seclusiveness. It is needless to state that Chester shared that +comfort and seclusion. Reading, talking, building castles which reached +into the heavens, these two basked in the warm light of a perfect love. +After a little buffeting about in worldly storms, two hearts had come to +rest; and how penetratingly sweet was that serene peace of soul. In him +she saw her highest ideals realized, her fondest hopes and dreams come +true. In her he found the composite perfectness of woman. All his +visions from early youth to the present materialized in the sweet face, +gentle spirit and pure soul of Lucy Strong!</p> + +<p>Chester, the day after Captain Brown had told him about the condition of +the ship, found Lucy in her <a name='Page210'></a>room. She was not well, the father had +said, so Chester sought her out. She was reclining on the couch. His +heart, burdened with what he knew melted towards the girl. He drew a +stool up to her, and kissed his good-morning.</p> + +<p>"Not so well today?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No; my heart has been troubling me all night; but I'm better now."</p> + +<p>"Now, see here, my girl, I'm the one that ought to be ill."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" she smiled at him.</p> + +<p>"Have we not exchanged hearts?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see. Yes; but the strength only went with mine. The weakness I +retained. It would not have been fair otherwise."</p> + +<p>She sat up and pushed back her hair. He seated himself near her and drew +her in his arm. He held her close.</p> + +<p>"Some things," said he, "we can not give, much as we would like. Some +burdens we must carry ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Which I take it, is a very wise provision," she added.</p> + +<p>There was silence after that. It was not easy for either of them to +talk, each being constrained with his own crowded thoughts. Chester +listened to the rhythmic beat of the machinery, and wondered vaguely how +long it would continue thus, and what would happen if it had to stop.</p> + +<p>"Chester," said Lucy at last, "what if I should die?" She clung to him +as she said it.</p><a name='Page211'></a> + +<p>"But, my dear, you're not going to die. You're going to get completely +well again—You're going to stay with me, you know."</p> + +<p>"That's the worst, when I think of it—the thought of separating from +you—O Chester, I can't do that—All my life I've waited and watched for +you, and now to leave you, to lose you again—and we've been together +such a short time! I can't bear to think of it." The tears welled in her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Then, my sweetheart mustn't think of it. We are going to be together, +we two. 'Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will +lodge ... where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried!' +quoted the young man, knowing not the prophetic import of his words. She +leaned on his shoulder, and he stroked the hair from her forehead.</p> + +<p>"Did you have a talk with Captain Brown?" she asked. "Did you answer his +questions?"</p> + +<p>Chester started, then understood. "Oh, yes," he replied. "Yesterday on +the bridge we talked for an hour. He asked me all manner of questions, +and I think I satisfied him. He had heard of Mormonism,' of course, but +never of its message of salvation. I believe he's converted already."</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad, for he is such a nice man. Chester, I wish your father +were more susceptible to the gospel. I can't understand him. He never +opposes, nor does he now find fault with me; but as for himself—well, +he says he's going back to the pulpit."</p> + +<p>"I am just as sorry as you, on that score; but we <a name='Page212'></a>can but do our best, +and let the Lord take care of the rest."</p> + +<p>Now when their thoughts ranged from self to others, Lucy felt so much +better that she declared she was ready for the deck. So leaning on +Chester's arm, they carefully climbed the stairs, and came to the open. +There was a breeze, and a bank of clouds hung low to windward. Chester +adjusted Lucy's wrap closely as they paced the deck slowly. The clouds +lifted into the sky, shutting out the sun. On the horizon, winkings of +lightning flashed. Evidently, a storm was coming.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown was quiet at the luncheon table. Chester noted it, and +afterwards, followed the captain to the bridge.</p> + +<p>"How goes it?" asked Chester.</p> + +<p>"Not well," was the reply. "Do you see that list to larboard."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand."</p> + +<p>Without pointing, which action others might see, the captain explained +that the ship tilted to one side, also that there was a slight "settling +by the head," that is, the ship was deeper in the water forward than at +any other part. Chester noticed it now, and asked what it meant.</p> + +<p>"It means," explained the captain, "that we are slowly +settling—sinking, in plain words. The pumps can not manage the water +coming into the hold. There is also some trouble with the cargo, which +causes the list or leaning to one side. From now on, I shall be on the +lookout for assistance, which I <a name='Page213'></a>think, will come in ample time—Now +tell me more about this new prophet, Joseph Smith."</p> + +<p>For an hour they conversed. Then the captain had to go below again, and +Chester went in search of Lucy. A number of the passengers were standing +near the larboard rail. They noticed the slope of the deck, but did not +realize its meaning, and Chester did not enlighten them. A peculiar +heart-sinking feeling persisted with him, which the coming storm did not +alleviate.</p> + +<p>The captain was not in his place at dinner, which was all the more +noticeable, because it was the first time he had been absent. Some of +the passengers were beginning to feel the effects of the higher seas, +and they did not eat much. Very few went back to the deck from the +table. Lucy and the minister were among those who went to bed, but +Chester, clad in water proofs was easier on deck.</p> + +<p>The wind was blowing hard, increasing in time to quite a gale. The waves +broke over the ship's prow, slushing the forward deck and driving all +who were out either back or to an upper deck. Chester kept away from +Captain Brown on the bridge, where he no doubt would remain throughout +the night.</p> + +<p>Darkness came on thick and black. The wind howled hideously around +smoke-stack and rigging. The rain came in storms, then ceased only to +gather more strength for the next squall. How well the ship was standing +the rough weather, Chester did not know, and certainly the other +passengers had <a name='Page214'></a>no fears, as most of them were asleep. Chester went down +the companion-way, glanced into the vacant saloon and hallways, and +paused at Lucy's door All was quiet, so she was no doubt asleep. His +father was also resting easily. He went on deck again.</p> + +<p>As he mounted the steps to the tipper deck, he saw a brilliant light +shine from the bridge. It flashed for an instant, flooding the ship with +light, then went out. "The captain is signalling," thought Chester. In +five minutes the light flashed again, thus at regular intervals. The few +passengers who saw this, becoming alarmed, rushed to the bridge with +anxious questions. The captain met them at the foot of the stairs.</p> + +<p>"My friends," he said in wonderfully calm tones "there is no occasion +for alarm. The weather is very thick, and as we are in the path of +steamers, these lights are set off as a warning." This explanation, as +Chester knew, was not all the truth, but the captain did not want a +panic so early in the trouble. The passengers seemed satisfied, but they +lingered for some time watching the lights and the remarkable effects +they had on the ship and the heaving sea. The captain touched Chester +who was still standing near the steps.</p> + +<p>"You go to bed and get some rest," he said. "You may need all your +strength later. There is no danger tonight. Go to bed."</p> + +<p>Chester took the captain's advice. He went to bed, <a name='Page215'></a>but it was not easy +to go to sleep, so he did not do this until well towards morning.</p> + +<p>The storm was still on next morning when Chester awoke. He dressed +hurriedly, listened again at Lucy's and his father's doors, but hearing +nothing went on deck. The day was well advanced. The wind seemed not so +strong as the night before, and the waves were not so high. However, the +sea was rough enough to add to the danger of a sinking ship. Chester +noticed the "list to larboard," and the "settling at the head," and +found both of these dangerous conditions worse. The most careless +observer would not now fail to see that something was the matter. And, +in fact, as the passengers came on deck that morning, most of them late +and looking bad from threatened attacks of sea-sickness, they +immediately remarked on the slanting deck. Anxious enquiries from +officers and seamen brought no satisfactory reply. Had there been a +large number of passengers, there would likely have been an unpleasant +panic that morning.</p> + +<p>The breakfast was late, and very few of the passengers were there to +partake of it. Captain Brown was in his place, greeting the few who +slipped carefully into their seats. As the meal progressed and not over +half of the usual company put in an appearance, the captain consulted +with the second officer and the steward. Then at the close of the meal, +the captain arose and said:</p> + +<p>"My friends, I wish you to remain until we can get all who are able to +join us here. I have something <a name='Page216'></a>to say which I want all of you to hear. +So please remain seated. The steward will see that no one leaves the +room."</p> + +<p>One by one the absent passengers were brought in. Thomas Strong was +among them, but not Lucy, for which Chester was thankful. The steward +reported that all who were able were present, and then amid a tense +silence, emphasized only by the creaking of the ship and the subdued +noise of the sea without, the captain said:</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to have to tell you that the ship is in a sinking condition. +There is a leak which we have been unable to stop. Two of our boilers +are already useless and it is only a matter of time when the water will +reach the others. I have not said anything about this until now, for I +have been hoping to meet with some vessel that could take us off. So +far, none has appeared. However, we are in the steamer zone, and we have +many chances yet. Today sometime or tonight we must take to the boats, +and what I want to impress upon you especially is that you, all of you, +must control yourselves. Do not give way to excitement or fear which +might hinder you from doing what is best. I tell you plainly, that the +worst we have to fear on that score is the crew. They are already near +to mutiny. The first officer and others are guarding their exits and +keeping the stokers at their posts. They are a rough lot of men, and it +will not do to let them get beyond our control. I shall, therefore, ask +the help of every man present.<a name='Page217'></a> When it comes to launching the boats, it +must be done in order. There are boats enough, but there must not be any +crowding. With the present rough water it will be difficult to get the +boats off. It is necessary, therefore, that the greatest care be taken. +Now, then, that is all. Go about quietly. Each man and woman get a life +belt ready, but you need not put them on until you are told. The steward +will give the order."</p> + +<p>He ceased, turned, and hurried up the companionway. There was silence +for a moment, then a woman screamed, which signaled a general uproar of +cries and talk. Out of the confusion came quiet, assuring commands, and +in time the little company had scattered. Chester and his father went +out together, along the hallway to Lucy's room. They looked mutely at +each other, not knowing what best to say.</p> + +<p>When they stopped at Lucy's door, Chester asked of his father if she was +up.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied; "but she is not well. How shall we tell her the evil +news?"</p> + +<p>"We must manage it somehow, for she must know—poor little girl!"</p> + +<p>Between them, they managed to tell Lucy of the situation they were in. +During the telling, she looked at one and then at the other in a dazed +way, as if she could not believe there were any actual danger. They +repeated to her the assurances the captain had given.</p> + +<p>"Can we go on deck?" asked Lucy at last. "I <a name='Page218'></a>want to get into the air +where the sky is above me."</p> + +<p>They found a protected corner in the smoking-room where Lucy was content +to sit and look out of the open door to see what was going on about the +deck. Officers were inspecting the boats to see that all were ready in +case of need. The work of the crew and the movements of the passengers +were accompanied by a certain nervousness. That the ship was slowly +settling could plainly be seen by all on board.</p> + +<p>Towards noon, the forward hatch was opened, and soon there was a rattle +of chains and clang of machinery. Then up from the hold come bales, +boxes, and barrels which were unceremoniously dropped into the sea. The +cargo must go. No help had yet been sighted, and if they were to remain +afloat much longer, the ship would have to be lightened. "What a pity to +waste so much," said some, forgetting their own peril for the moment; +but human life is worth more than ships or cargos.</p> + +<p>Very few cared to respond to the call for luncheon which the stewards +bravely kept up. The women who were too frightened to go below were +served on deck, being urged to eat by solicitous friends.</p> + +<p>All afternoon the unloading went on. The ship moved slowly leaving a +train of floating merchandise in its wake. On the bridge the captain or +one of the officers paced back and forth with glass in hand eager to +catch the call of the man in the crow's nest if he should catch sight of +other vessels. But none were <a name='Page219'></a>seen. The afternoon closed; darkness came +on. Then the light burned again from the bridge and the fog-horn added +its din to the dreariness.</p> + +<p>Lucy kept to her position near the open deck. She would not go below, so +wraps and pillows were brought her and she was made as comfortable as +possible. Chester remained with her most of the time, the father came +and went in nervous uncertainty. Captain Brown stopped long enough to +tell Chester that since most of the cargo was overboard, they would +float a little longer, but they were to be ready at any time now to +leave the ship. The boats were provisioned, it was explained, and the +passengers would be allowed to take with them only what could be carried +in a small bundle. Very likely, they would not need to desert the ship +before morning, so they had better rest.</p> + +<p>But there was neither rest nor sleep that night. Chester tucked his +father into a seat, placed a pillow for his head, then, seeing that Lucy +was comfortable, sat down by her. She lifted the cover from her +shoulders, and extended it to his. It dropped to his lap also, so thus +they sat in the dim glow of the electric light. Life belts were within +easy reach.</p> + +<p>It was well past midnight when the lights went out. Then the beat, beat +of the engines grew less, became fainter, and then like a great heart, +ceased. The ship was dead, and lifeless it must float at the mercy of +wind and wave. Then from below came the cries of men, and there were +hurried steps and <a name='Page220'></a>sharp commands on deck. Chester stepped out to see +what it was. Captain Brown and the first officer stood by the entrance +to the boiler rooms with gleaming revolvers in their hands, holding back +an excited crowd of stokers.</p> + +<p>"Back, every one of you!" shouted the captain. "I shall kill the first +man who comes out until he is given permission."</p> + +<p>The mass of half-naked, grimy men slunk back with curses and +protestations. "The ship is sinking," they cried, "let us get out."</p> + +<p>"Steady there now." commanded Captain Brown. "There is plenty of time. +We shall let you out, but it must be done orderly. One at a time now, +and go get your clothes. Then stand by, ready for orders from the +engineer. Do you agree?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes." They filed out one and two at a time, disappearing in the +darkness. Lanterns, prepared for this emergency, flashed here and there. +Chester obtained one and placed it on the table of the smoking room.</p> + +<p>Presently the stewards could be heard running about the ship saying: +"Ready for the boats, ready for the boats—Everybody on the boat deck!" +The frightened passengers crowded up the steps in the half-darkness, the +gleam of lanterns showing the way. Men were clearing the davits, and +presently the first boat was ready to be filled.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown was in command. He now looked <a name='Page221'></a>out into the night, then +down to the rough sea, hesitating for a moment whether or not the time +had come. He did not wish to set these men and women afloat in small +boats on such a sea if he could possibly help it; but a settling +movement of the ship, which perhaps he only felt, decided him. He +detailed six sailors to the boat that was ready, then said:</p> + +<p>"The women first—no crowding, please—stand back you!"—this to a man +whom panic had seized and who was crowding forward.</p> + +<p>Sharp, clear, came the orders, and everyone understood. Some husbands +were permitted to go with their hysterical wives. Presently, "That will +do," ordered the captain. "There are plenty of boats, and there need be +no overloading. Lower away."</p> + +<p>The first boat went down and was safely floated and rowed away from the +sinking ship. The sailors were busy with the second boat. Captain Brown +caught sight of Chester. "Where is Mr. Strong and Lucy. This is your +boat. Bring them along."</p> + +<p>"When do you go, Captain?"</p> + +<p>"I? On the last boat. Hurry them along, my boy."</p> + +<p>Just as Chester turned, there came from the other side of the ship the +noise of shouting, rushing men. The commands of officers were drowned in +the confusion. The frantic stokers had got beyond the control of the +officer, and they rushed for the boats. Davits creaked, as the boats +were swung out. The crazed men pushed pell mell into them. One boat <a name='Page222'></a>was +lowered when only half full, and by the time Captain Brown reached the +scene, the second boat was full, ready to be loosened.</p> + +<p>"Hold," he commanded, as he held aloft his lantern and his revolver +pointed directly at the man who held one of the ropes.</p> + +<p>"Out of there, every one of you—out I say—you first," to a man just +climbing in.</p> + +<p>The stokers were not sailors—the riff-raff of many ports they were; and +now with them it was every man for himself. This feeling without proper +knowledge worked their undoing. The ropes were released, one before the +other, and the loaded boat bumped down the side of the vessel, one end +dropping before the other, spilling the screaming, cursing men into the +water. Down the boat slid until one end touched the waves, the rope ends +flying loosely so that they could not be reached by those on the deck. A +wave hit the boat as it hung and swamped it.</p> + +<p>"My God," exclaimed the captain, "two of our boats are lost. There is +only one more left."</p> + +<p>Chester Lawrence stood still and watched by the lantern's light what was +going on. He pressed forward in time to hear Captain Brown's remark +about the boats. Then together they crossed to the other side where that +last boat hung ready to be filled. And there was need for hurry now. +Slowly, but surely, the ship was sinking, and any moment might bring the +final plunge.</p><a name='Page223'></a> + +<p>"Load the boat," shouted the Captain, "women first." The half dozen +women found places.</p> + +<p>"Where's Lucy?" he enquired, looking around for Chester who had +disappeared. Lucy was not in the boat. The Captain was sure she had not +gotten away with the first boat. Chester would bring her.</p> + +<p>"Now, fill in," was the order. "Mr. Strong, where are you? Is Mr. Strong +here?" But he was not to be found.</p> + +<p>One by one the few remaining passengers took their places, then the +crew.</p> + +<p>"Is there room for more?" asked the Captain of the officer in the boat.</p> + +<p>"I fear not, sir," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"Some of the men get under the seats," ordered the Captain. "Now, then +in with you men. Don't go yet. There is yet a woman aboard. Hold fast +there, officer, until I find her." He rushed down the stairs with his +lantern, calling for Chester. "Where are you—for God's sake come +quick!"</p> + +<p>"Here I am sir," replied Chester as he came nearly carrying his father.</p> + +<p>"Where is Lucy?"</p> + +<p>"Lucy is not coming, sir. She does not need to—she has gone +already—she—"</p> + +<p>"What? What is it? We need to hurry, my boy!"</p> + +<p>"Lucy is dead!"</p> + +<p>"Dead!—Bring Mr. Strong along. The boat is waiting."</p> + +<p>The boat hung by its davits, ready for lowering.</p><a name='Page224'></a> + +<p>"We are full," said the officer, "and the deck is cleared. There is need +for hurry, sir."</p> + +<p>"There is," replied Captain Brown. "Make room for two more."</p> + +<p>"We can't do it sir—not in this sea—we are overcrowded now."</p> + +<p>"You must—close up, lie down, make room."</p> + +<p>One of the officers offered to get out, then another did the same, but +the captain would not hear. "No," he said, "you men have families."</p> + +<p>Still the boat hung there in the darkness. What could be done? The waves +rolled beneath, the wind moaned in the rigging.</p> + +<p>"We might risk one more, sir," came from the boat.</p> + +<p>The captain looked at Chester, big, strong, full of youth, and then at +the slender, gray-haired man. What a pity, and yet he knew the younger +man would have to remain. That is the law of the sea.</p> + +<p>"I'll not go," said the father. "You go, Chester."</p> + +<p>"No, no; we'll manage somehow; but you must take the chance. Here, help +him in."</p> + +<p>Captain Brown stood by with lifted lantern. He did not dictate which of +the two should go. He had no need of that. He saw Chester lift the old +man in his arms, hold him for an instant close to him, kiss him and +murmur, "Goodby father, and God bless and preserve you"—then he handed +him over to outstretched hands in the boat.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown and Chester Lawrence stood by the <a name='Page225'></a>railing and watched the +boat lowered. Then when they knew it was safely riding the waves, they +turned to each other.</p> + +<p>"Where is your life-belt?" asked the Captain. "Get it, and put it on."</p> + +<p>"Is there a chance?"</p> + +<p>"There is always a chance. Come. We shall go together, one way or +another—the way God wills."</p> + +<p>They walked along the slanting deck down to where Lucy lay on the couch +in the smoking room. Chester did not notice the life-belt on the table, +but he lifted a lantern to Lucy's face, kneeled by it, and kissed it +tenderly. "Lucy," he said, "my sweetheart, where are you? Don't you want +me to come too?" He stroked the still face, and smoothed back the hair +as he was wont. "Aren't you afraid in that new world to which you have +gone—aren't you as lonesome as—I am? O Lucy, Lucy!"</p> + +<p>"Come put on this belt," said the captain, touching him on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I'm coming with you, Lucy," continued the young man. "Nothing shall +part us—as I have told you—we two,—O, my God, what can I do?"</p> + +<p>The captain led Chester away from the dead, out to the open deck, and +buckled around him a life-belt. "Wait here" said the officer. "There is +a chance—I'm going to see. I'll be back in a minute."</p> + +<p>Chester was alone, and in those few minutes the wonderful panorama of +life passed before him. He lived in periods, each period ending with +Lucy Strong. His boyhood, and his awakening to the <a name='Page226'></a>world about +him—then Lucy; his schooldays, with boys and girls—out from them came +Lucy; his early manhood, his forming ideals—completed in Lucy; his +experiences in the West, and at Piney Ridge Cottage, and then came, not +Julia, but Lucy; then the gospel with its new light and assurance of +salvation; and this coupled with Lucy, her faith and love, burned as a +sweet incense in the soul of Chester Lawrence. Fear left him now. He +heard sounds as if they were songs from distant angel-choirs. Words of +comfort and strength were whispered to his heart: "Though I walk through +the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art +near me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...." Eternity! Why, an +immortal soul is always in eternity; and God is always at hand in life +or in death.... Death! what is it but the passing to the other side of a +curtain, where our loved ones are waiting to meet and greet us!</p> + +<p>Chester stepped back to Lucy. It was dark where she lay, but he passed +his hand over her form to her face, touching tenderly her cheek and +closed eyes. The flesh was not yet cold, but he felt that the soul whom +he had come to know as Lucy Strong was not there.</p> + +<p>Captain Brown called through the darkness. Chester groped into the open +again. Was that the captain's figure on the bridge, looming black +against the faint light in the eastern sky? If it was, Chester was in no +condition to know, for just then there came a great sinking. A roar of +waters sounded in <a name='Page227'></a>his ears, there was a struggle, a moment of agony, +and then the darkness of oblivion.</p> + +<p>When he awoke again, he had passed over the storm-whipped bar into still +waters. There Lucy met him, and together they sailed, guided by the +unerring Light of God into the Harbor of Eternal Peace and Rest.</p><a name='Page228'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>Thomas Strong was a guest at Piney Ridge Cottage. It had taken him a +full year to get over the effects of that dreadful sea disaster wherein +a son, a daughter, and a dear friend had been lost, and to finally make +his way westward to the people to whom both son and daughter had +belonged. He had arrived during apple-blossom time, and the +white-haired, sad-faced man who seemed to have had all mortality burned +from him by fiery trials, was kindly received by Mr. Elston, his +daughter Julia and her husband, Bishop Glen Curtis. These listened to +his strange story, and were profoundly moved by its tragic ending. They +urged him to remain with them, Julia giving him the room on the attic +floor which previously was hers. He was grateful for all these +kindnesses, saying he would be pleased to visit with them for a time.</p> + +<p>Out under the apple trees in the growing orchard Hugh Elston made for +their guest a seat, where during the day he would sit as one alone, +listening and waiting here in this spot away from the noise and traffic +of the world for a final message which the God of the Universe might +send him. As far as his strength would allow, he liked to walk along the +country roads, which now extended for many miles from Piney Ridge, and +chat with the neighbors about the country and its prospects. He also +made some <a name='Page229'></a>minor excursions up the hillsides, but in this direction he +could not go far. Frequently he stopped to rest by the enclosed graves, +where he sat on the grass, and with hands on cane, looked wonderingly at +the two graves, side by side.</p> + +<p>But whispered messages from out the blue or storms of heaven did not +come to this man. Neither were there angels sent to tell him what to do; +but the Lord had one more thing—simple indeed—to bear upon the +reluctant heart of Thomas Strong.</p> + +<p>In the little attic room which Julia had turned over to her guest were +many books, papers, and magazines. She had told him that everything in +the room was at his service, and so the visitor made good use of the +kind offer. One day he found a small book which had the name Anna +Lawrence—Chester's mother—written on the fly-leaf. Curiously turning +over the pages of the volume, which was simply a school book of the kind +he remembered in his youth, he found between the leaves an old letter. +He unfolded the deeply creased sheets, looked at the strange +handwriting, saw that it was dated thirty years ago, and addressed to +"Miss Anna Lawrence" and signed by a name unknown to him. There could no +harm come from reading this message from the past, so he drew his chair +up to the window, and read:</p> +<br /> + +<p>"<i>Dear Friend Anna</i>:</p> + +<p>"It is three months now since I left home for this mission, and not +having heard anything yet from you, I thought a few lines from me might +help you <a name='Page230'></a>get started in the letter-writing direction. I am enjoying my +mission very much, which perhaps you cannot understand, but it is true, +nevertheless. I came to this place yesterday and have already delivered +some tracts. Most of the people are against us, specially is this the +case with preachers. They get after us roughly. My companion isn't as +old as I am, and goodness knows, I'm young and green enough; but we're +both studying hard, and the Lord is with us, which, after all, is our +chief concern.</p> + +<p>"I hope you are getting along at school. Do you remember the fun we had +last vacation? I heard that our friend Sue is about to be married, but I +suppose you know all about that.</p> + +<p>"But I must tell you about something that happened to us before coming +here. It was in a place not far from Chicago, and my companion and I +were tracting as usual. I took one side of the street and he took the +other. Well, along about noon when it was time we should quit, my +companion didn't make his appearance. I waited a long time, then crossed +the street to look for him. The weather was warm and people were mostly +out of doors in the shade. I heard what sounded like a big discussion on +a porch behind some vines. I went up, and sure enough, there was my +companion and another young fellow having it out in great shape. The +young man sat in his shirt sleeves on a table, and the way he was giving +it to that poor friend of mine was a caution. I learned that the young +fellow was studying for the ministry, and because of that, he considered +himself just the person to give it good and hard to a 'Mormon' +missionary.</p><a name='Page231'></a> + +<p>"Well, the fellow sat there on the table, his legs swinging as if he +didn't care a—rap. There was a Bible and some other books on the table, +but they had got beyond the use of books. The young fellow ridiculed the +Prophet, poked fun at his revelations, and said the 'Mormons' were a bad +lot altogether. Said they deserved to be driven from decent society into +the desert as they had been. He kept it up like that, and then he said +something odd. 'I wouldn't have your religion at any price,' he said. +'Get out with you.'</p> + +<p>"My companion sat there, not saying a word. I saw the tears come into +his eyes. He wiped them away hurriedly. Then his face became pale, and +it seemed to me that a light actually shone from it. As I told you, he +is just a boy, and as I looked on him then, I thought of the boy +prophet, and what my father has told me so often about him. Well, when +the fellow got through with his abuse, and jumped from the table as if +we were dismissed, my companion arose and in a voice wonderfully gentle +yet vibrant with power, said:</p> + +<p>"'Yes, we will go, but not before I tell you this: You know not what you +say, therefore, you are forgiven, as far as I am concerned. My parents +were driven from this state. All they had was destroyed by mobs. My +mother died on the plains and her body lies there to this day. All that +mortal man can suffer and live my people have suffered, and all for the +sake of the truth, the gospel that I have brought to you this day, and +which you so scornfully reject. And now I tell you in the name of the +Lord, some day you will receive this gospel—but not until you have paid +for it, and paid for it dearly. Like the <a name='Page232'></a>merchantman in the parable, +<i>all that you have</i> will you pay for this Pearl of Great Price! Good +day, sir.'</p> + +<p>"We both left him standing somewhat dazed, but I tell you—"</p> + +<p>The letter dropped to Thomas Strong's knee, as he looked up and out at +the closing day. He arose, went to the glass door which opened on to the +little porch, stepped out into the air that he might breathe easier. +What he saw was not Old Thunder Mountain, or the wide extent of the +Flat, dim now in the twilight, but a vine-enclosed porch and the pale, +peculiar face of a boy telling him the words he had just read. * * * * +There had been other boy prophets besides the first great one; and yes, +oh Great God, one old, broken man had paid the price.</p> + +<p>The vines on the upper porch of Piney Ridge Cottage now also formed a +cover, and in their shadow Thomas Strong kneeled and prayed as he had +never prayed before.</p> + +<p>An hour later, Julia, wondering what their guest was doing in his room +so long without a light, called to him softly at the foot of the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, as if he did not realize for the moment who was +calling, "I'm coming—I'm coming now."</p><a name='Page233'></a> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII'></a><h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>The first Sunday in the month was Fast Day at Piney Ridge the same as in +all wards of the Church. The Bishop had some visiting to do that morning +so he did not get to Sunday School; but he returned about eleven o'clock +and found the horses hitched to the white-top buggy ready to take all +the household to meeting.</p> + +<p>"Are we all ready?" he asked as he came into the house.</p> + +<p>"Just about," replied his wife who was putting the finishing touches to +the baby's bonnet. "Here, hold him." She placed the baby in Glen's arms. +The father somewhat awkwardly tossed him up and down.</p> + +<p>"Now be careful," admonished the mother, "don't muss his clothes up like +that. Today is his first public appearance, you know."</p> + +<p>"Your coming out, eh?" he asked of the baby. "Well, we'll have to be +good, won't we."</p> + +<p>This was in the front room. Thomas Strong sat, hat in hand, ready, while +he smiled at the bear-like antics of the happy father with his first +baby. Then when the mother came in with hat on, the old man arose +slowly, went to the organ and looked at a photograph of Chester +Lawrence, which had recently been framed and now held the place of honor +on the <a name='Page234'></a>organ. The Bishop, seeing the movement, lifted the baby to the +picture.</p> + +<p>"I believe there <i>is</i> a resemblance," he remarked. The old man only +smiled.</p> + +<p>Hugh Elston now drove up to the door. The young mother climbed into the +front seat, and then was given the baby. Grandpa Elston took a back seat +by Thomas Strong, while the Bishop sat by his wife to drive. Then they +were off.</p> + +<p>"Did I tell you," said Mr. Strong to his companion, "that I got a letter +from my brother last evening?"</p> + +<p>"No; you did not."</p> + +<p>"Well, he's been recently to London and visiting with Elder Malby. It +seems he can't keep away from that man, and I must say Elder Malby is a +wonder. Such a spirit he has with him—"</p> + +<p>"The missionary spirit, Brother Strong—the spirit of the Lord."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," mused the man—"strange—and he but a hard-working farmer—I +wouldn't be surprised if Brother Gilbert came to America and out west +here. He intimated as much in his letter. Poor brother, he also has +suffered."</p> + +<p>"If he comes, give him our invitation to visit with us."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, that I shall."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he will accompany Elder Malby when he is released."</p> + +<p>"Invite them both," said the other. "We shall all like to see them very +much."</p><a name='Page235'></a> + +<p>There was a brief silence, as the horses trotted along. Thomas Strong's +gaze roved across the Flat to the mountains, then rested again on his +companion. Presently, he said:</p> + +<p>"Brother Elston, the other day you were speaking of vicarious work for +the dead, 'temple work' you called it. I understand the doctrine of +baptism for the dead, but some other things are not quite plain—for +instance, having the dead married, made husband and wife, which they +would have been had they lived and had the chance—well, you +understand."</p> + +<p>Yes; Hugh Elston understood, and made his explanations to his companion, +who listened attentively and exclaimed at its close:</p> + +<p>"I am so glad—for Chester's and Lucy's sake—so glad!"</p> + +<p>In good time they arrived at the meeting house. The Bishop busied +himself with the business before him. The good people of the ward came +in, exchanged the usual greetings, then found seats. There were flowers +on the sacrament table as usual, and the meeting house looked sweet and +clean—a fit place in which to worship the Lord.</p> + +<p>The opening hymn in which the congregation joined was:</p> + +<div class='poem'><div class='stanza'> +<span>"God moves in a mysterious way,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>His wonders to perform;<br /></span> +<span>He plants his footsteps in the sea,<br /></span> +<span class='i2'>And rides upon the storm."<br /></span> +</div></div><a name='Page236'></a> + +<p>At the close of the song, Thomas Strong nodded his head and whispered, +"Amen."</p> + +<p>Then after prayer and the sacrament, the Bishop announced, "All mothers +who have babies to be blessed will please bring them forward, and all +who were baptized yesterday will kindly take their places on the front +seat."</p> + +<p>Julia, with rosy face, bore her baby to the front, followed by another +mother with less timidity. A little girl tip-toed along the aisle, and a +boy, "just turned eight" trod heavily forward. Then Thomas Strong also +arose, and silently took his place on the front seat alongside the +mothers with the babies and the children.</p> + +<p>The sun shone through the uncurtained window and lay as a broad strip of +light along the front seat. The little boy was nervously twitching his +feet, the little girl's hands were folded serenely, the babies cooed. +The white-haired man sat with the children, now one with them and of +them in very deed. His face was as a child's, as was indeed his heart. +The meeting was still, silenced by the strange, solemn occasion. Then +the Bishop, assisted by his counselors and Patriarch Hugh Elston laid +their hands on the three who had been baptized in water for the +remission of sins and now bestowed on them the Holy Ghost. Then the +officiating Elders came to the mothers.</p> + +<p>"Brother Elston," said the Bishop, "bless the baby."</p> + +<p>Hugh Elston took Julia's baby into his arms, <a name='Page237'></a>where he lay cooing into +the men's faces as they gathered around. The Patriarch, in slow, +carefully chosen words, gave the babe its name and a blessing:</p> + +<p>"Chester Lawrence—for this is the name by which you shall be known +among the children of men—"</p> + +<p>There was a moment's pause in the blessing. Thomas Strong glanced up to +the men, then looked at Julia in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said he softly, "my boy's name shall live—Thank God."</p> + +<h5>THE END.</h5> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Story of Chester Lawrence, by Nephi Anderson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORY OF CHESTER LAWRENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 13756-h.htm or 13756-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/7/5/13756/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Asad Razzaki and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/13756-h/images/img001.png b/old/13756-h/images/img001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..60f93ab --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13756-h/images/img001.png diff --git a/old/13756-h/images/img001s.png b/old/13756-h/images/img001s.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe3746e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13756-h/images/img001s.png diff --git a/old/13756.txt b/old/13756.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a7abb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13756.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7138 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Story of Chester Lawrence, by Nephi Anderson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Story of Chester Lawrence + +Author: Nephi Anderson + +Release Date: October 15, 2004 [EBook #13756] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORY OF CHESTER LAWRENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Asad Razzaki and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + +Story of Chester Lawrence + +Being the Completed Account of One +who Played an Important Part in +"Piney Ridge Cottage" + + +By NEPHI ANDERSON +Author of "Added Upon," "The Castle Builder," +"Piney Ridge Cottage," etc. + +THE DESERET NEWS +Salt Like City, Utah +1913 + + + + +Books by Nephi Anderson. + +ADDED UPON, Fifth and Enlarged Edition. A story illustrating "Mormon" +teachings regarding the past, the present, and the future states of +existence. + +THE CASTLE BUILDER. The scenes and characters are from Norway, the Land +of the Midnight Sun. + +MARCUS KING, MORMON, is the story of a convert to "Mormonism" who came +to Utah in early pioneer days. + +PINEY RIDGE COTTAGE, the love story of a "Mormon" country girl. + +A YOUNG FOLKS' HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. The story of the "Mormon" Church +is told in simple, interesting chapters. + +_All bound in beautiful cloth, with gold titles_, +Price, 75 cents each. + +DESERET NEWS BOOK STORE, +Salt Lake City, Utah. + + + + +Story of Chester Lawrence. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +It was raining when the ship was ready to sail; yet on the pier a large +crowd of people stood under dripping umbrellas, waving and shouting +farewells to their friends on board. The departing passengers, most of +them protected by an upper deck, pressed four deep against the rail, and +waved and shouted in return. + +The belated passenger, struggling with heavy hand baggage, scrambled up +the gang-plank. The last visitors were hustled ashore; amid noise and +bustle, the plank was drawn away, and the ship was clear. A tremor ran +through the vessel as the propeller began to move, and soon there was a +strip of water between the pier and the ship. Then a tiny tug-boat came +alongside, fastened itself to the steamer, and with calm assurance, +guided its big brother safely into the harbor and down the bay. The +people on shore merged into one dark object; the greetings became +indistinct; the great city itself, back of the pier, melted into a gray +mass as seen through the rain. + +Chester Lawrence stood on the deck of the departing vessel and watched +the interesting scene. He stood as one apart from the crowd, having no +portion with either those on board or those left behind. He was a +spectator only. Not a soul in that mass of humanity on the pier, not one +in the big city, knew Chester Lawrence or had a thought for him. No one +cared whether his voyage would be pleasant or otherwise. There were no +tears for him, or fears that he would not return in safety. Of the +hundreds of waving handkerchiefs, none was meant for him; but as a last +show of good-fellowship and as a farewell greeting to his native land, +Chester waved once with the rest. + +The rain continued as the ship dropped down the bay and came safely into +the open sea. Some of the passengers then hurried below, while others +lingered on deck to see as long as possible the fast-receding land. +Chester took his time. He had seen that his grips had been safely stowed +away in his state room, so he had no worries, as others seemed to have, +regarding his belongings. The ship hands (sailors they cannot now be +called) were busy clearing the deck and getting things into their proper +places. The vessel pointed fairly into the vast eastern sea. The land +became a dark, fast-thinning line on the western horizon, and then even +that was swallowed up in the mist of rain. + +"Well, good-by, old home, good-by thou goodly Land of Joseph," spoke +Chester, half aloud, as he stood for one intense moment facing the west, +then turned to go down into his room. The rain must at last have reached +him for his eyes were so blurred that he bumped rather abruptly into an +elderly man who was standing at his elbow. