[Illustration: "HE MAY GET LOST IN THE STORM. "]

The Works of E. P. Roe

VOLUME FIVE

BARRIERS BURNED AWAY

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington

COPYRIGHT, 1882

COPYRIGHT, 1885

COPYRIGHT, 1892

COPYRIGHT, 1900, This Book

IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

I shall say but few words in regard to this first child of myimagination. 

About one year ago our hearts were in deepest sympathy with ourfellow-citizens of Chicago, and it occurred to me that their losses, sufferings, and fortitude might teach lessons after the echoes of theappalling event had died away in the press; and that even the luridand destructive flames might reveal with greater vividness the needand value of Christian faith. 

I spent some days among the smouldering ruins, and then began thefollowing simple story, which has grown into larger proportions thanI at first intended. But comparatively a small part of the narrativeis occupied with the fire, for its scenes are beyond description, andtoo strange and terrible to be dwelt upon. Therefore the thread of mystory is carried rapidly through that period of unparalleled excitementand disaster. 

Nearly all the scenes introduced are historical, and are employed togive their terrible emphasis to that which is equally true in theserenest and securest times. 

E. P. R. 

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ILOVE UNKNOWN

CHAPTER IILOVE KNOWN

CHAPTER IIILAUNCHED

CHAPTER IVCOLD WATER

CHAPTER VA HORNET'S NEST

CHAPTER VI"STARVE THEN!"

CHAPTER VIIA GOOD SAMARITAN

CHAPTER VIIIYAHCOB BUNK

CHAPTER IXLAND AT LASTCHAPTER XTHE NEW BROOM

CHAPTER XITOO MUCH ALIKE

CHAPTER XIIBLUE BLOOD

CHAPTER XIIIVERY COLD

CHAPTER XIVSHE SPEAKS TO HIM

CHAPTER XVPROMOTED

CHAPTER XVIJUST IN TIME

CHAPTER XVIIRESCUED

CHAPTER XVIIIMISS LUDOLPH MAKES A DISCOVERY

CHAPTER XIXWHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HIM?

CHAPTER XXIS HE A GENTLEMAN?

CHAPTER XXICHRISTINE'S IDEA OF CHRISTIANS

CHAPTER XXIIEQUAL TO AN EMERGENCY

CHAPTER XXIIITHE REVELATION

CHAPTER XXIVNIGHT THOUGHTSCHAPTER XXVDARKNESSCHAPTER XXVIMISS LUDOLPH COMMITS A THEFT

CHAPTER XXVIIA MISERABLE TRIUMPH

CHAPTER XXVIIILIFE WITHOUT LOVE

CHAPTER XXIXDENNIS'S LOVE PUT TO PRACTICAL USE

CHAPTER XXXTHE TWO HEIGHTS

CHAPTER XXXIBEGUILED

CHAPTER XXXIIBITTER DISAPPOINTMENT

CHAPTER XXXIIITHE TWO PICTURES

CHAPTER XXXIVREGRET

CHAPTER XXXVREMORSE

CHAPTER XXXVIAN APPARITION

CHAPTER XXXVIIIF HE KNEW!

CHAPTER XXXVIIITHE GATES OPEN

CHAPTER XXXIXSUSIE WlNTHROP APPEARS AGAIN

CHAPTER XLSUGGESTIVE PICTURES AND A PRIZE

CHAPTER XLIFIRE! FIRE!

CHAPTER XLIIBARON LUDOLPH LEARNS THE TRUTH

CHAPTER XLIII"CHRISTINE, AWAKE! FOR YOUR LIFE!"

CHAPTER XLIVON THE BEACH

CHAPTER XLV"PRAYER IS MIGHTY. " CHRISTINE A CHRISTIAN

CHAPTER XLVICHRISTINE'S GRAVE

CHAPTER XLVIISUSIE WINTHROP

CHAPTER XLVIIIDR. ARTEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

CHAPTER XLIXBILL CRONK'S TOAST

CHAPTER LEVERY BARRIER BURNED AWAY

CHAPTER I

LOVE UNKNOWN

From its long sweep over the unbroken prairie a heavier blast thanusual shook the slight frame house. The windows rattled in thecasements, as if shivering in their dumb way in the December storm. So open and defective was the dwelling in its construction, that eddyingcurrents of cold air found admittance at various points--in someinstances carrying with them particles of the fine, sharp, hail-likesnow that the gale was driving before it in blinding fury. 

Seated at one of the windows, peering out into the gathering gloom ofthe swiftly coming night, was a pale, faded woman with lustrous darkeyes. An anxious light shone from them, as she tried in vain to catcha glimpse of the darkening road that ran at a distance of about fiftyyards from the house. As the furious blast shook the frail tenement, and circled round her in chilly currents from many a crack and crevice, she gave a short, hacking cough, and drew a thin shawl closer abouther slight frame. 

The unwonted violence of the wind had its effect upon another occupantof the room. From a bed in the corner near the stove came a feeble, hollow voice--"Wife!"

In a moment the woman was bending over the bed, and in a voice fullof patient tenderness answered, "Well, dear?"

"Has he come?"

"Not yet; but he MUST be here soon. "

The word MUST was emphasized in such a way as to mean doubt ratherthan certainty, as if trying to assure her own mind of a matter aboutwhich painful misgivings could not be banished. The quick ear of thesick man caught the tone, and in a querulous voice he said, "Oh! ifhe should not get here in time, it would be the last bitter drop inmy cup, now full and running over. "

"Dear husband, if human strength and love can accomplish it, he willbe here soon. But the storm is indeed frightful, and were the caseless urgent, I could almost wish he would not try to make his waythrough it. But then we know what Dennis is; he never stops to considerdifficulties, but pushes right on; and if--if he doesn't--if it ispossible, he will be here before very long. "

In spite of herself, the mother's heart showed its anxiety, and, toolate for remedy, she saw the effect upon her husband. He raised himselfin bed with sudden and unwonted strength. His eyes grew wild and almostfierce, and in a sharp, hurried voice, he said: "You don't think thereis danger? There is no fear of his getting lost? If I thought that Iwould curse God and die. "

"Oh, Dennis, my husband, God forbid that you should speak thus! How canyou feel so toward our Best Friend?"

