Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-04
TylQNIll
CHAPTER XVII.


when owen heard that it was Iiokosa who
had poisoned him, he groaned and hid his
face in his hands, and thus he remained
till the evil tale was finished Now he lifted
his head and spoke but not to Hokosa.
20 God" he said 81 thank Thee that at
the cost Of my poor life Thou hast been
pleased to lead this sinner toward the Gate
OF Righteousness, and to save alive those
whom Thou hast sent me to gather to Thy
fold"
Then he looked at Hokosa and said:
Unhappy man. Is not your cup full
enough of crime, and have you not sutfl-
clcntly tempted the mercy of Heaven, that
you would add to all your evil deeds that
of self-murder?'
'Tt is better to die today by my own
hand" answered Hokosa, than tomorrow
among the mockery of the people to fall a
victim to your vengeance, Messenger"
Vengeance! Did l speak to you OF ven
geance? Who am | that should take ven
geance upon one who has repented? Eiokosa
freely do | forgive you all, even as in some
few days | hope to be forgiven. Freely and
fully from my heart do | forgive YOU nor
shall my lips tell one word of the sin that
you have worked against me-"
Now. when Hokosa heard these words, for
a moment he stared stupeied; then he fell
upon his knees before owen and bowing his
head TIL it touched the teachers feet, he
burst into bitter weeping.
Rise and hearken," said Owen, gently
"Weep not because I have shown Kindness
TO you, for that is my duty and no more,
but for your sins in your heart weep now and
ever Yet for your comfort | tell you that
If you do this, Of surety they shall be
forgiven to you. Hokosa, you have indeed
lost that which you loved, and henceforth
you must follow after that which you did
not desire. In the very grave OF error you
have foun0 truth, and from the depths Of
sin you shall pluck righteousness Az. that
Cross which you deemed accursed shall Ett
you up on high. for by it you shah be saved"
Hokosa heard and shivered.
"Who set those words between your lips,
Messenger" he whispered.
who set them Hokosa? Nay, | know
motor rather | know well. He set them
who teaches us to speak all things that are
good"
''It must be so, indeed" replied Hokosa
"Yet | have heard them before; ! have
heard them from the lips of the dead, and
with them went this command: that when
they fell upon my ears again | should take
them for sign, and let my heart be
turned"
"Tell me that tale" said Owen.
So he told him, and this time it was the
white man who trcmbled.
fOTTlDle mas DttH yOul "iltuSloLI, "
Son of Darkness!' said Owen. when he had
finished. "Yet it would seem that it was
permitted TO you to find truth in the pit
of sorcery. Obey. obey, and let your heart
be turned. The dead told you that on should
be set high above the nation and its king,
and that saying | cannot read, though it
may be fulfilled in some fashion which
today YOU do not think of At the least, the
other saying is true that in the end comes
Judgment and that there shall the sin and
the atonement strive together; therefore,
for judgment prepare yourself. And now
depart, for I must talk with the King as
to this matter of the onslaught Of Hafela."
Then that will be the signal for my
DEATH for what king can forgive one who
has plotted such treachery against him.
said Hokosa.
Fear not" answered owen. "T viii soften
his heart. Go you into the church and
pray, for there you shall be less tempted
but before you go swear to me that you will
work no evil on yourself
Il swear it, Messenger. since now desire
to live If only for while, seeing that