The Elbert County tribune., 1900-05-31


and that supreme privilege would new
er be hers. She might never hold his
hand and say: IF we confess ,ur
sins. He Is faithful and just to forefve
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
righteousness" She had told no,
she forgave him. yet she had hidden
MIN go and work out his own re-
pentance and salvation, bereft of
earthiy comfort and companionship-
Don, whose nature she knew was so
weak to resist temptation or endure
hardship. who knew nothing Of the
strength Of self-reliance or the trus, In
a redeemer.
An! what was her forgiveness
worth?
colonel Gordon from Gadie arrived
at west Cowes on the second day fol-
lowing Roddy's message of Don's con-
dition. Though his son undoubtedly
heid the first place in the old laird's
heart, his nephew Don had ever re-
eeiVed large share of his affectionate
soiicitude, and he was profoundly
moved by the young officers illness.
Yet 1t was he who resolutely drew
Lille from the sick room. leaving
Roddy and Diana to watch with the
nurse through that time of dread crisis.
He saw the strength of the girl wife
was all but sapping beneath the aw-
ful strain. both physical and mental:
and 1t was In those short. calm con-
verses by the wide seashore at the
brave old soldiers side that Lille
learned the greatest OF faiths secrets
He doeth all things we'll"
And 1t was then-then, when her
heavy-laden heart had found relief In
submission to that Higher VIII than
her own, the vital wave of Don's lIfa
having ebbed to its furthest limit he
gan to flow back The doctors verdict,
went forth that it was possible Don
might live.
oh, the agony then of those nights
and days! those alternate hours when
life and death struggled for supremacy.
and each hung in the balance,
Once more Lille hovered almost in
cessantly by Don's pillow, living only
in that hope of the first look. the first,
word of recognition. She hungered for
it with an eager intensity that had no
thought of self in 1t now.
She longed to pour out in his ears
the comfort of that proof of the
Princes guilt and his own innocence
She told herself not even death could
appal her now II but that brief COM
munion of souls might be theirs. for
suffering had taught her even resigna-
tion's wondrous hope.
IL shall go to him. but he shall not
return to me-"
The sun was setting over the green.
sloping hills and glinted on the fleets
OF yachts and little boats in the har-
Dor and on the castle at its mouth.
Away beyond the dividing River Medi-
ma rose Norris castle. with its fair
parks extending to the shore, and still
further were Just visible the two
square turrets OF the little island home
of the sovereign lady, Queen Victoria.
1t was fair. fair scene. and as Lii
lie stood at Dons window looking out
upon 1t. her heart swelled with min
gled patriotism and emotion. All.
surely God, who was so merciful.
would grant that Don. too, might yet
revel In the fairness she now looked
on?
Then suddenly, as she turned. she
saw Don's eyes were open. and he was
gazing upon her with the rapture of
full consciousness which once before
lit his face on board the great steam
er. She went to him and fell on her
knees beside his bed.
my darling" he said family. and
his weak arms went out to her and
gathered her nearer and drew her head
down to her breast. Where are we?"
he asked then, after a moment of ST.
lence that was too full for speech.
I'VE are home" she answered. in
voice of Joy.
Through the near bay-window his
eyes fell on the distant towers of Os-
borne, and suddenly. at that touch of
memory. he kissed her passionately.
with all the ardor of hope and life.
MY queen is here" he murmured-
Yes, like the Israelites of old, these
two had needed to pass through the
wide red sea of suffering ere they
gained the promised land.
But King Don" had come into his
kingdom at last
(The End.)