"What kind of a friend has He been to me, pray? Has not my life beenone long series of misfortunes? Have I not been disappointed in allmy hopes? I once believed in God and tried to serve Him. But if, asI have been taught, all this evil and misfortune was ordered and mademy inevitable lot by Him, He has not been my friend, but my enemy. He's been against me, not for me. "

In the winter twilight the man's emaciated, unshorn face had theghostly, ashen hue of death. From cavernous sockets his eyes gleamedwith a terribly vindictive light, akin to insanity, and, in a harsh, high voice, as unnatural as his appearance and words, he continued:"Remember what I have gone through! what I have suffered! how oftenthe cup of success that I was raising to my lips has been dashed to theground!"

"But, Dennis, think a moment. "

"Ah! haven't I thought till my heart is gall and my brain bursting?Haven't I, while lying here, hopelessly dying, gone over my life againand again? Haven't I lived over every disappointment, and taken everystep downward a thousand times? Remember the pleasant, plentiful homeI took you from, under the great elms in Connecticut. Your father didnot approve of your marrying a poor school-teacher. But you know thatthen I had every prospect of getting the village academy, but with myluck another got ahead of me. Then I determined to study law. Whathopes I had! I already grasped political honors that seemed within myreach, for you know I was a ready speaker. If my friends could onlyhave seen that I was peculiarly fitted for public life and advancedme sufficient means, I would have returned it tenfold. But no; I wasforced into other things for which I had no great aptness or knowledge, and years of struggling poverty and repeated disappointment followed. At last your father died and gave us enough to buy a cheap farm outhere. But why go over our experience in the West? My plan of makingsugar from the sorghum, which promised so brilliantly, has ended inthe most wretched failure of all. And now money has gone, health hasgone, and soon my miserable life will be over. Our boy must come backfrom college, and you and the two little ones--what will you do?" andthe man covered his head with the blanket and wept aloud. His poorwife, borne down by the torrent of his sorrow, was on her knees at hisbedside, with her face buried in her hands, weeping also. 

But suddenly he started up. His sobs ceased. His tears ceased to flow, while his eyes grew hard and fierce, and his hands clenched. 

"But he was coming, " he said. "He may get lost in the storm this bitterwinter night. "

He grasped his wife roughly by the arm. She was astonished at hissudden strength, and raised a tearful, startled face to his. It waswell she could not see its terrible expression in the dusk; but sheshuddered as he hissed in her ear, "If this should happen--if mymiserable death is the cause of his death--if my accursed destinyinvolves him, your staff and hope, in so horrible a fate, what haveI to do but curse God and die?"

It seemed to the poor woman that her heart would burst with the agonyof that moment. As the storm had increased, a terrible dread had chilledher very soul. Every louder blast than usual had caused her an internalshiver, while for her husband's sake she had controlled herselfoutwardly. Like a shipwrecked man who is clinging to a rock, that hefears the tide will submerge, she had watched the snow rise from onerail to another along the fence. When darkness set in it was half-wayup to the top rail, and she knew it was _drifting_. The thought of herruddy, active, joyous-hearted boy, whose affection and hopefulness hadbeen the broad track of sunlight on her hard path--the thought of hislying white and still beneath one of these great banks, just where shecould never know till spring rains and suns revealed to an indifferentstranger his sleeping-place--now nearly overwhelmed her also, and evenher faith wavered on the brink of the dark gulf of despair into whichher husband was sinking. Left to herself, she might have sunk for atime, though her sincere belief in God's goodness and love would havetriumphed. But her womanly, unselfish nature, her long habit ofsustaining and comforting her husband, came to her aid. Breathing aquick prayer to Heaven, which was scarcely more than a gasp and a glanceupward, she asked, hardly knowing what she said, "And what if he is_not_ lost? What if God restores him safe and well?"

She shuddered after she had thus spoken, for she saw that her husband'sbelief in the hostility of God had reached almost the point of insanity. If this test failed, would he not, in spite of all she could say or do, curse God and die, as he had said? But she had been guided in herwords more than she knew. He that careth for the fall of the sparrowhad not forgotten His children in their sore extremity. 

The man in answer to her question relaxed his hold upon her arm, andwith a long breath fell back on his pillow. 

"Ah!" said he, "if I could only see him again safe and well, if I couldonly leave you with him as your protector and support, I believe Icould forgive all the past and be reconciled even to my hard lot. "

"God gives you opportunity so to do, my father, for here I am safe andsound. "

The soft snow had muffled the son's footsteps, and his approach hadbeen unnoted. Entering at the back door, and passing through thekitchen, he had surprised his parents in the painful scene abovedescribed. As he saw his mother's form in dim outline kneeling at thebed, her face buried in its covering--as he heard his father'ssignificant words--the quick-witted youth realized the situation. Whilehe loved his father dearly, and honored him for his many good traits, he was also conscious of his faults, especially this most serious onenow threatening such fatal consequences--that of charging to God thefailures and disappointments resulting from defects in his owncharacter. It seemed as if a merciful Providence was about to use thisawful dread of accident to the son--a calamity that rose far above andovershadowed all the past--as the means of winning back the alienatedheart of this weak and erring man. 

The effect of the sudden presence in the sick-room was most marked. The poor mother, who had shown such self-control and patient endurancebefore, now gave way utterly, and clung for a few moments to her son'sneck with hysterical energy, then in strong reaction fainted away. Thestrain upon her worn and overtaxed system had been too severe. 

At first the sick man could only look through the dusk at the outlineof his son with a bewildered stare, his mind too weak to comprehendthe truth. But soon he too was sobbing for joy. 

But when his wife suddenly became a lifeless weight in his son's arms, who in wild alarm cried, "Mother, what is the matter? Speak to me! Oh!I have killed her by my rash entrance, " the sick man's manner changed, and his eyes again became dry and hard, and even in the darkness hada strange glitter. 

"Is your mother dead?" he asked, in a low, hoarse voice. 