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Chester. + +"It was nothing, sir. I, too, was just bidding farewell to the Land of +Joseph, and I fear my sight was also rather dim." + +Chester paused and looked at the man who had heard and repeated his +remark. No one but a Latter-day Saint would call America the Land of +Joseph. He was a pleasant-looking man, with hair and beard tinged with +gray, clear blue eyes, a firm mouth, about which at that moment there +played a faint smile. Apparently, he wished to make further acquaintance +with Chester, for he asked: + +"How far west were you looking just now?" + +The question went deeper than Chester thought possible. He colored a +trifle, but there was no time to reply, for the other continued: + +"Mine was farther than that gray blot called New York, farther than the +Alleghany mountains; in fact, it extended across the plains of the west +to the Rocky Mountains--" + +"So was mine!" exclaimed the younger man. "Let's shake hands upon it. My +name is Chester Lawrence, and I'm a Mormon." + +"My name is George Malby." + +"Elder George Malby?" + +"Yes; I am a Mormon elder going on a mission to Great Britain." + +"I'm mighty glad to meet you, Elder Malby. I thought there wasn't a soul +on board this vessel that I could approach as a friend; now I have a +brother." + +"Three of them," corrected the elder. "There are two more missionaries +on board. Not a large party of us this time. Would you like to meet +them?" + +There was no more land to be seen now. The sea stretched all around, +with clouds above, and the rain. There was more comfort below, so the +two newly-made friends went down. Chester met the other elders who were +younger men, one destined for Scandinavia, the other for the +Netherlands. It did not take long for the four men to become acquainted. +Presently the dinner gong sounded, and all became interested in the +first meal on ship-board. + +Practically every one sat down to that dinner, and did full justice to +it. For many, that was the only meal eaten for days. Chester was not +seated at the same table as his friends. At his right was a chatty old +gentleman and at his left a demure lady who ate in silence. Strangeness, +however, is soon worn off when a company of people must eat at the same +table for a week; that is, if the dreaded sea-sickness does not +interfere too much with the gathering together at meal-time. + +Towards evening the rain ceased. As the darkness came on, the clouds +billowed across the vast upper expanse. Chester and his new-made friends +paced the deck and watched the night settle on the water, and enclose +the ship in its folds. They talked of the strange new experience on +ship-board, then they told somewhat of each other's personal history. +The sea was rough, and the ship pitched more and more as it met the +swells of the Atlantic. The question of sea-sickness came up. + +"I have crossed the ocean three times," remarked Elder Malby, "and +escaped the sickness each time. I hope for as good luck now." + +"It _is_ a matter of luck, I understand," said Chester. "Sea-sickness is +no respecter of persons, times, or so-called preventatives. The weak +sometimes escape, while the strong are laid low. _I_ feel all right +yet." + +The two younger men were fighting bravely, but it was not long before +they excused themselves hurriedly, and went below, and to bed. Chester +and Elder Malby displayed splendid sea-legs, so they walked until they +were tired, then took possession of some chairs in a sheltered corner, +wrapping their coats well around them. + +"I wish I were going on a mission, as you are," Chester was saying. "My +trip is somewhat aimless, I fear. For a year or more I have had a notion +that I ought to see Europe. I have seen a good deal of America, both +East and West. I lived for some time in Salt Lake City, though I became +a Church member in Chicago. But about Europe," he continued as if he did +not then wish to speak of his Western experiences, "you know, one must +have seen somewhat of the Old World to have the proper 'culture,'--must +have seen Europe's pictures, old castles, and historic places. I know +little and care less about the culture, but I have always had a desire +to see England, and some of France and Germany, and the Alps--yes, I +want to see the Alps and compare them with our Rockies. Rome, and other +Italian cities, are interesting, too, but I may not get to them this +time. I do hope some good will come of all this--somehow I think it will +not be wholly in vain." + +The older man let him talk without interruption. There was something +uncommon in the life of this young man, but it would not do to show +undue haste in wishing to know it. It was easily to be seen that Chester +was helped in this opportunity to talk to a friend that could understand +and be trusted. They sat late that night. The sea roared about them in +the darkness. There was a fascination about this thing of seeming +life--the ship--forcing itself against wind and wave into the darkness, +and bearing safely with it in light and comfort a thousand precious +souls. + +Chester slept fairly well, and was awake next morning at daylight. +Though the ship was pitching and rocking, he felt no indications of +sea-sickness. He gazed out of the port-hole at the racing waves. Some of +them rose to his window, and he looked into a bank of green water. He +got up and dressed. It was good to think he would not be sick. Very few +were stirring. A number who were, like himself, immune, were briskly +pacing the deck. Chester joined them and looked about. This surely must +be a storm, thought he. He had often wished to witness one, from a safe +position, of course, and here was one. As far as he could see in every +direction, the ocean was one mass of rolling, seething water. At a +distance it looked like a boiling pot, but nearer the waves rose higher, +the ship's prow cutting them like a knife. + +"Quite a storm," said Chester to a man washing the deck. + +"Storm? Oh, no, sir; just a bit of a blow." + +No one seemed to have any concern regarding the safety of the ship, so +Chester concluded that there was no danger, that this was no storm at +all, which conclusion was right, as he had later to acknowledge. The sun +came up through a wild sea into a wild sky, casting patches of shifting +light on the waters to the east. Chester kept a lookout for his friends, +the elders. When the breakfast gong sounded, Elder Malby appeared. + +"Where are the others?" asked Chester. + +"They'll not get up today; perhaps not tomorrow. I see you are all +right. You're lucky. Come, let us go to breakfast." + +Most of the seats were vacant at the table that morning. A few smilingly +looked around, secure in their superior strength. Others were bravely +trying to do the right thing by sitting down to a morning meal; but a +number of these failed, some leaving quietly and deliberately, others +rushing away in unceremonial haste. Chester was quite alone on his side +of the table. If there had been a trifle of "sinking emptiness" in him +before, the meal braced him up wonderfully. In this he thought he had +discovered a sure cure for sea-sickness. One day later he imparted this +information to a lady voyager, who received it with the exclamation, +"Oh, horrors!" + +All that day the wind was strong, and the sea rough. Even an officer +acknowledged that if this weather kept up, the "blow" might grow into a +storm. From the upper deck Chester and Elder Malby looked out on the +sublime spectacle. Like great, green, white-crested hills, the waves +raced along the vast expanse. Towards the afternoon the ship and the +wind had shifted their course so that the waves dashed with thunderous +roar against the iron sides of the vessel which only heaved and dipped +and went steadily on its way. + +A number of ladies crowded on deck, and, aided by the stewards, were +safely tucked into chairs in places protected from wind and spray. The +deck stewards tempted them with broth, but they only sipped it +indifferently. These same ladies, just the day before had carried their +feather-tipped heads ever so stately. Now, alas, how had the mighty +leveler laid them low! They did not now care how their gowns fitted, or +whether their hats were on straight. Any common person, not afflicted +with sea-sickness, could have criticised their attitude in the chairs. +One became so indifferent to correct appearances that she slid from her +chair on to the deck, where she undignifiedly sprawled. The deck steward +had to tuck her shawls about her and assist her to a more lady-like +position. + +"That's pretty tough," remarked Chester. + +"All the wits have tried their skill on the subject of sea-sickness," +said his companion; "but it's no joke to those who experience it." + +"Can't we help those ladies?" asked Chester. + +"Not very much. You will find the best thing to do is to let them alone. +They'll not thank you, not now, for any suggestion or proffer of help. +If you should be so foolish as to ask them what you could do for them, +they would reply, if they replied at all, 'Stop the ship for five +minutes.'" + +"Then I'll be wise," said Chester. + +The night came on, dark and stormy. The two friends kept up well. They +ate the evening meal with appetite, then went on deck again. + +Night adds awfulness to the sublimity of a storm at sea. The world about +the ship is in wild commotion. The sky seems to have dropped into the +sea, and now joins the roaring waves as they rush along. The blackness +of the night is impenetrable, save as the lights from the ship gleam for +an instant into the moving mass of water. Now and then a wave, rearing +its crested head higher than the rest, breaks in spray upon the deck. +The wind seems eager to hurl every movable object from the vessel, but +as everything is fast, it must be content to shriek in the rigging and +to sweep out into the darkness, and lend its madness to the sea and sky. + +But let us leave this awe-inspiring uproar and go down into the saloon. +Here we come into another world, a world of light and peace and +contentment. The drawn curtains exclude the sight of the angry elements +without, and save for the gentle rocking of the ship and the occasional +splashing of water against its sides, we can easily imagine that we are +a thousand miles from the sea. Passengers sit at the long tables, +reading or chatting. Other groups are playing cards or chess. In the +cushioned corners, young men and maidens are exchanging banter with +words and glances. A young lady is playing the piano, and over all this +scene of life, and light, and gaiety, the electric lamps gleam in steady +splendor. + +Elder Malby soon retired. Chester remained in the saloon for a time, +studying the various aspects of life about him; then he made a +good-night visit to the deck. He looked into the men's smoking room, +where a few yet sat with pipes and beer, playing cards. Among them were +two men, fat-cheeked, smoothly shaven, who were dressed in priestly +garb. There was an expressive American in the company, an Englishman and +a quiet German. Before the American could carry into effect his +intention of asking Chester to join them, the latter had passed by and +out beyond the stench of the tobacco smoke. + +"This air, washed clean by a thousand miles of scouring waves, is good +enough for me," thought he. + +The wind was not blowing so hard. The sky was nearly clear of clouds. +The moon hung full and bright above the heaving horizon. Here was +another aspect of the wonderful sea, and Chester lingered to get its +full beauty. The steamer rolled heavily between the big waves. The young +man leaned on the railing, and watched the ship's deck dip nearly to +the water, then heave back until the iron sides were exposed nearly to +the keel. + +Chester was about to turn in for the night when he heard a commotion, +apparently among the third class passengers. He walked along to where he +could look down on the forward main deck. A number of people were +running about shouting excitedly. Chester ran down the steps to get a +nearer view. + +"What's the matter?" he asked. + +"I don't know. Someone overboard, I think." + +People were crowding to the rail at the extreme forward end of the ship. +Someone with authority was trying to push them back, using the +old-fashioned ship-board language to aid him. Chester drew near enough +not to be in the way, but so that he could observe what was going on. By +leaning well over the rail, he could see what appeared to be two persons +clinging to the anchor, which hung on the ship's side, about half-way +down to the water. One was a dark figure, the other appeared in the +moonlight to be a woman dressed in white. Other ships-men now rushed up. + +"Clear way here! Where's the rope? Hang on, my man; we'll soon get +you"--this down the side of the ship. There came some words in reply, +but Chester did not hear them. A rope was lowered. "Slip the loop around +the lady," was the order from above. The man on the anchor tried to +obey. He moved as if cautiously and slowly. "Hurry, my man!" But there +was no haste. Limbs and fingers made stiff by long exposure and cramped +position, clinging desperately to prevent himself and his burden from +falling into the sea, were not now likely to be nimble; but in a few +minutes, which, however, seemed a long time, some words were spoken by +the man on the anchor, the command to haul in was given, and slowly the +nearly-unconscious form of a young woman was drawn up to safety. + +"Now, my man, your next," shouted the officer. The rope soon dangled +down again, the man reached out a hand for it. The ship cut into a big +wave, whose crest touched the man below. He grasped wildly for the rope, +missed it, and fell with a cry into the sea. Chester tried to see him as +the ship rushed on, but the commotion and the darkness prevented him. + +"Man overboard! stop the ship!" came from the excited passengers. "Man +overboard!" What could be done! The man was gone. He had not one chance +in a thousand to be rescued. Had he fallen overboard without much +notice, the ship would have gone right on--Why should a world be stopped +in its even course to save one soul?--but too many had seen this. Signal +bells were rung, the engines slowed down, and then stopped. Lights +flashed here and there, other officers of higher rank came on the scene; +a boat fully manned was lowered. It bobbed up and down on the waves like +a cork. Back into the track of the ship it went, and was soon lost to +view. + +The search was continued for an hour, then given up. No trace of the +man could be found. The small boat was raised to the deck, the engine +moved again, and the big ship went on its way. + +Chester lingered among the steerage, passengers and listened to the +story of the lost man who, it seems, had been one of those unfortunate +ones who had failed to pass the health inspector at New York and had +therefore been sent back to his native land, Ireland. He was known as +Mike, what else, no one could tell. And the woman? Poor girl, she had +wandered in her night dress to the ship's side, and in some unknown way +had gotten overboard as far as the protruding piece of iron. How Mike +had reached her, or how long they had occupied their perilous position, +no one could tell. He was gone, and the woman was saved to her husband +and her baby. + +The night was growing late; but there was no sleep for Chester. Many of +the passengers, having been awakened by the stopping of the ship, were +up, hurriedly dressed, and enquiring what the trouble was. Chester met +Elder Malby in the companion-way. + +"What's the matter?" asked the Elder. + +"A man has been lost at sea," replied the other. "Come into the saloon, +and I'll tell you about it." + +Chester was visibly affected as he related what he had seen. At the +conclusion of his story he bowed his face into his hands for a moment. +Then he looked into the Elder's face with a smile. + +"Well, it's too bad, too bad," said George Malby. + +"Do you think so?" + +"Well--why--isn't it a terrible thing to die like that?" + +"I hope not," replied Chester. "I think the dying part was easy enough, +and the manner of it was glorious. He was a poor fellow who had failed +to land. He had no doubt thought to make fame and fortune in the new +world. Now he has gone to a new world indeed. He entered it +triumphantly, I hope. As far as I know, he ought to be received as a +hero in that world to which he has gone." + +Chester's eyes shone and his face was aglow. "Elder Malby," he +continued, "I remember what you told me just yesterday,--To our immortal +soul, nothing that others can do, matters much; a man's own actions is +what counts. Neither does it matter much when or how a man leaves this +life; the vital thing is what he has done and how he has done it up to +the point of departure. The Lord will take care of the rest." + +As the two men went slowly along the narrow passage way to their state +rooms that night, the older man said to the other, "I guess you're +right, my brother; yes; you are right. Good night, and pleasant sleep." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The next morning the sky was clear and the sea was much smoother. The +sun shone bright and warm; more people came on deck, rejoicing that they +could live in the vigor of the open rather than in their stuffy state +rooms. The two seasick elders thought it wiser to remain quietly in +their berths for another day, so Chester and Elder Malby had the day to +themselves. As the accident of the night before became known to the +passengers, it was the topic of conversation for some time. + +That afternoon Chester and his companion found a cosy corner on deck +away from the cigar smoke, and had a long heart to heart talk. The fact +of the matter was that the young man found comfort in the society of his +older brother. For the first time in nearly two years Chester could pour +out his heart to sympathetic ears, and he found much joy in doing this. + +"Yes," said Chester to a question, "I should like to tell you about +myself. When my story gets tiresome, call my attention to the porpoises, +or declare that you can see a whale." + +"I promise," laughed the other. + +"Well, to begin at the very beginning, I was born in a suburb of +Chicago, and lived in and near that city most of my life. My mother's +name was Anna Lawrence. I never knew my father, not even his name. Yes, +I can talk freely about it to you. The time was when I shunned even the +thoughts of my earthly origin and my childhood days, but I have gotten +over that. I have learned to face the world and all the truth it has for +me. + +"When I was but a child, my mother married Hugh Elston. Shortly after, +they both heard the gospel preached by a 'Mormon' elder, and they +accepted it. I had been placed in the care of some of my relatives, and +when my mother now wished to take me, they would not give me up. They +were, of course, fearful that I, too, would become a 'Mormon.' Mr. +Elston and my mother went west to Utah. I was sent to school, obtained a +fairly good education, and while yet a young man, was conducting a +successful business. + +"I had nearly forgotten that I had a parent at all, when one day, my +mother, without announcement, came to Chicago. She had left her husband. +Mother did not say much to any of us, but I took it for granted that she +had been abused among the 'terrible Mormons.' After a time I took a trip +out to Utah to see about it, meaning to find this Mr. Elston and compel +him to do the right thing for my mother. Well, I went, I saw, and was +conquered. Mr. Elston was a widower living in a spot of green called +Piney Ridge Cottage amid the sage-brush desert,--living there alone with +his daughter Julia. And this Julia--well--Do you see any porpoises, +Brother Malby?" + +"Not yet. Go on." + +"Mr. Elston is a fine, good-hearted man,--a gentleman in very deed. He +soon found out who I was and invited me to his home. Julia was mistress +there. In the midst of the desert, these two had created a beautiful +home. I went to their Sunday School and their meetings. I read Mormon +books. My eyes were opened to the truth, and I was ready to accept it." + +"Thanks to Julia," suggested the listener with a sly glance at Chester. + +"Yes; thanks to Julia, Brother Malby; but not in the sense you hint at. +I think I would have accepted the gospel, even had there been no Julia +mixed up with the finding of it. But Julia helped. She was a living +example of what 'Mormonism' can do for a person, and when I looked at +her, learned her thoughts through her words, and saw her life by her +every-day deeds, I said to myself, 'A system of religion that produces +such a soul, cannot be bad.' Yes; she was a wonderful help; but I repeat +that had the truth come to me by other means and other ways, I believe I +should have accepted it." + +"Forgive me for the thoughtless remark," said Elder Malby. + +"O, I know how justifiable you are for it, so you are forgiven." + +"Did you join the Church in Utah?" + +"No; I went back to Chicago. Away from Utah, from Piney Ridge Cottage +and its influence. I pondered and prayed. I found the elders there and +was baptized. Then I went to Salt Lake City, where Julia had gone to +attend school while her father was away on a mission to England." +Chester paused, looking out on the sea. "You don't blame me for falling +in love with Julia, do you?" asked he. + +"I don't blame you a bit." + +"But there was someone else, a young fellow who had grown up as a +neighbor to her. He also went on a mission, and then I believe Julia +discovered that she thought more of Glen Curtis than of me. I do not now +blame Julia for that. She told me plainly her feelings. I persisted for +a time, but in vain--then I went away, and have never been to Utah +since." + +"And that's the end of your story?" + +"Oh, no; while I was roaming aimlessly about the country trying to mend +a broken heart, mother, becoming uneasy about me, and thinking I was yet +in Utah, journeyed out west to find me. The team on the stage-coach +which took her out to Julia's home, ran away from the drunken driver, +and just before they got to Piney Ridge Cottage the wagon upset on a +dug-way, and mother was mortally hurt. She died under Julia's care, and +now lies in Mr. Elston's private graveyard near Piney Ridge Cottage +beside Mr. Elston's other wife. Let us walk a little." + +The older man linked his arm into Chester's as they paced the long reach +of the promenade deck. They walked for a few minutes, then sat down +again. + +"I hope you'll not think I'm a bore, to continue my personal history; +but there is something in here," said Chester, striking his breast, +"that finds relief in expression to one who understands." + +"Go on; tell me all." + +"Do you know, I was tempted to 'chuck it all' after I had failed with +Julia. I even went so far as to play devilishly near to sin, but thank +the Lord, I came to my senses before I was overcome, and I escaped that +horror. Oh, but I was storm-tossed for a while--I thought of it +yesterday when we had the rough sea--but in time I came out into the +calm again, just as we are coming today on this voyage. But not until I +had said more than once 'not my will, but thine, O Lord, be done,' and +said it from my heart, did I get peace. Then I began to see that the +girl had come into my life, not to be my wife, but to turn my life into +new channels. I, with the rest of the world of which I was a part, had +no definite views or high ideals of life, death, 'and that vast +forever;' and something was needed to change my easy-going course. When +I realized that Julia Elston had been the instrument of the Lord in +doing that, I had to put away resentment and acknowledge the hand of God +in it. I read in the parables of our Lord that a certain merchantman had +to sell all he had in order to get the purchase money to buy the Pearl +of Great Price. Why should it be given me without cost?" + +"We all have to pay for it." + +"And I who had made no sacrifice, railed against fate because I had been +asked to pay a trifle--no it was not a trifle; but I have paid, and hope +to continue to pay to the last call. Now, what do you say, brother? +Tell me what you think." + +"Well, you have an interesting story, my brother, and I am glad you look +on your experiences in the right light. To get the woman one thinks he +ought to get, is, after all, not the whole of life. There are other +blessings. To have one's life changed from darkness into light; to have +one's journey turned from a downward course to one of eternal +exaltation; to obtain a knowledge of the plan of salvation,--these are +important. If one is on the right way, and keeps on that way to the end, +He who rules the world and the destinies of men, will see to it that all +is right. Sometime, somewhere, every man and every woman will come to +his own, whether in life or death, in this world, or the next." + +"Thank you for saying that. Do you know, I am now glad that Julia did +not yield to my entreaties, and marry me out of pity. Think how I would +have felt when the realization of that had come to me. * * * * I found +this expression of Stevenson the other day, purporting to be a test of a +man's fortitude and delicacy: 'To renounce where that shall be +necessary, and not to be embittered.' Thank the Lord, I am not +embittered. Some time ago I chose this declaration of Paul for my motto: +'But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and +reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the +mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'" + +The light of a soul of peace shone from the countenance of the young +man. The smile on the lips added only beauty to the strength of the +face. He arose, shook himself as if to get rid of all past +unpleasantness and weakness, and faced the east as though he were +meeting the world with new power. Then the smile changed to a merry +laugh as he ran to the railing and cried: + +"See, sure enough, there _is_ a school of porpoises!" + + * * * * * + +The ship was in mid-ocean. The rough weather had wholly ceased. The sea +lay glinting like a vast jewel under the slant of the afternoon sun. It +was a day of unflecked beauty. The decks were gay with people, some +walking, some leaning idly on the rail, some sitting with books in their +hands. A few were reading, but most sat with finger in closed book. Why +bother to read _about_ life when it could be seen so full and +interesting all around. + +A day on ship-board is longer than one on shore, and provision must be +made to pass it pleasantly. If the weather is fair, this is quite a +problem. Of course, there are the meals in the well-appointed dining +saloon. They break pleasantly into the long monotony. Then there are the +deck games; the watching for "whales" and passing vessels; the looking +at the spinning log in the foaming water at the stern; the marking of +the chart, which indicates the distance traversed during the twenty-four +hours; the visit to the steerage and the "stoke hole," or boiler room in +the depths of the ship; and last, but not least, the getting acquainted +with one's fellow passengers. "Steamer friendships" are easily made, and +in most cases, soon forgotten. The little world of people speeding +across the deep from shore to shore, is bound together closely for a few +days, and then, its inhabitants scatter. + +Chester Lawrence was enjoying every hour of the voyage. On that day +practically all sea-sickness had gone. The vacant places at the tables +were being filled and the company looked around at each other with +pleasant contentment. The steamship company no longer saved on the +provisions. The chatty old gentleman at Chester's right was back again +after a short absence, and the power of speech had come to the demure +lady on his left, with the return of her appetite. + +Two places opposite Chester were still vacant at the table. That day as +the crowd hastily answered the dinner gong, Chester, being a little +tardy, encountered an elderly man and what appeared to be his daughter +making their way slowly down the companionway towards the dining room. +Chester saw at a glance that neither of them was strong, but both tried +to appear able and were bound to help each other. He smiled at their +well-meaning endeavors, then without asking leave, took the man's free +arm and helped him down the steps, saying, + +"You haven't quite got your sea-legs yet--Now then, steady, and we'll +soon be there. Get a good dinner, and that will help." + +The steward showed them to the two seats opposite Chester which had been +vacant so long. + +"Thank you very much," said the girl to Chester, with a smile, when the +elderly man was well seated. Chester bowed without replying, then went +around the table to his own seat. + +Somehow that gracious little smile had made Chester's heart flutter for +an instant. As he realized it, he said to himself, "What's the matter +with me? Am I getting foolish? It was, certainly a sweet smile, and the +thanks were gracious, too; but what of it?" The first courses were being +served. She was sitting opposite him, just a few feet away. He might +take a good look at the girl to see if there was anything uncommon about +her. He looked down the table, glancing just for an instant opposite. +No; there was nothing striking, or to be disturbed about. The girl was +still solicitous over her companion, meanwhile eating a little herself. +"I musn't be rude, thought Chester, and then looked again across the +table. The man was past middle age. His face was clean shaven, and he +was dressed in the garb of a minister. He was a preacher, then. The girl +had evidently suffered much from sea-sickness, because her face was pale +and somewhat pinched, though there was a tinge of red in her cheeks. +That's a pretty chin, and a lovely mouth--and, well, now, what _is_ the +matter! Chester Lawrence, attend to your chicken." + +The minister and his daughter did not remain for the dessert. As they +arose, he said: + +"Now, that's pretty good for the first time, isn't it?" + +"Yes, father, it is," she replied. "You're getting on famously. Shall we +try the deck for a while?" + +"Yes; it will do us both good to get into the air. Run along into your +room for a wrap." + +Chester was tempted to leave his dinner to help them again; but he +resisted the temptation. They walked quite firmly now, and as they +entered the passageway, the girl glancing back into the room, met +Chester's eyes and smiled once more. Again Chester's heart fluttered. It +would have been a cold, hardened heart indeed not to have responded to +such an appeal. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +On the morning of the fourth day out, Chester Lawrence stood watching +the antics of a young man, who, coatless and hatless, and made brave by +too many visits to the bar, was running up the rope ladders of the mast +to a dangerous height. He climbed up to where the ladder met the one on +the other side, down which he scrambled with the agility of a monkey. +The ladies in the group on deck gasped in fright at his reckless daring. +The fellow jumped to the deck from the rail, and made a sweeping bow to +the spectators: + +"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "'tis nothing at all, I assure you. On +shore I am a circus performer, an' I was just practicing a little. Have +no fear. See--" + +He was about to make a second exhibition when a ship's officer seized +him, threatening to lock him up if he did not desist. + +"O, certainly, if its against the rules," he replied meekly. His hat and +coat were lying on a chair by some ladies. He put these on again, and +then sat down and began talking to the one nearest him. Chester, who had +followed the fellow's capers with some interest, gave a start when he +saw that the lady with whom the man was trying to carry on a +conversation was the minister's daughter. She was visibly annoyed, and +looked about as if for help. Chester thought her eyes fell on him, and +without hesitation he determined to assist her. He went up to them, and +without appearing to see the girl, reached out his hand to the man, +saying: + +"Halloo Jack! Didn't know you were on board till I saw your capers just +now. I want to talk to you a moment. Come along and have a drink first." + +The fellow stared at Chester and was about to deny any acquaintanceship +with him, when the insistent manner of the greeting changed his mind. He +excused himself to the lady, arose and followed. Chester took his arm as +they walked along. + +"Which is your state-room?" asked Chester. + +"It's 340; but what you want to know for? Aren't we going to have a +drink?" + +"Not just now, my man. You're going to your room, and to bed. You got up +too early. Listen,"--as the sobering man began to resent the +interference,--"there's an officer looking at us. He will do nothing if +you will go along quietly with me, but if you make a scene I'll hand you +over to him." + +They found the man's room and he willingly went in and lay down. "Now," +said Chester to him, "remain below until you're sober. And don't bother +that young lady again--do you hear. _Don't you do it_." + +Chester went on deck again, somewhat in wonder at his own conduct. He +was not in the habit of interfering in other people's business, and +never mixed with drunken affairs. But this surely was different. No man +would have refused _that_ appeal for help. Yes; he was sure she had +pleaded with her eyes. Perhaps he ought to go back and receive her +thanks, but he resisted that impulse. He walked to the extreme rear of +the boat and stood looking at the broad white path which the ship was +making in the green sea. He stood gazing for some time, then turned, and +there sitting on a coil of rope was the girl who had been in his mind. +She saw his confusion and smiled at it. + +"I--I came to thank you," she said; "but I did not like to disturb your +meditations, so I sat down to rest." + +"The sea has used you up quite badly, hasn't it?" + +"O no; I was dreadfully ill before I came aboard. This trip is to make +me well, so papa says." + +"I hope so." There was a pause, during which Chester found a seat on a +bit of ship furniture. This girl's voice was like an echo from far-away +Utah and Piney Ridge Cottage. And there was something about the shapely +head now framed in wind-blown hair and the face itself that reminded him +of someone else. Just how the resemblance came in he could not tell, but +there it was. Perhaps, after all, it was just the look in her eyes and +the spirit that accompanied her actions and words that moved him. + +"Is that man a friend of yours?" she asked. + +"You mean that drunken fool? No; I've never met him before." + +"That was just a ruse then--that invitation to drink." + +"I had to do something, and that came first to me." + +"Then you didn't go and drink with him?" + +"Why no, of course not. I took him to his berth, and told him to stay +there." + +"Do you think he will?" + +"Yes; until he sobers up." + +"Well, I don't like drunken men." + +"Neither do I." + +"We're agreed on one thing then, aren't we?" + +Chester laughed with her. Elder Malby was pacing the deck, awaiting the +call for breakfast; but Chester did not join him. + +"The man bothered me yesterday," she said, "and again last night. He +wished to get acquainted, he claimed." + +"You don't know him, then?" + +"I've never seen him before. Papa has had to remain very quiet, and I +haven't been around much. That fellow made me afraid." + +"Well, he'll not bother you again. If he does, let me know." + +"Thank you very much--" + +The call for breakfast came to them faintly, then grew louder as the +beaten gong came up from below to the deck. + +"I must get papa and take him to breakfast. Let me thank you again, and +good morning." + +He might have accompanied her down, but he just stood there watching +her. Elder Malby came up, and the two went down together. + +The minister and his daughter got into their places more actively that +morning. Chester wished heartily that his seat was not opposite. She was +at too close range to allow of any careful observation. He could not +very well help looking across the table, neither could she, although she +had her father to talk to. Chester was really glad when breakfast was +over that morning, and they all filed up to the sun-lit deck again. + +Had Chester been a smoker, he would no doubt have taken consolation in a +pipe with the majority of the men; but as it was, he withdrew as much as +possible from others that he might think matters over and get to a +proper footing; for truth to tell, he was in danger of falling in love +again, and that, he said to himself, would never do. He avoided even +Elder Malby that morning; but to do so he had to go down to the main +deck forward out to the prow. He went to the extreme point, where from +behind the closed railing he could stand as a look-out into the eastern +sea. Gently and slowly the vessel rose and fell as it plowed through the +long, gleaming undulations. + +"What am I coming to," said Chester half-aloud as if the sea might hear +and answer him. "Here I am running away from one heart entanglement only +to go plump into another. She is not Julia, of course, but she has +Julia's twin soul. A perfect stranger, an acquaintance of two days! The +daughter of a minister, a minister of the world!" What was he thinking +of? Who were they? He did not even know her name. She was not a well +girl, that he could see. The roses in her cheeks were not altogether +natural and her face was pale; but those red lips, and that smile when +turned to him! Well, the voyage was half over. Another four or five days +and they would be in Liverpool, where they would go their different ways +forever. He must keep away from her that long, seeing there was danger. +No more playing with the fire that burns so deep. And all this which he +seemed to feel and fear, might be undreamed of by her and very likely +was. A girl like that would not take seriously a "steamer friendship." +She was only doing what all young people do on such trips, making +pleasant acquaintances with whom to pass away the monotonous days. +"Sure, sure," said he, as if to clinch the argument, but nevertheless, +deep within his soul there was an undercurrent of protest against such +final conclusions. + +Chester tried to seek refuge in Elder Malby, but as he was not to be +found, he opened up a conversation with the missionary for Scandinavia. +The missionary was but a boy, it seemed to Chester. The going from home +and the sea-sickness had had their effects, and the young fellow was +glad to have some one to talk to. He came from Arizona, he told Chester; +had lived on a ranch all his life; had never been twenty miles away from +home before,--and now all this at once! It was "tough." + +"But I'm feeling fine now," he said. "Do you know, I've had a peculiar +experience. All the way across the United States from home, something +seemed to say to me, 'You can't stand this. You'll go crazy. You'd +better go back home.' Of course, I was terribly homesick, and I guess +that was the trouble. The cowardly part of me was trying to scare the +better part. But all the time I seemed to hear 'You'll go crazy' until +once or twice I thought I would. + +"Well, it was the same in New York, and the same when we came aboard. I +didn't care much one way or other while sea-sick, but when I got over +it, there was the same taunting voice. At last I got downright angry and +said, 'All right, I'm going right on and fill my mission, _and go +crazy!_' From that moment I have ceased to be bothered, and am now +feeling fine." + +"Good for you," said Chester. "You'll win out. I wish I was sure about +myself." He went no further in explanation, however. + +Ship board etiquette does not require formal introductions before +extended conversations may be carried on. The New England school ma'am +and the German professor were in a deep discussion ten minutes after +they had met for the first time. Many on the ship were going especially +"to do Europe," so there were themes for conversation in common. + +As it happened, Chester was alone again that afternoon and he met the +minister and his daughter on the promenade deck. They were taking their +exercise moderately, pausing frequently to look at any trifling +diversion. Chester tipped his cap at them as they passed. At the next +meeting in the walk, the minister stopped and greeted the young man. + +"I wish to thank you for your act of kindness to my daughter," he said. +"She has told me about it." + +"It was nothing, I assure you, sir," replied Chester. "I don't think the +fellow will annoy her again." + +"I hope not. On these ocean voyages one is thrown so closely into all +kinds of company. We, of course, must suppose all our fellow-passengers +are respectable people, until we find out otherwise--but let us sit +down. Where are our chairs, Lucy?" + +"They're on the other side, I believe, where we left them this morning." + +"It's a little too windy there." + +"I'll bring them around to you," said Chester. Lucy followed him, +pointing out which of the chairs belonged to them. + +"May I not carry one?" she asked. + +"You do not appear strong enough to lift one." + +Chester carried the two chairs around to the side of the sheltered deck, +then found a vacant chair for himself which he placed with the other +two. + +"Thank you very much," said the minister, as they seated themselves. +"The day is really fine, isn't it? After the sea-sickness, there is +something glorious in a pleasant sea voyage. This is my third time +across, but I don't remember just such a fine day as this. Are you a +good sailor?" this to Chester. + +"I've not missed a meal yet, if that's any indication." + +"I envy you. I have often wished I could be on deck in a bit of real +bad weather. We had a little blow the other day, I understand, when that +poor fellow lost his life." + +"Yes; I saw the accident," replied Chester; whereupon he had to relate +the details to them. + +"Well, such is life--and death," was the minister's only comment on the +story. + +The minister did most of the talking. Perhaps that was because he was +used to it, having, as he told Chester, been a preacher for twenty-five +years. The daughter commented briefly now and then, prompting his memory +where it seemed to be weak. Chester listened with great interest to the +man's account of former trips to Europe and his description of famous +places. The speaker's voice was pleasant and well-modulated. His +clean-cut face lighted up under the inspiration of some vivid +description. Chester found himself drawn to the man nearly as much as he +had been to the daughter. + +"You're an American," announced the minister, turning to Chester. + +"Yes." + +"A western American, too." + +"Right again; how can you tell?" + +"Easily enough. How far west?" + +"My home is in Chicago." + +"Well, Lucy and I can beat you. We came from Kansas City. Ever been +there?" + +"I've passed through twice." + +"Through the Union Depot only?" asked Lucy. + +"You must have received a very unpleasant impression of our city." + +"Well, happily I did get away from that depot. I took a ride on the cars +out to Independence, and I saw a good part of the city besides. It's +beautiful out towards Swope Park--" + +"There's where we live," exclaimed the girl. "I think the park's just +grand. I live in it nearly all summer." + +At this point of the conversation, a party to windward, among whom were +the two Catholic Fathers, lighted their pipes, and the smoke streamed +like from so many chimneys into the faces of those sitting near. The +minister looked sharply towards the puffing men, while Lucy tried to +push the denser clouds away with her hands; but no notice was taken of +such gentle remonstrances. + +"I'll speak to them," suggested Chester. + +"No; don't. It would only offend them," said the minister. "They think +they are strictly within their rights, and it does not dawn on their +nicotine poisoned wits that they are taking away other peoples' +rights,--that of breathing the uncontaminated air. We'll just move our +chairs a bit," which they did. + +"You don't smoke, I take it," continued the clergyman, addressing +Chester. + +"No; I quit two years ago." + +"Good for you. It's a vile habit, and I sometimes think the worst effect +smoking has on people is that it dulls the nice gentlemanlyness of a +man's character. Now, those men over there, even the Catholic Fathers, +are, no doubt gentlemen in all respects but one; it's a pity that the +tobacco habit should make the one exception." + +Chester agreed in words, Lucy in looks. + +"You say you have passed through Kansas City," continued the father. +"How far west have you been?" + +"To the Pacific Coast." + +"Lucy and I should have made this trip westward, but the doctor said we +must not cross the mountains, because of her heart. So an ocean voyage +was advised." + +"And I did want so much to see the Rockies," added the young woman. "I +have always had a longing to see our own mountains as well as those of +Switzerland. Next summer we'll take that western trip." + +"I hope so, daughter." + +"I assure you they are worth seeing," said Chester. + +"No doubt about it. Lucy and I have planned it all for some day. Were +you ever in Utah?" + +"I lived for some time in Salt Lake City. Be sure to see that town on +your trip." + +The minister looked somewhat queerly at Chester for a moment. Then his +gaze swept out to the water again as if a momentary disturbing thought +was gotten rid of. Lucy was interested. + +"Tell us about Salt Lake City, and, and the Mormons,'" pleaded she. + +"Never mind the 'Mormons,' Lucy," admonished her father. + +"It's difficult to speak of Utah and Salt Lake without mentioning the +'Mormons,'" added Chester. + +"Then let's talk of something else, something more pleasant." + +Evidently this minister was like all others, Chester concluded; sane and +intelligent on all subjects but one,--the "Mormons." Well, he would set +himself right before these two people, and do it now. + +"I can say," said Chester, "that my experience among the 'Mormon' people +has been among the most pleasant of my life. In fact, I don't know where +I can go to find a more honest, God-fearing, virtuous people. I--" + +"Young man," interrupted the clergyman, looking keenly at him, "are you +a 'Mormon'?" + +"Yes, sir; I have that honor." + +Lucy gave a cry, whether of alarm or gladness, the young man could not +then tell. The minister arose slowly. "Lucy," he said, "let us walk a +little more," and without another word the two resumed their promenade. + +But in Lucy's face there appeared concern. The tears, glittering in her +eyes did not altogether hide the reassuring glance which she turned +about to give Chester as he sat alone by the vacated chairs. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +The next day was Sunday. Even on ship-board there are some indications +that the seventh day is different from the rest. There is always a +little extra to the menu for dinner, and then religious services are +also held; and are not these two things frequently all that distinguish +the Sabbath on the land? + +That morning neither Lucy nor her father was at breakfast. Immediately +after, Chester sought out the chief steward, and by insistency and the +help of a small tip, he got his seat changed to the table occupied by +Elder Malby and the two other missionaries. "No one shall be annoyed by +my near presence, if I can help it," Chester said. + +At the noon meal, the minister and his daughter appeared as usual. +Chester watched them unobserved from his changed position. They looked +at the vacant place opposite, but as far as Chester could determine, his +absence was not discussed. + +That afternoon services were held in three parts of the vessel at the +same time. On the steerage deck a large company of Irish Catholics +surrounded the two Fathers. One of the priests stood in the center of +the group while the people kneeled on the deck. The priest read +something in Latin, the others repeating after him. Then a glass of +"holy water" was passed among them, the worshipers dipping their +fingers in and devoutly crossing themselves. Chester watched the +proceedings for a time, then he went to the second class deck where a +revival meeting was in progress. The preacher was delivering the usual +exhortation to "come to Jesus," while yet there was time. Presently, +there came from the depths of the ship the sound of the dinner gong +being slowly and solemnly beaten, no doubt to imitate, as nearly as +possible, the peal of church bells. The steward who acted as bell ringer +did his duty well, going into the halls and on to the decks, then +disappearing again into the saloon. This was the official announcement +to service. Chester and his friends followed. Quite a congregation had +gathered. Two large pillows had been covered with a Union Jack to serve +as a pulpit. A ship's officer then read the form prescribed for services +on ship-board from the Church of England prayer book. It was all very +dry and uninteresting, "Verily a form of godliness" and a lot of "vain +repetition," said Elder Malby. + +Then the minister--Chester's minister--arose. He had been asked, he +said, to add a few words to the regular service, and he was pleased to +do so. He called attention to the accident which had happened on their +voyage, and felt to say something on the providence of God, and His +watch-care over His children. The preacher's voice was pleasant, the +ministerial tone not being so pronounced as to make his speech +unnatural. Chester listened attentively, as also did Lucy who, Chester +observed, was sitting well up towards the front. + +"God is the source of the being of all men," said the preacher. "He has +brought us all into existence, and made us in His own likeness, and is a +Father to us in fact and in feeling. He owns us and owns His +responsibility for us. He cares for us and overrules all things for our +good. He is worthy of our love and confidence. Since we are His +children, God desires us to be such in very deed--in fellowship and +character, and is satisfied with us only as we are giving ourselves to +the filial life. This relationship which we bear to God cannot be fully +explained. There is a mystery in it beyond the understanding of finite +minds; but of this we are sure that the God of Creation has brought us +all forth into being, and He will take care of us if we will let Him. We +cannot reasonably and reverently think otherwise of Him. + +"Is it not a comfort to think that we cannot get away from the +ever-present watchfulness of God? As the Psalmist puts it: 'Whither +shall I go from thy spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence? +If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, +behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in +the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and +thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover +me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not +from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light +are both alike to thee.' Yes, yes, my friends, 'God is our refuge and +strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear--'" + +Somehow, what the minister said after that came very indistinctly to +Chester Lawrence. He heard the words, but was aware only of a peculiar +feeling, a dim perception of where he was and what he was hearing. There +seemed to him to be a genuine feeling in the voice that uttered those +beautiful words of scripture. They clung to his heart, and the minister +himself became transfigured for an instant into some other being,--stern +of countenance, yet loveliness in the depths of his soul, spiritually +far away, yet heart yearning with nearness of love. Chester came fully +to himself only when Elder Malby took his arm and together they paced a +few turns around the deck. + +That same Sunday evening as Chester stood alone on the promenade deck +watching the moonlight lay as a golden coverlet on the placid sea, his +attention was attracted to the figure of a girl mounting the steps +leading to the deck where he stood. She paused half way as if to rest, +then came slowly up to where he was standing. Her breath came heavily, +and she looked around to find a place to rest. Chester instinctively +took her arm and led her to a deck chair. + +"O thank you," said Lucy, "I--my heart bothered me pretty badly that +time. I am forbidden to climb stairs, but I couldn't find you on the +lower deck." + +"Did you wish to see me?" asked Chester. + +"Yes; I--you'll not think me over bold, will you, but I had to find +you--won't you sit down here--I can't talk very loudly tonight." + +Chester drew a chair close to hers. A light wrap clung about her and the +moonlight streamed on head and face. The young man, in the most +matter-of-course-way adjusted the wrap to the girl's shoulders as he +said: + +"You are not well, tonight." + +"Oh, I'm as well as usual--thank you." She smiled faintly. "Will you +forgive us?" + +He was about to reply, "Forgive you for what?" but he checked himself. +Somehow, he could not feign ignorance as to what she meant, neither +could he use meaningless words to her. + +"We were very rude to you yesterday, both father and I; and I wanted to +make some explanations to you, so you would understand. I am so sorry." + +"You and your father are already forgiven. If there were a grain of +ill-feeling against him this afternoon, it all completely vanished when +I heard him talk at the services." + +"You were there?" + +"Yes. Now don't you worry." He was nearly to say "Little Sister;" but +again he checked himself. "I am a 'Mormon,'" he continued. "I am not +ashamed of it, because I know what it means. Only those who don't know +despise the word." + +"Neither am I ashamed of it," she said as she looked him fairly in the +face. "I know a little--a very little--about the 'Mormons,' but that +which I know is good." + +"What do you know?" + +"I'll tell you. One evening, in Kansas City I stopped to listen to two +young men preaching on the street. They were just boys, and they did not +have the appearance of preachers. You must know that I have always been +interested in religion, and religious problems. Perhaps that is natural, +seeing my father is a minister. I read his books, and many are the +discussions I have had with him over points of doctrine,--and we don't +always agree, either. He, however, usually took my little objections +good naturedly until one day he asked me where I had obtained a certain +notion regarding baptism. In reply I handed him the booklet I had +received at the 'Mormon' street meeting. He looked at it curiously for a +moment, wanted to know where I had obtained it, then locked it up in his +desk. He was really angry; as that was something he had never been +before over any religious question, I was surprised and impressed. I +had, however, read carefully the booklet. Not only that, but I had been +secretly to one of the 'Mormon' services. I there learned that an +acquaintance of mine belonged to the 'Mormon' Church, and depend upon +it, I had her tell me what she knew." + +"And your father?" + +"He objected, of course. At first, I told him everything. He had always +let me go to any and all religious gatherings without objection. He +even laughingly told me I could don the Salvation lassie's bonnet and +beat a drum in the street, if I wanted to; but when it came to the +'Mormons,' O, he was angry, and forbade me from ever going to their +meetings or reading their literature. I thought it strange." + +"It's not strange at all,--when you understand," remarked Chester, who +was intensely interested in her story. "I suppose you obeyed your +father." + +"Well, now, you want me to tell you the truth, of course--I--I wasn't +curious--" + +"Certainly not." + +"You're laughing at me. But I wasn't, I tell you. I was interested. +There is something in 'Mormonism' that draws me to it. I don't know much +about it, to be sure, for it seems that the subject always widens out to +such immensity. I want you to tell me more about Joseph Smith, the Book +of Mormon and the new revelations." + +"But your father will object. What would he say if he knew you were +sitting here in this beautiful moonlight talking to a 'Mormon'?" + +"I'm of age, I guess. I'm doing nothing wrong, I hope." + +"I hope not. Far be it for me to harm you--or any living soul. But I +don't know much about the gospel as we call it--for you must know it is +the simple gospel of Jesus Christ revealed anew. There are three other +'Mormons' on board, missionaries going to Europe. One of them at least +could tell you much." + +"But I'd be pleased to hear you tell me--is, is that father? I wonder if +he is looking for me." + +Chester looked in the direction indicated. A man came up, then passed +on; it was not the minister. The girl crouched into the shadow, and as +she did so her shoulder pressed against Chester's. Then she sprang up. + +"Well, I was foolish," she exclaimed, "to be afraid of dear old daddy!" + +Chester also arose, and the two walked to the railing. They stood there +in the moonlight. Great clouds of black smoke poured from the ship's +funnels, and streamed on to windward, casting a shadow on the white +deck. They looked out to the water, stretching in every direction into +the darkness. Then as if impelled by a common impulse, they looked at +each other, then blushed, and lowered their eyes. The girl's hands lay +on the railing. Chester saw their soft shapeliness, and noted also that +there were no rings on them. + +"I'm glad I've met you," said Chester honestly. + +"And I'm glad, too," she breathed. "Some other time you must tell me so +much. I've so many questions to ask. You'll do that, won't you?" + +"Why do you ask?" + +"Now I must go to father. He may be uneasy." She held out her hand. +"Good night--what _do_ you think of me? Am I a rude girl?" + +"I heard your father call you Lucy. That's your name, isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"And I may call you that, may I not? You know these ship-board +acquaintances don't wait on ceremony." + +"But I don't know your name, either. Think of it, how we have been +really confidential and we don't even know each other's name." + +"I know yours." + +"Only half of it. I've two more. How many have you?" + +"Only two." + +"And they are?" + +"Chester Lawrence." + +"Well, mine is Lucy May Strong--and now, goodnight." + +He took her arm and helped her down the steps, gently, for she seemed +such a frail being, one who needed just such stout arms as Chester's to +lean upon. He risked the danger of meeting the father by helping her +down the second flight of steps to the state-room deck. + +"Good night, Lucy." + +"Good night--Brother Lawrence." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +All Monday forenoon, Chester sat on deck reading a book which he had +obtained from the ship's library. It was a most interesting story, and +yet the world of gray-green water and changing clouds drew his attention +from the printed page. He was beginning to realize what the fascination +for the sea was which took hold of men. It would have been difficult for +him to analyze or explain this feeling, but it was there; and it seemed +to him that he would have been content to live out his life on that +boundless ocean which presented a symbol of eternity continually before +his eyes. + +"Good morning." + +Chester started, then turned. It was Lucy's father who found a chair and +drew it up to Chester's. + +"Is the book interesting?" inquired the minister. + +"Not so interesting as this wonderful sea and sky," was the reply. + +"You are right," said the other, following the young man's gaze out to +the distance. "Our universe is now but water and air, and we are but +specks floating between the two layers." + +"But we know that ocean and air are not all. We know there are plains +and mountains, forests and growing fields; so after all our universe +must include not only all we can see with our eyes, but all that comes +within view of our comprehension. Do you know," resumed Chester after a +pause, "I have come to this conclusion, that our universe is limited +only within the bounds of our faith. As we believe, and strive to +convert that belief into a living faith, so shall we know and realize." + +The preacher looked keenly at the "Mormon," as if he would see the +fountain of these thoughts. Chester continued: + +"But you, as a minister of the gospel, understand all these things. +However, I like to think about them and express them to those who will +listen"--and as the minister was listening, the young man went on: + +"I reason it out this way: The Spirit of God--that is, His presence in +influence and knowledge and power, as you so beautifully put it +yesterday at the services, is everywhere in the universe. There is no +place in heaven or hell, or in the uttermost bounds of space but God is +there. As you also stated, we may not fully understand this infinite +magnificence of God, but this has been done to help us: the Father has +revealed Himself to us through his Son. The Son we can comprehend, for +He was one of us. We learn from scripture that this Son had all power +both in heaven and earth given him; that He was, in fact, 'heir of all +things.' Now, when that fact is fixed in my mind, I connect this other +with it, that we, God's children also, are joint heirs with Christ; and +in fact, if we continue on in the way He trod, we shall be like Him. +Now, then, what does this chain of argument lead us to? That we may +follow in the footsteps of God, and where He has gone, or shall go, we +may go. Think of it--no, we can't. Only for an instant can our minds +dwell upon it, then we drop to the common level again, and here we are, +a speck on the surface of the deep." + +"What is that book you are reading?" asked the minister. He had +evidently also dropped to the "common level;" or perhaps he had not +soared with his companion. + +"This? O, this is Kipling's 'Plain Tales from the Hills.' I like +Kipling, but I wish he hadn't written some very untruthful things about +my people." + +"Has he?" + +"Yes. It seems he made a flying visit through Salt Lake City, and took +for gospel truth the lurid stories hack drivers tell to tourists so that +they may get their money's worth." + +"Well, I don't know;--but that brings me to the point of my errand. I +sought you out especially today to ask you not to talk religion to my +daughter. I understand she and you had a discussion on 'Mormonism' last +evening, and she slept very little all night as a result." + +"You are mistaken, sir; I said nothing to her about 'Mormonism.' She +told me a little about--" + +"Well, whatever it was, she was and is still ill over it. Let me tell +you,--and I am sure you will believe me,--my little girl is all I have. +She has been ailing for years, heart trouble mostly, with complications. +A comfortable voyage with no over-excitement might help, the doctors +said; and that's the main reason for this trip. She has always been +interested in religious questions, which I naturally encouraged her in; +but when she got mixed up somewhat with the 'Mormons,' that was quite +another matter." + +"Why, may I ask?" + +"Well, it excited her. It brought her in contact with undesirable +people, people not of her class and standing--" + +"Like me, for instance." + +"I did not say that." + +"You inferred it. But pardon me. I would not, for the world, do anything +that would unfavorably affect your daughter." + +"I knew you would look at the matter sensibly. Perhaps it would be for +the best if you did not meet her oftener than possible. I know it is +difficult on ship-board, but for her sake you might try." + +"For her sake, why certainly, I'll do anything--for I want to tell you, +Mr. Strong, you have a good, sweet daughter." + +"I'm glad you think so." + +"And I think a whole lot of her, I may just as well tell you. We have +met but a few times, but some souls soon understand each other." + +"What! You don't mean--!" + +"That we have been making love to each other," laughed Chester. "O, no; +not that I know; but there is such a thing as true affinity of souls, +nevertheless, the affinity which draws by the Spirit of God. And so I +say again plainly, that you may understand, I regard your daughter +highly." + +"Young man, I thank you for your open manner and speech, but I beseech +of you not to encourage any deeper feeling towards my daughter. She can +never marry. She lives, as it were, on the brink of the grave. Now, I +have been plain also with you." + +"I appreciate it, sir; believe me; I am profoundly sorry for her and for +you; but, let me say this, seeing we are speaking plainly, if I loved +your daughter, and we all knew she would die tomorrow, or next month, +that knowledge would make only this difference, that my love would +become all the holier. If she returned that love, we would be happy in +knowing that in the life beyond we would go on and bring that love to a +perfect consummation." + +The minister looked closely again at the young man. Then, giving voice +to his thoughts, asked: "Have you studied for the ministry? Are you now +a 'Mormon' missionary?" + +"I am not an authorized 'Mormon' missionary. My studying has been no +more than is expected of every 'Mormon.' Every member of our Church is +supposed to be able to give a reason for the hope that is within +him,--and I think I can do that." + +"Do you live in Utah?" + +"No, sir; my home is in Chicago." + +"Chicago!--well, I--are there 'Mormons' in Chicago?" + +"A few, as I suppose there are a few in Kansas City. I joined the +'Mormon' Church in Chicago, but I was converted in Utah." + +"You have been to Utah, then?" + +"O, yes; I spent some time there and got very well acquainted with the +people; and they are a good people, I tell you, sir. I know--" + +"Yes, well, Mr.----, Lucy did tell me your name, but I have forgotten +it." + +"My name is Lawrence--Chester Lawrence." + +The minister had arisen as if about to go, but he now sat down again. +Chester did not understand the strange twitching of the minister's lips +or the pallor of his face. What had he said or done to agitate the man +so much? + +"Chester Lawrence!" repeated Mr. Strong under his breath. + +"You have never met me before, have you? Perhaps--" + +"No; I have never met you before. No, no; of course not. There was just +something come over me. I'm not very well, and I suppose I--" + +He stopped, as if he lacked words. + +"May I get you anything, a drink of water?" suggested Chester. + +"No, no; it was nothing. Sit down again"--for Chester also had +arisen--"and tell me some more about yourself. I am interested." + +"Well, my life has been very uneventful, and yet in a way, I have lived. +As a boy in Chicago, I suppose, my young days passed as others; but it +was when I went out west and met the 'Mormons' that things happened to +me." + +"Yes, yes." + +"I don't mean that I had any adventures or narrow escapes in a physical +way. I lived in the mountains as a miner for a time, but there are no +wild animals or Indians there now, so my adventures were those of the +spirit, if I may use that expression,--and of the heart. Isn't that your +daughter coming this way?" + +Sure enough, Lucy had found them, and came up to them beaming. Chester +failed to see in her any symptoms for the worse, as her father had +indicated. In fact, there certainly was a spring to her step which he +had not seen before. + +"Well, I've found you at last, you run-away papa. Good morning," she +nodded to Chester, who returned the greeting. "Don't you know, papa, you +have kept me waiting for half an hour or more to finish our game." + +"I'll go right now with you," said the father, rising. + +"Well, I don't care so much now, whether it's finished or not. I believe +someone else has it anyway." + +"Oh, we'll go and finish the game," persisted Mr. Strong. + +"Perhaps Mr. Lawrence will come along," suggested the girl, as it seemed +very proper to do. + +"Not now, thank you," replied Chester. "I must finish my book before the +lunch gong sounds." + +The minister took his daughter's arm and they went along the deck to +where a group was laughing merrily over the defeat and victory in the +games. Chester watched them mingle with the company, then he opened his +book again; but he did not complete his story at the time he had +appointed. + +To those who can possess their souls in peace, life on ship-board in +pleasant weather is restful, and may be thoroughly enjoyed. A little +world is here compactly put together, and human nature may be studied at +close range. From the elegant apartments of the saloon to the +ill-smelling quarters of the steerage, there is variety enough. +Representatives are here from nearly "every nation under heaven:" every +creed, every color; every grade of intelligence and worldly position, +from the prince who occupies exclusively the finest suite of rooms, to +the begrimed half-naked stoker in the furnace room in the depths of the +vessel; every occupation; every disposition. And yet, even in this +compact city in a shell of steel, one may seclude himself from his +fellows and commune solely with his own thoughts or his books. + +The three "Mormon" elders, reticent and quiet, had made few +acquaintances. The Rev. Mr. Strong and his daughter, not being very +well, had not been active in the social proceedings of the ship's +company. + +Chester Lawrence had formed an acquaintance which seemed to him to fill +all requirements, so that he cared not whether he learned to know any +more of his fellow travelers. And now further association with this +pleasant acquaintance must stop. Well, once again he said to himself, he +would be glad at sight of Liverpool, and again some deeply hidden voice +protested. + +Chester tried to keep his word with Mr. Strong. He made no efforts to +see Lucy or talk with her, and he even evaded her as much as possible. +This he could not wholly do without acting unmannerly. All were on deck +during those beautiful days, and twice on Tuesday Lucy and Chester and +the elders had played deck quoits, the father joining in one of them. +Lucy beamed on Chester in her quiet way until she noted the change in +his conduct towards her. The pained expression on the girl's face when +she realized this change, went to Chester's heart and he could have +cried out in explanation. + +That evening Lucy found Chester in a corner of the library pretending to +read. There was no escape for him as she approached. What a sweet +creature she was, open-hearted and unafraid! His heart met her half way. + +"What is the matter with you, Brother Lawrence?" she asked. + +"There is nothing the matter with me." + +"Then what have _I_ done?" She seated herself, and Chester laid his book +on the table. He would be plain and open with this girl. In the end +nothing is gained by mystery and silence. He told her plainly what had +taken place between himself and her father. She listened quietly, the +tears welling in her eyes as he progressed. Then for a moment she hid +her face in her hands while she cried softly. + +"I shall not ask you to break your promise," she said at last, "but I +did so want to learn more of the gospel--the true restored gospel. It +isn't true that a discussion of these things affects me unfavorably. I +am never so well as when I am hearing about and thinking of them. +Perhaps father thinks so, however; I shall not misjudge him." + +"So I shall keep my word," said he, "and if I keep it strictly, I should +not now prolong my talk with you. But I have a way out of your trouble. +You know Elder Malby. He is a wise man and knows the gospel much better +than I. He will gladly talk to you." + +"Thank you. That's a good suggestion; but you--" + +"I shall have to be content to look from afar off, or perchance to +listen in silence. Good night." + +And so it happened that the very next morning when the passengers were +looking eagerly to the near approach to Queenstown, Lucy and Elder Malby +were seen sitting on deck in earnest conversation. Chester promenaded at +a distance with some envy in his heart; but he kept away. For fully an +hour the girl and the elderly missionary talked. Then the minister, +coming on deck saw them. He, no doubt, thought she was well out of +harm's way in such company, for he did not know Elder Malby. When he +caught sight of Chester he went up to him, took him by the arm and fell +into his stride. + +Their conversation began with the common ship-board topics. Then the +minister asked his companion more about himself and his life. It seemed +to Chester that he purposely led up to his personal affairs, and he +wondered why. There were some parts of his history that he did not +desire to talk about. What did this man wish to know? + +"How long did you live in Utah?" asked the minister, after receiving +little information about Chester's birth and parentage. + +"Altogether, about a year." + +"And you liked it out there?" + +"Very much. The mountain air is fine; and that is truly the land of +opportunity." + +The two swung around the deck, keeping in step. Chester pressed his +companion's arm close. They reached in their orbit the point nearest to +Lucy and Elder Malby, then without stopping went on around. + +"I knew a man once by the name of Lawrence," said the minister. "I +wonder if he could be related to you." + +Chester did not reply. + +"I don't know whether or not he ever went to Utah." + +"My parents were not with me in Utah. I went alone, after I was a grown +man. My mother had lived there many years before, but had left. She +lived in Chicago the latter part of her life; but she made a trip to +Utah when she was old and feeble,--and she died there. * * * * Her grave +is there now." + +The minister now was silent. His lips twitched again. Chester once more +wondered why such things should affect him. The man's arm clung to +Chester firmly as if he wished support; and Chester's heart warmed to +him. Was he not Lucy's father? Should he not know all he desired to know +about the man who had expressed deep regard for his daughter? + +"I think you are tired," said Chester. "Let's sit here and rest." + +"Yes; all right." + +"The man Lawrence whom you knew was not my father," continued Chester. +"That was my mother's maiden name. I don't know--I never knew my father; +and shall I say, I have no wish to know a man who could treat my mother +and his child the way he did. No; much as I have longed to know a +father's love and care, I cannot but despise a man who becomes a father, +then shirks from the responsibility which follows--who leaves the burden +and the disgrace which follow parenthood outside the marriage relation +to the poor woman alone. Such baseness, such cowardice, such despicable +littleness of soul!--do you wonder why I don't want to know my father?" + +Well, he had done it. Lucy's father knew the truth of his dishonorable +beginning. This highly cultured Christian minister was no doubt shocked +into silence by his outburst of confidence. But he must know also that +this occurred among a Christian community, long before either of the +parties concerned knew of or were connected with the "Mormons." So +Chester explained this to the man at his side, who sat as if deaf to +what was being said. His gaze was fixed far out to sea. His lips did not +now quiver, but the lines in his face were rigid. + +Chester beckoned to the daughter, and when she came, he said: + +"I think your father is not well. Perhaps he ought to go below and +rest." + +"Father," cried the somewhat frightened girl, "what is it? Are you ill?" + +The father shook himself as if to be freed from some binding power, +looked at Chester and then at Lucy, smiled faintly, and said: + +"Oh, I'm all right now, but perhaps I ought to rest a bit. Will you go +down with me, Lucy?" + +The daughter took his arm and was about to lead him away. He stopped and +turned again to Chester. + +"Excuse me," he said, "but what was your mother's full name?" + +"Anna Lawrence." + +"Thank you. All right, Lucy. Let's be going." + +Chester watched them disappear down the companionway, then looked out to +sea at the black smoke made by a steamer crawling along the horizon, +from Liverpool outward bound. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +A number of men and women were sitting on the promenade deck forward +engaged in an earnest discussion. Just as Chester Lawrence came up and +paused to listen, for it seemed to be a public, free-for-all affair, he +noticed that Elder Malby was talking, directing his remarks to a young +man in the group. + +"What is your objective point?" the Elder asked. "What do you live and +work for? What is your philosophy of life by which you are guided and +from which you draw courage, hope, and strength?" + +"Oh, I take the world as it comes to me day by day, trusting to luck, or +to the Lord, perhaps I had better say, for the future," replied the +young fellow. + +"What would you think of a captain of a vessel not knowing nor caring to +know from what port he sailed or what port was his destination? Who did +not know the object of the voyage, knew nothing of how to meet the +storms, the fog, the darkness of the sea?" + +"Well, I'm not the captain of a ship." + +"Yes, you are. You are the captain of your own soul, at least; and you +may not know how many more souls are depending upon you for guidance in +this voyage of life which we are all taking." + +"That's right--true," agreed a number of by-standers. + +"Say, mister," suggested one, "tell us what you think of the +propositions. You seem able to, all right." + +"Well," responded the elder, "I don't want to preach a sermon that will +bore you; but if the ladies and gentlemen here are interested I shall be +pleased to give my views." + +"Sure--go on," came from others. + +One or two found seats, as if they would rather sit through the ordeal, +others following their example. "Yes; it's more comfortable," agreed +Elder Malby, as they drew their chairs in a circle. Two people left, but +two others came and took their places. + +"I hope we are all Christians," began the speaker, "at least so far that +we believe the Scriptures; otherwise my arguments will not appeal to +you." + +A number acknowledged themselves to be Christians. + +"Then I may begin by saying that the purpose of this life-voyage of ours +is that we might obtain the life eternal. 'This is life eternal' that we +might know God and His Son Jesus Christ who was sent to us. If we know +the Son we know the Father, for we are told that the Father has revealed +Himself through the Son. This Son we know as Jesus Christ who was born +into the world as we were. He had a body of flesh. He was like us, His +brethren; yet this Being, the Scriptures tell us, was in the 'form of +God;' that He was the 'image of the invisible God;' that He was 'in the +express image of His Father's person.' When Jesus lived on the earth, +one of His disciples asked Him, 'Show us the Father.' 'He that hath seen +me, hath seen the Father,' was the reply. 'I am the way, the truth, and +the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me.'" + +At this point the Rev. Mr. Strong and his daughter came sauntering along +the deck. They paused to listen, then accepted the chairs which Chester +hurriedly found for them. + +"I am not stating where in the Scriptures these quotations can be +found," continued the elder, "though I shall be pleased to do so to any +who wish to know. Well then, here we have a glorious truth: if we wish +to know God, we are to study the Son. Jesus is the great Example, the +Revealer of the Father. He is the Father's representative in form and in +action. If Jesus, the Son, is meek and lowly, so also is the Father; if +He is wise and good and forgiving, so is the Father; if the Son is +long-suffering and slow to anger, yet not afraid to denounce sin and +call to account the wicked, so likewise may we represent the Father. All +the noble attributes which we find in the Son exist in perfectness in +the Father. + +"Picture this noble Son, the risen Redeemer, my friends, after His +battle with death and His victory over the grave! In the splendid glory +of His divine manhood, all power both in heaven and earth in His hand, +He stands as _the_ shining figure of the ages. Why? Because He is 'God +With Us.'" + +There was perfect stillness in the group of listeners. + +"Thus the Father has shown Himself to us. There is no need for any of us +to plead ignorance of our Divine Parent. The way is marked out, the +path, though at times difficult, is plain. The Son does the will of the +Father. 'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,' said Jesus. 'The Son +can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do; for what +things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' We, then, +are to follow Christ, as He follows the Father. Isn't that plain?" + +"Do I understand," asked one, "that you believe God to be in the form of +man?" + +"Rather that man is in the form of God, for 'God created man in His own +image.'" + +"In His moral image only. God is a spirit. He is everywhere present, and +therefore cannot have a body, such as you claim," objected one. + +"I claim nothing, my friend. I am only telling you what the Scriptures +teach. They say nothing about a 'moral image.' What is a moral image? +Can it have an existence outside and apart from a personality of form?" + +There was no immediate response to this. Some looked at the minister as +if he ought to speak, but that person remained silent. + +"The attributes of God, as far as we know them, are easily put into +words; but try to think of goodness and mercy and love and +long-suffering and wisdom outside and apart from a conscious +personality, an individual, if you please. Try it." + +Some appeared to be trying. + +"Pagan philosophers have largely taken from the world our true +conception of God, and given to us one 'without body, parts, or +passions.' The Father has been robbed of His glorious personality in the +minds of men. Christ also has been spiritualized into an unthinkable +nothingness. And so, to be consistent some have concluded that man also +is non-existent; and it naturally follows that God and Christ and man, +with the whole material universe, are relegated to the emptyness of a +dream." + +"If God is in the form of man He cannot be everywhere," suggested one of +the ladies. "And that's not a pleasant thought." + +"Our friend here," continued the speaker, nodding to Mr. Strong, "quoted +a passage in his splendid sermon last Sunday which explains how God may +be and is present in all His creations. Certainly God the Father cannot +personally be in two places at the same time any more than God the Son +could or can." The elder took a Bible from his pocket. + +"I had better read the passage. It is found in the 139th Psalm. David +exclaims, 'Whither shall I go from thy _spirit_, or whither shall I flee +from thy presence?' You will recall the rest of the passage. Is it not +plain that the Lord is present by His Spirit always and everywhere. His +Spirit sustains and controls and blesses all things throughout the +immensity of space. Fear not, my friend, that that Spirit cannot be +with you and bless you on sea or on land. We cannot get outside its +working power any more than we can escape the Spirit of Christ now and +here, even if His glorified body of flesh and bones now sits on the +right hand of His Father in heaven where Stephen saw it." + +As is usual in all such discussions as this, some soon retire, others +linger, eager not to miss a word. Lucy, you may be sure, was among those +who remained. Her father also, sitting near to Chester, listened with +deep interest. + +"Just one more thought," continued the "Mormon" elder, "in regard to +this lady's fear that God may not be able to take care of all His +children always and everywhere. God is essentially a Father--our Father. +The fathering of God gives me great comfort. By fathering I mean that He +has not only brought us into existence, but He has sent us forth, +provides for us, watches over us. In our darkness He gives us light, in +our weakness He lends us strength. He rebukes our wrong actions, and +chastens us for our good. In fact, He fathers us to the end. Is it not a +great comfort?" + +"It certainly is," said Lucy, unconscious to all else but the spirit of +the Elder's words. + +"In this world," said the Elder, "the God-given power of creation is +exercised unthoughtfully, unwisely, and often wickedly. A +good-for-nothing scamp may become a father in name; but he who attains +to that holy title in fact, must do as God does,--must love, cherish, +sustain and make sacrifices for his child until his offspring becomes +old enough and strong enough to stand for himself,--Don't you think so, +Mr. Strong?" + +All eyes were turned to the minister who was appealed to so directly. +Had the reverend gentleman been listening, or had his thoughts been with +his eyes, out to sea? His face was a study. But that was not to be +wondered at. Was he not a dispenser of the Word himself, and had he not +been listening to strange doctrine? However, he soon shifted his gaze +from the horizon to his questioner. + +"Certainly, I agree with you," he replied. "Father and fathering are +distinct things. Happy the man who combines them in his life--happy, +indeed." + +The afternoon was growing to a close. The sun sank into the western sea. +The Elder, carried along by the awakened missionary spirit, continued +his talk. He explained that the Father had by means of the Son pointed +out the way of life, called the plan of salvation, or gospel of Jesus +Christ. He spoke of faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of +sins; for, said the Elder to himself, even the minister has need of +these things. + +Lucy drank eagerly the words of life. Her father sat unmoved, making no +comment or objection. He had never been one to wrangle over religion; +had prided himself, in fact, on being liberal and broad-minded; so he +would not dispute even though he could not altogether agree. The Elder's +words came to him in a strange way. Had he heard all this before? If so, +it had been in some long-forgotten past; and this man's discourse only +awakened a faint remembrance as of a distant bell tolling across the +hills. Away back in his youth, he must have heard something like this; +or was it an echo of some pre-existent world--he had heard of such +things before. Perhaps it was the man's tone of voice, his mannerism +that recalled, in some way, some past impression. + +The Elder stopped. Lucy touched her father's arm. + +"Father," she said, "I believe you are cold. I had better get your +coat." + +The minister arose, as if stiffened in the joints by long sitting. He +reached out his hand to the Elder. "I have enjoyed your gospel talk," he +said. "May I ask your name, and to what Church you belong, for evidently +you are a preacher." + +"My name is George Malby, and I am an elder of the Church of Jesus +Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as 'Mormons.'" + +"A 'Mormon!'" a number of voices chorused. + +Some confusion followed, and the party broke up. Lucy, her father, and +Chester, still lingered. + +"Father," said Lucy, "I had intended to introduce you to Elder Malby, +but I wanted you to hear, unprejudiced, what he had to say. What he has +been teaching is 'Mormonism,' and you'll admit now that it is not at all +bad. You never would listen nor read." + +"Lucy--that will do. Good evening, gentlemen. Come Lucy." + +Later that same evening when most of the passengers had retired, the +Rev. Mr. Strong came up on deck again. He took off his cap so that the +breeze might blow unhindered through the thin, gray locks. He paced +slowly the length of the promenade deck with hands behind his back and +eyes alternatingly looking into the dark sky and to the deck at his +feet. The old man's usual erect form was bent a little as he walked, his +step broke occasionally from the rhythmatical tread. There was war in +the minister's soul. Conflicting emotions fought desperately for +ascendency. Memories of the past mingled with the scenes of the present, +and these became confused with the future. As a minister of the gospel +for half a lifetime, he had never had quite such a wildly disordered +mind. He wiped the perspiration from his brow. He groaned in spirit so +that moans escaped from his lips. The sea was beautifully still, but +rather would he have had it as wild and as boisterous as that which was +within his heart. + +The man paused now and then at the rail. The Irish coast was not far +away, and the lights of ships could be seen, westward bound. The +minister tried to follow in his mind these little floating worlds; but +they were too slow. Like the lightning he crossed the Atlantic and then +with the same speed flew half way across the American continent to a +big, black, busy city roaring with the traffic of men. Then out a few +miles to the college, where he as a young divinity student had spent +some years of his early manhood--and there and then he had met +her--Also, years later, the woman whom he had married--and at each big +milestone in his journey of life there had been "Mormons" and +"Mormonism." + +"'Mormonism,' 'Mormonism,'" the man whispered hoarsely. +"Anna--Clara--Lucy--Chester--and now--and now what! O, my God!" + +It was nearly midnight when Lucy, becoming alarmed at her father's long +absence from his state room, came slowly on deck, stopping now and then +to rest. She saw him by the rail, went up to him, took him by the arm +and with a few coaxing words led him down into his room. As he kissed +her good-night with uncommon fervor, he looked into her upturned face +and said: + +"Are you going to love this young man--Chester Lawrence?" + +"Father," she cried, "what do you mean?" + +"Just what I say. I am not blind. I made him promise not to seek your +company or talk religion to you. Tomorrow I shall relieve him from that +promise." + +"O, father!" + +"There now, child,--and Lucy, he may talk of religion and love all he +wants. I think those two things, when they are of the right kind and +properly blended, are good for the heart, don't you?" + +"Yes, thank you, dear daddy--we are so near England now that I may call +you daddy." + +"Then good-night, my girl;" and he kissed her again in the doorway. