The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-04

A SOFT haze hung over the broad
landscape. The storm had been ter
rife. All boats had been hauled in,
and many troubled heart had sent
High on the hill. far back, there stood
q fine old homestead called up
lands" For situation, 1t was unri-
vailed: for the beatty of it's grounds
and artistic design ,of it's furniture,
1t was unequailed. Every creature
comfort could be found within; and
Morton Burleigh stood erect on the
stone balcony at the front of his we'll
apportioned residence on that calm
satisfied their fury and had retired to
rest.
The little village below almost be-
longed to him. and no one cared to do
aught that might displease or vex
him.
Gertrude, what q scene this is"
he said. a. his daughter came out Of
from q French window further off.
Yes. father, quite mysterious
calm after the awful night and early
morning; how gladstone, too. the rich
song OF the woodland birds.' She
walked nearer as she spoke. and
something IN the handsome face ar
rested her sudden attention Always
strong, vigorous on the Held. In the
hunt. and on the golf links. on his
yacht or his chestnut steed. she was
not prepared to see an expression Of
utter languor.
Call Bentley. quickly" he said; and
fortunately the butler was near and
came at once. for the master had
we'll nigh fallen. Conveyed to his
room. and partially restored. Ger
trude summoned the doctor.
1t was when the storm was raging
that the lovely scenes and the pref
ty homes were fmperilled; and when
sickness and death approached. the
confidence and peace of the man OF
the world suffered loss.
He lived and reigned over a wide
sphere, but his kingdom was OF this
world. An atheist. he once called
himself. and he scorned all thought
of Bible. prayer. or religion of any
sort. Many time he had challeng-
ed others less comfortably situated,
Roasting OF a prosperity without such
limiting conditions
1t WAS not really long before DR..
Ratiston was in attendance, but MEM
DRY defies time; and in those min
utes that unaccountable power of the
mind opened up forgotten scenes. Be
fore the PROSTATE man there stobd
the wife of his youth, in her hand the
Bible she had loved: and he said in
tones OF agony, just as Gertrude came
near: Yes, I remember that day"
What is 1t you recall. father?"
Staring as IL to discern some dis
tant figure. he answered: Your moth
er. and what she said. and how
treated her. You were an infant
them / spoke cruelty. and when sho
died I banished her Book from sig hi. !"
A chill came over the mQtherless
girl. Her lonely. empty life had Of
ten given her pain. yet she scarcely
knew why. or what she missed.
THE heart Is failing" said the doc
tor. HE has led a strenuous life Of
pleasure. ana had good health. but
II must come to an end: keep him
quiet" And restoratives were cent.
All through another day he lay be-
tween sleeping and waking. and Ger
trude tended him the while. with a
strange fear coming over her. Wealth
brought luxury and every help II
could devise; but all relish for Its
gifts seemed gone. and every now and
again he would say: "Oh. that men,
ory."
Full we'll he remembered now. how
his wife had once reproved him kind
" for his worldly life. and, raising the
Bible he despised. had said: Morton,
some day you'll fnd it's true-that
you cannot die without it, for 1t re-
veals a Saviour"
In that long ago she had prayed for
her husband and the child she knew
must soon leave: and even yet that
fervent prayer was to avail much"
Gertrude had inherited tho gentle
nature and loving disposition OF her
mother and iH-her heart she had
longings after the good and true. Ev-
Sar fo rt1 feH Vie %-r
able amusements was given her. but
no one had spoken to her OF her
mothers Saviour.
The aunt who kept house had been
stern and irreligious; and now that
she had gone away, Gertrude was
mistress OF the place. to her fathers
delight.
This sudden illness affrishted her,
and In her loneliness she was reliev-
ed when q nurse was sent by the doc
tor. Such q capable. tactful woman,
one who inspired confidence at the
outset-she soon became deeply in.
terested IN the daughter Of the house
There Is something troubling your
father" she said on the following
day. I'VE muSt see what It is: he
talks OF asking you about a book"
Taking her turn by the bedside.
Gertrude asked again what he want
ed. After thinking q little he started
as II he recalled something.
Book put away" Then he closed
his eyes.
Where and what. fathcr2"
"Oh. yes. l remember. Take my
key and open that drawer''-ppinting
to one-"and under q lot Of papers
ind q Bible. Be quick"
Obeying, she unlocked the drawer,