"Oh, mother, speak to me!" cried the son, forgetting for a time hisfather. 

For a moment there was death-like silence. Then the young man gropedfor an old settle in the corner of the room, laid his mother tenderlyupon it, and sprang for a light, but as he passed his father's bed thesame strong grasp fell upon his arm that his mother had shuddered undera little before, and the question was this time hissed in his ear, "Isyour mother dead?" For a moment he had no power to answer, and hisfather continued: "What a fool I was to expect God to show mercy orkindness to me or mine while I was above ground! You are only broughthome to suffer more than death in seeing your mother die. May that Godthat has followed me all my life, not with blessings--"

"Hush, father!" cried his son, in loud, commanding tones. "Hush, Ientreat, " and in his desperation he actually put his hand over hisfather's mouth. 

The poor woman must have been dead, indeed, had she long remained deafto the voice of her beloved son, and his loud tones partially revivedher. In a faint voice she called, "Dennis!"

With hands suddenly relaxed, and hearts almost stilled in their beating, father and son listened for a second. Again, a little louder, throughthat dark and silent room, was heard the faint call, "Dennis!"

Springing to her side, her son exclaimed, "Oh, mother, I am here; don'tleave us; in mercy don't leave us. "

"It was I she called, " said his father. 

With unnatural strength he had tottered across the room, and takinghis wife's hand, cried, "Oh, Ethel, don't die! don't fill my alreadyfull cup to overflowing with bitterness!"

Their familiar voices were the best of remedies. After a moment shesat up, and passing her hand across her brow as if to clear awayconfusion of mind, said: "Don't be alarmed; it's only a faint turn. I don't wonder though that you are frightened, for I never was sobefore. "

Poor woman, amid all the emergencies of her hard lot, she had neverin the past given way so far. 

Then, becoming aware of her husband's position, she exclaimed: "Why, Dennis, my husband, out of your bed? You will catch your death. ""Ah, wife, that matters little if you and Dennis live. "

"But it matters much to me, " cried she, springing up. 

By this time her son had struck a light, and each was able to look onthe other's face. The unnatural strength, the result of excitement, wasfast leaving the sick man. The light revealed him helplessly leaningon the couch where his wife had lain. His face was ashen in color, andhe was gasping for breath. Tenderly they carried him back to his bed, and he was too weak now to do more than quietly lie upon it and gazeat them. After replenishing the fire, and looking at the little onesthat were sleeping in the outer room, they shaded the lamp, and satdown at his bedside, while the mother asked her son many eager questionsas to his escape. He told them how he had struggled through the snowtill almost exhausted, when he had been overtaken by a farmer with astrong team, and thus enabled to make the journey in safety. 

As the sick man looked and listened, his face grew softer and morequiet in its expression. 

Then the young man, remembering, said: "I bought the medicines youwrote for, mother, at Bankville. This, the druggist said, would producequiet and sleep, and surely father needs it after the excitement ofthe evening. "

The opiate was given, and soon the regular, quiet breathing of thepatient showed that it had taken effect. A plain but plentiful supper, which the anxious mother had prepared hours before, was placed upon thekitchen table, and the young man did ample justice to it; for, themoment the cravings of his heart were satisfied in meeting his kindredafter absence, he became conscious of the keenest hunger. Toilingthrough the snow for hours in the face of the December storm had taxedhis system to the utmost, and now he felt the need of food and rest. After supper he honestly meant to watch at his father's bedside, whilehis mother slept; but he had scarcely seated himself on the old settle, when sleep, like an armed man, overpowered him, and in spite of allhis efforts he was soon bound in the dreamless slumber of healthfulyouth. But with eyes so wide and lustrous that it seemed as if sleepcould never close them again, the wife and mother, pale and silent, watched between her loved ones. The troubled expression was gone, forthe ranks of her little band had closed up, and all were about her inone more brief rest in the forward and uncertain march of life. Sheseemed looking intently at something far off--something better discernedby the spiritual than by the natural eye. Disappointments had beenbitter, poverty hard and grinding, but she had learned to escape intoa large world that was fast becoming real to her strong imagination. While her husband was indulging in chimerical visions of boundlessprosperity here on earth which he would bring to pass by some luckystroke of fortune or invention, she also was picturing to herselfgrander things which God would realize to her _beyond_ time andearth. When alone, in moments of rest from incessant toil, she wouldtake down the great family Bible, and with her finger on somedescription of the "new heavens and new earth, " as the connecting linkbetween the promise and her strong realization of it, she would lookaway with that intent gaze. The new world, purged from sin and sorrow, would rise before her with more than Edenlike loveliness. Her spiritwould revel in its shadowy walks and sunny glades, and as the crowningjoy she would meet her Lord and Saviour in some secluded place, andsit listening at His feet like Mary of old. Thus, in the strong illusionof her imagination, Christ's words seemed addressed directly to her, while she looked up into His face with rapt attention. Instead of_reading_ her Lord's familiar sayings, she seemed to _listen_ to them asdid the early disciples. After a little time she would close the Bibleand go back to her hard practical life, awed yet strengthened, and witha hopeful expression, like that which must have rested on the disciples'faces on coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration. 

CHAPTER II

LOVE KNOWN

Hour after hour passed. The storm was dying away, and at times, throughbroken rifts in the clouds, stars would gleam out. Instead of thecontinued roar and rush, the wind blew in gusts at longer intervals, and nature seemed like a passionate child that had cried itself tosleep. The fitful blasts were the involuntary sobs that heave thebreast, till at last quiet and peace take the place of stormy anger. 

It seemed as if the silent watcher never could withdraw her gaze fromthe beautiful world of her vision. Never had it seemed so near andreal before, and she was unconscious of the lapse of time. Suddenlyshe heard her name called--"Ethel!"

If the voice had come from the imaginary world present to her fancy, it could not have startled her more for a moment. Then she realizedthat it was her husband who spoke. He had called her name in his sleep, and yet it seemed a call of God. At once it flashed through her mindthat in dreaming of a glorious and happy future she was forgetting himand his need. 