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +But next morning there was no time to talk of either love or religion +for Chester and Lucy. + +The coast of Ireland had been sighted earlier than had been expected, +and there was the usual straining of eyes landward. Chester was among +the first to see the dark points on the horizon which the seamen said +was the Irish coast, and which as the vessel approached, expanded to +green hills, dotted with whitened houses. This then was Europe, old, +historic Europe, land of our forefathers, land of the stories and the +songs that have come down to us from the distant past. + +"Good morning. What do you think of Ireland?" Lucy touched his arm. + +"Oh, good morning. You are up early." + +"I am feeling so fine this morning that I had to get up and join in the +cry of 'Land ho.' No matter how pleasant an ocean voyage has been, we +are always pleased to see the land. Besides, we get off at Queenstown." + +"What!" exclaimed Chester. "I thought you were bound for Liverpool?" + +"Yes, later; but we are to visit some of our people in Ireland first. +Papa has a brother in Cork. We intend to remain there a few days, then +go on to Dublin, Liverpool, London, Paris, etc., etc.," laughed the +girl. + +Chester's heart sank. The separation was coming sooner than he had +thought. Only a few more hours, and this little sun-kissed voyage would +end. He looked at the girl by him; that action was not under embargo. +Yes; she was uncommonly sweet that morning. Perhaps it was the Irish +blood in her quickening at the nearness of the land of her forefathers. +Cheeks and lips and ears were rosy red, and the breeze played with the +somewhat disheveled hair. There was a press of people along the rail +which caused Lucy's shoulders to snuggle closely to his side. Chester +was silent. + +"Yes;" she went on, "there's dear old Ireland. You see, this is my +second visit, and it's like coming home. You go on to Liverpool, I +understand." + +"I have a ticket to Liverpool," he said; "but I suppose they would let +me off at Queenstown, wouldn't they?" + +"Why, certainly--how fast we are nearing land. I'll have to go down now +and awaken father. We haven't much time to get ready." + +He would have held her, had he dared. She was gone, and there were a +hundred and one questions to ask her. She must not get away from him +like this. He must know where they were going--get addresses by which to +find them. He had no plans but what could be easily changed. Seeing +Europe without Lucy Strong would be a dull, profitless excursion. +Chester's thoughts ran along this line, when Lucy appeared again. The +color had left her face. + +"Father is very sick," she said to Chester. "He seems in a stupor. I +can't wake him. Will you find the doctor?" + +"I'll get him," he said. "Don't worry. We'll be down immediately." + +Chester and the doctor found Lucy rubbing her father's hands and +forehead, pleading softly for him to speak to her. The doctor after a +hurried examination, said there was nothing serious. A nervous +break-down of some kind only--no organic trouble--would be all right +again shortly. + +"But doctor, we get off at Queenstown," explained Lucy. + +"Well, I think you can manage it. By the time you are ready to leave, he +will be strong enough. This young man seems able to carry him ashore, if +need be. Are you landing also," he asked of Chester. + +"Well--yes." + +Lucy looked at the young man, but said nothing. The doctor promised to +bring some medicine, then left. + +"But Mr. Lawrence--" began Lucy. + +"I'll listen to no objections," interrupted he. "I couldn't think for a +moment of leaving you two in this condition. You're hardly able to lift +a glass of water, and now you father's ill also. No; I am going with +you, to be your body guard, your servant. Listen! I'm out to see the old +world. I should very much like to begin with Queenstown and Cork." + +The father moved, opened his eyes, then sat up He passed his hand over +his face, then looked at the two young people. "It's all right," he +muttered, then lay down again on the pillow. The doctor came with his +medicine. There were now heard the noise of trunks being hoisted from +the hold and the bustle of getting ready to leave the ship. + +"Father," said Lucy. "We must soon get ready to leave. Will you be +able?" + +"Yes, yes, child"--it seemed difficult for the old man to speak. + +"And Chester--Mr. Lawrence--here is to go with us and help us." + +"Yes." He nodded as if it was easier to give assent in that way. + +"We'll make all things ready, daddy. Don't you worry. Rest as long as +you can. It will be some time yet before you will need to get up." + +The sick man nodded again. + +"I'll remain here while you get ready," said Chester. "Then you may +attend while I do what little is necessary. I'll let my trunk go right +on to Liverpool. + +Lucy hurried away and Chester sat down by the bed. As he smoothed out +the coverlet, the minister reached out and took Chester's hand which he +held in his own as if to get strength from it. There came into the old +man's face an expression of contentment, but he did not try to talk. + +Lucy returned, and Chester hurried to his own room where he soon packed +his few belongings and was ready. He found the elders on deck watching +the approach to Queenstown, and explained to them what had happened to +change somewhat his plans. "I'll surely hunt you up," he said to Elder +Malby, "and visit with you;" and the Elder wished him God-speed and gave +him his blessing. + +Slowly the big ship sailed into Queenstown harbor, and then stopped. The +anchor chains rattled, the big iron grasped the bottom, and the vessel +was still. What a sensation to be once more at rest! Now out from the +shore came a tender to take Queenstown passengers ashore. Small boats +came alongside from which came shrill cries to those far above on deck. +A small rope was thrown up which was caught and hauled in by the +interested spectators. At the end of the small rope there dangled a +heavier one, and at the end of that there was a loop into which a +good-sized Irish woman slipped. "Pull away," came from below, and half a +dozen men responded. Up came the woman, her feet climbing the sides of +the steamer. With great good-nature the men pulled until the woman was +on deck. Then she immediately let down the lighter rope to her companion +in the small boat, where a basket was fastened and drawn up. From the +basket came apples, or "real Irish lace," or sticks of peculiar Irish +woods, all of which found a ready sale among the passengers. + +From one of the lower decks of the steamer, a gang-way was pushed on to +the raised deck platform of the tender, and even then the incline was +quite steep. This bridge was well fastened by ropes, and then the +passengers began to descend, while their heavier baggage was piled on +the decks of the tender. + +Lucy and her father soon appeared. Chester met them below and helped the +sick man up, along the deck, and down the gang-way to the tender, where +he found a seat. Lucy followed, stewards carrying their hand baggage. +From their new position they looked up to the steamer. How big it was! + +The day was beautifully warm. Well wrapped in his coat, the father +rested easily, watching with some interest the busy scene around him. He +being among the last to leave the liner, they were soon ready to be off. +The gang-way was drawn in again, and the tender steamed away towards the +inner harbor. The big ship weighed its anchor, then proceeded on its +course to Liverpool, carrying away its little world of a week's +acquaintance, to which Chester and Lucy waved farewell. + +Queenstown, in terraced ranks, now rose before them. The pier was soon +reached, from which most of the travelers continued their journey by +rail. The minister and his party, however, took passage again on a small +boat for Cork. Everything being new to Chester, and the father being +quite unable to do anything, the initiative, at least, rested on Lucy. +With Chester's help, she managed quite well. + +For an hour they sailed on the placid waters of the harbor and up into +the river Lee. The wooded hills, on either hand, dotted with +farm-houses and villas, presented a pleasing picture. The boat drew up +to a landing at St. Patrick's Bridge, where Uncle Gilbert met them, +greatly surprised and alarmed at his brother's condition. + +Carriages were waiting. Chester was introduced by Lucy in a way which +led to the inference that he was a particular friend of the family +picked up, perhaps, in their time of need. Bag and baggage was piled in +besides them and they drove away through the streets of Cork and into +the suburbs. Slowly the horse climbed the hill, but in a short time they +were at Uncle Gilbert's home, one of the beautiful ones situated among +the green of rolling hillside and the deeper green of trees. + +There was another warm welcome by Aunt Sarah, who took immediate and +personal charge of the sick man. + +"It's a break-down through overwork," she declared. "You Americans live +at such fever heat that it is no wonder you have no nerves. They're +burned out of you. But it's rest only he wants, poor man; and here's +where he'll get it. Don't you worry, Lucy." + +Aunt Sarah's masterful treatment of cases such as these took much care +and anxiety from them all. Away from the bustle and roar of hurrying +humanity and traffic, resting amid the soothing green, and breathing the +mild air of the country; the minister ought surely to get well again +soon. + +He would not go to bed, but chose to sit in a big chair with a pillow +under his head, looking out of the upstairs window which afforded a view +of the town. The sun came in rather strongly during the afternoon and +the father motioned Lucy to partly draw the blind. She did so, then drew +a stool to his chair and seated herself near him. He placed his hands on +her head, patted it caressingly, smiled at her, but said nothing. It was +still difficult for him to speak. + +Presently, there came a light tap at the door. Lucy arose. It was +Chester. + +"Excuse me," he said, "but the people below are somewhat confused over +the trunks. I came to inquire." + +"Come in," said Lucy. "Let the 'confusion' continue for a little while. +Come in to where there is peace. Father is feeling better, I am sure." + +The invalid turned towards the speakers, then with a movement of his +head told them to come near. Lucy took her former position, while +Chester drew up a chair. Yes; he did seem better, there being some color +in his face to add life to his faint smile. + +"Chester," he whispered with effort, as he reached out and took the young +man's hand, "Chester--my boy--I--am--so--glad--you--came--with--us." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +While the father was resting quietly at Kildare Villa, as Uncle +Gilbert's home was called, Chester and Lucy spent a few days in looking +about. + +"Are there any sights worth seeing around here?" asked Chester of Lucy. + +"Are there?" she replied in surprise. "Did you ever hear of the Blarney +Stone?" + +Yes; he had. + +"Well, that's not far away; and those were the Shandon bells you heard +last evening, + + 'The bells of Shandon, + That sound so grand on + The pleasant waters of the river Lee,'" + +she quoted. + +The fact of the matter was that Chester was quite content to remain +quietly with Lucy and her father and the other good people of the place. +Traveling around the country would, without doubt, separate them, and +that disaster would come soon enough, he thought; but when Lucy +announced that she was ready for a "personally conducted tour to all +points of interest," he readily agreed to be "conducted." She was well +enough to do so, she said; and in fact it did look as if health were +coming to her again. + +The morning of the second day at Kildare Villa Chester and Lucy set out +to see the town, riding in Aunt Sarah's car behind the pony. There had +been a sprinkle of rain during the night, so the roads were pleasant. +Lucy pointed out the places of interest, consulting occasionally a guide +book. + +"While viewing the scenery, it is highly educational to get the proper +information," said Lucy as she opened her book. "It states here that +Cork is a city of 76,000 people. According to one authority it had a +beginning in the seventh century. Think of that now, and compare its +growth with that of Kansas City, for instance." + +"I have always associated this city with the small article used as +stoppers for bottles," said Chester. + +"You thought perhaps the British needed a cork to stop up their harbor," +said Lucy, gravely; "but you are entirely mistaken. The book says the +name is a corruption of Corcach, meaning a marsh. The town has, however, +long since overflowed the water, and now occupies not only a large +island in the river, but reaches up the high banks on each side." + +They were evidently in Ireland. + +"A most noticeable peculiarity of Cork is its absolute want of +uniformity, and the striking contrasts in the colors of the houses. The +stone of which the houses in the northern suburb is built is of reddish +brown, that on the south, of a cold gray tint. Some are constructed of +red brick, some are sheathed in slate, some whitewashed; some reddened, +some yellowed. Patrick may surely do as he likes with his own house. The +most conspicuous steeple in the place, that of St. Ann, Shandon's, is +actually red two sides and white the others, + + 'Parti-colored, like the people, + Red and white stands Shandon steeple.' + +and there it is before us," said Lucy. + +The tower loomed from a low, unpretentious church. The two visitors +drove up the hill, stopped the horse while they looked at the tower and +heard the bells strike the hour. + +"What Father Prout could see in such commonplace things to inspire him +to write his fine poem, I can not understand," said Lucy. "There is a +peculiar jingle in his lines which stays with one. Listen: + + "'With deep affectation and recollection + I often think of the Shandon bells, + Whose sounds so wild would, in days of childhood + Fling round my cradle their magic spells-- + On this I ponder, where'er I wander, + And thus grow fonder, sweet Cork of thee + With thy bells of Shandon, + That sound so grand on + The pleasant waters of the river Lee.'" + +Lucy read the four stanzas. + +"It's fine," agreed Chester; "and I think I can answer your question of +a moment ago. Father Prout, as he says, listened to these bells in +childhood days, those days when 'heaven lies about us' and glorifies +even the most common places, and the impressions he then received +remained with him." + +Lucy "guessed" he was right. + +Then they drove by St. Fin Barre's cathedral, considered the most +noteworthy and imposing building in Cork. "'It is thought probable the +poet Spenser was married in the church which formerly stood on the +site,'" Lucy read. "'His bride was a Cork lady, but of the country, not +of the city. Spenser provokingly asks: + + "'Tell me, ye merchants' daughters, did ye see + So fayre a creature in your town before? + Her goodlie eyes, like sapphyres shining bright; + Her forehead, ivory white, + Her lips like cherries charming men to byte.'" + +"Well," remarked Chester as they drove homeward, and he thought he was +brave in doing so. "I don't know about the merchants' daughters of Cork, +but I know a minister's daughter of Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., who +tallies exactly with Spenser's description." + +"Why, Mr. Lawrence!" + +"I might say more," he persisted, "were it not for some foolish promises +I made that same minister a few days ago--but here we are. Where shall +we go after lunch?" + +"I thought we were to go to Blarney Castle." + +"Sure. I had forgotten. That's where the Blarney Stone is?" + +"Sure," repeated the girl mischievously. + +So that afternoon they set out. It was but a short distance by train +through an interesting country. Lucy was the guide again. + +"Do you have an Irish language?" asked Chester. "I heard some natives +talking something I couldn't understand." + +"Of course there's an Irish language," explained his fair instructor. +"Anciently the Irish spoke the Gaelic, a branch of the Celtic. In this +reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Irish language was forbidden. The English +is now universal, but many still speak the Gaelic. In recent years there +has been an awakening of interest in the old tongue. 'One who knows +Irish well,' an Irish historian claims, 'will readily master Latin, +French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian;' and he adds that to the +Irish-speaking people, the Irish language is 'rich, elegant, +soul-stirring, and expressive.'" + +"I can well believe the latter statement when I remember the actions of +those using it," said Chester. + +"Here we are," announced Lucy, as they alighted and walked to the +entrance of the park. "It will cost us six pence to get in." + +Chester paid the man at the gate a shilling. The castle loomed high on +the side of a hill, its big, square tower being about all that now +remains of the ancient structure. A woman was in charge of the castle +proper. + +"The stone that you kiss is away up to the top," explained Lucy. "You +will have to go up alone, as I dare not climb the stairs. I'll wait +here. But stop a minute; the impressions will be more lasting if you get +the proper information first. Here, we'll sit on this bench while I tell +you about the castle." + +Chester readily agreed to this. + +"To sentimental people," began the girl, as she looked straight at the +high walls in front, "Blarney Castle is the greatest object of interest +in Southern Ireland; and, of course, the Blarney Stone is the center of +attraction. It was built by Cormack McCarthy about 1446. Of the siege of +the castle by Cromwell's forces, under Irton, we have the following +picturesque account in verse, which, I must say, has a Kipling-like +ring." + +She opened her book and read: + + "'It was now the poor boys of the castle looked over the + wall, + And they saw that ruffian, ould Cromwell, a-feeding on + powder and ball, + And the fellow that married his daughter, a-chawing + grape-shot in his jaw, + 'Twas bowld I-ray-ton they called him, and he was his + brother-in-law.' + +"The word 'Blarney' means pleasant, deludin' talk, said to have +originated at the court of Queen Elizabeth. McCarthy, the then chieftain +over the clan of that name who resided at Blarney, was repeatedly asked +to come in from 'off his keeping.' He was always promising with fair +words and soft speech to do what was desired, but never could be got to +come to the sticking point. The queen, it is told, when one of his +speeches was brought to her, said: 'This is all Blarney; what he says, +he never means.' + +"Now, this is the reason for kissing the stone up there in the tower. +Listen: + + "'There is a stone there, whoever kisses, + Oh! he never misses to grow eloquent; + 'Tis he may clamber to a lady's chamber, + Or become a Member of Parliament. + A clever spouter, he'll sure turn out, or + An "out--an'--outer" to be let alone; + Don't hope to hinder him, or to bewilder him, + Sure, he's a pilgrim from the Blarney Stone.' + +"Now, then, these are the facts in the case," concluded Lucy. "Proceed +to do." + +Chester climbed the long stairs to the top. From the western edge, he +looked down and waved at Lucy, then hurriedly scanned the beautiful +prospect about him. The wonderful stone then drew his attention. It is +set in the parapet wall, being one of the under stones in the middle of +the tower. This parapet does not form part of the wall, but is detached +from it, being built out about two feet and supported by a sort of +scaffolding brace of masonry. This leaves a space between the battlement +and the wall, which in olden times, enabled the defenders to drop stones +and other trifles on to the heads of assailants one hundred twenty feet +below. Two iron bands now reach around the famous stone, spanning the +open space, and fastened to the wall. The aspirant who wishes to kiss +the stone, must grasp these irons, one in each hand, and hang on for +dear life. As the stone is underneath the parapet, the feat of kissing +it is not easy. In the first place, one must lie on one's back, then +with head extended over the wall, the head must be bent down and back +far enough to touch the lips to the stone. To perform the feat safely, +there must be assistants at hand who must hold one's legs in steady +grip, and others who must sit on the lower part of the body to assure +the proper equilibrium. + +Being entirely alone, it is needless to say, Chester did not kiss the +Blarney Stone. He was satisfied with reaching under and touching it with +his hand. Then he returned to Lucy. + +"You did not kiss the stone," she immediately declared. + +"You know, don't you, that it takes two to kiss--the Blarney Stone?" + +"I've heard it so stated. I've never been up to it." + +The park around the castle is very inviting, especially on a fine, warm +afternoon. There are big trees, grass, and neatly kept walks. Chester +and Lucy sauntered under the trees. A tiny brook gurgled near by, the +birds were singing. Lucy chattered merrily along, but Chester was not so +talkative. She noticed his mood and asked why he was so silent. + +"I was thinking of that promise. I fear I am not doing right." + +"O, that reminds me--Father, of course could not--" + +"Could not what?" + +"Well, the night before he became so ill on the boat he told me he was +going to release you from any promise not to meet me and talk religion +to me." + +"Did he say that?" They paused in their walk. + +"Yes; and he meant it--he means it now, if he could but say as much." + +"I thank you for telling me * * * Let us sit down here on this rustic +seat. Do you know, I believe your father has gotten over his first +dislike for me." + +"O, yes, he has. I think he likes you very much." + +"I was not surprised at his actions when I told him I was a 'Mormon.' He +can hardly be blamed, in view of the life-long training he has had. And +then, knowing that you have been in danger from that source before made +him over-sensitive on the point. I marvel now that he treats me so +well." + +Lucy looked her happiness, rather than expressed it. The guide book lay +open on her lap. Chester picked it up, looked at a picture of Blarney +Castle, and then read aloud: + + "'There's gravel walk there, + For speculation, + And conversation + In sweet solitude. + 'Tis there the lover + May hear the dove, or + The gentle plover + In the afternoon.' + +"Lucy," said Chester, as he closed the book, "I'm going to call you +Lucy--I can't call you Miss Strong in such a lovely place as this. We +have an hour or two before we must return, and I want to talk over a few +matters while we have the chance. In the first place, I want you to tell +me where you are going when you leave Ireland. I want to keep track of +you--I don't want to lose you. If your father would not object, I should +like to travel along with you." + +"Father may remain here a long time, so long that we may not get to see +much of Europe, and of course, you can't wait here for us." + +"Now listen, Lucy. _You_ are Europe to me. I believe you are the whole +world." + +She did not turn from him, though she looked down to the grass where the +point of her sunshade now rested. Her face was diffused with color. + +"Forgive me for saying so much," he continued, "for I realize I am quite +a stranger to you." + +"A stranger?" she asked. + +"Yes; we have not known each other long. You don't know much about me." + +"I seem to have known you a long time," she said, looking up. "I often +think I have met you before. Sometimes I imagine you look like the +young missionary whom I first heard on the streets of Kansas City; but +of course, that can't be." + +"No; I never was on a mission. But I'm glad you think of me as you do, +for then you'll let me come and see you in London, in Paris and wherever +you go. I assure you, it would be rather uninteresting sight-seeing +without your presence, if not always in person, then in spirit. After +all, much depends on the condition of the eyes with which one looks on +an object whether it is interesting or not." + +Then the talk led to personal matters. He spoke of his experiences in +Utah--some of them--and she fold him her simple life's story. Her mother +had died many years ago; she had no very distinct recollection of her. +She and her father had lived with housekeepers for many years. What with +school and home, the one trip before to Europe, a number of excursions +to various parts of her own country, her life had passed very smoothly +and very quietly among her friends and books. As Chester listened to her +he thought how like in some respects her story was to that of Julia +Elston's. And as she sat there under the trees, she again looked like +Julia, yet with a difference. Somehow the first girl had vanished but +she had left behind in his heart a susceptibility to a form and face +like this one beside him. Julia had come into his heart, not to dwell +there, but to purify it, adorn it, and to make it ready for someone +else;--and that other person had come. She filled the sanctuary of his +heart. Peace and love beyond the telling were inmates with her. Had he +not come to his own at last. + +That afternoon, as he sat with Lucy under the trees at Blarney, +listening to her story, told in simplicity with eyes alternating between +smiles and tears, he felt so near heaven that his prayers went easily +ahead of him to the throne of mercy and love, bearing a message of +praise and gratitude to the Giver of all good. + +These two were quite alone that afternoon. Even the care-taker went +within the thick walls of the castle, remembering, perhaps, that she +also had been young once. Birds may have eyes to see and ears to hear, +but they tell nothing to humans. + +On the way back to Cork there was only one other passenger in the +car,--an Irish girl carrying a basket in which were two white kittens. +About half way to the city, the train stopped, and much to the +travelers' surprise, a company of about two hundred Gordon Highlanders +boarded the train, filling the cars completely. + +"What," asked Chester. "Have the Scotch invaded Ireland?" + +"I suppose it's a company just out for a bit of exercise," suggested +Lucy. + +Their bare, brown legs, kilts and equipment were matters of much +interest to Chester. When the train arrived in Cork, the soldiers +formed, and with bagpipes squeeling their loudest, they marched into St. +Patrick's street. Chester and Lucy and the girl with the basket +followed. + +"This is quite an honor," remarked Chester, "to have a company of +soldiers come to meet us, and to be escorted into town by music like +this. How did _they_ know?" + +"Know what?" escaped from Lucy before she discerned his meaning. + +"Why, you silly man," she replied, "the honor is for the kittens!" + +Uncle Gilbert met them at the door. "Your father is sleeping--getting +along fine," he explained. "Now then, young man, did you kiss the +Blarney Stone?" + +"Why--no--I--" + +"You didn't! You missed the greatest opportunity in your life." + +"Oh, no, I didn't." replied Chester. "Far from it." + +Lucy, rosy red, fled past her teasing uncle into the house. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +A warm, gentle rain was falling. No regrets or complaints were heard at +Kildare Villa, for, as Uncle Gilbert said, the farmers needed it, he and +his people were comfortably housed, and the excursionists--meaning +Chester and Lucy--would do well to remain quiet for a day. + +The minister had so far recovered that he walked unaided into the large +living room, where a fire in the grate shed a genial warmth. Chester and +Lucy were already there, she at the piano and he singing softly. At +sight of her father, Lucy ran to him, helped him to a seat, then kissed +him good morning. + +"How much better you are!" she said. + +"Yes; I am glad I am nearly myself again--thanks to Aunt Sarah," he +said, as that good woman entered the room with pillows and footrest for +the invalid, who was made quite comfortable. Then the aunt delivered him +to the care of the two young people, with an admonition against drafts +and loud noises. + +"All right, daddy; now what can we do for you?" asked Lucy. + +"You were singing--when I came in. * * * Sing the song again." + +"But loud noises, you know." + +"Sing--softly," he replied. + +The two went back to the piano. Lucy played and both sang in well +modulated, subdued voices, + + "Jesus, I my cross have taken + All to leave and follow Thee; + Naked, poor, despised, forsaken, + Thou, from hence my all shall be. + Perish every fond ambition, + All I've sought, or hoped, or known, + Yet how rich is my condition, + God and heaven are still my own." + +They sang the three stanzas. The two voices blended beautifully. The +father asked them to sing the song again, which they did. Then they sang +others, some of which were not familiar to the listener. + + "Oh, how lovely was the morning, + Brightly beamed the sun above." + +"What was that last song?" inquired the father. + +The two singers looked at each other as if they had been caught in some +forbidden act. + +"Why"--hesitated Lucy, "that's a Sunday School song." + +"A 'Mormon' song?" + +"Yes." + +"Sing--it again," he said as he lay back on his pillows, closed his eyes +and listened. + +"Do you know any more--'Mormon' songs?" + +Lucy, of course, did not know many. Chester managed "O, my Father," and +one or two more. Then Lucy closed the piano and went back to her father, +where she stood smoothing gently his gray hair. Thus they talked and +read and sang a little more, while the rain fell gently without. + +"This is a beautiful country," said Chester, looking out of the window. +"I do not blame people who have money, desiring to live here." Lucy came +to the window also, and they stood looking out on the rain-washed green. +The father lay still in his chair, and presently he went to sleep. +Chester and Lucy then retired to a corner, and carried on their +conversation in low tones. Faint noises from other parts of the house +came to them. From without, only the occasional shrill whistle of a +locomotive disturbed the silence. The fire burned low in the grate. + +Suddenly, the father awoke with a start. "I tell you he is my son," he +said aloud. "I am his father, and I ought to father him--my heart goes +out--my son--" + +"What is it, father?" cried Lucy, running to him, and putting her arm +around his shoulders. + +The father looked about, fully awakened. + +"I was only dreaming," he explained. "Did I talk in my sleep?" + +Just then Uncle Gilbert came in. He announced that tomorrow he would of +necessity have to leave for Liverpool. It would be a short trip only; he +would be back in two or three days, during which all of them should +continue to make themselves comfortable. + +"George, here, is getting along famously," he declared. "A few more days +of absolute rest, and you'll be all right, eh, brother?" + +"I think so." + +Aunt Sarah now announced luncheon, and they all filed out of the room. + +That evening the two brothers were alone. "I want to talk to you," the +visitor had said; and his brother was willing that he should. Evidently, +something weighed heavily on his mind, some imaginary trouble, brought +on by his weakened physical condition. + +"Now, what is it, brother," said Gilbert as they sat comfortably in +their room. + +"You know that in my younger days I had a little trouble"--began the +minister, now speaking quite freely. + +"I don't recall what you mean." + +"When I was studying for the ministry--a woman, you--" + +"O, yes; I remember; but what of it? That's past and forgotten long +ago." + +"Past, but not forgotten. I have tried to forget, the Lord knows, by +long years of service in the ministry. I hope the Lord has forgiven--but +I forgotten, Oh, no." + +"Look here, brother, you are over-sensitive just now because of your +physical condition. You have nothing to worry over. That little +youthful indiscretion--" + +"But there was a child, Gilbert, a boy." + +"Well, what of it?" + +"That was my boy. I am his father. What has become of him? Where is he +now? Flesh of my flesh, is he handicapped by the stigma I placed upon +him? Is he, perchance, groveling in the gutter, because I cast him +off--had no thought or care for him--" + +"Now, look here--" + +"Listen. I became a father, then shirked the responsibility of +fatherhood. A new word rings in my ears, 'FATHERING.' I can see its +mighty import. I who have spoken the words of the great Father for these +many years, have not followed His example. Listen, brother: if that son +of mine is alive, and I believe he is, I am going to find and claim +him--and not once more do I preach until I do." + +The brother was somewhat alarmed, showing it in his countenance. + +"You may think I am out of my head; but I never was saner in my life. My +thoughts are as clear as a bell, and now that I have said what I wanted +to, I feel better. That's all--don't you worry about me. Now go to bed. +You are to be off in the morning, you know. Good night." + +As Gilbert walked out, his mind not altogether clear about his brother, +Lucy was at the door waiting to bid her father good night. + +"May I come in?" she asked. + +"Yes; come along." + +"I wanted just to say good night." + +"That's right, my girl; and where is Chester?" + +"He--I don't know. I think he's retired." + +"You're looking so well, these days. Are you happy?" + +"Yes, daddy; so happy--and so much better, I believe." + +"All right--there now, good night. If Chester is without, tell him to +come in a moment." + +She kissed him again, then slipped out. Presently, Chester entered. + +"Did you wish to see me, Mr. Strong?" + +"Yes--that is, just to say good night--and to tell you that I am +better--and also to thank you for taking such good care of Lucy." + +"Why, I assure you--" + +"Wait a moment. Stand right where you are, there in that light--you'll +excuse a sick man's humors, I know; but someone told me today that we +two look very much alike. I was just wondering whether it was a fancy +only--but I can't tell, nor you can't tell. It always takes a third +person to say." + +"Yes; I suppose it does," laughed Chester. "But I don't object to the +resemblance." + +"Nor I, my boy. Come here. Continue to take good care of Lucy. She's a +good, sweet girl." The man arose, as if to be off to bed. Chester put +his arm around him. + +"Let me help you," said the young man. "You are not very strong yet." + +"Thank you." He put his arm about Chester's neck so that the stronger +man could nearly carry the weaker. As they walked slowly across the room +under the lamps anyone could see a striking resemblance between the two +men. As they said good night and parted at the father's door, the older +man's hand patted softly the young man's cheek. Chester felt the touch, +so strange that it thrilled him. "That was for Lucy's sake," he said to +himself as he sought the quietness of his own room. + + * * * * * + +There were no apparent reasons why Chester Lawrence should not accompany +Uncle Gilbert to Liverpool, so neither Chester nor Lucy tried to find +any. Plans for meeting in London and on the continent were fully matured +and understood. The separation would be for a week or fortnight at most. +Lucy and Aunt Sarah waved their goodbyes as the train drew out of Cork +for Dublin. + +Chester now understood why Ireland was called the Emerald Isle. Green, +green, everywhere--fields and hedges, trees and bushes, bogs and +hills--everything was green. Uncle Gilbert gave him full information on +all points of interest. + +At Dublin they had a few hours to wait for the boat, so they looked +around the city, not forgetting the beautiful Phoenix Park. It was +evening when they went on board the steamer and to bed. Next morning, +they were awakened by the rattling of cables and chains as they slid +into a dock at Liverpool. + +Chester and Gilbert Strong parted company at Liverpool, the latter to +attend to the business which had brought him there, the former to seek a +place of lodging. First he found 42 Islington, the headquarters of the +mission, introduced himself to the elders in charge, and asked them to +direct him to some cheap, but respectable lodgings. He was shown to a +nearby hotel where the missionaries usually put up, where he obtained a +room. Then he went to the steamship company's office at the pier, +obtained his trunk, and had it taken to his lodgings. After a bath, a +general clean-up and change of clothing, he was ready for the town, or +all England for that matter. + +He went back to "42" for further information. He noticed that the slum +district of the town pressed closely on to the office quarters, and he +saw some sights even that first afternoon which shocked him: dirty, +ragged children, playing in the gutters; boys and girls and women going +in to dram shops and bringing out mugs of beer; men and women drunken. +One sight specially horrified him: a woman, dirty, naked shoulders and +arms; feet and legs bare; a filthy skirt and bodice open at the breast; +hair matted and wild; reeling along the pavement, crying out in drunken +exclamations and mutterings. It was the most sickening sight the young +man had ever seen, and with perhaps the exception of a fight he +witnessed some days later between two such characters, the worst +spectacle of his life. + +All this sordid life so strange and new, drew the attention of the young +westerner. Especially did 42 Islington interest him; for this was an +historic spot for "Mormonism." From here the early missionaries had sent +forth the message of salvation to Great Britain, in fact, to the whole +of Europe. Here within these dingy rooms had trod the strong, sturdy +characters of the pioneer days of the Church. Perhaps in some of these +rooms Orson Pratt had written his masterly presentation of the gospel. +In those days, very likely, there were not so many noises of traffic and +restless humanity. Perhaps such men could take with them the peace and +sublime solitude of their home in the Western Mountains into the +confusing din of the big city, and remain undisturbed. And these were +happy, even as the present elders were, laboring, with a clear +conscience for the salvation of souls. There came to Chester, as he +thought of these things, an expression he had read: "Outside things +cannot make you happy, unless they fit with something inside; and they +are so few and so common that the smallest room can hold them." + +That same evening there was a meeting of the Saints which Chester +attended. The congregation was small, much smaller even than those of +Chicago. Most of the people present appeared to be of the humbler, +working classes; but there was the same light in their faces as that +which shone in faces on the other side of the world, when enlightened by +the Spirit of God. Everywhere, Chester noticed, this Spirit was the +same, giving to rich and poor, learned and unlearned alike, the joy of +its presence. + +"Come around tomorrow, and we'll take a look about the city," said one +of the elders to Chester. "Sitting cramped over a desk day after day, +makes it necessary for me to get out once in a while." + +The afternoon of the following day, Chester called for his friend in the +office, and they set out. "I want you to get rid of the first +impressions of Liverpool," explained the elder. "I want you to get away +from the noise and dirt to the green and quiet and beauty of the town." + +First they took a car to the Botanical Gardens, looked at the flower +beds and inspected the palm-house. Then they walked across the open to +the farther side, followed a short street or two into the big, open +grass-covered Wavertree Playground. Thence it was a short walk to Sefton +Park with its varied and extensive beauties. They watched the children +sail their toy crafts on the lake. There were some men even, trying out +model boats. The bird cage was interesting. The grotto, as usual, was +hard to find. The palm-house took a good part of their time, for the +beautiful statue of Burn's Highland Mary, gleaming white from a bed of +green, took Chester's attention, as also the historical figures +surrounding the house. One of these was of Columbus with an inscription +claiming that he had very much to do with the making of Liverpool, +which is no doubt true. + +The weather was fine, the air was balmy; many people were out. Chester +and his companion strolled about the walks and across the velvety +stretches of grass. They watched for a time, a "gentlemanly game of +cricket," but it was too slow altogether for the Americans. + +It was well towards sundown when the two young men took a car back to +Islington. "Another day we'll see Newsham Park, and the country around +Knotty Ash way. Then again, there is some beautiful country up the +Mersey and across to Birkenhead." The visitor was grateful for these +offers. + +That evening Chester addressed some post-cards to his few friends in +Chicago, one to Hugh Elston, one to Elder Malby in London, and one to +Lucy May Strong, Kildare Villa, Cork, Ireland. He lingered somewhat over +this latter, lost somewhat in wonder at recent events. Was not this +ocean trip and the Irish experience a dream? The noise and smoke about +him were surely that of Chicago, and he was sitting in his room there in +his normal condition of homelessness and friendlessness? Had he not that +day been out with an elder from the Chicago Church office to Lincoln +Park and the lakeside? Surely Lucy and the minister, and Kildare Villa +and Blarney were figments of a pleasant dream! Chester walked back and +forth in the small room. He stopped before a dingy map of Great Britain +on the wall. His finger touched Ireland, moved southward, and stopped +at Cork. Yes; there _was_ such a place, any way, so there must be +Shandon Bells and the Blarney Stone, and a rustic seat under the trees +at Blarney Castle. Well, if all else under the sun were imaginary, that +hour of bliss at Blarney when Chester told Lucy he loved her, and Lucy +told Chester the same sweet words--that was real. He would live in that +reality, for it far surpassed his dreams. + +Chester looked again at the post-card he had addressed to Kildare Villa, +placed it aside, and wrote in its place a long letter. