The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1896-05-29
CHAPTER IV.-tCoSTryUED.)


"Tom," said Mr.. Vernon, in thick,
broken voice. I'm not going to be
hypocrite, least of all with you. have
not looked into that. book since / was
a young man. | do not love it. Had
you brought me q Shakespeare, l should
have hailed it more gladly than chest
of gold; but Bible-keep it, Tom, do
not want a Bible"
Tom had dropped his hold of the
chest to clasp the little book
closely to his breast. His eyes glowed;
his rough face kindled into en-
thnsiasm.
What, sir, with all your learning
and knowledge you don't understand
the value of Bible? Why 7, that have
such hard time a-spelling out the
words, knew it's worth long ago. How
are We going to live here all alone on
this heathenish island? How are we
going to bring up two immortal souls
without a Bible? How are we going
to die and ship for a cruise that has no
return voyage? Oh, sir, l don't be-
lieye my own ears-how could you have
lived all these years without Bible?'
A gloomy stare was his only answer.
Poor SOUL poor SOUL" continued
Tom, in soothing, Gliding voice, such
as he would have used to Maynard
child. No wonder you've been so sor-
rowful and benighted. Pears to me
| see the Lords hand in this. He don't
mean to lose so useful a servant as you
oughter be. He's put you here where
your fine false books shan't hurt, and
has left you only one to read Here it
is; take it-oh, sir, take it. for poor
Toms sake-for your boys sake.
Here Toms voice failed, and fairly
sobbing, he thrust the book into the
unwilling hand and darted into the
woods.
Mr.. Vcrnon's face was fairly ghastly
beneath his struggling emotions. Bid
ding the children help Tom unload the
raft, he turned and strobe, not in Toms
direction, but toward the hills, into
whose verdurous depths his tall form
speedily disappeared They did not
see him again that day. Late in the
evening, when perturbed and anxious,
Tom was just setting out to find him,
he made his appearance. The intense
brightness of tropic starlight showed
Tom his face. 1t was like a sea over
which storm had passed or a green
valley where hurricane had swept.
There were traces of great struggles, of
mighty forces battling fiercely, scat
tered wrecks, uprooted growths OF
many years mistakes and sin, the
blackened mark of the lightning's
scathing, the exhaustion and weakness
of intense eXcitement-but his eye
shone clear and bright, like the sun
that has dispersed the clouds; the air
was purified, the tempest over.
"Tom," said he, holding out his hand,
my brother, my best friend, your hand
has smitten the hard rock, and the
waters have gushed forth. Hero is
your Bible. l will read it every night,
and you shall teach us three children
its divine meaning, its holy encourage
ments, it's beneficent forgiveness"
Even as he spoke he staggered and
caught at tree for support.
"You are weak and overcome, SIR"
said Tom. anxiously. You have tasted
all day, l fear. Let me help you to the
house and give you a little of the
brandy"
Fasting and humiliation are Tor
such as me-" answered he, " but / be-
lievc through your blessed influence the
light is breaking. Yes, let us go in.
Tonight. Tom, for the first time these
many years, / have prayed with my
whole heart and strength and soul"
Nothing more was said, although
Tom laid awake half the night listen
ing in sorrowful sympathy to the rest
less tossings, the stifled signs and gush-
ing tears that came from the bamboo
couch behind him. Toward morning
he fell asleep, and when he awoke,
there, at the head of the other bed sat
Mr.. Vernon, his pale face no longer
cynical and gloomy, but irradiated with
peaceful JOY as he bent. utterly alb
sorbed, over the sacred volume.
"All right" said Tom, ioyfully, as he
slipped away noiselessly to find the
children busily following Mr.. VernOn's
hint, and preparing n breakfast for
their slumbering friend.
We'll have little change shortly"
said he, devouring, to their infinite
satisfaction, with much relish, the
nicely-peeled bananas. Il saw some
fine fish and lots o wild ducks yester-
day; and, alongside of Walters pig,
calculate we'll be ready for foul
weather. Plenty of work will keep us
all busy and happy too, thank the
Lord"
Which communication was reiterated
when Mr.. Vernon came out from their
log retreat and joined them on the
green.
"Ah, SIR" said Tom, II feel more
reccs ciled to this the more think ont.
Jest this beautiful spot is right for