She turned the light upon his face. Never had he looked so pale andwan, and she realized that he might be near his end. In an agony ofself-reproach and yearning tenderness she kneeled at his bedside andprayed as she never had prayed before. Could he go home? Could he bereceived, feeling toward his Father as he did? He had talked offorgiving, when he stood so sorely in need of Christ's forgiveness;and she had been forgetting that need, when every moment might involveher husband's salvation. Out of his sleep he had called her to hishelp. Perhaps God had used his unconscious lips to summon her. Witha faith naturally strong, but greatly increased by the vision of thenight, she went, as it were, directly into the presence of her Lord, and entreated in behalf of her husband. 

As she thus knelt at the bedside, with her face buried in the covering, she felt a hand placed softly on her head, and again her husband'svoice called, "Ethel!"

She looked up and saw that he was awake now, his eyes fixed on herwith an expression of softness and tenderness that she had not seenfor many a long day. The old restless, anxious light had gone. 

"What were you doing, Ethel?" he asked. "Praying that you might seethat God loved you--that you might be reconciled to Him. "

Two great tears gathered in the man's eyes. His lips quivered a moment, then he said, brokenly, "Surely God must love me, or He would neverhave given me--a wife--who would watch and pray for me--the longwinter night. "

"Oh, Dennis, forgive me; I cannot deceive you; for a time I forgotyou, I forgot everything, and just wandered through Paradise alone. But in your sleep you called me to your help, and now it seems as ifI could not be happy even there without you. I pray you, in Christ'sstead, be reconciled to God, " she pleaded, falling into the familiarlanguage of Scripture, as she often did under strong emotion. Then, in low, thrilling words, she portrayed to him the "new earth" of hervision, wherein "God shall wipe away all tears, and there shall be nomore death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any morepain. " She showed him that all might still be well--that eternity waslong enough to make up for the ills of our brief troubled life here. But his mind seemed preoccupied. These future joys did not take thathold upon him that she earnestly desired. His eyes seemed to grow dimin tender, tearful wistfulness, rather than become inspired withimmortal hopes. At last he spoke:

"Ethel, it seemed as if I heard some one calling me. I woke up--andthere you--were praying--for me. I heard my name--I heard God'sname--and I knew that you were interceding for me. It seemed to breakmy hard heart right up like the fountains of the great deep to see youthere--praying for me--in the cold, cold room. " (The room was notcold; it was not the winter's chill that he was feeling, but a chillthat comes over the heart even in the tropical summer. ) "Then, as youprayed, a great light seemed to shine into my soul. I saw that I hadbeen charging God unjustly with all my failures and misfortunes, whenI had to thank myself for them. Like a wilful child, I had been actingas if God had but to carry out my wild schemes. I remembered all myunreasonable murmurings and anger; I remembered the dreadful words Iwas on the point of uttering tonight, and for a moment it seemed asif the pit would open and swallow me up. "

He paused for breath, and then went on:

"But as my despairing eyes glanced restlessly around, they fell uponthe face of my son, noble and beautiful even in sleep, and I rememberedhow God had brought him safely back. Then your low, pleading tone fixedmy attention again. It seemed to me that God's love must be better andstronger than human love, and yet you had loved me through all my follyand weakness; so perhaps had He. Then I felt that such a prayer as youwere offering could not remain unheard, you seemed to pray so earnestly. I felt that I ought to pray myself, and I commenced calling out in myheart, 'God be merciful to me--a sinner. ' Then while I prayed, Iseemed to see my Saviour's face right above your bowed head. Oh, howreproachfully He looked at me! and yet His expression was full of love, too. It was just such a look, I think, that He fixed on Peter when hedenied Him. Then it seemed that I fell down at His feet and weptbitterly, and as I did so the look of reproach passed away, and onlyan expression of love and forgiveness remained. A sudden peace cameinto my soul which I cannot describe; a rush of tears into my eyes;and when I had wiped them away, I saw only your bowed formpraying--praying on for me. And, Ethel dear, my patient, much-enduringwife, I believe God has answered your prayer. I feel that I am a newman. "

"God be praised!" exclaimed his wife, with streaming eyes. Then in asudden rush of tenderness she clasped her husband to her heart, herstrong love seeming like the echo of God's love, the earnest here onearth of that above, where all barriers shall pass away. 

The sound of their voices toward the last had awakened their son, andhe now stood beside them with wet eyes and heaving breast. 

When the wife rose from her embrace, she saw that her husband was veryweak. For a few moments he gasped for breath. Then, getting a littleeasier, he looked up and saw his son, and exclaimed: "Thank God--myboy--thank God--you are here. Ah, my son--I have learned much--sincewe spoke together last. I have seen that--I have much more--need offorgiveness than--to forgive. Thanks to your--mother's prayers--Ibelieve--I feel sure that I am forgiven. "

"More thanks to God's love, Dennis, " said his wife. "God wanted toforgive you all the time more than we wanted Him to. Thank God, whois rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us. He islongsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish. "

"Those are sweet words, wife, and I have found them true. "

For a little time they sat with clasped hands, their hearts too fullto speak. Faint streaks along the eastern horizon showed that the dawnwas near. The sick man gave a slight shiver, and passed his handsacross his eyes as if to clear away a mist, and then said, feebly:"Dennis, my son--won't you turn up the lamp a little--and fix the fire?The room seems getting so cold--and dark. "

The wife looked at her son in quick alarm. The stove was red-hot, andthe lamp, no longer shaded, stood openly on the table. 

The son saw that he must take the lead in the last sad scene, for inthe presence of death the heart of the loving, constant woman clungto her husband as never before. Throwing herself on her knees by hisside, she cried with loud, choking sobs, "Oh, Dennis--husband--Ifear--you are leaving me!"

"Is this death?" he asked of his son, in an awed tone. 

"I fear it is, father, " said the young man, gently. 

After a moment his father said, composedly: "I think you are right. I feel that--my end is near, Ethel--darling--for my sake--try to becalm--during the last few moments I am with you. "

A few stifled sobs and the room was still. 