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +Twenty miles out of London. The sun is shining, and the train glides +along by green fields, hedges of hawthorn, and blossoming trees. England +looks to be the huge, well-cared-for farm of a very rich man. This may +be explained by the fact that England is an old country, having been +plowed and planted and harrowed for close on to a thousand years before +America was discovered. This long period of cultivation gives the +country-side a mellowness and well-groomed look. The vaporous sunlight +softens all the outlines, hides the harsh features, and gives the +landscape its dreamy, far-away, misty loveliness. There seems to be no +angles in the scene; field melts into field, and hedge into hedge, with +here and there a ribbon of a road which seems to join them rather than +to separate them. The houses are of brick or of stone, many partly +hidden under the climbing ivy or roses. + +Chester Lawrence is accompanying Elder Malby eastward from London +through Kent to Margate and Ramsgate on the coast. Elder Malby is to +attend to some Church duties, and Chester, by invitation, was glad to +accompany him. It was the young man's policy to keep in touch as much as +possible with the elders and their work, and he was getting somewhat of +the missionary spirit himself. He was greatly enjoying this ride +through the beautiful country. + +"It's really wonderful," said Chester, looking out of the car window, +"this coming from London into the country. Where are all the people? Are +they all in town? Some cows are browsing in the pastures, and sheep +scurry about as the train flies by, but where are the people who have +made this great garden?" + +"You must remember," explained Chester's companion, "all this has not +been done hurriedly by many people within a short time. What the +Englishman doesn't do today he can do tomorrow; and so centuries of work +by a few men has produced what we see." + +"Well, I do occasionally see a few slow-moving men and women, somberly +clad in grays and browns. These, I suppose, are the sturdy supporters of +their country." + +"Here is something I clipped from an American magazine," said Elder +Malby, "which impressed me with its peculiar truth." He read: + +"'England is London says one, England is Parliament says another, +England is the Empire says still another; but if I be not much mistaken, +this stretch of green fields, these hills and valleys, these hedges and +fruit trees, this soft landscape, is the England men love. In India and +Canada, in their ships at sea, in their knots of soldiery all over the +world, Englishmen must close their eyes at times, and when they do, they +see these fields green and brown, these hedges dusted with the soft +snow of blossoms, these houses hung with roses and ivy, and when the +eyes open, they are moist with these memories. The pioneer, the sailor, +the soldier, the colonist may fight, and struggle and suffer, and +proclaim his pride in his new home and possessions, but these are the +love of a wife, of children, of friends; that other is the love, with +its touch of adoration, that is not less nor more, but still different, +that mysterious mingling of care for, and awe of, the one who brought +you into the world. + +"'This is the England, I take it, that makes one feel his duty to be his +religion, and the England that every American comes to as to a shrine. +When this is sunk in the sea, or trampled over by a host of invading +Germans, or mauled into bankruptcy by pandering politicians and sour +socialists, one of the most delightful spots in the whole world will +have been lost, and no artist ever be able to paint such a picture +again, for nowhere else is there just this texture of canvas, just this +quality if pigment, just these fifteen centuries of atmosphere.' I think +this sums it up nicely," commented Elder Malby. + +"Ireland is a pretty fine country, too," said Chester, with far-away +tone, still gazing out of the window. + +Elder Malby laughed heartily, in which his companion joined. Chester had +told him his Irish experiences. + +Ramsgate is a pretty town on the east coast. It being Sunday, the shops +were closed and the streets quiet. After some enquiries and searching, +the local elder was found in the outskirts of the town. The two visitors +were warmly received. A good old-fashioned English dinner was served, +after which the few Saints living in the vicinity gathered for meeting. +Never before had Chester Lawrence experienced the comforting Spirit of +the Lord as in that service when he partook with those simple, +open-minded people the sacrament, and listened to their testimonies, in +which he mingled his own. + +After the services, there was the usual lingering to shake hands and +exchange good words. In the midst of the confusion of voices and +laughter, a large man appeared in the open doorway, and immediately +there was a hush. It was the parish priest, round and sleek, yet stern +of countenance. He looked about the room and found a good many of his +neighbors present. + +"Well, good people," said he, "what are you doing here?" + +The local elder explained civilly the purpose of the gathering. + +"But these men who are holding these services are 'Mormons,' and I come +to warn you that they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Beware of them, +let them alone," said the priest in rising accents. + +The people stood about the room, quietly listening. Elder Malby and +Chester were yet by the table which had served as a pulpit, and to them +the priest advanced. + +"Are you the 'Mormon' elders?" he demanded. + +"We have that honor," serenely replied Elder Malby. + +"You ought to be ashamed to come here to a Christian community with your +vile doctrine. I warn you to keep away." + +"Will you be seated, sir?" asked Elder Malby, who took charge of the +situation. A number of people, who had evidently followed the priest to +see the "fun," came in and gathered round. + +"I'll not sit down. I'll deliver my message to you all," he declared as +he turned to the people. "You may not believe what I say about these +men, that they are not what they pretend; but let me read to you from an +American paper--printed in their own land. Listen: + +"'So fully apparent is the pernicious activity of "Mormonism" of late, +that a general campaign of opposition is being urged against them in +various parts of the country. It has been conclusively shown, by +students of the question, that the "Mormon" Church is simply a great +secret society, engaging in criminal practices under the cloak of their +religion--" + +There was a hum of protest in the room. Elder Malby raised a hand of +warning to let the intruder proceed. + +"'The attitude of "Mormonism" towards moral questions and its disregard +for the laws, have been shown again and again. "Mormon" missionaries are +now making a systematic canvas of every state in the Union, as well as +in Great Britain and other foreign countries. Every home, especially of +the poor and uneducated is to be visited. It would therefore be the part +of wisdom to give a timely word of warning. This is a time to cry aloud +and spare not, lest many be led astray by these pernicious teachings.'" + +The minister followed up this reading by a stream of personal abuse +against "Mormons" in general and Elder Malby--whose name he knew--in +particular. Chester watched with keen interest the proceedings. Elder +Malby's face was a study. The angry priest paused, then stopped. + +"Are you through, sir?" asked Elder Malby quietly. There was no reply, +so he continued. "If you are, I wish to say a word. You are entirely +mistaken, my dear sir. I have not come here to mislead or to teach any +such doctrine as you claim. True, I am now an American citizen, but I +was born an Englishman. This is my native country, and I have as much +right to be here as you have; and, thank God, this country provides for +free speech and allows every man to worship God according to the +dictates of his conscience. I love this, my native land--I love these, +my people. That's why I am here to preach to them the gospel of Jesus +Christ." + +"You're a farmer, and not a minister," sneered the priest. + +"Peter was a fisherman and Paul was a tent-maker," replied the Elder +calmly. "I suppose, sir, that if either of these men came here to +preach, you would look upon their occupation as a reproach." + +There was no reply, so the "Mormon" continued. "It is true I am a +farmer. Some of my friends here know that, because sometimes I assist +them in the fields. And I have given them some helpful American hints +too, have I not, Brother Naylor?" + +"Aye, that you have." + +"Religion is not a thing apart from daily life," said Elder Malby, +speaking more to the listening people than to the priest. "A truly +religious person works with hands and brains as well as prays with lips +and heart. Let me tell you, good people, the 'Mormons' have shown to the +world that heart and hand, faith and works must go together. A religion +which withdraws itself apart from the common people into seclusions of +prayer and contemplation alone is of no value in this world. The +activities of this life and this world is the proper field for religion, +for it is here that we prepare for a future life. The "Mormon" minister +can plow, if he is a farmer, as well as preach. He digs canals, makes +roads through the wilderness, provides work and play for those who look +to him for guidance. Again, let me call your attention to something the +"_Mormon_" preacher does: he preaches for the love of the souls of men, +and not for a salary." + +"You're a tramp," said the priest. + +"Not exactly, my friend," replied the Elder, looking into the priest's +face. "I pay my way, from money earned at home on my farm. Most of the +people here know me, but some are strangers. Let me tell you, briefly, +my story." + +"Go on," some one near the door shouted. + +"I was born a few miles from here. My parents were very poor, but honest +and respectable. I had a longing to go to America, so by dint of long, +hard work and saving, I obtained the passage money. On the way I became +acquainted with the Mormons.' I knew they were the people of God, and I +went with them to the West, which was a new country then. I was a +pioneer. I took up wild, unbroken land, built me a cabin and made me a +farm. It was hard work, but, the exhilaration of working for one's self +gives courage and strength. Now I have a good farm, and a good house. I +am not rich in worldly wealth. We must still economize carefully. +Here--would you like to see my home in America?" + +He took from his pocket a photograph and handed it to the nearest +person, who passed it on. "That house I built with my own hands, most of +it. Those trees I planted. I made the fence and dug the water ditch. +That's my wife standing by the gate--yes, the only one I have, or ever +had--that's my youngest child on the porch, the only one at home now. +The others have married and have homes of their own. Here, I remember, I +received a letter from my wife yesterday. Would you like to read it, +sir?" addressing the priest who was now preparing to leave. + +"The letter will prove that I am not a tramp, sir. Read it aloud to +these people." The Elder held the letter in his extended hand. + +"I'll have nothing further to do with you. I don't want to read your +letter," retorted the priest. + +"Read it, read it," came from a number; but the priest, unheedingly +passed out of the door and down the path. The gate clicked. + +"I'll read it," volunteered a man, one of the strangers who had come in +later. He took the letter, and read so that all might hear, which was +not difficult in that quieted room: + +"'Dear George: By this time I suppose you are in Old England again, and +have fairly started in your missionary work. We received your card from +Chicago and your letter from New York. I hope you had a pleasant voyage +across the ocean, and were not seasick. + +"'We are all well at home, only a bit lonesome, of course. Janie misses +you very much. She hardly knows what to do with herself in the evening. +I was over to George's last night, and when I came in the door the baby +cried "grandpa" before she saw who it was. The little thing looks all +around and can't understand why you don't come. Lizzie's baby has the +measles, but is getting along nicely. + +"I drove around by the field from meeting last Sunday. The wheat is +growing fine. The Bishop said it was the finest stand he had ever seen. +George and Henry are now working on the ditch, and they said they'd work +out your assessment while they were about it. We have had a good deal of +rain lately. + +"'I spoke to Brother Jenson about those two steers. He said prices were +low at present and advised me to wait a little while before selling +them. If you need the money very soon, of course I'll tell him to take +them next time he calls. My eggs and butter help us out wonderfully, as +we two don't require much. The Sunday eggs, you know, go towards the +meeting house fund, and Janie claims the "Saturday crop." She needs a +new school dress which Lizzie has promised to make. + +"'Now, that's about all the news. I hope your health will continue good +and that you are enjoying your mission. Don't worry about us. The Lord +will provide. We want to do our part in sending the gospel to those who +have it not. Our faith and prayers are always with you. + +"'Your loving wife, +"'JANE MALBY. + +"'P.S. I forgot to tell you that the Jersey cow you bought from Brother +Jones has had twin calves, both heifers. Isn't that fine? J.M.'" + +The reader folded the letter and handed it back to its owner. The +postscript saved the situation, for the wet eyes found relief in the +merry laugh which it brought forth. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +On Chester's return to London, he found the following note from Lucy: + +"We're all coming--father and Uncle Gilbert and I. What do you think of +that? Father is well enough to travel, and he has prevailed upon his +brother to accompany us. In fact, I think that Uncle imagines we are two +invalids and need his care--I'm glad he does. I'm so busy packing, I +haven't time to write more. Will tell you all about it when I see you. +Meet us at St. Pancras station Thursday, at 6 p.m. + +"With love from + +"LUCY." + +Elder Malby accompanied Chester to the station to meet his friends from +Ireland. The two brothers were fairly well acquainted with London, so +they had no trouble in finding a hotel in a quiet part of the city. +Lucy's father seemed himself again. He walked with a cane, which, +however, may have been his regular European custom. Lucy was uncommonly +well, declaring that the long journey had not tired her a bit. + +Plans were discussed in the hotel that evening, and it was finally +decided to go to Paris by way of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels. The +stages would have to be easy for the sake of the "two invalids," as +Uncle Gilbert put it, to which Chester heartily agreed. + +Late the next morning, for the travelers needed the rest, Chester called +for them, and the party of four saw a little of London from the top of a +'bus. The weather continued fair, and as the summer was well advanced, +the air was warm. The sightseers had a simple luncheon at a small cafe +which Uncle Gilbert knew near the British Museum, and then they +continued their rambles until the close of the afternoon, when Chester +put them down at the "Mormon" mission headquarters. + +Elder Malby received them warmly, provided easy seats for Lucy and her +father, and took hats and wraps under protestations that they were not +going to stay. A number of missionaries came in and they were +introduced. Lucy beamed with delight, her father unreservedly told the +young men they were from America,--and western America at that; but +Uncle Gilbert was not quite at his ease among the new company. He knew, +of course, that these people were "Mormons," and his knowledge of +"Mormons" and their ways, although somewhat vague, was not reassuring. + +When the good-natured English housekeeper announced that supper was +ready, it seemed impossible to do otherwise than to follow her and Elder +Malby down to the large basement room. In fact, Lucy, without any ifs or +ands took her father's arm and led him along. Uncle Gilbert thought he +had never seen her in such a bold frame of mind. + +Certainly, Chester, Elder Malby, and the housekeeper must have plotted +to bring about that little supper party. The dining room was severely +bare, but scrupulously clean. That evening the threadbare table cloth +had been replaced by a new one. The usual menu of bread, milk, and jam +was augmented by slices of cold meat, a dish of fruit, and a cake. Two +small bouquets adorned the ends of the long table. + +"Visitors," whispered one of the elders to another. + +"Extraordinary visitors," replied the other. "Just like home when Uncle +John came to see us." + +The housekeeper even furnished tea for the Rev. Mr. Strong and his +brother. Lucy said she liked milk better, so she filled her glass along +with Chester's and the other "Mormons." She chatted freely with the +young elder near her, learned that he was from Idaho, that he had been +away six months, that he had not been home-sick, and that he was not +married. The elders were to hold street meetings that evening after +supper. + +"I should like to go with you," she said; but Chester, overhearing the +conversation, told her that for various reasons, such a course would not +be wise. + +Afterwards, there was some singing in the office-parlor, then Chester +went with the party to their hotel. + +"I believe papa is being favorably impressed," said Lucy to Chester +before they parted. "I wish he could see as I do." + +"That would indeed be something to be thankful for," agreed Chester. + +The following afternoon the continental party took the train to Harwich, +then boat for the Hook of Holland, where they arrived next morning. A +short ride by rail brought them to Rotterdam. + +Uncle Gilbert had seen the city before, but the quaint town interested +the others for the first time. "Everything is clean in Holland but the +canals," some one has said. In Rotterdam, the ancient windmills, with +huge spreading arms, stand in the midst of modern shops, and the +contrast is strange. + +Uncle Gilbert directed the party to the Delftshaven church, explaining +that in this ancient building the Pilgrim Fathers worshiped before they +set sail for the New World. Then the sight-seers took train for The +Hague, ten miles away. They visited the House of the Woods, where the +Peace Congresses are held, observed Queen Wilhelmina's residence from +without, looked at some of the famous paintings in the art gallery, then +shuddered over the instruments of torture on exhibition in the "Torture +Chamber" found in the old prison. There were some gruesome articles +here. + +"All in the name of religion," remarked the minister, shaking his head. +"It seems to me that in those days men taxed their ingenuity to find new +and more terrible means of inflicting pain. And men suffered in those +days because of religious belief." + +Someone had expressed himself on the subject in these lines, which they +read from a card: + + "By my soul's hope of rest, + I'd rather have been born, ere man was blessed + With the pure dawn of revelation's light; + Yea; rather plunge me back into pagan night + And take my chances with Socrates for bliss, + Than be a Christian of a faith like this." + +Out from the depressing gloom of the prison, they took the electric car +to Scheveningen, the famous sea-side resort. The season was hardly begun +yet, so there were but few visitors. However, the sands dotted with +their peculiar wicker shelters and the beautiful blue North Sea were +there. Out on the water could be seen the little "pinken"--the fishing +boats, their sails red and taut or white and wing-like, speeding before +the wind. The waves swept in long straight lines, and broke on the sands +in muffled sound. The scene was restful, so the party was served with +something to eat and drink on a table within sound and sight of the open +sea. + +That evening, back in Rotterdam, Chester and Lucy, while the two +brothers took their ease "at home," found the Mission headquarters, +introduced themselves to the elders, and spent a few hours very +pleasantly with them. They learned from the missionaries that the Dutch +were for the most part, an honest, God-fearing people, quite susceptible +to the gospel. There were no meetings that evening, but in lieu +thereof, the presiding elder took them out and introduced them to some +of the Saints. Then, when they came back to the office, the housekeeper +served them with cool milk, white bread, sweet butter, and whiter +cheese. + +The next day the tourists went on to Brussels, stopping a few hours only +at Antwerp, which city was a surprise. As Chester said, "I remember +seeing such a place on the map, but I had no idea it was such a fine, +large city. + +They saw many wide streets lined with the most unique houses, many of +them having "terraced gables" facing the street. + +"This is certainly the town for fancy 'gingerbread' decorations," +commented Chester, as they observed the net-work of cornices and forest +of pinnacles. There was even a full-sized mounted charger on the topmost +point of a seven-story building. The Cathedral, with its tall sculptured +tower, was no doubt an architectural marvel. A brief visit was made to +the art gallery, "full of Ruben's fat women," as Uncle Gilbert expressed +it. + +"'Anvers,'" read the minister from a post-card. "I thought this was +Antwerp?" + +"Antwerp is the English of it," explained Uncle Gilbert. + +"Well, I think names--names of cities and countries, at least, should be +the same in all languages. At any rate, they could be spelled alike. If +this town is Anvers, why not call it that?" + +Sunday evening brought the party to Brussels, or Bruxelles, in the +original. The life and gaity of the city were in full swing, and most of +the shops were doing their usual business. Uncle Gilbert did not want to +remain long, but Lucy said she wished to visit the battle-field of +Waterloo, and one or two points of interest in the city. So the evening +and the next day were consumed. The battle-field is reached by train +from the city. From the Waterloo station, there is a mile or two of +walking or riding in carriages to the immediate field of battle. A great +pyramid of earth covered with grass to its summit marks the spot where +the conflict raged the fiercest. From the top of this monument a fine +view is had. What was once a bloody battle-field was that day decked +with growing fields, dotted with feeding kine. Lucy had again to be +denied the pleasure of the view from the top. She sat in the wagon below +and got what she could from the man who had been left with the horses. +It was all very interesting, but Lucy was so tired when they got back to +the hotel that she could not see more of Brussels. + +Next morning they went on to Paris. All but Chester had been in this gay +city before. The weather was getting quite warm, so the two brothers did +not care to follow the strenuous pace set by Chester in his sight +seeing. During the heat of the day they kept quietly within their rooms +or strolled leisurely along the shaded boulevards. Chester, by promising +to take the utmost care of Lucy, was permitted to take her with him to +visit some of the sights. She knew enough French to make herself fairly +well understood, and that was a great help. + +So these two rode and rambled about Paris for nearly a week, sometimes +with the father, sometimes with Uncle Gilbert, but more often by +themselves. The days were fine. The parks and boulevards were gay with +people. They made purchases in the shops along Rue de Rivoli and at the +Bon Marche, the great department store which Lucy declared they could +equal in Kansas City. They gazed for hours in the Louvre Art Gallery, +coming back time and again to look once more at some picture. The Venus +de Milo had a fascination about it which drew them into the long +gallery, where at the extreme end, the classic marble figure stands +alone. + +They rode on the Seine, wondering at its clear waters. They walked about +the open squares and gardens all of them of historic significance. They +promenaded, very quietly, it is true, along the Champs Elysees. They +lingered about the Petit Palais, one of the most beautiful of Paris +buildings because of its newness, its clean, chaste finish, and the +artistic combination of marble, pictures, and flowers. Was it any wonder +that amid all this interesting beauty Chester's and Lucy's eyes and +hands frequently met to express what words failed to do? + +The four sight-seers were at Napoleon's Tomb, admiring the wonderful +light effect. + +"Every time I visit this place," said Uncle Gilbert, "I like to read a +summary of Napoleon's career which I found and clipped. Would you like +to hear it?" + +The others said they would, so Uncle Gilbert read: + +"Egyptian sands and Russian snows alike invaded; a revolution quelled, +an empire created; his own brethren seated on thrones of vassal +kingdoms; a complete code of jurisprudence formed for France from the +wrecks of mediaeval misrule; the most profound strategist of the ages; +denounced by nations as the 'disturber of the peace of the world;' +violating the marriage law of God and man; himself a dwarf in height, +and lowering the physical stature of a generation of his countrymen +through the frightful carnage of wars undertaken largely for his +personal aggrandizement; succumbing in the moment of final victory to +insidious disease; twice expatriated, dying in exile across the seas, +after twenty years; in life, the idol of a race and the detestation of +the rest of the continent; and now, a handful of dust, his spirit in the +presence of its Maker.'" + +This reading furnished a text for the minister, who talked rather more +freely than he had recently done. Notre Dame lay in their route that +afternoon, so naturally enough, they went in, Uncle Gilbert remarking +that this was a fit place for the minister to conclude his sermon. + +"What a dark, musty place," said Lucy. + +"It fits in very well with their religion," suggested Chester. "A lot of +outward show, but within, dark and dead." + +Uncle Gilbert, though living in Ireland, was not a Catholic, so he took +no offense at this remark. + +Then while they were "doing" churches, they visited that of St. Sulpice, +a very large edifice, in the floor of which is a brass line which marks +the Meridian of Paris. At the left of the entrance sits St. Peter in +life-sized bronze, in possession of the Keys. The naked big toe of this +figure is easily reached by the worshipers. + +"I have heard of people kissing images of the Saints," said Chester, +"but I have never seen anything of the kind. Let us rest here a while, +to see if anything happens." + +Lucy was glad of the suggestion as she was more tired than she wished to +acknowledge. The big church was cool and quiet. Worshipers singly and in +twos were coming and going. Presently, a woman, and presumably her +daughter, came in, and as they passed St. Peter they leaned forward and +kissed the shining, metal toe. They passed on to a confessional where +the priest could be seen and faintly heard behind the latticed window. + +All this was exceedingly interesting to the young people. The two +brothers were absorbed more in the building itself than what was going +on within; even to what their two young people were doing. Chester, +surely was prompted by a spirit of sacriledge when he took from an inner +pocket a picture post-card he had bought in Ireland. + +"The kissing of the toe reminded me of it," said he, as he handed the +card to Lucy, who looked at the picture of an Irishman in the act of +kissing his sweetheart, Blarney Castle being shown in the distance. +Underneath was the following: + + "With quare sinsashuns and palpitashuns, + A kiss I'll venture here, Mavrone; + 'Tis swater Blarney, good Father Mahoney, + Kissin' the girls than that dirty stone." + +Lucy's father tapped her on the shoulder. "You're in a church. Behave +yourself," he said. "Come, let's be going." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +It was evident that, notwithstanding the good intentions which all +persons concerned had of not overreaching in the sight-seeing business, +Lucy, at least, was feeling its effects. That she would have to remain +quiet for some days was the verdict of the physician which her father +called. There was no immediate danger, said he to Chester, but the heart +action was feeble. A week of absolute rest would remedy that. + +Chester was packed off to Switzerland alone, contrary to the program he +had looked forward to. Uncle Gilbert did not care to go. Mr. Strong +would have to remain with Lucy, so if Chester was to see Switzerland, he +would have to try it alone. When Chester heard of the arrangement, he +demurred; but when Lucy's father suggested to him that perhaps it would +be best for her, he said no more. + +After Chester's departure, the three settled down to the business at +hand, that of resting. That was easy enough for Lucy and her father, but +Uncle Gilbert was hale and hearty, so he continued to make short daily +excursions to points of interest. They had pleasant quarters, not too +near the noise of the city. The semi-private hotel had but few guests, +so the back garden in which dinner was usually served, proved a +desirable lounging-place. + +Uncle Gilbert was away that afternoon. Lucy was resting in her room. The +Rev. Mr. Strong paced nervously back and forth in the garden for a time, +then dropped heavily into an easy chair. The French maid, stepping +quietly about placed a pillow under his head, which kindness he accepted +gratefully. The garden was still. There were no sharp near-noises, the +city's activity coming merely as a faint distant hum. + +The minister closed his eyes, but he did not go to sleep. His mind was +too active for that, his nerves were tingling again. The bright, gay +life about him did not exist for him. That afternoon he lived in the +past. He marshalled for review contending thoughts, that had for many +years fought for supremacy. Out of the chaos of conflict no order had +yet come. He was getting old before his years justified it. + +Why should he, a minister of the word of God, be so easily moved by +strange religious ideas? Faintly as if from some distant, mostly +forgotten past, there came to him this idea, that the truth, the whole, +clean, simple truth as it exists in Christ Jesus had been told him, and +he had rejected it. Why he had done this was not clear to him. He seemed +to have lived in periods of alternating darkness and light. Then later, +he had come in contact with so-called "Mormonism." Strange to say, its +teachings had the same ring as that which he had heard before; but this +time he rejected it because of its evil name. Once again, a little +later, these same doctrines had come to him, but they were not welcomed +when he learned that those who taught them and lived them were simple, +ofttimes uneducated people, usually called the "scum" of the earth. + +The Rev. Mr. Strong had actually given up his pastorship in two places, +moving westward until he reached Kansas City.--Here for a number of +years, he had experienced peace, a sort of indifferent peace, he +admitted, due more to callousness of soul than to anything else. Then +came Lucy's adventure with the "Mormon" elders on the streets, and her +visit to "Mormon" meetings. She had brought "Mormon" literature home, +and he had read it, read it all. He had asked her to bring more. He had +often sat up till midnight to finish a book, then had railed at Lucy for +bringing it into the house. And now the conflict was on again, harder +than ever. He closed his eyes, saying, "No, no;" then opened them again +to the beautiful light. He stopped his ears, crying, "I will not hear;" +then listened to the sweet music. With all the force of his life's +training, he railed against the doctrine; then in silence contemplated +its glorious truths. He drove the thought of it out of his mind; then +welcomed it eagerly back. Back and forth, in and out, in doubt and fear, +in faith and hope his soul had suffered and wrought. + +What was the outcome to be? Evidently, the end was not yet; for had he +not purposely taken this trip abroad, to get away from some of these +things, and had he not run hard against that which he had hoped to +escape. And in what form had it now come? In that of his son, his only +son, the child of his younger days! Surely God was in this thing. "Yes," +the man muttered, "God is watching me. I cannot escape. His hand is over +me. '_If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost +parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand +shall hold me!_'" + +Uncle Gilbert came in, humming lightly a tune he had caught from the +band in the cafe. He stopped when he saw his brother apparently asleep. +He was about to retreat when his brother, opening his eyes, called: + +"Don't go; come here. I want to talk with you. I want your opinion on a +matter." + +Uncle Gilbert seated himself to listen. + +"You might think it a strange thing for me to ask you about doctrines of +religion," began the brother, "but sometimes a layman has a clearer, +more unbiased view than one who has studied one system, and--and has +made his living from preaching it." + +"I fear, brother, you are worrying too much about such things"-- + +"Not at all--not too much. It's necessary to worry sometimes. I suppose +that's God's way of arousing people. I am worrying--have been worrying +for many years--just now I want someone to talk to--I want you to +listen." + +"I'll do that, if that will help you," said the brother as he placed his +hat and stick on a table and shifted himself into a comfortable +position. The maid peeped in, but seeing the two men, retired again. + +"I have preached hundreds of sermons on the being and nature of God," +said the minister, now sitting erect and looking at his brother. "I have +spoken of Him as a Father, our Father, and all the time He has been out +in time and space, formless, homeless, unthinkable. He has never +appealed to heart or brain. Will God ever be more to me than a force in +and through all nature? Shall we ever see His face? Shall we ever feel +the cares of His hand and hear His voice, not in a figurative sense, but +in reality." + +"Now brother"--said Uncle Gilbert again. + +"Don't interrupt. You do not need to answer my questions--you couldn't +if you wanted to. Listen. What do you think of this: God is our Father, +in reality as we naturally understand it--Father of our spirits. We are, +therefore, His children. That is our relationship. Consequently we are +of a family of Gods. Admit that our Father is God, and that we are His +children, the conclusion is absolute. We are not worms of the dust, only +so far as we degrade our divine nature to that lowness. + +"This Father of ours has in the past eternities trod through time and +space, learning,--yes, suffering, overcoming, conquering, becoming +perfect, until now He sits in the midst of glory, power, and eternal +lives. In might and majesty perfect, He can and does hold us all as in +the hollow of His hand. This little earth of ours, and all the shining +worlds on high are His workmanship. He holds them also by His allwise +power. And yet, my brother, come back to this simple proposition, we are +that great Being's sons and daughters, and if we walk in the way in +which He walked, we are heirs to all that He has! I am one of a great +family, so are you,--all of us. Our Father has but gone before and we +follow. The difference between us is only in degree of development and +not in kind. + +"'O God, I think thy thoughts after Thee,' said Kepler, and thoughts +lead to deeds. + +"Again, the Son, whom we know as Jesus Christ, came to reveal to us this +Father. He was in 'the form of God.' He was the 'image of the invisible +God.' Further, this Son was in the express image of the Father's person. +Jesus Christ was a man like unto us as far as outward form is concerned. +He is one of this great family, the first-born and foremost of the +children, it is true, yet one of us--He acknowledged us as His brethren. +Now, then listen: Jesus follows His Father. 'The Son can do nothing of +Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He +doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.' Also, this Son said: 'My +Father worketh hitherto, and I work.' Now, if we follow in the steps of +the Son, as He has commanded us to do, and that Son follows in the steps +of His Father, where is our final destination?" + +The brother listened in wonder. The doctrine was, indeed, strange, but +it was too clear and logical to be the result of a weak mind. The +minister saw the perplexity in his listener's face and said: + +"No, brother, I am not crazy. My mind has never been clearer. I feel +fine now. I tell you, there is manna for a hungry soul in these things. + +"And now again: This life is a school. From the puny, helpless infant to +old age, life is a development of the attributes with which we come into +the world. We get all our education through our senses. No faculty of +mind or body is useless. The perfect man has these all perfectly +developed. We have at least one example of a perfect man, the +resurrected Son of God. What was He like? When He appeared to His +disciples He said, 'Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and +bones, as ye see me have.' He also ate with His brethren. Here, then, we +have, one of us, carrying with Him into the celestial world His body of +flesh and bone. And, mind you, He is the pattern. If we follow Him, we +also shall take with us these bodies, changed, purged, and glorified of +course, but yet bodies in every sense. Will not the eye then see +perfectly, the ear hear every sound in the celestial key? Not only every +attribute of the mind, but every organ of the body will be prefect in +its operation. Think what that will mean!" + +The speaker paused as if to let his listener arrive at the inevitable +conclusion in his own mind. + +"What will it mean?" he asked again. + +"I don't know," replied Uncle Gilbert. + +"It will mean fatherhood--eternal, celestialized fatherhood. We shall +be like Him our Father, not only to beget, but to _father_ a race! Think +of that! Did you ever think of that? No, of course not--and I--musn't--I +who--have never yet made a beginning--how can I expect"-- + +The head fell back on the pillow as Uncle Gilbert quickly came to his +brother's side. The minister's face was pale, his eyes were closed for a +moment. Then he opened them, sat upright, ran his hand over his face, +and smiled at his brother. + +"Don't be alarmed," he said, "it was nothing. I'm all right." + +He walked about while the maid came in and set the table for dinner. The +minister linked his arm into his brother's. "Say, brother," he asked, +"would you not be lonesome up in heaven without Aunt Sarah?" + +Uncle Gilbert was seriously alarmed. He had in mind to call Lucy, when, +providentially she came to them. + +"I think your father's not well, Lucy?" said Uncle Gilbert, as she took +her father's other arm. + +"What's the matter, papa?" she asked. + +"I am well," protested the father--"as well as I ever was. I've just +been telling brother here some things--some gospel truths in fact, and I +guess they're beyond you yet," he said to his brother. + +"Well," replied Uncle Gilbert, "I'll admit I've never heard you talk +like that before." + +"Why, I've preached these things scores of times from the pulpit, and my +congregations have thought them fine. I didn't tell, however, where my +inspiration came from." + +"Where did it come from?" asked Lucy. + +"From your books, my dear." + +"My books?" + +"Yes; from your books on 'Mormonism'." + +Had not dinner just then been announced, it is hard to say what would +have become of Uncle Gilbert's astonishment. Across the table he saw +Lucy's reassuring smile from which he himself took courage that all was +well. