Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-01-30

always be glad to dwell. Life given to
me through your hands seems to have
greater value than ever before, as a gift
is cherished according to our feeling for
the giver. God knows, l would gladly
give this life to you, if you had any use
for it, even the least. There is no serv-
ice could render you that would not
perform at any cost. I know this as I
know that / exist; yet how idle the
words must sound to you! For your life
is 30 full to overfowing of every good
gift of fortune-nay, let me say, every
good gift of God; for fortune is blind,
but God, seeing how worthy you are of
these things, has given them to you in
such abundant measure that there is no
room for anything that / can do. II
seems hard to owe so much and to be
able to give nothing; yet there is a
sweetness even in that. If one cannot
give, the next best thing is to take,
from-from one so gentle, so noble, so
worthy of mans best homage as your
SELF"
He had no idea how his voice was be-
traying him in the treacherous twilight
that threw its soft veil of shadow into
the pillared archway where they stood
At the last sentence he stopped himself
abruptly and substituted other words
for the passionate ones that trembled
upon his tongue; but, as his voice fell,
there was minutes silence that seemed
still to vibrate with the deep thrill Of
feeling in his tones.
Zarifa, standing motionless in her
clingiDg black draperies, with her statue
like face and her eyes of soft gloom, had
asked herself at one moment what she
should do. But it was only for mo-
ment She had felt the next instant
how entirely unconscious was his be-
trayal, and the strong self restraint
which was evident in his last words
touched her deeply. She had to pause
for a moment to initiate that self re-
straint before she could answer. Then
she said, with something wistful in the
sweet music Of her tones:
"You are little wrong. No life can
be SO prosperous, so well filed with the
good gifts of God, that there is not
room in it for the kindness Of friend.
have been-able to save your life. That
is true. But it was an accident. Some
day you may be able to do for me what
will outweigh it as much as an act of
deliberate intention outweighs an act of
impulse. And if Motif the opportunity
is not given to you, for one does not
make these things for ones self-I shall
know at least that you have the will to
serve me, and that is enough"
Surely" he said, moved almost be-
yond his power of self control, yet quiet
ed, too, by those exquisitely gentle
words, "you must know it. | feel that
my life belongs to you; you may never
have any use for it--that is most likely
but nevertheless at any time you sum-
moned me, though it were from the end
Of the world, to do your bidding, be-
heve me, should come"
81 do believe it." she said, thrilled by
the passion of his tone. 'But let us say
no more of this. All is understood, if
not expressed. l, too, have thanked God
for your safety And now ] must go
and find how it is with that poor creature
in the hospital"
He could not utter another word, but
he walked by her side across the court in
the lovely twilight stiffness, and at the
entrance they met Padre Francisco. He
paused at sight of them, and Zarifa
looked into his pale, moved face with
startled entreaty in her eyes.
HE has made his confession" said the
priest, land he has promised to repeat
the part relating to his attempts on Senior
Derwent's life to the proper officials.
They are taking his testimony now, and
it exonerates Senior Barrera entirely.
But he is sinking fast"
"Ah, my God" said zarifa, putting
her hand to her heart.
Padre Francisco extended a gentle
hand and laid it on her arm. "My child"
he said gravely, "stop and think what
good thing such an end as this is for
him. What is the natural life when it
is spent in forgetfulness Of God and
stained so deeply with crime that vio-
lent death at any moment might send
the soul into perdition2 When such a
life as that ends, by the mercy Of God,
with contrition, with penitence and
with reparation is it not something for
which to be devoutly rejoicedf Try to
look at things by the higher light-the
light of Gods eternal purposes Your
promptness and your courage saved a
life. You are grateful for that. know.
But, believe me-and speak who have
seen the depths of this poor soul-you
should be far more grateful that your
bullet has saved a soul Never might
such a grace have come to him other
wise-the grace that sends him forth to
the bar of eternal justice contrite, alb
solved and fortified by the sacraments.
Come with me now. am going to the
church for the holy eucharist