"I have but little time to--put my house--in order--and if I hadmonths--I could not do it. Dennis, I leave you--little else--thandebts--embarrassments, and the record of many failures. You mustdo--the best you can. I am not able to advise you. Only never love thisworld as I have. It will disappoint you. And, _whatever happens, never lose faith in the goodness of God_. This has been my bane. It has poisoned my life here, and, had it not been for this dear wife, it would have been my destruction here-after. For long years--only herpatient love--has stood between me and a miserable end. Next to God--Icommit her and your little sisters to your care. Be true to this mostsacred trust. 

"Ethel, dear, my more than wife--my good angel--what shall I say toyou?" and the man's lip quivered, and for a time he could say no more. But the unwonted composure had come into his wife's manner. The eyeswere gaining that intent look which was their expression when picturingto herself scenes in the life beyond. 

"Oh, Dennis, we seem just on the confines of a glorious world--it isso near, so real--it seems as if but a step would take us all into it. Oh! if you could but see its beauties, its glories--if you could hearthe music, you would not fear to enter. It seems as if we were theretogether now. "

"Oh, Ethel, come back, come back, " cried her husband, piteously. "Iam not worthy of all that. I have no heart for glory now. I can seeonly my Saviour's face looking--at me--with love and forgiveness. That is heaven enough for me--and when you come--my cup will be morethan full. And now--farewell--for a little while. "

For a few moments they clung to each other. Then the little girls werebrought, and their father pressed his cold lips to their warm, freshyoung faces. They wondered at a scene they could not understand, andwere tearful because of the tears of others. 

He was now going very fast. Suddenly he turned to his son and said, "Dennis, repeat to me that verse, 'This is a faithful saying--'"

With a voice hoarse and broken by emotion, his son complied: "This isa faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesuscame into the world to save sinners. "

"Of whom I am chief, " said his father, emphatically. "And yet"--his facelighting up with a wan smile, like a sudden ray of light fallingon a clouded landscape before the sun sinks below the horizon--"andyet forgiven. "

By and by he again whispered, "Forgiven!" Then his eyes closed, andall was still. They thought he was gone. But as they stood over himin awed, breathless silence, his lips again moved. Bending down, theyheard in faint, far-away tones, like an echo from the _other side, "Forgiven!"_

CHAPTER III

LAUNCHED

Scarcely was the last word spoken when a sudden glory filled the room. So brilliant was the light that mother and son were startled. Thenthey saw what had been unnoted before, that day had broken, and thatthe sun, emerging from a single dark cloud, was shining, full-orbed, into the apartment with a light that, reflected from myriads of snowycrystals, was doubly luminous. Nevertheless it seemed to them a goodomen, an earnest, an emblem of the purer, whiter light into which thecleansed and pardoned spirit had entered. The snow-wrapped prairie wasindeed pure and bright, but it was _cold_. The Father's embrace, receiving home the long-absent, erring, but forgiven child, would bewarm indeed. 

Though the bereaved wife believed that a brighter dawn than that whichmade the world resplendent around her had come to her husband, stilla sense of desolation came over her which only those can understandwho have known a loss like hers. For years he had filled the greaterpart of time, thought, and heart. As she saw her first and only love, the companion of a life which, though hard, still had the light andsolace of mutual affection--as she saw him so still, and realized thatshe would hear him speak no more--_complain_ no more (for even theweaknesses of those we love are sadly missed after death)--a floodof that natural sorrow which Christianity consoles, but was neverdesigned to prevent, overwhelmed her, and she gave way utterly. 

Her son took her in his arms and held her silently, believing thatunspoken sympathy was worth more at such a time than any words. 

After the convulsive sobbing had somewhat ceased, he struck the rightchord by saying: "Mother, father is not lost to us. He himself saidgood-by only for a little while. Then you have us to love and thinkof; and remember, what could we do without you?"

The unselfish woman would have tried to rise from a bed of death todo anything needed by her loved ones, and this reminder of those stilldependent on her care proved the most potent of restoratives. She atonce arose and said: "Dennis, you are right. It is indeed wrong forme to give way thus, when I have so much to be thankful for--so muchto live for. But, O Dennis! you cannot understand this separation ofhusband and wife, for God said, 'They twain shall be one flesh'; andit seems as if half my very life had gone--as if half my heart hadbeen wrenched away, and only a bleeding fragment left. "

The patter of feet was heard on the kitchen floor, the door opened, and two little figures in white trailing nightgowns entered. At firstthey looked in shy wonder and perplexity at their tall brother, whomthey had not seen for months, but at his familiar voice, recallingmany a romp and merry time together, they rushed to his arms as of old. 

Then they drew near the bed to give their father his accustomed morningkiss; but, as they approached, he seemed so still that awe began tocreep over their little faces. A dim recollection of the farewell kissgiven a few hours before, when they were scarcely awake, recurred tothem. 

"Father, " said the elder (about five), "we want to give you good-morning kiss. "

Seldom had their father been so sick or irritable but that he reachedout his arms to his little ones and gave them a warm embrace, that didhim more good than he realized. The influence of trusting children issometimes the most subtile oil that can be thrown on the troubledwaters of life. 

But as the little ones saw that their father made no response to theirapproach and appeal, they timidly drew a step nearer, and looked intohis wasted, yet peaceful face, with its closed eyes and motionlessrepose, and then, turning to their mother, said in a loud whisper, with faces full of perplexity and trouble, "Is papa asleep?"

The little figures in their white drapery, standing beside their deadfather, waiting to perform the usual, well-remembered household rite, proved a scene too touching for the poor mother's self-control, andagain she gave way to a burst of sorrow. But her son, true to hisresolution to be the stay and strength of the family, hastened to thechildren, and, taking them by the hand, said gently: "Yes, little ones, papa is asleep. It may be a long time before he wakes, but he surelywill by and by, and then he will never be sick any more. Come, we willgo into the other room and sing a pretty hymn about papa's sleep. "

The thought of hearing their brother sing lured them away at once, forhe had a mellow tenor voice that seemed to the little girls sweeterthan a bird's. A moment later the widow's heart was comforted by hearingthose words that have been balm for so many wounds:

 "Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep! From which none ever wakes to weep. "

Then, putting on his sisters' flannel wrappers, he set them down bythe fire, telling stories in the meantime to divert their thoughtsfrom the scene they had just witnessed. 