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +_My Dear Lucy_:--I am writing this in my room high up on the hillside of +Lucerne, (Luzern) pronounced as if there were a "t" before the "z." The +day is closing. The light is yet bright on the mountains, but the lake +lies in shadows. The lamps are being lighted down below in the town and +along the promenade. I hear faintly the arrival of the steamer at the +pier. + +But let me begin at the beginning, and tell you what I have seen and +done up to the present. This telling is a poor substitute for the +reality, I assure you; but as you have never been in Switzerland, you +might be interested in the sights here--through my eyes! Let me say now, +before I forget, that at every point of beauty and interest, I said in +my heart, "O that Lucy could be here to enjoy this!" It really seemed +selfish in me to be alone. And then, you know, the pleasure of sight +seeing is materially enhanced when one has a sympathetic companion to +whom one may exclaim: "Isn't that grand!" + +We entered Switzerland at Basel, then journeyed on to Zurich. This is +Switzerland's largest city, and in my opinion, it is one of the most +beautiful large cities I have ever seen. Of course, I hunted up the +Church headquarters, where I was fortunate to meet a friend I had known +in Salt Lake. He kindly gave me the information I desired about the +city and even took a few hours off duty to accompany me to points of +interest. + +That evening we went to the Opera house, where Faust was being played. I +had a great desire to see Faust in the original, and though my German is +not up to Goethe's standard, I could follow the plot somewhat, and I was +eagerly watching for Margaret to make her appearance on the stage. After +a long evening, the curtain went down, and all the people got up and +left--yet no Margaret had appeared. I was puzzled; but my friend +explained that the play was only half over. If I desired to see the +rest, I would have to come back the following evening. What do you think +of that? Well, I didn't go back--I went to Lucerne, next morning. + +I wanted to see the Alps, of course, and we got a distant view only of +them from Zurich. Here, at Lucerne, we have them in all their grand +beauty. + +I don't mind admitting to you that my purse would not allow my stopping +longer at the Schweizerhof, than to merely take a good look at the +exterior. I had with me the Lucerne elders' address, and easily found +them. They directed me to a friend who had cheap rooms, and it is here I +am writing to you. The view is just as fine from my window as from the +big hotel--nay, finer, for I am higher up; and after all, Lucy, the five +francs' out-look on a beautiful world is enjoyed quite as much as if it +cost fifteen. I can see the cap or the collar of Mt. Pilatus better +perhaps than the fat, cross, silk-clad lady I saw on the boat +yesterday, can see them. (By "cap" is meant a cloud resting on top, by +"collar" the cloud encircling Pilatus' head.) + +This brings me to my trip on Lake Lucerne day before yesterday. We +started early. The tourist season has hardly begun yet, so we were not +crowded. There was rain threatening. The mountain tops were hidden by +clouds, and the prospect was not assuring. However, by the time we +landed at Brunnen, the clouds had lifted, the sun came out, and the day +became pleasantly warm. From Brunnen, it was our plan to walk along the +Axenstrasse, to Fluelen, a distance of five or six miles. There were +three of us, with an elder for guide. I wish you could have spent that +afternoon with us--with me, strolling along that wonderful road, cut out +of the mountain side bordering the lake. The post cards I am enclosing +will give you an idea of the scenery, and I assure you the blueness of +the lake is not overdone in the picture. + +The road leads along gently sloping hill-sides, covered with farms, then +it pierces the sheer rock, then again borders the cliff, fifty or one +hundred feet from the lake below. The trees are in full leaf and some +are in bloom. The grass is high where we walked, but up towards the tops +of the mountains, the snow still lies. One of the strange sights is to +see large, splendid hotels perched in some cranny away up near the +summit of the peaks. Cog railways now take the tourists up some of the +mountains. + +The region around Lake Lucerne is historic, I am told. Here began the +Swiss struggle for liberty which we read about. The scene of William +Tell's exploits are laid here, and we are shown on the shore of the +lake, Tell's Capelle, said to mark the spot where the apple-shooting +patriot leaped ashore and escaped from the tyrant Gessler. I do not +wonder at men, born and reared amid these mountains not submitting to +the yoke of oppression. + +In reading up on Lucerne, I came upon this, taken from "Romance and +Teutonic Switzerland." + +"The Swiss nation was born on the banks of Lake Luzern, and craddled +upon its waters. First, the chattering waves told the news to the +overhanging beaches; and they whispered it to the forests, to the lonely +cedars on the uplands. The blank precipices smiled, the Alpine roses +blushed their brightest, the summer pastures glowed, the glaciers and +avalanches roared approval; and, finally, the topmost peaks promised to +lend their white mantles for the baptism." That's rather nicely put, +don't you think? + +About half way along Axenstrasse, we discovered that we were hungry, so +we proposed to try one of the farm houses for something to eat. Our +guide, tried one that looked typical of what we wanted, and the rest of +us waited by the road, for fully thirty minutes. + +At last the elder returned, explaining that he had had no easy task. He +had to plead with every member of the household, from grandmother to +daughter, to get them to take us in; but at last he was successful. We +went into a most interesting room. The finish and furnishings were old +and quaint, the woodwork bare of paint and scoured clean and smooth by +years of scrubbing. In time we were served with bread (they were out of +butter, they said) preserved cherries, walnuts, and hot milk. (Our guide +said it was safer to have the milk boiled.) We enjoyed the meal amid the +unique surroundings. The good people were profuse with thanks when we +paid them in good-sized silver. I believe the elder left a gospel tract +with them, so who can tell what will be the outcome of our visit? + +From Fluelen we took steamer back to Lucerne. + +Well, it's getting late. I'd better go to bed. I fear I shall tire you +by my guide-book descriptions. But this for a good-night's thought: Here +I am away from you, away from my world, as it were. I can look back on +my short life, and I can see the hand of an allwise and merciful Father, +shaping events, ever for my good. Was it chance that we two should have +taken the same steamer and be thrown together as we were. Not at all. +There is a power behind the universe--call it what we may--which +directs. This power will not permit any honest, truth-seeking soul to be +overcome and be destroyed. I thank the Lord for His blessings to me. Out +of seeming darkness and despair He has led me to light and happiness. +And may I say it, we two, because of our cleaving to the light as it has +been made known to us, have been brought together. Is it not true? I +wish and pray also that your father may soften his heart towards the +truth. I sometimes fear that his heart does already accept the gospel, +but that his will says no. There now, good night. + + * * * * * + +Good morning. I had a fine sleep. I dreamed that you were with me, and +we were looking at the Lion of Lucerne. The dying lion roared, and you +clasped me so tightly in your fright, that I awoke,--all of which +reminds me that I have not told you much about this city or its sights. + +The Lion, I suppose is Lucerne's most distinctive curiosity. As you will +see by the card, it is a large figure of a lion carved out of the solid +rock in the hillside. Thorwaldsen furnished the model. It was made to +commemorate the bravery of the Swiss guards who fought in the service of +Louis XVI at the outbreak of the French Revolution. + +Switzerland is sometimes called the playground of Europe. Down on the +promenades by the lakes, one may see people from "every nation under +heaven" nearly. By the way, who do you think I met, day before +yesterday? Why, our would-be gallant ship-board friend. Strange to say, +he was sober, and more strange, he appeared pleased to see me. He wanted +to take me to all kinds of places, and treat me to all kinds of good +things; but further, strange(?) to relate, I shook him for the company +of a few native saints, for there was a meeting that evening which I +attended. I had to speak too, in English, of course, with one of the +missionaries interpreting. It was an odd experience. + +The postman has just been here with your note. I was very sorry the news +from you was not better. I am blaming myself for tiring you out too much +with my sight seeing. Send me at least a card everyday to this address, +_please_. I have thought to go through the country to Bern, but I +suppose all the lakes and mountains of Switzerland look much alike. I am +quite satisfied with Lucerne. I was very much interested in what your +father said about "Mormonism." If our prayers are of any avail, we'll +"get him" yet. + +Before I close this long letter, and I must do so now--I want to tell +you of an incident that occurred yesterday. I was taking a stroll up +above the town, by myself, for I will admit I was in a "mood." There are +a lot of monks in Lucerne. You can see them on the street, fat, +rolly-poly looking men, bare, oddly-cropped heads, and outwardly clad in +what looks like a dressing gown. Well, I was curious to see the convent +where the monks live a life of ease, I suppose to get used to the +eternal "rest" which they expect when they get to heaven, of which I +have my "doubts." However, I did not find the convent, nor did I see any +monks, but as I was walking along an unfrequently traveled road, I met a +little boy and girl, walking towards me, hand in hand. They were crying. +When they saw me, they wiped their eyes and stopped. I saw they were +poorly clad, and, somewhat dirty. I became interested in them, but they +were so shy that it was with difficulty I got them to remain. They +looked at the coppers I held out, but they did not move until I placed +a silver piece beside them. Their eyes rounded out, then, and the little +girl became brave enough to come and take them. Well, I tried my German +on them, but they were, evidently, too Swiss to understand me--I was at +the time making a whistle from a small willow which I had cut from the +wayside. I seated myself on the bank and went on making my whistle. The +children watched me pound the bark, then twist off the loosened peeling, +and finish the whistle. When I blew it, they laughed. I handed it to the +boy, who timidly put it to his lips. They sat down by me, and I made a +whistle for the girl, then a third, bigger one, which I stuck into the +boy's pocket, telling him to take it home. You ought to have seen the +changed expression on those two dirty faces when they left me, blowing +happily on their willow whistles. + +I was lonesome no longer. What a little thing will bring joy into a +dreary life! + +Love to all with heaping measures for you, from + +Yours as ever, + +CHESTER. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +A week of comparative quiet brought little change for the better to +Lucy, so it was decided that they would by easy stages, get back to +London, thence to Cork and Kildare Villa. Lucy kept Chester informed of +their doings, saying as little as possible about her health. As she did +not wish to deprive him of the full enjoyment of his visit to +Switzerland, she did not send him word of their intentions, until they +were ready to leave. They would go by way of Calais and Dover, the +short-water route, she wrote him. + +When Chester received this information he hastily cut short his sight +seeing, and started for London by way of Rotterdam. The long ride alone +was somewhat tiresome, and he was glad to meet again some of the elders +in the land of canals and windmills. + +Just before the train rolled into Rotterdam, Chester thought of Glen +Curtis. It came to him as a distinct shock when he realized that he had +entirely forgotten to enquire about Glen on his former visit. "Well," +said he to himself, "so easily do our interests change from one person +to another." But now he must find his old friend. He could freely talk +to him now even about Julia Elston. + +Chester learned from the elder in charge at the office, that Elder +Curtis was released to return home in a few days. He would be in +Rotterdam shortly. When? In a few days. But Chester could not wait that +long, so he took train to the city where Glen was laboring, and found +him making his farewell rounds. + +"Well of all things," exclaimed the elder, as Chester took him firmly by +the hand. + +"I'm the last person on earth you expected to see here in Dutchland, I +suppose?" + +"You certainly are. And what are you doing here?" + +Chester told him as they walked arm in arm along the quiet streets of +the town. + +"And now you're going home. We'll go together," exclaimed Glen. + +"I wish we could," said Chester, "but I fear that my party is not ready, +and Lucy is not well enough to make the trip, I fear." + +"Lucy?" + +Chester smiled goodnaturedly, then told him freely of Lucy. "And when +you get home, you can tell Julia all about me and mine. It will please +her, I am sure. By the way, how is it between Julia and you? I haven't +heard lately." + +"All right," said Glen. + +"You're a lucky boy," declared Chester, "to get such a girl. There's +just _one_ other I would rather have." + +"I'm glad you think so." + +"Of course you are--for--oh, for everybody's sake." + +Chester had to return to Rotterdam the same day, so he claimed. Glen +could not keep him longer, and reluctantly waved him off at the station. + +The boat was slow from the Hook, at least it seemed so to Chester, and +there was a high sea which nearly upset him. He got to London too late +in the evening to call on the Strong's, but next morning he was out +early. + +Lucy met him in the hall with a cry of delight. + +"You've come," she whispered as he pressed her close. "Oh, I thought you +never would." + +"My dear, why did you not say? Why did you let me leave you at all?" + +"I didn't want you to miss anything on my account--but never mind that +now--come in. Papa and uncle will be glad to see you. Do you know," she +added with evident pleasure, "papa has been _nearly_ as anxious about +you as I have,--has continually asked me about you,--and I had to let +him read your lovely long letter." + +"You did? Well, it's all right. There's no harm done, I'm sure. He might +as well know everything." + +"Oh, he knows a lot already." + +They went into the house, and found seats until the others should +appear. + +"Your face shows signs of suffering, Lucy; but otherwise you look quite +well." + +"That's just it with my trouble. I usually deceive my looks; but I feel +better already; and now, let me tell you something else: Father has +nearly consented to my being baptized!" + +"Lucy!" + +"It's true. I've been pleading with him--and preaching to him too; and +the other day he said he would think about it. That's a concession, for +he has always said _he would not_ think of such a thing." + +"I'm so glad so very, very glad, Lucy." + +"And Chester, I believe it's you who have made the change in him. He's +been so different since you have been with us. He hasn't been so angry +with me when I talked of 'Mormonism.' He has let me read my books +without any remonstrance. And do you know, even Uncle Gilbert is +affected. He and papa must have had some profound discussions about us +and our religion for he has asked me to lend him some books. He'll no +doubt want to know from your all about Utah and the people out there." + +"And I shall be pleased to tell him," said Chester. + +The father stood as if hesitating, in the doorway. + +"Come in, papa," said Lucy. "Chester's come." + +"Yes; I see he has," replied the father as he came to greet the young +man, and shake his hand warmly. + +"I'm glad, with Lucy to see you with us again." + +"And I am glad to be with you," said Chester honestly. + +The morning was spent together. The beginnings of a London fog kept them +in doors, which was no hardship, as the three seemed to have so much to +talk about. After lunch, the fog changed its intentions, lifted, +disappeared and let the sun have full sway. To be sure, some smoke still +lingered, but out where the Strongs were staying it only mellowed the +distances. + +That afternoon it occured to Chester that the relationship now existing +between him and Lucy called for a further understanding with the father. +He knew, of course, that the father's attitude toward him had changed; +Lucy's words and the father's actions justified him in the thought. + +Chester managed to accompany the father in his stroll in the park that +afternoon, and without delay, he broached the subject so near his heart. +The minister listened quietly to the young man plead his case, not +interrupting until he had finished. They seated themselves on a bench by +the grass. The father looked down at the figures he was drawing with his +cane on the ground and mused for a moment. Then he said: + +"Yes; I have given my consent, by my actions, at least. I have no +objection to you. I like you very much. Lucy does too, and fathers can't +very well stop such things. But there still remains the fact that Lucy +is not well. There is no telling how long she can live, and yet I have +heard of cases like hers where marriage has been a great benefit." + +"I thank you for your kind words," said Chester. "Let me assure you I +shall be controlled by your judgement as to marriage. We are neither of +us ready for that. Of course, I sincerely hope she will get stronger. I +think she will; but meantime you have no objection to my loving her, and +doing all for her that my love can do?" + +"Certainly not, my boy, certainly not." The father placed his hand on +the young man's shoulder as he said it. Chester noted the faint tremor +in voice and hand, and his heart went out to him. + +"You are a comfort and a strength to Lucy--and to me," continued Mr. +Strong. "We miss you very much when you are away. Can't you stay with us +right along. Perhaps that's not fair to ask--your home and friends--" + +"I have no home, my dear sir; and my friends, are few. I told you, did I +not, my history?" + +"Yes, you told me, I remember." + +"And remembering, you think no less of me." + +"Not a bit--rather more." + +"Let me serve you then, you and Lucy. If you need me, I equally need +you. Let me give what little there is in me to somebody that wants me. +My life, so far, has been full of change and somewhat purposeless. I +have drifted about the world. Let me now anchor with you. I feel as +though I ought to do that--" + +The man clung closer to Chester, who, feeling a thrill of dear +companionship, continued: + +"Let me be a son to you always, and a sister to Lucy, until it can be +something more." + +"Yes, yes, my boy!" + +Others were out basking in the warm sun that afternoon. Those that +walked leisurely and took notice of events about them, were impressed by +the affectionate behavior of the two men. Lucy Strong was herself out. +She was curious to know what had become of Chester and her father, +besides, the sun was inviting. She soon found them, herself +undiscovered. She paused, examined the flower beds, and became +interested in the swans in the lake. Her face beamed with happiness when +she saw them, for their shoulders were close together and Chester had +her father's hands clasped firmly in his own. She tiptoed up behind them +on the grass, then slipped her hands over each of their eyes. + +"Guess," she laughed. + +"A fairy princess," said Chester. + +"Mother Goose," responded the father. + +They moved apart and let her sit between them. + +"The rose between," suggested Chester. + +"The tie that binds," corrected the girl, placing an arm about each of +them. + +Then they all laughed so merrily, that the infection reached a ragged +urchin playing on the gravel-path near by. + +"My dear," said the father. "Chester has promised to stay with us, and +be--" + +"Your man--about--the--house," finished Chester. + +"Which we certainly need," agreed Lucy. "Two people, Strong by name, but +mighty weak by nature, as my old nurse used to say, require some such a +man. I'm glad father picked you." + +"He chose us, rather, Lucy," said the father. + +"Well, either way." + +"Both," affirmed Chester, at which they all laughed again. + +A carriage with liveried coachman and footman, and containing two ladies +drove by. The little boy had to leave his gravel castle while the wheels +of the carriage crushed it to the level. The boy looked at the ruins a +moment, then at the departing vehicle. Then he started his building anew +safely away from wheel tracks. + +"A young philosopher," remarked the minister, observing the occurrence. + +"Papa," said Lucy, after a pause of consideration, "you have made me so +happy to-day. You can make my joy complete by granting me one other +thing." + +"What's that?" asked he unthinkingly. + +"Let me be baptized," she replied softly. + +The father's body stiffened perceptibly, and his face sobered. + +"Believe me, papa, I _am_ sorry to have to annoy you so much on the +matter; but I can't help it. Something within me urges me on. I can't +get away from the testimony which I have, any more than I can get away +from my shadow." + +"You can get away from your shadow," said the minister. + +"Yes; by going into the dark, and that I do not want to do. I want to +live in the light,--the beautiful gospel light always." + +Chester listened in pleased wonder to Lucy's pleadings. He added nothing +as she seemed able to say all that was necessary. In time the father's +face softened again, and he turned to Chester to ask: + +"What do you think of such arguments?" + +"They're splendid--and reasonable--and true, sir." + +"Of course, you would say so. Well, I'll think about it, Lucy." + +"But, papa, you've been thinking about it a lot, and time is going. Say +yes today, now--here with Chester and me--and the Lord alone. Besides, +papa, now I ought to be one with Chester in _everything_. That's right, +isn't it?" + +"Yes; that's right." + +"So you consent?" + +"I didn't say that." + +"You must. I'm of age anyway, and could do it without your consent; but +I don't want to. I want your blessing instead of your disapproval on +such an important step." + +"Could she stand the ordeal, do you think?" asked the father of Chester. + +"In a few days when she gets a little stronger--yes." + +"Well, let's walk a bit. You two go ahead. I must think." + +The two did as they were told nor looked back. The one was not thinking +clearly and logically, so much as he was fighting over the eternal +warfare of conviction against policy. He also knew. He had received more +of a testimony than he ever admitted, even to himself. If he should do +as his innermost conscience told him, he also would join Lucy in baptism +of water for the remission of sins; but that thought he pushed from +him. He, an old man in the ministry, to now change his faith--to cut +himself off from his life's work--no, that would never do. It was +different with Lucy, quite another thing. She had set her heart on it +and on Chester, and it would be best for her--yes, it would be best for +her. + +When Chester was saying good-night to Lucy that evening, the father came +out into the hall to them. + +"Chester," said he, "tell Elder Malby I should like to see him to +morrow. He is the one that attends to baptism into the Mormon Church, +isn't he?" + +"Yes," replied Chester. "I shall tell him." + +"Oh, papa, you dear, good papa!" exclaimed Lucy throwing her arms about +him. + +"There, there now, behave--say good-night to Chester." + +But she clung to him and kissed him through her tears of joy. Then she +went to Chester. + +The father turned to go. + +"Wait a moment, papa," said Lucy: "I want to go with you." + +With a parting kiss for Chester, and a murmured good night, she took her +father's arm and led him in. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +Lucy gained in strength so rapidly that within a week it was thought +safe to let her be baptized. Her father, Uncle Gilbert, Chester, the +housekeeper at headquarters and one other sister were present at the +Baths. Elder Malby performed the ordinance. Three others were also +baptized at the same time. + +Uncle Gilbert was very curious as also a little nervous at what he +called the "dipping." He couldn't see why the ceremony required a whole +swimming pool when a few drops sprinkled on the forehead, had, as long +as he had any recollection, been sufficient. The father witnessed the +ordinance unmoved. Lucy went through the ordeal bravely, and when she +came out from the dressing room where the sisters had helped her, he +kissed her placidly on the forehead. + +The party took a cab to the mission headquarters, where a simple service +was held of singing and prayer, Elder Malby making a few remarks on the +meaning and purpose of the ordinance of baptism. The newly baptized were +then confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day +Saints. Then the housekeeper invited them all down to the dining room, +and again there were a few simple special features in celebration of the +happy occasion. + +And it was a happy time in the one only way which comes from duty done. +A sweet, quiet peace abode in every heart. Was not the Heavenly Father +well pleased with these as He had been when the Son had done likewise. +And the Holy Ghost, the Comforter from heaven rested upon them softly as +a dove,--that was the secret of their supreme joy. + +As Lucy had predicted, Uncle Gilbert's curiosity brought him to Chester +for more information regarding Utah and the "Mormons." The very next day +after the baptism, Uncle Gilbert met Chester before he entered the +house. They greeted each other pleasantly, and then Chester inquired +about Lucy, and how she was feeling. + +"Lucy seems to be all right," was the reply, "though her father isn't so +well this morning. He had a bad night but is sleeping now. That's why I +met you here, so that he might not be disturbed by the bell." + +"I'm sorry," said Chester. "These attacks seem to be coming frequently." + +"My brother has not been well for years. For a long time he has had to +fight hard with himself and his nerves. Sometimes they get the best of +him for a time, and, of course, as he gets older, he has less strength. +I wish we could get him to Kildare Villa. He would be himself again down +there." + +"We were to have gone in a day or two, were we not?" + +"Yes; but he can't leave yet--Do you want to see Lucy?" + +"Just for a few moments; she'll be busy with her father." + +Uncle Gilbert went in the house, considerately sending her out alone. +She was radiantly beautiful to Chester that morning in her soft white +dress, fluffy hair, and glowing eyes; but he only looked his love for +her, and said: + +"Good morning, _Sister_ Strong." + +"Good morning, _Brother_ Lawrence," she responded. + +"How are you feeling?" + +"I am feeling fine. But poor papa--" + +"Yes; Uncle Gilbert told me." + +"We'll have to remain here until he gets over the attack. Uncle is +anxious to get home, and I must admit I'd rather be at Kildare Villa +than here." + +Then Uncle Gilbert came out with hat and cane. He was going for a walk +with Chester, he said, for it would be wiser not to disturb the sleeper. +He explained to Lucy that her father was getting a much needed rest, and +that she was to see to it that he was not disturbed. Chester would +"keep" with his Uncle Gilbert for a few hours. + +The morning was fair, so the two men struck out for Hyde Park. They +walked across the big stretches of grass, then rested on a seat by the +Serpentine. As yet, not many people were about, and the London hum had +not risen to its highest pitch. + +Uncle Gilbert wanted to know about Utah, and Chester entered into a +detailed description of the state and her people. + +"I have, of course, heard of the Mormon people; but I will admit my +ideas are somewhat vague. My brother, as a preacher, must of course, +have come in contact with all sorts of religious professions. He seems +to know considerable about Mormonism. Where did he learn that?" + +Chester explained what part Lucy had played in this. + +"Well, he agrees very much with her belief, for I have heard +conversations which lead me to that conclusion. Of course, all that is +their business, not mine particularly. Let's walk out in the middle of +the park where we can make believe we are not in London, but out in the +beautiful green country which God has made." + +The grass being dry, they could sit down on it to rest. + +"As you are, I presume, to become a member of the family some day," said +Uncle Gilbert, "I am going to tell you something about my brother. It is +not a pleasant subject, but I have concluded that you can be told. It is +a family secret, you must understand, and must be treated as such. It is +only because I believe your knowledge of the truth may help my brother +that I am telling you this. + +Chester thanked him for his confidence. He would be glad to help in any +way he could. + +"Well, the story is this: My brother in his younger days before he was +married, had an unfortunate experience with a young woman. There was a +child as the result. The woman, as nearly as I can make out, married +well enough, and later, joined the Mormons and went to Utah. She did not +take the child with her, for some reason unknown to me, at least; and +so the boy--for it was a boy--became lost to his father, and as far as I +know, to his mother also. I don't suppose all this worried my brother as +a young man; but recently, within the past few years, I should say, his +conscience seems to have pricked him severely. He has some vigorous +views of fatherhood and the obligations flowing therefrom--and I can't +say but he is right--and now he worries about his own great neglect. He +has talked to me about it, so I know. Sometimes he worries himself sick, +and then his nervous trouble gets the overhand." + +Chester lay on the grass looking up into the sky, complacently chewing a +spear of grass, while Uncle Gilbert was talking. + +"What was the woman's name?" asked Chester. + +"I can't recall it just now. In fact, I don't think I ever heard it. +Now, another thing that you must know, and you must not be annoyed at +this: at times, I believe he imagines you to be that boy of his." + +Chester sat up, and exactly at the moment when he looked into the face +of Uncle Gilbert a cog in the machinery of his own thoughts caught into +a cog of the wheel within wheels which the man at his side had been +revealing. The cog caught, then slipped, then caught again. Wheels began +to revolve, bringing into motion and view other possible developments. + +"That's only when his illness makes him delerious," continued Uncle +Gilbert. "As I said, you must pay no attention to him under those +conditions, but I thought you ought to know." + +"Yes; yes," whispered the young man--"Thank you." For him, Hyde Park and +London had disappeared: all earthly things had become mist out of which +he was trying to emerge. + +"You don't know the woman's name," Chester asked again, with dry +lips--"Tell me her name." + +"I don't remember. I'm not sure, but I believe I have heard my brother, +in his times of delerium speak of Anna." + +"Anna. Anna," repeated Chester, as he stared into space. Uncle Gilbert +looked at the young man, and then repented of telling him. He was a +little annoyed at his manner. He arose, brushed the grass from his +clothes, and said: + +"Well, let's be going." + +Chester went along mechanically. At the Marble Arch Uncle Gilbert was +about to hail a bus, when Chester stopped him. + +"You'll excuse me, wont you for not returning with you--I--I--" + +"But I gave my word to Lucy that I would bring you back." + +"Yes; I know, I'll come after a while--but not now--you go +on,--I--I--there's your bus now; you had better take it." + +Uncle Gilbert, still a little annoyed, climbed on the bus and left his +companion looking vacantly at the line of moving busses. + +Chester went back into the park. There was room to breathe there and +some freedom from fellow beings. He left the beaten paths. Oh, that he +could get away from everybody for a time! Old Thunder out among the +Rocky Mountains would be an ideal place just now. + +The wheels of thought went surely and correctly. There was no slipping +of cogs now. _The Rev. Thomas Strong was his father._ + +Every link in the chain of evidence fitted. There was no break. He went +over the ground again and again. There came to him now facts and +incidents which he had heard from his foster parents, and they all +fitted in other facts and strengthened his conclusions. Now he also +remembered and understood some of his mother's remarks about ministers. +Yes, Thomas Strong was his father! Lucy's father! Why, he and Lucy were +brother and sister! + +It is quite useless to try to tell all that was in Chester Lawrence's +thoughts and heart from then on all that afternoon. He did not know, +neither did he care how long he lay on the grass in the park, but there +came a time when his solitude became unbearable, so he walked with +feverish haste into the crowded streets. The lamps were being lighted +when he came to the Thames Embankment, where he watched for a time the +black, sluggish water being sucked out to sea by the outgoing tide. Then +he walked on. St. Paul loomed high in the murky darkness. He got into +the ridiculously narrow streets of Paternoster Row, where he had on his +first visit bought a Bible. The evening was far spent and the crowds +were thinning when he recognized the Bank of England corner. + +Realizing at last that he was tired, he climbed on top of a bus going in +the direction of his lodgings, where he arrived somewhere near midnight. +He went to bed, but not to sleep for many hours. + +"Lucy, you are my sister. I love you as that--but my wife you never can +be--" yes; he would have to tell her that. But why had this father of +his let him and Lucy go on as they had? He had told his father the +secret of his life. He remembered distinctly his father's actions how he +had even called him "son," which he had thought at the time was for +Lucy's sake. Knowing him and Lucy to be brother and sister, why had he +permitted them to form ties such as had been formed? Was it a plot on +his father's part to again bring misery to human souls, to make to +suffer those that were of his own flesh and blood? No, no; that was +impossible. Surely he was not that kind of man. + +More clearly now the panorama of his life came before him. Where was the +Lord in all this? He had thought the Lord had led his steps wonderfully +to so meet one who made his life supremely happy--but now--the darkness +and the despair of soul came again--was this not a hideous nightmare? +The day would bring light and peace. + +Towards morning, Chester dozed fitfully, and at last when he awoke the +day was well advanced. He and Uncle Gilbert had been in the park--uncle +in reality now. Yes; it all came to him again. It had been no dream. + +Chester got up, soused himself in cold water, then as he was dressing +said to himself. "Well, what's to be done? I must make this thing sure +one way or another." Perhaps there may be a mistake, though he could not +understand how. He would go direct to Thomas Strong and ask him. + +He had no appetite for breakfast, so he ate none. As early as he thought +wise, he set out. How should he meet Lucy? What could he say? If he +could only evade her. + +No; Lucy was watching for him, with a worried expression on her face, +which deepened when she saw Chester's. + +"I must see your father," he said with no effort to even take her hand. + +"Papa is not any better, I fear." + +"But I must see him. Where is Uncle Gilbert?" + +"Shall I call him?" + +"Yes, _please_." + +Lucy returned, and Uncle Gilbert met Chester in the hall. + +"He is very nervous again this morning, and I don't think you ought to +excite him," explained the brother. + +"I must see him--just for a minute. I'll not engage him in any extended +conversation." + +"That you cannot do as he can hardly speak. His trouble affects him in +that way." + +"Let me see him just for a moment--alone, please. Is he awake?" + +"Oh yes; he's not that bad. Go in a moment, then, but be careful." + +Chester passed in where the minister sat in an arm chair, propped up +with pillows, signs of Lucy's tender care. As Chester entered, the man +smiled and reached out his hand. The resentment in the young man's heart +vanished, when he saw the yearning in the suffering man's face. Yet he +stood for some time rooted to the spot, looking at the man who was no +doubt his father. Every line of that face stood out boldly to Chester. +How often, in his boyhood days he had pictured to himself what his +father was like--and here he was before him. In those days he had nursed +a hatred against that unknown sire, but now there was no more of that. +If only,--Chester kneeled by the side of the minister's chair, letting +the old man cling to his hand. He looked without wavering into the drawn +face and said: + +"Are you my father?" + +The man's hand dropped as if lifeless, but Chester picked it up again, +holding it close. + +"Tell me," he repeated, "are you my father?" + +"Yes," came slowly and with effort, as tremblingly the father put his +hands first on Chester's shoulders as he kneeled before him, then raised +them to his head, asking, "Do--you--hate--me? Don't--" That seemed to be +all he was able to articulate. + +"No, no; I do not hate you; for are you not--are you not my father!" + +"Yes." + +The son put his arms around his father's neck and kissed him. The father +patted contentedly the head of the young man, as a parent fondly +caresses a child. They were in that position when Lucy tapped lightly on +the door, opened it, and came in. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +Chester got away from Lucy and Uncle Gilbert that morning, without +betraying his father's secret, which had now also become his own. If his +father had kept the secret so long, it was evidently for a purpose; he +would try not to be the first to reveal it. He kissed Lucy somewhat +hurriedly, she thought, as he left. + +The sooner he got away the fewer of his strange actions he would have to +explain. He did not look back when he walked away for fear that Lucy +would be watching him from window or door. + +He went back to his own lodgings rather more by instinct than by +thought. He slipped into his room, looked aimlessly about, then went out +again. He must be alone, yet not confined within walls. The park was not +far away, but he walked by it also, on, on. This London is limitless, he +thought. One could never escape it by walking. He met other men some +hurrying as if stern duty called, others sauntering as if they had no +purpose in life but quiet contemplation. He met women, and if he could +have read through their weary eyes their life's story, he would not +perhaps, have thought his own was the most cruel. A little boy was +gathering dust from the pavement, and Chester was reminded of that other +little fellow's structure which the carriage wheels had demolished. +Well, he was under the wheel of fate himself. He had heard of this +wheel, but never had he been under it until now! + +Chester found himself a street or two from the mission office. He would +call and perhaps have a talk with Elder Malby. Why had he not thought of +that sooner? He quickened his steps, and in a few minutes he was ringing +the bell. He heard it tingle within, but no one responded. He rang +again, and this time steps were heard coming up from the basement. The +housekeeper opened the door. + +"Good morning," she greeted him with a smile. + +"Good morning, is Elder Malby in?" + +"No; none of the elders are in. They are out tracting, I think--but +won't you come in?" + +"No, thank you, I wanted to see Elder Malby." + +"Well, _he_ might be back at any time--come in and rest. You look +tired." + +"Well--I believe I will." + +He followed the motherly housekeeper into the office parlor, where she +bade him be seated. She excused herself as her work could not be +neglected--Would he be interested in the London papers, or the latest +_Deseret News_. She pointed to the table where these papers lay, then +went about her work. + +Chester looked listlessly at the papers, but did not attempt to read. +Presently, the housekeeper came back. + +"I'm having a bite to eat down in the dining room. Come and keep me +company. The Elders don't eat till later, but I must have something in +the middle of the day." + +Chester went with her into the cool, restful room below, and partook +with her of the simple meal. Not having had breakfast, he ate with +relish. Besides, there was a spirit of peace about the place. His aching +heart found some comfort in the talk of the good woman. + +Shortly afterwards, Elder Malby arrived, and he saw in a moment that +something was the matter with his young friend. + +"How are the folks," he asked, "Lucy and her father?" + +"He is not well," Chester replied. + +"That's too bad. And you are worried?" + +"Yes; but not altogether over that. There is something else, Brother +Malby. I'll have to tell you about it. Will we be uninterrupted here?" + +"Come with me," said the elder and he took him into his own room up a +flight of stairs. "Now, then, what can I do to help you?" + +"You will pardon me, I know; but somehow, I was led to tell you my story +on ship-board, and you're the only one I can talk to now." Then Chester +told the elder what he had learned. When he had finished, the elder's +face was very grave. + +"What ought I to do?" asked Chester; "what can I do?" + +The other shook his head. "This is a strange story," he said; "but there +can be no doubt that you are his son. You look like him. I noticed it on +ship-board, but of course said nothing about it. But you _do_ look like +him." + +"Do I?" + +"Yes; but why he encouraged you to make love to your sister--that is +beyond me--I--I don't know what to say." + +"Oh, what _can_ I do?" + +There was a pause. Then the elder as if weighing well every word, said: + +"My boy, you can pray." + +"No; I can't even do that. I haven't said my prayers since this thing +came to me. What can I pray about? What can I ask of God?" + +"Listen. It is easy to pray when everything is going along nicely, and +we are getting everything we ask for; but when we seem to be up against +hard fate; when despair is in our hearts and the Lord appears to have +deserted us, then it is not so easy; but then is when we need most to +pray." + +"Yes, yes, brother, true enough; but what's the use?" + +"Look here, once before, in your life, you felt as you do now; and you +told me yourself that not until you said both in your heart and to God +'Thy will be done' did you get peace. Try it again, brother. There is no +darkness but the Light of Christ can penetrate, there is no seeming evil +but the Lord can turn to your good. What did Job say of the Lord?" + +"I don't know." + +"'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' And you are not yet as +Job. He lost everything. You have gained a father and a sister. That, +certainly, is something." + +"Yes, it is; and yet in the finding of these two, I have lost--well--you +know--" + +"Yes; I know; but the Lord can even make that right. Trust Him, trust +Him, always and in everything. That's my motto for life. I can not get +along without it." + +"Thank you so very much." + +They talked for some time, then they went out for a walk. + +"But you haven't time to spend on me like this," remonstrated Chester. + +"I am here to do all the good I can, and why should my services not be +given to those of the faith as well as to those who have no use for me +nor my message? Come along; I want to tell you of another letter which I +received from home,--yes, the twin calves are doing fine." + +Chester smiled, which was just what his companion wanted. "You remain +here today," continued the elder. "The boys will be in after a while, +and then we shall have dinner. After that, if you are still thinking too +much of your own affairs, we'll take you out on the street and let you +preach to the crowd." + +"That might help," admitted Chester. + +"Help! It's the surest kind of cure." + +Chester remained with the elders during the afternoon and evening, even +going out with them on the street. He was not called on to preach, +however, though he would have attempted it had he been asked. + +Chester slept better that night. He felt so sure of himself next morning +that he could call on Lucy, and do the right thing. He did not forget or +neglect his prayers any more, and he was well on the way of saying +again, "Thy will be done," in the right spirit. + +Uncle Gilbert met Chester at the door, not very graciously, however. He +replied to Chester's inquiries sharply: + +"My brother is quite ill, brought about, I have no doubt, by your unwise +actions of yesterday morning. What was the matter with you? I don't +understand you." + +Chester did not attempt any explanation or defense. + +"And Lucy, too, was quite ill yesterday--no; she is not up yet--no; I +don't think you had better come in. I shall not permit you to see my +brother again until he is better." + +"I'm very sorry," said Chester. "I must see Lucy, however, and so I'll +call again after a while." He walked away. He did not blame Uncle +Gilbert, who was no doubt doing the best he knew, although somewhat in +the dark. He walked in the park for an hour and then came back. + +Lucy met him at the gate. She was dressed as if for walking. Her face +betrayed the disturbance in her soul, and Chester's heart went out in +pity for her. + +"Yes," she said simply, "I was going out to find you, I heard Uncle +Gilbert send you away. Shall we walk in the park?" + +"Yes; I am glad you came out. Is your father worse this morning?" + +"I don't think he is worse. He is simply in the stage of his attacks +when he can't talk. I'm sure he'll be all right in a day or two; but +Uncle Gilbert don't understand." + +"And you, Lucy--you must not worry." + +"How can I help it? Something is the matter with you. Why do you act so +strangely?" + +They found the bench on which they were wont to rest, and seated +themselves. + +Chester could not deny that he had changed; yet how could he tell her +the truth? She must know it, the sooner the better. It might be many +days before her father could tell her, even if he were inclined to do +so. The situation was unbearable. She must know, and he must tell her. + +"Lucy," he said after a little struggle with his throat, "I have +something to tell you,--something strange. Oh, no, nothing evil or bad, +or anything like that." + +He took her hands which were trembling. + +"You must promise me that you will take this news quietly." + +"Just as quietly as I can, Chester." + +"Well, you know how excitement affects your heart, so I shall not tell +you if you will not try to be calm." + +"And now, of course, I can be indifferent, can I, even if you should +say no more? Oh, Chester, what is it? The suspense is a thousand times +harder than the truth. What have you got to tell me? What passed between +you and papa last evening? Is it--have you ceased to love me?" + +"No, no, Lucy, not that. I love you as much as ever, more than ever for +something has been added to my first love--that of a love for a sister." + +"Yes, Chester I know. When I was baptized--" + +"No; you don't know. I don't mean that." + +"What _do_ you mean?" + +Oh, it was so hard to go on. One truth must lead to another. If he told +her he was her brother in the flesh as well as in the spirit, she would +want to know how, why; and the explanation would involve her father. He +had not thought of that quite so plainly. But he could not now stop. He +must go on. He felt about for a way by which to approach the revelation +gradually. + +"You have never had a brother, have you?" he asked. + +"No." + +"Would you like to have one?" + +"I've always wanted a brother." + +"How would I do for one?" + +She looked at him curiously, then the sober face relaxed and she smiled. + +"Oh, you'd make a fine one." + +"You wouldn't object." + +"I should think not." + +"But, now, what would you think if I _was_ your real brother, if my name +was Chester Strong?" + +"I'd think you were just joking a little." + +"But I'm not joking, Lucy; I am in earnest. Take a good look at me, here +at this profile. Do I look like your father?" + +She looked closely. "I believe you do," she said, still without a guess +at the truth. "Your forehead slopes just like his, and your nose has the +same bump on it. I never noticed that before." + +"What might that mean, Lucy?" + +"What might what mean?" + +"That I look like your father." + +He had turned his face to her now, but she still gazed at him, as if the +truth was just struggling for recognition. The smile vanished for an +instant from her face, and then returned. She would not entertain the +advance messenger. + +"I don't object to your looking like my papa, for he's a mighty fine +looking man." + +"Lucy, you saw what your father and I were doing last night?" + +"Yes." + +"What did you think--what do you now think of us?" + +"Again, Chester, I don't object to you and father spooning a bit. In +fact, I think that's rather nice." + +Chester laughed a little now, which loosened the tension considerably; +but he returned to the attack: + +"Lucy, what would you think if your father had a son who had been lost +when a baby, and that now he should return to him as a grown man?" + +"Well, I would think that would be jolly, as the English say." + +"And that his son's name was Chester Lawrence?" he continued as if there +had been no interruption. + +Now the cog in Lucy's mental make-up caught firmly into the machinery +that had been buzzing about her for some time. + +"Are you my brother?" she asked. + +"Yes; I am your brother." + +"My real, live, long lost brother?" + +"Yes." + +"Now I see what you have been driving at all this time. You say you are +my brother, that my father is your father. Now explain." + +"That's not so easy, Lucy. I would much rather your father would do +that. But I can tell you a little, for it's very little I know--and, +Lucy, that little is not pleasant." + +"But I must know." Her face was serious again. She was bracing herself +bravely too. + +"I was born outside the marriage relation, and your father was my +father!" + +That was plain enough--brutally plain. The girl turned to marble. Had he +killed her? + +"Go on," she whispered. + +"No more now--some other time." + +"Go on, Chester." + +Chester told her in brief sentences the simple facts, and what had led +to his discovery of the truth just the other day. It was this that had +caused the change she had noticed in him. + +"Lucy, I was not sure," he said, "so I went to your father last night +and asked him pointedly, directly, and he said 'Yes.' That explains the +situation you found us in. My heart went out to my father, Lucy; and his +heart went out to his son." + +"The son to which his heart has been reaching for many long years, +Chester. Yes, I see it plainly.... You have told the truth ... you are +my brother--you--" + +She trembled, then fell into his arms; but she controlled herself again, +and when he kissed her pale face and stroked her hair, she opened her +eyes and looked steadily up into his face. Thus they remained for a +time, heedless of the few passers-by who but looked at a not uncommon +sight. She closed her eyes again, and when she opened them Chester was +struggling hard to keep back the tears. + +To tell the truth, both of them cried a little about that time, and it +did them good too. They got up, walked about on the grass for a time +until they could look more unmovedly at their changed standing to each +other. Then they talked more freely, but things were truly so newly +mixed that it was difficult to get them untangled. At last Lucy said she +would have to go back to her father--our father, she corrected. + +"And he knows, remember," said Chester to her. "I and you also know. We +know too," he added, "that the Lord is above, and will take care of us +all." + +"Yes," said Lucy. + +Then they went back. The father was still very ill. Chester did not try +to see him, for Uncle Gilbert had not relented. + +"I'm going to see Elder Malby this afternoon," said Chester. "This +evening I shall call again. Meanwhile"--they were alone in the hall +now--"you must keep up your courage and faith. I feel as though +everything will yet turn out well." + +He took her as usual in his arms, and she clung to him closer than she +had ever done before. + +"Chester," she said, "I can't yet _feel_ that there is any difference in +our relationship. You are yet my lover, are you not?" + +"Yes, Lucy; and you are my sweetheart. Somehow, I am not condemned when +I say it. What can it be--" + +"Something that whispers peace to our hearts." + +"The Comforter, Lucy, the Comforter from the Lord." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +The delay in getting back to Kildare Villa was making Uncle Gilbert +nervous. In his own mind, he blamed Chester Lawrence for being the cause +of much of the present trouble, though in what way he could not clearly +tell. The young man's presence disturbed the usual placid life of the +minister. Why such a disturber should be so welcomed into the family, +the brother could not understand. Perhaps this new-fangled religion +called "Mormonism" was at the root of all the trouble. + +In his confusion, Uncle Gilbert determined on a very foolish thing: he +would get his brother and Lucy away with him to Ireland, leaving Chester +behind, for at least a few days. Of course, a young fellow in love as +deeply as Chester seemed to be, would follow up and find them again, but +there would be a respite for a time. With this idea in mind, Uncle +Gilbert, the very next day, found Chester at his lodgings; and +apparently taking him into his confidence, told him of his plan. Chester +was willing to do anything that Uncle Gilbert and "the others" thought +would be for the best. Chester was made to understand that "the others" +agreed to the plan, and although the thought sent a keen pang through +the young man's heart, he did not demur. + +It must also be admitted that Uncle Gilbert was not quite honest with +Lucy, for when he proposed to her to get her father to Ireland as soon +as possible, she understood that Chester was lawfully detained, but +would meet them perhaps in Liverpool. Though she, too, felt keenly the +parting, yet she mistrusted no one. + +So it came about that Lucy and her father were hurried to the station +early next morning to catch a train for Liverpool. The minister was +physically strong enough to stand the journey, but he mutely questioned +the reason for this hasty move. Chester had absented himself all the +previous day, and he did not even see them off at the station. Lucy +could not keep back the tears, though she tried to hide them as she +tucked her father comfortably about with cushions in the first class +compartment which they had reserved. + +Uncle Gilbert's victory was short lived, however; no sooner did the +ailing man realize that Chester was not with them than he become visibly +affected. He tried hard to talk, but to no avail. He looked pleadingly +at Lucy and at his brother as if for information, but without results. +Lucy's pinched, tear-stained face added to his restlessness, and there +was a note of insincerity in Uncle Gilbert's reassuring talk that his +brother did not fail to discern. + +That ride, usually so pleasant over the beautiful green country, was a +most miserable one. It was so painful to see the expression on the +minister's face that Uncle Gilbert began to doubt the wisdom of the plan +he was trying. Lucy became quite alarmed, and asked if they ought not to +stop at one of the midland cities; but Uncle Gilbert said they could +surely go on to Liverpool. + +"But we can't cross over to Ireland. Father could not possibly stand the +trip," she said. + +The uncle agreed to that. "We'll have to stop at Liverpool for a day or +so--I have it!" he exclaimed, "Captain Andrew Brown is now at home. He +told me to be sure to call, and bring you all with me. He has a very +nice house up the Mersey--a fine restful place. We'll go there." + +And they did. Lucy could say nothing for or against, and the father was +so ill by the time they reached Liverpool that he did not seem to +realize what he was doing or where he was going. A cab took them all out +from the noises of the city to the quiet of the countryside. It was +afternoon, and the sun shone slantingly on the waters of the river, +above which on the hills amid trees and flowering gardens stood the +house of Captain Andrew Brown. + +As the carriage rolled along the graveled path to the house, the captain +himself came to meet them, expressing his surprise and delight, and +welcoming them most heartily. The minister was helped out and into the +house, where he was made comfortable. Lucy was shown to her room by the +housekeeper. Uncle Gilbert made explanations to the captain of the +reason for this untoward raid on his hospitality. + +"I'm mighty glad you came," said the captain. "You couldn't possible +have gone on, and as for stopping at a hotel--if you had, I should never +have forgiven you." + +The sick man would not take anything to eat. He lay as if half asleep, +so he was put to bed. Lucy remained with him during the evening. Once in +a while he would open his eyes, reach out his hand for hers and hold it +for a moment. Poor, dear father, she thought, as she stroked his hair +softly. What could Chester mean to leave his father, even for a few +days? He ought to be here.... She could not understand. Was it all just +an excuse to get away from them? to get away from this newly-found +father and sister? She would not believe that of Chester. That couldn't +be true, and yet, and yet-- + +She turned lower the light, went to the window, and looked out on the +river. A crescent moon hung above the mist. The water lay still as if +asleep, only broken now and then by some passing craft. The breeze +played in the trees near the window and the perfumes of the rich flower +beds were wafted to her. The girl stood by the window a long time as if +she expected her lover-brother to come to her through the half darkness. +Perhaps, after all, it was better he did not come. Perhaps he had acted +wisely. + +The father lay as if sleeping, so she continued to look out at the moon +and the water. Her heart burned, but out of it came a prayer. Then she +quietly kneeled by the window sill, and still looking out into the night +she poured out the burden of her heart to the Father whose power to +bless and to comfort is as boundless as the love of parent for child. + +Captain Brown was not an old man, yet in his fine strong face there were +deep lines traced by twenty years on the sea. Ten years on the bridge +basking in the sun, facing storm and danger had told their tale. He was +in the employ of a great navigation company whose ships went to the ends +of the earth for trade. He had built this home-nest for wife and child, +to which and to whom he could set the compass of his heart from any port +and on any sea. Three years ago wife and child had taken passage over +the eternal sea. Now he came back only occasionally, between trips. His +housekeeper always kept the house as nearly as possible like it was when +wife and child were there. + +"I have a week, perhaps ten days ashore," explained Captain Brown next +morning at the breakfast table, "and I was just wondering what I could +do all that time--when here you are! You are to remain a week. Tut, tut, +business"--this to Uncle Gilbert who had protested--"you ought not to +worry any longer about business. Aren't we making you good money? Oh, I +see! Aunt Sarah; well, we'll send for her. Your father can't possibly be +moved, can he, Miss Lucy?" + +"He's very comfortable here," replied Lucy. + +"To be sure he is--and you, too, look as though a rest would help you." + +"I have to get back soon--ought to be in Cork tomorrow, in fact," said +Uncle Gilbert. + +"Well, now Gilbert, if you _have_ to, I've no more to say--about you. +Go, of course; but Lucy and her father are going to stay with me. I'm +the doctor and the nurse. You go to Aunt Sarah, for that's your +'business reason' and it's all right--I'm not blaming you--and in a week +come back for your well brother." + +"Yes, that might do," agreed Uncle Gilbert, with much relief in his +manner of saying it. "I don't like to impose on you--" + +"Look here--if you want to do me a favor, you go to your wife and let me +take care of these people. In fact," he laughed, "I don't want you +around bothering. The steamer sails for Dublin this evening." + +Out of this pleasant banter came the fact that Uncle Gilbert could very +well go on his way to Ireland. His brother was in no immediate +danger--in fact that morning he was resting easily and his power of +speech was returning. Gilbert spoke to his brother about the plan, and +no protest was made. So that evening, sure enough, Uncle Gilbert was +driven in to Liverpool by the captain, where he set sail for home. + +No sooner was his brother well out of the way than Lucy's father called +to her. He had been up and dressed all afternoon. He was now reclining +in the captain's easy chair by the window. Lucy came to him. + +"Yes, father," she said. + +He motioned to her to sit down. She fetched a stool and seated herself +by him, so that he could touch her head caressingly as he seemed to +desire. + +"Where is Chester?" he asked slowly, as was his wont when his speech +came back. + +"In London," she replied. "He could not come with us." + +"So--Gilbert said;--but I--want him." + +"Shall we send for him?" + +"Yes." + +The father looked out of the window where shortly the moon would again +shine down on the river. He stroked the head at his knee. + +"Lucy, you--love me?" + +"Oh, father, dear daddy, what a question!" + +"I--must--tell you--something--should--have told you--long ago--" + +It was difficult for the man to speak; more so, it appeared, because he +was determined to deliver a message to the girl--something that could +not wait, but must be told now. Impatient of his slow speech, he walked +to the table and seated himself by it. + +"Light," he said; and while Lucy brought the lamp and lighted it he +found pencil and paper. She watched him curiously, wondering what was +about to happen. Was he writing a message to Chester? + +From the other side of the table she watched him write slowly and +laboriously until the page was full. Then he paused, looked up at Lucy +opposite, reached for another sheet and began again. That sheet was also +filled, and the girl's wonder grew. Then he pushed them across the +table, saying, "Read;" and while she did so, he turned from her, his +head bowed as if awaiting a sentence of punishment. + +A little cry came from the reader as her eyes ran along the penciled +lines. Then there was silence, broken only by her hard breathing, and +the ticking of the clock on the mantel. Then while the father still sat +with bowed head, the girl arose softly, came up to him, kneeled before +him, placed a hand on each of his cheeks, kissed him, and said: + +"You are my father anyway--always have been, always will be--the only +one I have ever known. Thank you for taking me an outcast, orphaned baby +and adopting me as your own. Oh, I _love you daddy for that_! + +Just a few days before a son had found a father at this man's knee; now +by the same knee Lucy first realized that this man was her father only +in the fact that he had fathered her from a child; but as that, after +all, is what counts most in this world, she thought none the less of +him; rather, her heart went out to the man in a way unknown before. + +"Chester doesn't know this?" she asked. "Chester is _not_ my brother?" + +"No." + +"Oh, he must know this--he must know right away," she panted. + +"Yes--I meant to tell--but I couldn't--" said he. + +"I know daddy dear; I know, don't worry. We'll send for him right +away--poor boy. There's Captain Brown now. I'll run down and ask him to +send a telegram. Yes, I have his address." + +She kissed him again, holding his head between her palms, and saying +softly, "Daddy, dear daddy." Then she sped down to where the Captain was +talking in the hall. The Rev. Thomas Strong looked up, listened to their +conversation, and then smiled. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +The reason why Chester permitted Lucy and his father to set out for +Ireland without him was because he trusted Uncle Gilbert--and the Lord; +however, it was no easy matter to be thus left behind. Surely, he would +be more of a help than a hindrance on the journey. He forced himself to +lie abed the morning they were to be off, until after the train left. +Then, knowing he was safe from doing that which his Uncle had desired +him not to do, he leisurely arose, very late for breakfast. + +The problem with the young man now was what to do while he was waiting. +London sights, even those he had not seen before, were tame now. The +newly-found father and sister had already left him. Had it not been a +dream, and was he not now awake to the reality of his old life? + +He found himself once more attracted to the Mission headquarters. Elder +Malby was at home that morning. Chester told him the latest development. + +"Has she--have they--deserted me, do you think?" asked Chester. + +"No--I don't think so," replied the elder thoughtfully. "Lucy did not +impress me as a girl who would do that. I see no reason for such +actions, but perhaps Uncle Gilbert was right. Your father needed to get +away from you to readjust himself to the new condition." + +"Well, perhaps,--but what can I now do? this waiting will be terrible." + +"You'll come with me this morning. I have some calls to make." + +And so all that day Chester remained with Elder Malby, visiting Saints +and investigators, adjusting difficulties, and explaining principles of +the gospel. It was a splendid thing for the young man, this getting his +thoughts from self; and before evening, he had obtained so much of the +missionary spirit that he asked to be permitted to bear his testimony at +the street meeting. "The louder the mob howls and interrupts, the better +for me," he declared. "You remember the other evening when a young +fellow stood within a few feet of you and kept repeating: 'Liars, liars, +from Utah'?" + +"Yes; I remember." + +"I'd like to talk to that fellow tonight." + +So Chester talked at the street-meeting that evening, but to a very +orderly lot of people. After the services, many pressed around him and +asked him questions. One young man walked with him and the elders to the +mission office. They talked on the gospel, and Chester forgot his own +heartache in ministering to another heart hungering for the truth. + +The next morning, Chester tried again to remain in bed, but this time +without success. He was up in the gray awakening city, walking in the +park, listening to the birds near by and the rumbling beginnings of +London life. After breakfast, he went again to the Church office. + +"You must excuse me for thus being such a bother," he explained to Elder +Malby, "but--but I can't keep away." + +"I hope you never will," replied the elder, encouragingly. "It is when +men like you keep away that there is danger." + +"What's the program today?" + +"Tracting. Do you want to try?" + +"Yes; I want to keep going. Yesterday was not bad. I felt fine all day." + +That afternoon Chester had his first trial in delivering gospel tracts +from door to door. He approached his task timidly, but soon caught the +spirit of the work. He had a number of interesting experiences. One old +gentleman invited him into the house, that he might more freely tell the +young man what he thought of him and his religion, and this was by no +means complimentary. An old lady, limping to the door and learning that +the caller was from America, told him she had a son there--and did he +know him? Then there were doors slammed in his face, and some gracious +smiles and "thank you"--altogether Chester was so busy meeting these +various people that he had no time to worry over those who now should be +nearly to Kildare Villa in green Ireland. + +While he was eating supper with the elders, which Elder Malby said he +had well earned, a messenger came to the door. Was one Chester Lawrence +there? Yes. + +"A telegram for him, please." + +Chester opened the message and read: + +"Come to Liverpool in morning. All well. Tell me when and where to meet +you--Lucy." + +Chester handed the message to Elder Malby. + +"Once more, don't you see," said the elder, smiling, "all is well." + +"Yes; yes," replied Chester in a way which was more of a prayer of +thanksgiving than common speech. + +Early the following morning Captain Brown was rewarded for his gallant +lack of inquisitiveness regarding the sending and the receiving of +telegrams by Lucy coming to him with her sweetest smile and saying: + +"Captain Brown, was that horse and carriage you used yesterday yours?" + +"Oh no; that belongs to my neighbor--only when I am not using it. Do you +wish a drive this morning?" + +"I want to meet the noon train from London at Lime Street Station; and +if it wouldn't be too much trouble--" + +"Not at all. My neighbor is very glad to have me exercise the horse a +bit. Can you drive him alone?" + +"I'm a little nervous." + +"Will I do for coachman?" + +"If you would, Captain?" + +"Then that's settled. I'll go immediately and make arrangements;" which +he did. + +"Papa," said Lucy to her father, "the captain will drive me to the +station. You'll be all right until we get back?" + +"All right, yes; don't worry more about me. I'm getting strong faster +than I ever did before. See." + +He paced back and forth with considerable vim in his movements. "Why," +he continued, stopping in front of Lucy and kissing her gently on the +cheek, "I feel better right now than I have for a long time--better +inside, you know." + +Lucy did not understand exactly what he meant by the "inside," but she +did not puzzle her head about it. She was happy to know that her father +was so well and that Chester was speeding to her. The day promised to be +fair, and the drive to the station would be delightful. She was looking +out of the window. + +"Lucy," said her father, placing his hand on her shoulder, "you need not +tell Captain Brown the little secrets you have learned; and I think your +Uncle Gilbert need not know any more than he does. It is just as well +for all concerned that these things remain to outward appearances just +as they have in the past." + +"All right, papa." + +"We--Chester and you and I will know and understand and be happy. What +else matters?" + +"What, indeed." + +"Now, there's the captain already. He's early; but perhaps he intends +driving you about a bit first." + +That was just it. The morning air was so invigorating, Captain Brown +explained, that it was a pity not to feel it against one's face. He knew +of a number of very pretty drives, round-about ways, to the station, and +the fields were delightfully green just then. + +In a short time away they rattled down the graveled road, the father +waving after them. It was a good thing, said Lucy, that strong hands had +the reins, for the horse was full of life. They sped over the smooth, +hedge-bordered roads, winding about fields and gardens until they +arrived at Calderstone Park. Here the captain pointed out the Calder +Stones, ruins of an ancient Druid place of worship or sacrifice. Then +they drove leisurely through Sefton Park, thence townward to the +station. + +They had a few moments to wait, during which the driver stroked the +horse's nose, talking to him all the while not to be afraid of the noisy +cars. The whistle's shrill pipe sounded and the train rolled in. The +captain stood by his horse, while Lucy went to the platform, and met +Chester as he leaped from the car. + +"Oh, ho," said the captain to his horse, when he saw the meeting. A +partial explanation was given him of the "certain young man" whom they +were to meet. + +The captain held the carriage door open to them like a true coachman. +"Take the back seat, please," he commanded, after the introduction; "in +these vehicles, the driver sits in front." + +The captain drove straight home, so in a very-short time they were set +down at the steps. + +"Go right in," he said. "I'll take the horse back, and be with you +shortly." + +The housekeeper met them in the hall, took wraps and hats, and directed +them upstairs where the "gentleman" was waiting. Lucy had had no +opportunity to tell Chester the secret about herself, so she would have +to let his father do so. They walked quietly to the father's room and +opened the door softly. He appeared to be sleeping in his chair, so they +tip-toed into another room. + +"Is he better?" asked Chester. + +"Nearly well again." They did not seat themselves, but stood by the +table. She came close to him, smiling up into his face and said, +"_Everything's_ all right, Chester." + +"Yes, of course," he replied. "You are looking so rosy and well, I +forget you are an invalid." + +"Don't think of it. I'm going to live a long, long time, Chester--with +you. Listen, dear, and don't look so worried. Things have changed again. +I don't need to break good news gently, so I may tell you now, papa--I +mean, your father, has been telling me something I never dreamed +of--Chester, listen. I'm not your father's child--only by +adoption--you're not my brother, only of course in the brotherhood of +the faith." + +"Lucy, what are you saying?" + +"I am telling you the truth--as I was told it. He adopted me as a +baby--I was an orphan--I am not your sister. Chester--I--" + +He seized her hands, and held her at arms length, while his eyes seemed +to devour her. She could not repress the tears, and when he saw them, he +drew her close and kissed her. + +"Lucy, not my sister, but my sweetheart again, my little wife to +be--what--does it all mean?" + +There came a loud knock at the door, and the father entered without +being bidden. He walked firmly up to them, placed a hand on each +shoulder, and said: + +"My son, I have to ask your forgiveness again. I intended to tell you +about Lucy as soon as you learned the truth about yourself, but I was +hindered. Don't think, my boy, that I would purposely cause you +suffering. What Lucy has told you is true, and I am so glad that the +misunderstanding and the mixups no longer exist between us." + +The three now found seats and talked over the new situation in which +they found themselves, not forgetting the part Uncle Gilbert had taken +in recent events, until the strenuous voice of Captain Brown had to +supplement the housekeeper's bell, before the three would come down for +luncheon. + +Those were golden days to Chester, Lucy, and the Rev. Thomas Strong. Out +of restless uncertainty, doubts, fears, and heart-aching experiences +they now had come to a period of peaceful certainty. Out of straits they +had come to a quiet sun-kissed harbor. + +Captain Brown looked on all this happiness approvingly. His shore leave +was going splendidly. The neighbor's horse and carriage were often +brought into requisition, and the father would not be denied his share +of these drives. The captain's own boat, long since unused, was put into +commission, and with the captain at the tiller the whole family sailed +over the placid Mersy. The moon grew rounder, and as the evenings were +warm, the boat often lingered in the moonlight. Then songs were sung, +Chester and Lucy singing some which the father recognized as "Mormon," +but which the captain knew only as beautiful and full of sweet spirit. + +During those days when the visitors remained with the captain rather +more for his own sake than for any other reason, there was just one +little cloud in Chester's and Lucy's sunlight. That was that the father +took no abiding interest in the religion which now meant so much to +them. Once or twice the subject had been carefully broached by Chester, +but each time the father had not responded. He made no objections. The +young man sometimes thought there would be more hope if he did. However, +he and Lucy were not discouraged. They reasoned, with justice, that it +was no easy matter to change a life-long habit of belief and practice. +They comforted each other by the hope that all would be well in the end. +Had they not already ample evidence of God's providence shaping all +things right. + +It was plainly to be seen, however, that the father took great comfort +in his new-found son; and well any father might, for Chester was a +strong, open-spirited, clean young man. Father and son strolled out +together, Lucy sometimes peeping at them from behind the curtain, but +denying herself of their company. Chester, by his father's request, told +him more of his life's story. The father wished to live as much as could +be by word-telling the years he had missed in the life of his son; and +the father, for his part, acquainted Chester with his more recent years. +"I married quite late in life," said the father, "a sweet girl who did +much for me. That we had no children was a great disappointment to both +of us, and when we saw that very likely we never would have any of our +own, we found and adopted Lucy. She would never have known the truth +about that had not you come and compelled me to tell it. But it's all +right now, and the Lord has been kinder to me than I deserve." + + "'God moves in a mysterious way, + His wonders to perform,'" + +quoted Chester. + + "'He plants his footsteps in the sea + And rides upon the storm,'" + +mused the father. + +At another time the father said to Chester: + +"My boy, it would please me if you would take my name. You need not +discard the one you already have, but add mine to it--yours by all +that's right." + +"Yes, father." + +"I have no great fortune, but I have saved a little; and when I am gone, +it will be yours and Lucy's--I'll hear no objections to that--for can't +you see, all that I can possibly do for you will only in part pay for +the wrong I have done. You say you have no definite plans for the +future. Then you will come with us to Kansas City, where I expect to +take up again my labors in the ministry, at least for a time." + +Lucy came upon them at this point. + +"Chester has promised to take my name," explained the father. + +"That will make it unnecessary for you to change yours," said Chester, +as he put his arm around her. + +A week passed as rapidly as such golden days do. Chester sent the latest +news to Elder Malby. Uncle Gilbert, always impatient, wrote from Kildare +Villa, asking when they were "coming home." Captain Brown had made a +number of trips of inspection to the docks to see how the loading of his +ship was progressing. + +At the captain's invitation they all visited the vessel one afternoon. + +"Why," exclaimed Lucy in surprise, when she saw the steamer at the dock, +"you have a regular ocean liner here. I thought freight boats were small +concerns." + +"Small! well, now, you know better. Come aboard." + +He led the way on deck, and then below. + +"This ship is somewhat old," explained Captain Brown, "but she is still +staunch and seaworthy. As you see, she has once been a passenger boat, +and in fact, she still carries passengers--when we can find some who +would rather spend twelve days in comfort than be rushed across in six +or seven by the latest greyhounds. I say, when we can find such sensible +people," repeated the captain, as he looked curiously at his guests. + +The dining room was spacious, the berths of the large, roomy kind which +the grasp for economy and capacity had not yet cut down. + +"This is a nicer state room than I had coming over," declared Lucy. "Why +can't we return with Captain Brown?" + +"I should be delighted," said the captain. "The booking offices are on +Water Street." + +"When do you sail?" asked the father. + +"In three days, I believe we shall be ready." + +"And your port?" + +"New York." + +"Your cargo?" + +"Mixed." + +"Any passengers?" + +"A dozen or so--plenty of room, you see. We'll make you comfortable, +more so than on a crowded liner. Think about it, Mr. Strong." + +"We shall," said Lucy and her father in unison. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +And thus it came about that the party of three visiting with Captain +Andrew Brown, decided to sail with him to New York. A few more days on +the water was of no consequence, except as Chester said to Lucy, to +enjoy a little longer the after-seasickness period of the voyage. As for +Chester himself, he was very pleased with the proposition. + +A visit to the company's office in Water Street completed the +arrangement. "Yes," said the agent, "we can take care of you. There will +be a very small list of passengers, which gives you all the more room. +Besides, it's worth while to cross with Captain Brown." + +As the boat did not lay up to the Landing Stage, but put directly to sea +from the dock, the passengers were stowed safely away into their +comfortable quarters the evening before sailing. When they awoke next +morning, they were well out into the Irish sea, the Welsh hills slowly +disappearing at the left. Chester was the first on deck. He tipped his +cap to Captain Brown on the bridge as they exchanged their morning +greetings. The day was bright and warm, the sea smooth. Chester stood +looking at the vanishing hills, glancing now and then at the +companionway, for Lucy. As he stood there, he thought of the time, only +a few days since, when he had caught his first sight of those same green +hills. What a lot had happened to him between those two points of time! +A journey begun without distinct purpose had brought to him father and +sweetheart. Outward bound he had been alone, empty and void in his life; +and now he was going home with heart full of love and life rich with +noble purpose. + +Chester's father appeared before Lucy. The son met him and took his arm +as they paced the deck slowly. The father declared to Chester that he +was feeling fine; and, in fact, he looked remarkably well. + +"I am sorry we did not hear from Gilbert before we sailed," said the +father; "but I suppose the fault was ours in not writing to him sooner." + +"He barely had time to get the letter," said Chester. + +"I suppose so. But it doesn't matter. We should only have just stopped +off at Kildare Villa to say goodbye, any way." + +"It's a pity we don't stop at Queenstown. He could have come out on the +tender." + +"Perhaps he would, and then perhaps he wouldn't. It would depend on just +how he felt--halloo, Lucy--you up already?" + +"I couldn't lay abed longer this beautiful morning," exclaimed Lucy as +she came up to them. "Isn't this glorious! Is Wales below the sea yet?" + +"No; there's a tip left. See, there, just above the water." + +"Goodbye, dear old Europe," said Lucy, as she waved her handkerchief. +"I've always loved you--I love you now more than ever." + +Father and son looked and smiled knowingly at her. Then they all went +down to breakfast. + +Just about that same time of day, Thomas Strong's delayed letter +reached his brother in Cork. Uncle Gilbert read the letter while he ate +his breakfast, and Aunt Sarah wondered what could be so disturbing in +its contents; for he would not finish his meal. + +"What is it, Gilbert?" she asked. + +"Thomas, Lucy, and that young fellow, Chester Lawrence are going +to--yes, have already sailed from Liverpool with Captain Brown." + +"And they're not coming to see us before they leave?" + +"Didn't I say, they're already on the water--or should be--off to New +York with Captain Brown--and he doesn't touch at Queenstown, and in that +boat--" + +Uncle Gilbert wiped his forehead. + +"I'm sorry that they did not call," commented Aunt Sarah complacently; +"but I suppose they were in a hurry, and Captain Brown will take care of +them." + +"In a hurry! No. Captain Brown--" but the remark was lost to his wife. +He cut short his eating, hurried to town, and, in faint hopes that it +might be in time, sent a telegram to his brother in Liverpool which +read: + +"Don't sail with Captain Brown. Will explain later." + +This telegram was delivered to Captain Brown's housekeeper, who sent it +to the steamship company's office, where it was safely pigeon-holed. + +The morning passed at Kildare Villa. The telegram brought no reply. In +foolish desperation, hoping against hope, Uncle Gilbert took the first +fast train northward, crossed by mail steamer to Holyhead, thence on to +Liverpool, where he arrived too late. The boat had sailed. He went to +the steamship company's office in Water Street, and passed, without +asking leave, into the manager's office. That official was alone, which +was to Gilbert Strong's purpose. + +"Why did you permit my brother to sail with Captain Brown?" asked he +abruptly. + +"My dear Mr. Strong," said the manager, "calm yourself. I do not +understand." + +"Yes, you do. You know as well as I do that his ship is--is not in the +best condition. You ought not to have allowed passengers at all." + +"Sit down, Mr. Strong. The boat is good for many a trip yet, though it +is true, as you know, that she is to go into dry dock for overhauling on +her return. Has your brother sailed on her?" + +"He has, my brother, his daughter and her young man. I suppose there +were other passengers also?" + +"Yes; a few--perhaps twenty-five all told. Don't worry; Captain Brown +will bring them safely through." + +"Yes," said Gilbert Strong, as he left the office, "yes, if the Lord +will give him a show--but--" + +He could say no more, for did he not know full well that at a meeting of +company directors at which he had been present, it had been decided to +try one more trip with Captain Brown in command, and the fact that the +boat was not in good condition was to be kept as much as possible from +the captain. A little tinkering below and a judicious coat of paint +above would do much to help the appearance of matters, one of the +smiling directors had said. And so--well, he would try not to worry. Of +course, everything would be well. Such things were done right along, +with only occasionally a disaster or loss--fully covered by the +insurance. + +But for all his efforts at self assurance, when he went home to Aunt +Sarah he was not in the most easy frame of mind. + + * * * * * + +The little company under Captain Brown's care was having a delightful +time. The weather was so pleasant that there was very little sickness. +Chester again escaped and even his father and Lucy were indisposed for a +day or two only. After that the long sunny days and much of the starry +nights were spent on deck. The members of the company soon became well +acquainted. Captain Brown called them his "happy family." + +And now Chester and Lucy had opportunity to get near to each other in +heart and mind. With steamer chairs close together up on the promenade +deck where there usually were none but themselves, they would sit for +hours, talking and looking out over the sea. "Shady bowers 'mid trees +and flowers" may be ideal places for lovers; but a quiet protected +corner of a big ship which plows majestically through a changeless, yet +ever-changing sea, has also its charms and advantages. + +On the fourth day out. The water was smooth, the day so warm that the +shade was acceptable. Chester and Lucy had been up on the bridge with +Captain Brown, who had told them stories of the sea, and had showed them +pictures of his wife and baby, both safe in the "Port of Forever," he +had said. All this had had its effect on the two young people, and so +when they went down to escape the glare of the sun on the exposed +bridge, they sought a shady corner amid-ships. When they found chairs, +Chester always saw that she was comfortable, for though well as she +appeared, she was never free from the danger of a troublesome heart. The +light shawl which she usually wore on deck, hung loosely from her +shoulders across her lap, providing a cover behind which two hands could +clasp. They sat for some time that afternoon, in silence, then Lucy +asked abruptly: + +"Chester, you haven't told me much about that girl out West. You liked +her very much, didn't, you?" + +"Yes," he admitted, after a pause. "I think I can truthfully say I did; +but this further I can say, that my liking for her was only a sort of +introduction to the stronger, more matured love which was to follow,--my +love for you. I think I have told you before that you bear a close +resemblence to her; and it occurs to me now that therein is another of +God's wonderful providences." + +"How is that?" + +"Had you not looked like her I would not have been attracted to you, +and very likely, would have missed you and my father, and all this." + +"I'm glad your experience has been turned to such good account. Now, I +for example, never had a beau until you came." + +"What?" + +"Oh, don't feign surprise. You know, I'm no beauty, and I never was +popular with the boys. Someone once told me it was because I was too +religious. What do you think of that?" + +"Too religious! Nonsense. The one thing above another, if there is such, +that I like about you is that your beauty of heart and soul corresponds +to your beauty of face--No; don't contradict. You have the highest type +of beauty--" + +"Beauty is in the eyes that see," she interrupted. + +"Certainly; and in the heart that understands. As I said, the highest +type of beauty is where the inner and the outer are harmoniously +combined. I think that is another application of the truth that the +spiritual and the mortal, or 'element' as the revelation calls it, must +be eternally connected to insure a perfect being. Somehow, I always +sympathize with one whose beautiful spirit is tabernacled in a plain +body. And yet, my pity is a hundred times more profound for one whom God +has given a beautiful face and form, but whose heart and soul have been +made ugly by sin--but there, if I don't look out, I'll be preaching." + +"Well, your congregation likes to hear you preach." + +Space will not permit the recording of the number of times emphasis was +given to various expressions in this conversation by the hand pressure +under the shawl. + +"Now," continued he, "I can't conceive of your not having any admirers." + +"I didn't say admirers--I said beaux." + +"Well, I suppose there is a difference," he laughed. + +"Of course, I have known a good many young men in my time, but those +matrimonially inclined usually passed by on the other side." + +"Perhaps they knew I was coming on this side." + +"Perhaps--There's papa. He looks lonesome. We ought to be ashamed of +ourselves to hide from him as we did yesterday." + +"I agree; but he'll find us now." + +Lucy drew the father's attention, and he found a chair near them. + +"Isn't the sea beautiful," said Lucy, by way of beginning the +conversation properly, now a third person was present. "And what a lot +of water there is!" she continued. "What did Lincoln say about the +common people? The Lord must like them, because he made so many of them. +Well, the Lord must like water also, as He has made so much of it." + +"Water is a very necessary element in the economy of nature," said the +father. "Like the flow of blood in the human body, so is water to this +world. As far as we know, wherever there is life there is water." + +"And that reminds me," said Lucy eagerly, as if a new thought had come +to her, "that water is also a sign of purity. Water is used, not only +to purify the body, but as a symbol to wash away the sins of the soul. +Paul, you remember, was commanded to 'arise, and be baptized, and wash +away thy sins'." Lucy looked at Chester as if giving him a cue. + +"In the economy of God," said Chester, "it seems necessary that we must +pass through water from one world to another. In like manner, the +gateway to the kingdom of heaven is through water. 