Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-08
"Then sitting down he began his sill ent prayer.

as the mind of man can make them. This
was the real world. world so easily en-
tered. while the material world was a
vague. pale dream compared to this vivid
Meanwhile, below, Walter Cochran and
Maud had for ten minutes talked unmiti-
gated fishing. but Maud, though to talk
| fishing was in the general way one of the
most enthralling methods of conversation.
was giving lip service only, for inwardly
she regretted the finality of those few lit
tie frozen words about Thurso with which
she had SO effectually dismissed the sub
ject Of Christian Science and all they had
talked about by the river. For very
shame or pride-the two SO verbally OPP
posed are often really identical-she could
not go back again to the subject she had
so Enthusiastically snuffed out. while he, in
his confessed dislike Of preaching, was
equally unlikely to lead the subject back
again. But he had said that. though he dis
liked preaching, he loved practice, and she
had leaned forward over the table, her
pride In her pocket, to ask q question
about this. when an interruption came:
one of the nurses entered.
I'm sorry to disturb you, my lady," she
said, but am sure DR.. Symes ought to be
sent for. Sandy Mackenzie had high fever
an hour ago. but l didn't like his looks
again. 1t Is below normal and that is the
worst that can happen. suddenly like this
DR.. Symes ought to be sent for immediate-
ly; and didn't know who to apply to-"
You did quite right to come to me-
nurse" she said. II will send for him at
once 1t is very serious"
she said
Maud nodded.
II VIII do everything" she said. THANK
you. nurse"
The nurse left the room, but Maud d,d
not move at once. for all that she had
unused about by the river Yesterday came
PACK to her mind with the vividness and in
stantaneousness Of lightning. Only yester-
day she had heard Mr.. Cochran tell Dun
can that his wife was better. and though
she had been LII almost beyond hope of re-
covery. yet all that day and all TODAY she
mad swiftly and steadily been mending.
Thurso was upstairs, too; the Opportunity
she had desired was completely given her
And halfway across the room to the bell
she stopped. 1t seemed almost as IL Mr..
cochran had expected this, for he had
wheeled around in his chair and when she
stopped he was facing her, quiet, cheerful,
with those strong, childlike eyes
Mr.. Cochran" she began
She took step closer to him.
L don't know whether I am right to ask
you this. she said, but. to begin with, If
1t is what the nurse thinks, it is quite
useless to send for DR.. Symes. But I don't
ask you in the spirit of derision or of Gu
riosity, for a life is at stake Will you go
to poor Sandy and make him well? If you
say no., I shall quite understand that YOU
feel, somehow, honestly l am sure, that It
IL not right LOT you TO 90 SO. But I ask
your
why. certainly WILL" he said. But
II am to make him better. you mustn't
while am doing SO, whether you think he
Is coming around or not, SEM for the doc
tor There must be none of that 1 will
go to him If you wish, but then the case
Is In my hands; ali, not mine, but in the
hands of Divine Love. 1t may take-some
couraged error. how thick a darkness he
has made round him. But If you ask me to
make him well. believing that I can, 1 will
do SO. But you must trust me completely.
You mustn't ask 1t only to see if 1 can"
Maud went through long moment Of
dreadful indecision. She knew she was TAX
ing an awful responsibility on herself for
though. II the nurse was right. Sandy was
thing she was doing. And as she hest
tated he spoke again, still quite quietly
quite cheerfuly. $50, -
Don't hesitate" he said. Your choice
Is quite simple. You choose the direct
power of God to make Sandy well, or you
reject 1t. Don't think for moment that
1t is who can make him WELL BY myself
can do as little as the doctor. So choose.
She hesitated no longer
please go to him." she said, land, OH be
quick"
The human cry sounded there: she was
whom she had seen yesterday for the first
time. soothed her like a child.
Don't be frightened" he said. You
have chosen right. of course, but know
the flesh is weak. Or rather our faith is
weak while our flesh is strong: it oinds
and controls one against ones true will.
Let me be silent minute"
s He moved his chair round again to the
table where they had dined, made a back
ward sweep of his hand. to clear small
space, and leaned his head on his hands,
clasping his fingers over his eyes to shut
out all material things and brought his
r5bal 10 mi ind RI ho foo ~ bot
he believed the presence. the omnlpotence,
the love of God. From fishing. from all
the ordinary preoccupation OF life from
Thurso. from Maud herself. he called his
winged thoughts home, and they SETTLED in
his soul like homing doves. For minute
or two he remained motionless Then he