Thus no horror of death was suffered to enter their young minds. Theywere not brought face to face with a dreadful mystery which they couldnot understand, but which would have a sinister effect for life. Gradually they would learn the truth, but still the first impressionwould remain, and their father's death would ever be to them a sleepfrom which he would wake by and by, "never to be sick any more. "

Dennis set about preparations for their simple morning meal so deftlyand easily as to show that it was no unaccustomed task. A sister olderthan himself had died while yet an infant, leaving a heartache tillhe came--God's best remedy. Then two sisters had died after his day, and he had been compelled to be to his mother daughter as well as son, to make himself useful in every household task. His father had beenwrapped up in useless inventions, vain enterprises, and was much away. So mother and son were constantly together. He had early become a greatcomfort and help to her, God blessing her in this vital respect, thoughher lot seemed hard in other ways. Thus, while he had the heart andcourage of a man, he also had the quick, supple hand and gentle bearingof a woman, when occasion required. As proof of his skill, a temptingmeal from the simplest materials was placed smoking on the table, andthe little girls were soon chatting contentedly over their breakfast. In the meantime the wife within had drawn near her dead husband andtaken his cold hand. For a while she dwelt on the past in strong andtearful agony, then, in accordance with long-established habit, herthoughts went forward into the future. In imagination she was presentat her husband's reception in heaven. The narrow, meagre room meltedaway, and her feet seemed to stand on the "golden pavement. " Thejubilant clash of heavenly cymbals thrilled her heart. She seemedtaking part in a triumphal march led by celestial minstrelsy towardthe throne. She saw her husband mount its white, glistening steps, sochanged, and yet so like his former self when full of love, youth, andhope. He appeared overwhelmed with a sense of unworthiness, but hisreception was all the more kind and reassuring. Then as he departedfrom the royal presence, crowned with God's love and favor forever, though he had all heaven before him, he seemed looking for her as thathe longed for most, and her strong effort to reach his side arousedher from her revery as from a dream. But her vision had strengthenedher, as was ever the case, and the bitterness of grief was passed. Imprinting a long kiss on her husband's cold forehead, she joined herfamily in the outer room with calm and quiet mien. Her son saw andunderstood the change in his mother's manner, and from long experienceknew its cause. 

We need not dwell on what followed--preparations for burial, thefuneral, the return to a home from which one who had filled so largea place had gone--a home on which rested the shadow of death. Theseare old, familiar scenes, acted over and over every day, and yet inthe little households where they occur there is a terrible sense ofnovelty as if they then happened for the first time. The family feelas if they were passing through a chaotic period--the old world breakingup and vanishing, and a new formation and combination of all theelements that make up life taking place. 

Many changes followed. Their farm was sold. Part of a small house inthe village of Bankville was rented as their future residence. A verysmall annuity from some property in the East, left by Mrs. Fleet'sfather, was, with Dennis's labor, all the family had to depend onnow--a meagre prospect. 

But Dennis was very sanguine; for in this respect he had his father'stemperament. The world was all before him, and Chicago, the young andgiant city of the West, seemed an Eldorado, where fortune, and perhapsfame, might soon be won. He would not only place the family beyondwant, but surround them with every luxury. 

Dennis, wise and apt as far as his knowledge went, was in some respectsas simple and ignorant as a child. There were many phases and conditionsof society of which he had never dreamed. Of the ways of the rich andfashionable, of the character of artificial life, he had not theremotest experience. He could not see or understand the distinctionsand barriers that to the world are more impassable than those ofignorance, stupidity, and even gross immorality. He would learn, tohis infinite surprise, that even in a Western democratic city men wouldbe welcomed in society whose hand no pure woman or honorable man oughtto touch, while he, a gentleman by birth, education, and especiallycharacter, would not be recognized at all. He would discover thatwealth and the indorsement of a few fashionable people, though allelse were lacking, would be a better passport than the noblest qualitiesand fine abilities. As we follow him from the seclusion of his simplecountry home into the complicated life of the world, all this willbecome apparent. 

Long and earnest was the conversation between mother and son beforethey separated. Pure and noble were the maxims that she sought toinstil into his mind. They may not have been worldly wise, but theywere heavenly wise. Though some of her advice in the letter might availlittle, since she knew less of the world than did her son, still inits spirit it contained the best of all wisdom, profitable for thislife and the life to come. But she sent him forth to seek his fortuneand theirs with less solicitude than most mothers have just cause tofeel, for she knew that he had Christian principle, and had passedthrough discipline that had sobered and matured him far beyond hisyears. She saw, however, in every word and act his father's sanguinetemperament. He was expecting much, hoping far more, and she fearedthat he also was destined to many a bitter disappointment. Still shebelieved that he possessed a good strong substratum of common-sense, and this combined with the lessons of faith and patience taught of Godwould prove the ballast his father had lacked. 

She sought to modify his towering hopes and rose-colored visions, butto little purpose. Young, buoyant, in splendid health, with a surplusof warm blood tingling in every vein, how could he take a prudent, distrustful view of the world? It seemed to beckon him smilingly intoany path of success he might choose. Had not many won the victory? andwho ever felt braver and more determined than he, with the needs ofthe dear ones at home added to his own incentives and ambitions? So, with many embraces, lingering kisses, and farewell words, that lostnot their meaning though said over and over again, they parted. Thestage carried him to the nearest railway station, and the express trainbore him rapidly toward the great city where he expected to find allthat a man's heart most craves on earth. 

Sanguine as his father, constant as his mother, with a nature thatwould go right or wrong with tremendous energy, as direction might begiven it, he was destined to live no tame, colorless life, but wouldeither enjoy much, or else suffer much. To his young heart, swellingwith hopes, burning with zeal to distinguish himself and provide forthose he was leaving, even the bleak, snow-clad prairie seemed an arenain which he might accomplish a vague something. 