'Except a man be born +of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God' is +declared by the Savior himself." + +Whether or not the father understood that this brief sermonizing was +intended primarily for him, he did not show any resentment. He listened +attentively, then added: + +"Yes; water has always held an important place among nations. Cicero +tells us that Thales the Milesian asserted God formed all things from +water--Out in Utah, Chester," said the father, turning abruptly to the +young man, "you have an illustration of what water can do in the way of +making the desert to blossom." + +"Yes; it is truly wonderful, what it has done out there," agreed +Chester. Then being urged by both his father and Lucy, he told of the +West and its development. He was adroitly led to talk of Piney Ridge +Cottage and the people who lived there, their home and community life, +their trials, their hopes, their ideals. Ere he was aware, Chester was +again in the canyons, and crags and mountain peaks, whose wildness was +akin to the wildness of the ocean. Then when his story was told, Lucy +said: + +"I know where I could get well." + +"Where?" asked Chester. + +"At Piney Ridge Cottage." + +Chester neither agreed nor denied. Just then a steamer came into sight, +eastward bound. It proved to be an "ocean grayhound," and Captain Brown +coming up, let them look at it through his glass. + +"She's going some," remarked the captain; "but I'll warrant the +passengers are not riding as easy as we." + +"Somehow," said the father, "a passing steamer always brings to me +profound thoughts. Now, there, for example, is a spot on the vast +expanse of water. It is but a speck, yet within it is a little world, +teeming with life. The ship comes into our view, then passes away. +Again, the ship is just a part of a great machine--I use this figure for +want of a better one. Every individual on the ship bears a certain +relationship to the vessel; the steamer is a part of this world; this +world is a cog in the machinery of the solar system; the solar system is +but a small group of worlds, which is a part of and depends on, +something as much vaster as the world is to this ship. This men call the +Universe; but all questions of what or where or when pertaining to this +universe are unanswerable. We are lost--we know nothing about it--it is +beyond our finite minds." + +Captain Brown stood listening to this exposition. His eyes were on the +speaker, then on the passing steamer, then on the speaker again. + +"Mr. Strong," said he, "at the last church service I attended in +Liverpool, the minister was trying to explain what God is,--and just +that which you have said is beyond us, that vast, unknown, unknowable +something he called God." + +"Oh," exclaimed Lucy, involuntarily. + +"I'll admit the definition is not very plain," continued the captain. +"We get no sense of nearness from it. I would not know how to pray to or +worship such a God; but what are we to do? I have never heard anything +more satisfactory, except--well, only when I read my Bible." + +"Why not take the plain statement of the Bible, then?" suggested +Chester. + +"I try to, but my thinking of these things is not clear, because of the +interpretation the preachers put upon them--excuse the statement, Mr. +Strong; but perhaps you are an exception. I have never heard you +preach." + +The minister smiled good-naturedly. Then he said, "Chester here, is +quite a preacher himself. Ask his opinion on the matter." + +"I shall be happy to listen to him. However, I have an errand just now. +Will you go with me?" this to Chester. + +Chester, annoyed for a moment at this unexpected turn, arose and +followed the captain into his quarters. + +"Sit down," said the captain. "I was glad Mr. Strong gave me an +opportunity to get you away, for I have a matter I wish to speak to you +about, a matter which I think best to keep from both Mr. Strong and +Lucy--but which you ought to know." + +"Yes." + +The officer seated himself near his table on which were outspread charts +and maps. About the table hung a framed picture of the captain's wife +and child, a miniature of which he carried in his breast pocket. + +"In the first place," began Captain Brown, "I want you to keep this +which I tell you secret until I deem it wise to be published. I can +trust you for that?" + +"Certainly." + +Always in the company of the passengers, Captain Brown's bearing was one +of assurance. He smiled readily. But now his face was serious, and +Chester saw lines of care and anxiety in it. + +"I am sorry that I ever suggested to you and your friends--and my dear +friends they are too," continued the captain, "that you take this voyage +with me, for if anything should happen, I should never forgive myself. +However, there is no occasion for serious alarm--yet." + +"What is the matter, captain?" + +"I have been deceived regarding the condition of this ship. I was made +to understand that she was perfectly sea-worthy--this is my first trip +with her--but I now learn that the boilers are in a bad state and the +pumps are hardly in a working condition. There is--already a small leak +where it is nearly impossible to be reached. We are holding our own +very well, and we can jog along in this way for some time, so there is +no immediate danger." + +Chester experienced a sinking at the heart. From the many questions +which thronged into his mind, he put this: + +"When might there be danger?" + +"If the leak gets bad and the pumps can not handle it. Then a rough sea +is to be dreaded." + +"What can we do?" + +"At present, nothing but keep cool. You are the only one of the +passengers that knows anything about this, and I am telling you because +I can trust you to be wise and brave, if necessary. If things do not +improve, we shall soon be getting our boats in shape. We shall do this +as quietly as possible, but someone might see and ask questions. We +shall depend on you--and I'll promise to keep you posted on the ship's +true condition." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"And now," said the captain as his face resumed its cheerful expression, +"I must make a trip below. When you see me on the bridge again, come up +and make that explanation which Mr. Strong said you were able to do. I +shall be mighty glad to listen to you." + +Chester protested, but the captain would not hear it. "I'll be up in the +course of half an hour," said the seaman. "Promise me you'll come?" + +"Of course, if you really wish it?" + +"I was never more earnest in my life. My boy, let me tell you +something'. I have listened at times to your conversation on religious +themes--you and Lucy have talked when I could not help hearing--and I +want to hear more--I believe you have a message for me." + +There was a smile on the captain's face as he hurried away. And +Chester's heart also arose and was comforted, as he lingered for a few +moments on the deck and then joined Lucy and his father. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +In blissful ignorance of any danger, the passengers and most of the crew +went the daily round of pleasure or duty. The games on deck, the smoking +and card-playing in the gentlemen's room, the sleeping and the eating +all went on uninterrupted. Captain Brown, though quieter than usual, was +as pleasant and thoughtful as ever. The sea was smooth, the weather +fine, and the ship plowed on her course with no visible indication that +she was slowly being crippled. + +Lucy had for her use, one of the largest and best ventilated rooms in +the ship. It was so pleasant there, that she spent much of her time in +its seclusiveness. It is needless to state that Chester shared that +comfort and seclusion. Reading, talking, building castles which reached +into the heavens, these two basked in the warm light of a perfect love. +After a little buffeting about in worldly storms, two hearts had come to +rest; and how penetratingly sweet was that serene peace of soul. In him +she saw her highest ideals realized, her fondest hopes and dreams come +true. In her he found the composite perfectness of woman. All his +visions from early youth to the present materialized in the sweet face, +gentle spirit and pure soul of Lucy Strong! + +Chester, the day after Captain Brown had told him about the condition of +the ship, found Lucy in her room. She was not well, the father had +said, so Chester sought her out. She was reclining on the couch. His +heart, burdened with what he knew melted towards the girl. He drew a +stool up to her, and kissed his good-morning. + +"Not so well today?" he asked. + +"No; my heart has been troubling me all night; but I'm better now." + +"Now, see here, my girl, I'm the one that ought to be ill." + +"How's that?" she smiled at him. + +"Have we not exchanged hearts?" + +"Oh, I see. Yes; but the strength only went with mine. The weakness I +retained. It would not have been fair otherwise." + +She sat up and pushed back her hair. He seated himself near her and drew +her in his arm. He held her close. + +"Some things," said he, "we can not give, much as we would like. Some +burdens we must carry ourselves." + +"Which I take it, is a very wise provision," she added. + +There was silence after that. It was not easy for either of them to +talk, each being constrained with his own crowded thoughts. Chester +listened to the rhythmic beat of the machinery, and wondered vaguely how +long it would continue thus, and what would happen if it had to stop. + +"Chester," said Lucy at last, "what if I should die?" She clung to him +as she said it. + +"But, my dear, you're not going to die. You're going to get completely +well again--You're going to stay with me, you know." + +"That's the worst, when I think of it--the thought of separating from +you--O Chester, I can't do that--All my life I've waited and watched for +you, and now to leave you, to lose you again--and we've been together +such a short time! I can't bear to think of it." The tears welled in her +eyes. + +"Then, my sweetheart mustn't think of it. We are going to be together, +we two. 'Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will +lodge ... where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried!' +quoted the young man, knowing not the prophetic import of his words. She +leaned on his shoulder, and he stroked the hair from her forehead. + +"Did you have a talk with Captain Brown?" she asked. "Did you answer his +questions?" + +Chester started, then understood. "Oh, yes," he replied. "Yesterday on +the bridge we talked for an hour. He asked me all manner of questions, +and I think I satisfied him. He had heard of Mormonism,' of course, but +never of its message of salvation. I believe he's converted already." + +"I'm so glad, for he is such a nice man. Chester, I wish your father +were more susceptible to the gospel. I can't understand him. He never +opposes, nor does he now find fault with me; but as for himself--well, +he says he's going back to the pulpit." + +"I am just as sorry as you, on that score; but we can but do our best, +and let the Lord take care of the rest." + +Now when their thoughts ranged from self to others, Lucy felt so much +better that she declared she was ready for the deck. So leaning on +Chester's arm, they carefully climbed the stairs, and came to the open. +There was a breeze, and a bank of clouds hung low to windward. Chester +adjusted Lucy's wrap closely as they paced the deck slowly. The clouds +lifted into the sky, shutting out the sun. On the horizon, winkings of +lightning flashed. Evidently, a storm was coming. + +Captain Brown was quiet at the luncheon table. Chester noted it, and +afterwards, followed the captain to the bridge. + +"How goes it?" asked Chester. + +"Not well," was the reply. "Do you see that list to larboard." + +"I don't understand." + +Without pointing, which action others might see, the captain explained +that the ship tilted to one side, also that there was a slight "settling +by the head," that is, the ship was deeper in the water forward than at +any other part. Chester noticed it now, and asked what it meant. + +"It means," explained the captain, "that we are slowly +settling--sinking, in plain words. The pumps can not manage the water +coming into the hold. There is also some trouble with the cargo, which +causes the list or leaning to one side. From now on, I shall be on the +lookout for assistance, which I think, will come in ample time--Now +tell me more about this new prophet, Joseph Smith." + +For an hour they conversed. Then the captain had to go below again, and +Chester went in search of Lucy. A number of the passengers were standing +near the larboard rail. They noticed the slope of the deck, but did not +realize its meaning, and Chester did not enlighten them. A peculiar +heart-sinking feeling persisted with him, which the coming storm did not +alleviate. + +The captain was not in his place at dinner, which was all the more +noticeable, because it was the first time he had been absent. Some of +the passengers were beginning to feel the effects of the higher seas, +and they did not eat much. Very few went back to the deck from the +table. Lucy and the minister were among those who went to bed, but +Chester, clad in water proofs was easier on deck. + +The wind was blowing hard, increasing in time to quite a gale. The waves +broke over the ship's prow, slushing the forward deck and driving all +who were out either back or to an upper deck. Chester kept away from +Captain Brown on the bridge, where he no doubt would remain throughout +the night. + +Darkness came on thick and black. The wind howled hideously around +smoke-stack and rigging. The rain came in storms, then ceased only to +gather more strength for the next squall. How well the ship was standing +the rough weather, Chester did not know, and certainly the other +passengers had no fears, as most of them were asleep. Chester went down +the companion-way, glanced into the vacant saloon and hallways, and +paused at Lucy's door All was quiet, so she was no doubt asleep. His +father was also resting easily. He went on deck again. + +As he mounted the steps to the tipper deck, he saw a brilliant light +shine from the bridge. It flashed for an instant, flooding the ship with +light, then went out. "The captain is signalling," thought Chester. In +five minutes the light flashed again, thus at regular intervals. The few +passengers who saw this, becoming alarmed, rushed to the bridge with +anxious questions. The captain met them at the foot of the stairs. + +"My friends," he said in wonderfully calm tones "there is no occasion +for alarm. The weather is very thick, and as we are in the path of +steamers, these lights are set off as a warning." This explanation, as +Chester knew, was not all the truth, but the captain did not want a +panic so early in the trouble. The passengers seemed satisfied, but they +lingered for some time watching the lights and the remarkable effects +they had on the ship and the heaving sea. The captain touched Chester +who was still standing near the steps. + +"You go to bed and get some rest," he said. "You may need all your +strength later. There is no danger tonight. Go to bed." + +Chester took the captain's advice. He went to bed, but it was not easy +to go to sleep, so he did not do this until well towards morning. + +The storm was still on next morning when Chester awoke. He dressed +hurriedly, listened again at Lucy's and his father's doors, but hearing +nothing went on deck. The day was well advanced. The wind seemed not so +strong as the night before, and the waves were not so high. However, the +sea was rough enough to add to the danger of a sinking ship. Chester +noticed the "list to larboard," and the "settling at the head," and +found both of these dangerous conditions worse. The most careless +observer would not now fail to see that something was the matter. And, +in fact, as the passengers came on deck that morning, most of them late +and looking bad from threatened attacks of sea-sickness, they +immediately remarked on the slanting deck. Anxious enquiries from +officers and seamen brought no satisfactory reply. Had there been a +large number of passengers, there would likely have been an unpleasant +panic that morning. + +The breakfast was late, and very few of the passengers were there to +partake of it. Captain Brown was in his place, greeting the few who +slipped carefully into their seats. As the meal progressed and not over +half of the usual company put in an appearance, the captain consulted +with the second officer and the steward. Then at the close of the meal, +the captain arose and said: + +"My friends, I wish you to remain until we can get all who are able to +join us here. I have something to say which I want all of you to hear. +So please remain seated. The steward will see that no one leaves the +room." + +One by one the absent passengers were brought in. Thomas Strong was +among them, but not Lucy, for which Chester was thankful. The steward +reported that all who were able were present, and then amid a tense +silence, emphasized only by the creaking of the ship and the subdued +noise of the sea without, the captain said: + +"I am sorry to have to tell you that the ship is in a sinking condition. +There is a leak which we have been unable to stop. Two of our boilers +are already useless and it is only a matter of time when the water will +reach the others. I have not said anything about this until now, for I +have been hoping to meet with some vessel that could take us off. So +far, none has appeared. However, we are in the steamer zone, and we have +many chances yet. Today sometime or tonight we must take to the boats, +and what I want to impress upon you especially is that you, all of you, +must control yourselves. Do not give way to excitement or fear which +might hinder you from doing what is best. I tell you plainly, that the +worst we have to fear on that score is the crew. They are already near +to mutiny. The first officer and others are guarding their exits and +keeping the stokers at their posts. They are a rough lot of men, and it +will not do to let them get beyond our control. I shall, therefore, ask +the help of every man present. When it comes to launching the boats, it +must be done in order. There are boats enough, but there must not be any +crowding. With the present rough water it will be difficult to get the +boats off. It is necessary, therefore, that the greatest care be taken. +Now, then, that is all. Go about quietly. Each man and woman get a life +belt ready, but you need not put them on until you are told. The steward +will give the order." + +He ceased, turned, and hurried up the companionway. There was silence +for a moment, then a woman screamed, which signaled a general uproar of +cries and talk. Out of the confusion came quiet, assuring commands, and +in time the little company had scattered. Chester and his father went +out together, along the hallway to Lucy's room. They looked mutely at +each other, not knowing what best to say. + +When they stopped at Lucy's door, Chester asked of his father if she was +up. + +"Yes," he replied; "but she is not well. How shall we tell her the evil +news?" + +"We must manage it somehow, for she must know--poor little girl!" + +Between them, they managed to tell Lucy of the situation they were in. +During the telling, she looked at one and then at the other in a dazed +way, as if she could not believe there were any actual danger. They +repeated to her the assurances the captain had given. + +"Can we go on deck?" asked Lucy at last. "I want to get into the air +where the sky is above me." + +They found a protected corner in the smoking-room where Lucy was content +to sit and look out of the open door to see what was going on about the +deck. Officers were inspecting the boats to see that all were ready in +case of need. The work of the crew and the movements of the passengers +were accompanied by a certain nervousness. That the ship was slowly +settling could plainly be seen by all on board. + +Towards noon, the forward hatch was opened, and soon there was a rattle +of chains and clang of machinery. Then up from the hold come bales, +boxes, and barrels which were unceremoniously dropped into the sea. The +cargo must go. No help had yet been sighted, and if they were to remain +afloat much longer, the ship would have to be lightened. "What a pity to +waste so much," said some, forgetting their own peril for the moment; +but human life is worth more than ships or cargos. + +Very few cared to respond to the call for luncheon which the stewards +bravely kept up. The women who were too frightened to go below were +served on deck, being urged to eat by solicitous friends. + +All afternoon the unloading went on. The ship moved slowly leaving a +train of floating merchandise in its wake. On the bridge the captain or +one of the officers paced back and forth with glass in hand eager to +catch the call of the man in the crow's nest if he should catch sight of +other vessels. But none were seen. The afternoon closed; darkness came +on. Then the light burned again from the bridge and the fog-horn added +its din to the dreariness. + +Lucy kept to her position near the open deck. She would not go below, so +wraps and pillows were brought her and she was made as comfortable as +possible. Chester remained with her most of the time, the father came +and went in nervous uncertainty. Captain Brown stopped long enough to +tell Chester that since most of the cargo was overboard, they would +float a little longer, but they were to be ready at any time now to +leave the ship. The boats were provisioned, it was explained, and the +passengers would be allowed to take with them only what could be carried +in a small bundle. Very likely, they would not need to desert the ship +before morning, so they had better rest. + +But there was neither rest nor sleep that night. Chester tucked his +father into a seat, placed a pillow for his head, then, seeing that Lucy +was comfortable, sat down by her. She lifted the cover from her +shoulders, and extended it to his. It dropped to his lap also, so thus +they sat in the dim glow of the electric light. Life belts were within +easy reach. + +It was well past midnight when the lights went out. Then the beat, beat +of the engines grew less, became fainter, and then like a great heart, +ceased. The ship was dead, and lifeless it must float at the mercy of +wind and wave. Then from below came the cries of men, and there were +hurried steps and sharp commands on deck. Chester stepped out to see +what it was. Captain Brown and the first officer stood by the entrance +to the boiler rooms with gleaming revolvers in their hands, holding back +an excited crowd of stokers. + +"Back, every one of you!" shouted the captain. "I shall kill the first +man who comes out until he is given permission." + +The mass of half-naked, grimy men slunk back with curses and +protestations. "The ship is sinking," they cried, "let us get out." + +"Steady there now." commanded Captain Brown. "There is plenty of time. +We shall let you out, but it must be done orderly. One at a time now, +and go get your clothes. Then stand by, ready for orders from the +engineer. Do you agree?" + +"Yes, yes." They filed out one and two at a time, disappearing in the +darkness. Lanterns, prepared for this emergency, flashed here and there. +Chester obtained one and placed it on the table of the smoking room. + +Presently the stewards could be heard running about the ship saying: +"Ready for the boats, ready for the boats--Everybody on the boat deck!" +The frightened passengers crowded up the steps in the half-darkness, the +gleam of lanterns showing the way. Men were clearing the davits, and +presently the first boat was ready to be filled. + +Captain Brown was in command. He now looked out into the night, then +down to the rough sea, hesitating for a moment whether or not the time +had come. He did not wish to set these men and women afloat in small +boats on such a sea if he could possibly help it; but a settling +movement of the ship, which perhaps he only felt, decided him. He +detailed six sailors to the boat that was ready, then said: + +"The women first--no crowding, please--stand back you!"--this to a man +whom panic had seized and who was crowding forward. + +Sharp, clear, came the orders, and everyone understood. Some husbands +were permitted to go with their hysterical wives. Presently, "That will +do," ordered the captain. "There are plenty of boats, and there need be +no overloading. Lower away." + +The first boat went down and was safely floated and rowed away from the +sinking ship. The sailors were busy with the second boat. Captain Brown +caught sight of Chester. "Where is Mr. Strong and Lucy. This is your +boat. Bring them along." + +"When do you go, Captain?" + +"I? On the last boat. Hurry them along, my boy." + +Just as Chester turned, there came from the other side of the ship the +noise of shouting, rushing men. The commands of officers were drowned in +the confusion. The frantic stokers had got beyond the control of the +officer, and they rushed for the boats. Davits creaked, as the boats +were swung out. The crazed men pushed pell mell into them. One boat was +lowered when only half full, and by the time Captain Brown reached the +scene, the second boat was full, ready to be loosened. + +"Hold," he commanded, as he held aloft his lantern and his revolver +pointed directly at the man who held one of the ropes. + +"Out of there, every one of you--out I say--you first," to a man just +climbing in. + +The stokers were not sailors--the riff-raff of many ports they were; and +now with them it was every man for himself. This feeling without proper +knowledge worked their undoing. The ropes were released, one before the +other, and the loaded boat bumped down the side of the vessel, one end +dropping before the other, spilling the screaming, cursing men into the +water. Down the boat slid until one end touched the waves, the rope ends +flying loosely so that they could not be reached by those on the deck. A +wave hit the boat as it hung and swamped it. + +"My God," exclaimed the captain, "two of our boats are lost. There is +only one more left." + +Chester Lawrence stood still and watched by the lantern's light what was +going on. He pressed forward in time to hear Captain Brown's remark +about the boats. Then together they crossed to the other side where that +last boat hung ready to be filled. And there was need for hurry now. +Slowly, but surely, the ship was sinking, and any moment might bring the +final plunge. + +"Load the boat," shouted the Captain, "women first." The half dozen +women found places. + +"Where's Lucy?" he enquired, looking around for Chester who had +disappeared. Lucy was not in the boat. The Captain was sure she had not +gotten away with the first boat. Chester would bring her. + +"Now, fill in," was the order. "Mr. Strong, where are you? Is Mr. Strong +here?" But he was not to be found. + +One by one the few remaining passengers took their places, then the +crew. + +"Is there room for more?" asked the Captain of the officer in the boat. + +"I fear not, sir," came the reply. + +"Some of the men get under the seats," ordered the Captain. "Now, then +in with you men. Don't go yet. There is yet a woman aboard. Hold fast +there, officer, until I find her." He rushed down the stairs with his +lantern, calling for Chester. "Where are you--for God's sake come +quick!" + +"Here I am sir," replied Chester as he came nearly carrying his father. + +"Where is Lucy?" + +"Lucy is not coming, sir. She does not need to--she has gone +already--she--" + +"What? What is it? We need to hurry, my boy!" + +"Lucy is dead!" + +"Dead!--Bring Mr. Strong along. The boat is waiting." + +The boat hung by its davits, ready for lowering. + +"We are full," said the officer, "and the deck is cleared. There is need +for hurry, sir." + +"There is," replied Captain Brown. "Make room for two more." + +"We can't do it sir--not in this sea--we are overcrowded now." + +"You must--close up, lie down, make room." + +One of the officers offered to get out, then another did the same, but +the captain would not hear. "No," he said, "you men have families." + +Still the boat hung there in the darkness. What could be done? The waves +rolled beneath, the wind moaned in the rigging. + +"We might risk one more, sir," came from the boat. + +The captain looked at Chester, big, strong, full of youth, and then at +the slender, gray-haired man. What a pity, and yet he knew the younger +man would have to remain. That is the law of the sea. + +"I'll not go," said the father. "You go, Chester." + +"No, no; we'll manage somehow; but you must take the chance. Here, help +him in." + +Captain Brown stood by with lifted lantern. He did not dictate which of +the two should go. He had no need of that. He saw Chester lift the old +man in his arms, hold him for an instant close to him, kiss him and +murmur, "Goodby father, and God bless and preserve you"--then he handed +him over to outstretched hands in the boat. + +Captain Brown and Chester Lawrence stood by the railing and watched the +boat lowered. Then when they knew it was safely riding the waves, they +turned to each other. + +"Where is your life-belt?" asked the Captain. "Get it, and put it on." + +"Is there a chance?" + +"There is always a chance. Come. We shall go together, one way or +another--the way God wills." + +They walked along the slanting deck down to where Lucy lay on the couch +in the smoking room. Chester did not notice the life-belt on the table, +but he lifted a lantern to Lucy's face, kneeled by it, and kissed it +tenderly. "Lucy," he said, "my sweetheart, where are you? Don't you want +me to come too?" He stroked the still face, and smoothed back the hair +as he was wont. "Aren't you afraid in that new world to which you have +gone--aren't you as lonesome as--I am? O Lucy, Lucy!" + +"Come put on this belt," said the captain, touching him on the shoulder. + +"I'm coming with you, Lucy," continued the young man. "Nothing shall +part us--as I have told you--we two,--O, my God, what can I do?" + +The captain led Chester away from the dead, out to the open deck, and +buckled around him a life-belt. "Wait here" said the officer. "There is +a chance--I'm going to see. I'll be back in a minute." + +Chester was alone, and in those few minutes the wonderful panorama of +life passed before him. He lived in periods, each period ending with +Lucy Strong. His boyhood, and his awakening to the world about +him--then Lucy; his schooldays, with boys and girls--out from them came +Lucy; his early manhood, his forming ideals--completed in Lucy; his +experiences in the West, and at Piney Ridge Cottage, and then came, not +Julia, but Lucy; then the gospel with its new light and assurance of +salvation; and this coupled with Lucy, her faith and love, burned as a +sweet incense in the soul of Chester Lawrence. Fear left him now. He +heard sounds as if they were songs from distant angel-choirs. Words of +comfort and strength were whispered to his heart: "Though I walk through +the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art +near me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...." Eternity! Why, an +immortal soul is always in eternity; and God is always at hand in life +or in death.... Death! what is it but the passing to the other side of a +curtain, where our loved ones are waiting to meet and greet us! + +Chester stepped back to Lucy. It was dark where she lay, but he passed +his hand over her form to her face, touching tenderly her cheek and +closed eyes. The flesh was not yet cold, but he felt that the soul whom +he had come to know as Lucy Strong was not there. + +Captain Brown called through the darkness. Chester groped into the open +again. Was that the captain's figure on the bridge, looming black +against the faint light in the eastern sky? If it was, Chester was in no +condition to know, for just then there came a great sinking. A roar of +waters sounded in his ears, there was a struggle, a moment of agony, +and then the darkness of oblivion. + +When he awoke again, he had passed over the storm-whipped bar into still +waters. There Lucy met him, and together they sailed, guided by the +unerring Light of God into the Harbor of Eternal Peace and Rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +Thomas Strong was a guest at Piney Ridge Cottage. It had taken him a +full year to get over the effects of that dreadful sea disaster wherein +a son, a daughter, and a dear friend had been lost, and to finally make +his way westward to the people to whom both son and daughter had +belonged. He had arrived during apple-blossom time, and the +white-haired, sad-faced man who seemed to have had all mortality burned +from him by fiery trials, was kindly received by Mr. Elston, his +daughter Julia and her husband, Bishop Glen Curtis. These listened to +his strange story, and were profoundly moved by its tragic ending. They +urged him to remain with them, Julia giving him the room on the attic +floor which previously was hers. He was grateful for all these +kindnesses, saying he would be pleased to visit with them for a time. + +Out under the apple trees in the growing orchard Hugh Elston made for +their guest a seat, where during the day he would sit as one alone, +listening and waiting here in this spot away from the noise and traffic +of the world for a final message which the God of the Universe might +send him. As far as his strength would allow, he liked to walk along the +country roads, which now extended for many miles from Piney Ridge, and +chat with the neighbors about the country and its prospects. He also +made some minor excursions up the hillsides, but in this direction he +could not go far. Frequently he stopped to rest by the enclosed graves, +where he sat on the grass, and with hands on cane, looked wonderingly at +the two graves, side by side. + +But whispered messages from out the blue or storms of heaven did not +come to this man. Neither were there angels sent to tell him what to do; +but the Lord had one more thing--simple indeed--to bear upon the +reluctant heart of Thomas Strong. + +In the little attic room which Julia had turned over to her guest were +many books, papers, and magazines. She had told him that everything in +the room was at his service, and so the visitor made good use of the +kind offer. One day he found a small book which had the name Anna +Lawrence--Chester's mother--written on the fly-leaf. Curiously turning +over the pages of the volume, which was simply a school book of the kind +he remembered in his youth, he found between the leaves an old letter. +He unfolded the deeply creased sheets, looked at the strange +handwriting, saw that it was dated thirty years ago, and addressed to +"Miss Anna Lawrence" and signed by a name unknown to him. There could no +harm come from reading this message from the past, so he drew his chair +up to the window, and read: + + +"_Dear Friend Anna_: + +"It is three months now since I left home for this mission, and not +having heard anything yet from you, I thought a few lines from me might +help you get started in the letter-writing direction. I am enjoying my +mission very much, which perhaps you cannot understand, but it is true, +nevertheless. I came to this place yesterday and have already delivered +some tracts. Most of the people are against us, specially is this the +case with preachers. They get after us roughly. My companion isn't as +old as I am, and goodness knows, I'm young and green enough; but we're +both studying hard, and the Lord is with us, which, after all, is our +chief concern. + +"I hope you are getting along at school. Do you remember the fun we had +last vacation? I heard that our friend Sue is about to be married, but I +suppose you know all about that. + +"But I must tell you about something that happened to us before coming +here. It was in a place not far from Chicago, and my companion and I +were tracting as usual. I took one side of the street and he took the +other. Well, along about noon when it was time we should quit, my +companion didn't make his appearance. I waited a long time, then crossed +the street to look for him. The weather was warm and people were mostly +out of doors in the shade. I heard what sounded like a big discussion on +a porch behind some vines. I went up, and sure enough, there was my +companion and another young fellow having it out in great shape. The +young man sat in his shirt sleeves on a table, and the way he was giving +it to that poor friend of mine was a caution. I learned that the young +fellow was studying for the ministry, and because of that, he considered +himself just the person to give it good and hard to a 'Mormon' +missionary. + +"Well, the fellow sat there on the table, his legs swinging as if he +didn't care a--rap. There was a Bible and some other books on the table, +but they had got beyond the use of books. The young fellow ridiculed the +Prophet, poked fun at his revelations, and said the 'Mormons' were a bad +lot altogether. Said they deserved to be driven from decent society into +the desert as they had been. He kept it up like that, and then he said +something odd. 'I wouldn't have your religion at any price,' he said. +'Get out with you.' + +"My companion sat there, not saying a word. I saw the tears come into +his eyes. He wiped them away hurriedly. Then his face became pale, and +it seemed to me that a light actually shone from it. As I told you, he +is just a boy, and as I looked on him then, I thought of the boy +prophet, and what my father has told me so often about him. Well, when +the fellow got through with his abuse, and jumped from the table as if +we were dismissed, my companion arose and in a voice wonderfully gentle +yet vibrant with power, said: + +"'Yes, we will go, but not before I tell you this: You know not what you +say, therefore, you are forgiven, as far as I am concerned. My parents +were driven from this state. All they had was destroyed by mobs. My +mother died on the plains and her body lies there to this day. All that +mortal man can suffer and live my people have suffered, and all for the +sake of the truth, the gospel that I have brought to you this day, and +which you so scornfully reject. And now I tell you in the name of the +Lord, some day you will receive this gospel--but not until you have paid +for it, and paid for it dearly. Like the merchantman in the parable, +_all that you have_ will you pay for this Pearl of Great Price! Good +day, sir.' + +"We both left him standing somewhat dazed, but I tell you--" + +The letter dropped to Thomas Strong's knee, as he looked up and out at +the closing day. He arose, went to the glass door which opened on to the +little porch, stepped out into the air that he might breathe easier. +What he saw was not Old Thunder Mountain, or the wide extent of the +Flat, dim now in the twilight, but a vine-enclosed porch and the pale, +peculiar face of a boy telling him the words he had just read. * * * * +There had been other boy prophets besides the first great one; and yes, +oh Great God, one old, broken man had paid the price. + +The vines on the upper porch of Piney Ridge Cottage now also formed a +cover, and in their shadow Thomas Strong kneeled and prayed as he had +never prayed before. + +An hour later, Julia, wondering what their guest was doing in his room +so long without a light, called to him softly at the foot of the stairs. + +"Yes," he replied, as if he did not realize for the moment who was +calling, "I'm coming--I'm coming now." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +The first Sunday in the month was Fast Day at Piney Ridge the same as in +all wards of the Church. The Bishop had some visiting to do that morning +so he did not get to Sunday School; but he returned about eleven o'clock +and found the horses hitched to the white-top buggy ready to take all +the household to meeting. + +"Are we all ready?" he asked as he came into the house. + +"Just about," replied his wife who was putting the finishing touches to +the baby's bonnet. "Here, hold him." She placed the baby in Glen's arms. +The father somewhat awkwardly tossed him up and down. + +"Now be careful," admonished the mother, "don't muss his clothes up like +that. Today is his first public appearance, you know." + +"Your coming out, eh?" he asked of the baby. "Well, we'll have to be +good, won't we." + +This was in the front room. Thomas Strong sat, hat in hand, ready, while +he smiled at the bear-like antics of the happy father with his first +baby. Then when the mother came in with hat on, the old man arose +slowly, went to the organ and looked at a photograph of Chester +Lawrence, which had recently been framed and now held the place of honor +on the organ. The Bishop, seeing the movement, lifted the baby to the +picture. + +"I believe there _is_ a resemblance," he remarked. The old man only +smiled. + +Hugh Elston now drove up to the door. The young mother climbed into the +front seat, and then was given the baby. Grandpa Elston took a back seat +by Thomas Strong, while the Bishop sat by his wife to drive. Then they +were off. + +"Did I tell you," said Mr. Strong to his companion, "that I got a letter +from my brother last evening?" + +"No; you did not." + +"Well, he's been recently to London and visiting with Elder Malby. It +seems he can't keep away from that man, and I must say Elder Malby is a +wonder. Such a spirit he has with him--" + +"The missionary spirit, Brother Strong--the spirit of the Lord." + +"Yes, yes," mused the man--"strange--and he but a hard-working farmer--I +wouldn't be surprised if Brother Gilbert came to America and out west +here. He intimated as much in his letter. Poor brother, he also has +suffered." + +"If he comes, give him our invitation to visit with us." + +"Thank you, that I shall." + +"Perhaps he will accompany Elder Malby when he is released." + +"Invite them both," said the other. "We shall all like to see them very +much." + +There was a brief silence, as the horses trotted along. Thomas Strong's +gaze roved across the Flat to the mountains, then rested again on his +companion. Presently, he said: + +"Brother Elston, the other day you were speaking of vicarious work for +the dead, 'temple work' you called it. I understand the doctrine of +baptism for the dead, but some other things are not quite plain--for +instance, having the dead married, made husband and wife, which they +would have been had they lived and had the chance--well, you +understand." + +Yes; Hugh Elston understood, and made his explanations to his companion, +who listened attentively and exclaimed at its close: + +"I am so glad--for Chester's and Lucy's sake--so glad!" + +In good time they arrived at the meeting house. The Bishop busied +himself with the business before him. The good people of the ward came +in, exchanged the usual greetings, then found seats. There were flowers +on the sacrament table as usual, and the meeting house looked sweet and +clean--a fit place in which to worship the Lord. + +The opening hymn in which the congregation joined was: + + "God moves in a mysterious way, + His wonders to perform; + He plants his footsteps in the sea, + And rides upon the storm." + +At the close of the song, Thomas Strong nodded his head and whispered, +"Amen." + +Then after prayer and the sacrament, the Bishop announced, "All mothers +who have babies to be blessed will please bring them forward, and all +who were baptized yesterday will kindly take their places on the front +seat." + +Julia, with rosy face, bore her baby to the front, followed by another +mother with less timidity. A little girl tip-toed along the aisle, and a +boy, "just turned eight" trod heavily forward. Then Thomas Strong also +arose, and silently took his place on the front seat alongside the +mothers with the babies and the children. + +The sun shone through the uncurtained window and lay as a broad strip of +light along the front seat. The little boy was nervously twitching his +feet, the little girl's hands were folded serenely, the babies cooed. +The white-haired man sat with the children, now one with them and of +them in very deed. His face was as a child's, as was indeed his heart. +The meeting was still, silenced by the strange, solemn occasion. Then +the Bishop, assisted by his counselors and Patriarch Hugh Elston laid +their hands on the three who had been baptized in water for the +remission of sins and now bestowed on them the Holy Ghost. Then the +officiating Elders came to the mothers. + +"Brother Elston," said the Bishop, "bless the baby." + +Hugh Elston took Julia's baby into his arms, where he lay cooing into +the men's faces as they gathered around. The Patriarch, in slow, +carefully chosen words, gave the babe its name and a blessing: + +"Chester Lawrence--for this is the name by which you shall be known +among the children of men--" + +There was a moment's pause in the blessing. Thomas Strong glanced up to +the men, then looked at Julia in surprise. + +"Oh," said he softly, "my boy's name shall live--Thank God." + + + + +THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Story of Chester Lawrence, by Nephi Anderson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORY OF CHESTER LAWRENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 13756.txt or 13756.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/7/5/13756/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Asad Razzaki and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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