CHAPTER IV

COLD WATER

The train, somewhat impeded by snow, landed Dennis in Chicago at aboutnine in the evening. In his pocket he had ten dollars--ample seed corn, he believed, for a golden harvest. This large sum was expected toprovide for him till he should find a situation and receive the firstinstalment of salary. He would inform his employer, when he found him, how he was situated, and ask to be paid early and often. 

Without a misgiving he shouldered the little trunk that contained hisworldly effects, and stalked off to a neighboring hotel, that, fromits small proportions, suggested a modest bill. With a highly importantman-of-the-world manner he scrawled his name in an illegible, student-like hand on the dingy, dog-eared register. With a gracious, condescending air he ordered the filthy, tobacco-stained porter totake his trunk to his room. 

The bar-room was the only place provided for strangers. Regarding thebar with a holy horror, he got away from it as far as possible, andseated himself by the stove, on which simmered a kettle of hot waterfor the concoction of punches, apparently more in demand at that hotelthan beds. Becoming disgusted with the profanity and obscenitydownstairs, he sought refuge in the cold, miserable little room assignedto him. Putting on his overcoat, he wrapped himself up in a coverletand threw himself down on the outside of the bed. 

The night passed slowly. He was too uncomfortable, too excited, tosleep. The scenes of the past blended confusedly with visions of thefuture, and it was nearly morning when he fell into an unquiet slumber. 

When at last aroused by the shriek of a locomotive, he found that thesun was up and shining on the blotched and broken wall above him. Afew minutes sufficed for his toilet, and yet, with his black curlinghair, noble forehead, and dark, silken upper lip, many an exquisitewould have envied the result. 

His plan was simple enough--dictated indeed by the necessities of thecase. He must at once find a situation in which he could earn sufficientto support his mother and sisters and himself. Thence he could lookaround till he found the calling that promised most. Having left collegeand given up his chosen profession of the law, he had resolved to adoptany honest pursuit that seemed to lead most quickly to fortune. 

Too impatient to eat his breakfast, he sallied forth into the greatcity, knowing not a soul in it. His only recommendations and credentialswere his young, honest face, and a letter from his minister, sayingthat he was a member of the church in Bankville, "in good and regularstanding, " and, "as far as he knew, a most worthy young man"--rathermeagre capital amid the competitions of a large city. But, with couragebold and high, he strode off toward the business part of the town. 

As he passed the depot it occurred to him that an opening might existthere. It would be a good post of observation, and perhaps he wouldbe able to slip home oftener. So he stopped and asked the man in theticket-office, blandly, "Do you wish to employ a young man in connectionwith this depot or road in any capacity?"

The ticket-man stared at him a moment through his window, frowned, andcurtly said, "No!" and then went on counting what seemed to poor Dennismillions of money. The man had no right to say yes or no, since he wasa mere official, occupying his own little niche, with no authoritybeyond. But an inveterate feud seemed to exist between this man andthe public. He acted as if the world in general, instead of any onein particular, had greatly wronged him. It might be a meek woman witha baby, or a bold, red-faced drover, a delicately-gloved or horny handthat reached him the change, but it was all the same. He knitted hisbrows, pursed up his mouth, and dealt with all in a quick, jerkingway, as if he could not bear the sight of them, and wanted to be ridof them as soon as possible. Still these seem just the peculiaritiesthat find favor with railroad corporations, and the man would probablyvent his spite against the public throughout his natural life. 

From him, however, Dennis received his first dash of cold water, whichhe minded but little, and went on his way with a good-natured laughat the crusty old fellow. 

He was soon in the business part of the city. Applying at a largedry-good store, he was told that they wanted a cash boy; "but he wouldnot do; one a quarter his size would answer. "

"Then I will go where they want the other three-fourths and payaccordingly, " said Dennis, and stalked out. 

He continued applying at every promising place, but to no purpose. Itwas midwinter; trade was dull; and with clerks idling about the shopsemployers were in no mood to add to their number. 

At last he found a place where an assistant book-keeper was wanted. Dennis's heart leaped within him, but sank again as he remembered howlittle he knew of the art. "But I can learn quickly, " he thought tohimself. 

The man looked carelessly at his poor little letter, and then said, in a business-like tone, "Show me a specimen of your handwriting. "

Poor Dennis had never written a good hand, but at college had learnedto write a miserable scrawl, in rapidly taking notes of lectures. Moreover, he was excited, and could not do himself justice. Even from hissanguine heart hope ebbed away; but he took the pen and scratcheda line or two, of which he himself was ashamed. The man looked at themwith an expression of mild disgust, and then said, "Mr. Jones, handme your ledger. "

The head book-keeper passed the volume to his employer, who showedDennis entries looking as from copper-plate, and quietly remarked:"The young man we employ must write like that, and thoroughly understandbook-keeping. Good-morning, sir. "

Dennis walked out, feeling almost as crestfallen as if he had beenconvicted of stealing, but the noon-day sun was shining in the sky, the streets were full of life and bustle, and hope revived. 

"I shall find the right niche before long, " he said to himself, andtrudged on. 

Some time after he entered a retail dry-goods store. 

"Yes, they wanted a young man there, but he was rather old. "

Still the merchant saw that Dennis was fine-looking, would appear wellbehind the counter, and make a taking salesman with the ladies, hestopped to parley a moment more. 

"Do you understand the business?"

"No, sir; but I can soon learn, for I am young and strong. "

"Strength is not what is needed, but experience. Ours is not the kindof work for Paddies. "

"Well, sir, " said Dennis, rather shortly, "I'm not a Paddy. "

The dapper little retailer frowned slightly at Dennis's tone, andcontinued: "You spoke as if main strength was the principal thing. Have you had any experience at all?"

"No, sir. "

But seeing intelligence in the young man's face, and scenting a sharpbargain, he said, "Why, then, you would have to begin at tho verybeginning, and learn the name of everything, its quality, etc. "

"Yes, sir; but I would do my very best. "

"Of course, of course, but nothing can take the place of experience. I expect, under the circumstances, you would look for very littleremuneration the first year?"

"How much could you give?"

The man named a sum that would not have supported Dennis alone. 

He replied that, though his services might not be worth more than that, he was so situated that he could not take a very small salary. 

"Then bring something besides ignorance to the market, " said the man, turning on his heel. 

Dennis was now hungry, tired, and disappointed. Indeed the calls ofappetite became so clamorous that he sought a cheap restaurant. Afterdemolishing a huge plate of such viands as could be had at little cost, he sat brooding over a cup of coffee for an hour or more. The worldwore a different aspect from that which it had presented in the morning, and he was lost in a sort of dull, painful wonder. 

But the abundant meal and slight element of coffee that colored thelukewarm water quite heartened him again. He resolved to go back tohis hotel and find a more quiet and comfortable place in which to lodgeuntil something permanent offered. He made what he considered sufficientinquiry as to the right direction, and resolved to save even the carfareof five cents by walking the distance. 

But whether he had not understood the directions rightly, or whether, brooding over the events of the day, his mind had been too preoccupiedto heed them, he found to his great disgust, after walking two or threemiles, that he had gone away from his destination instead of towardit. Angry with himself, out of humor with all the world, he began togive way to the latent obstinacy of his nature. Though everything went"contrairy, " there was one thing under his control--himself--and hewould make that do the bidding of his will. 

Turning on his heel, he resolved with dogged resolution to walk backthe whole distance. He would teach himself a lesson. It was finebusiness, just when he needed his wits so sorely, to commence blunderingin this style. No wonder he had failed during the day; he deserved tofail in other respects, since in this one he had not shown the goodsense of a child. 

When people are "out of sorts, " and things are going wrong, thedisposition to blame somebody or something is almost universal. Butwe think that it will be found a safe general rule, that the noblerthe nature, the less worthy of blame, the greater the tendency to blameself rather than anything else. Poor Dennis had no great cause forbitter reproaches, and yet he plodded on with an intense feeling ofself-disgust. 

To think that after New-England schools and three years in college heshould write such a hand and have no definite knowledge of book-keeping!"What have I learned, I'd like to know?" he muttered. Then to go andlose his way like a country bumpkin! and he gnawed his lips withvexation. 

The street-cars glided often and invitingly by, but he would not evenlook at them. 

At last, foot-sore and fairly aching with cold and fatigue, he reachedthe little hotel, which appeared more miserable, obscure, and profanethan ever. But a tempting fiend seemed to have got into the gin andwhiskey bottles behind the red-nosed bartender. To his morbid fancyand eyes, half-blinded with wind and cold, they appeared to wink, beckon, and suggest: "Drink and be merry; drink and forget yourtroubles. We can make you feel as rich and glorious as a prince, inten minutes. "

For the first time in his life Dennis felt a strong temptation to drinkfor the sake of the effects. When was a man ever weak that the devildid not charge down upon him?

But the evil and ruin wrought in one case proved another's safeguard, for the door opened and a miserable wreck of a man entered. As Dennislooked at his blotched, sodden face, trembling hand, shuffling gait, and general air of wretchedness, embodying and suggesting the worstills of humanity, he decided not to drink for the sake of the effects. 

Then came another rush of self-disgust that he had ever entertainedsuch a temptation, and he flung himself off supperless to bed. 

As he bowed that night he could not pray as usual. For anger, passionwith one's self, as well as with any one else, renders true prayerimpossible. But he went through the form, and then wrapped himself upas before. The wearied body soon mastered the perturbed mind, and hefell into a heavy sleep that lasted till morning. 

CHAPTER V

A HORNET'S NEST

Dennis awoke greatly refreshed and strengthened. For half an hour helay quietly thinking over the scenes of the preceding day; somethingof his old anger returned, but he compressed his lips, and, with aface expressing the most resolute purpose, determined that the daybefore him should tell a different story. Every faculty and energy hepossessed should be skilfully bent to the attainment of his objects. Wise deliberation should precede everything. He would write a few linesto his mother, decide as to a lodging-place, and then seek bettersuccess in another part of the city. He went to the bar and inquiredas to his bill, and found that so far as bed and meals were concerned, such as they were, he could not find anything cheaper in the city, thehouse evidently not depending on these for its revenue. Disgusted ashe was with his surroundings, he resolved to lose no time in lookingfor a new boarding-place, but, after writing to his mother, to startoff at once in search of something permanent. He was in no mood toconsult personal wishes, and the saving of time and money settled thequestion. 

Where should he write? There was no place save a desk at the end ofthe bar. Looking askance at the half-filled, villanous-smelling bottleat his elbow, he wrote in a hand stiff and unnatural (for he hadresolved to change his scrawl to a business hand at once), the followingnote:

"CHICAGO, ILL. , Jan. 10th. 

"DEAR MOTHER--I arrived safely, and am very well. I did not, yesterday, find a situation suited to my taste, but expect better success to-day. I am just on the point of starting out on my search, and when settledwill write you full particulars. Many kisses for yourself and thelittle girls. Your affectionate son, DENNIS. "

"There! there is nothing in that to worry mother, and soon I shallhave good news for her. " (If he had seen its reception, he would havelearned his mistake. The intuitions of love are keen, and this formalnegative note in the constrained hand told more of his disappointmentthan any words could have done. While he knew it not, his mother wassuffering with him. In reply she wrote a letter full of generalsympathy, intending to be more specific when he gave her hisconfidence. )

Dennis folded the letter most carefully and mailed it--for he was nowdoing the least thing with the utmost precision--with the air of onewho meant to find out the right thing to do, and then to do it to ahair-breadth. Nothing should go wrong that day. So at an early hourhe again sallied forth. 

Not far from the hotel there was a new grocery store about to be openedby two young men, formerly clerks, but now setting up for themselves. They stood at the door receiving a cart-load of goods as Dennisapproached. He had made up his mind to ask at every opportunity, andto take the first thing that promised fairly; he would also be verypolite. Touching his hat to the young men--a little act pleasing tothem in their newly acquired dignity as heads of a firm which as yethad no subordinates--Dennis asked if they would need any assistance. Graciously replying to his salutations, they answered, yes; they wanteda young man. 

Dennis explained that he was from the country, and showed theministerial letter. The young grocers looked wise over it, seemedpleased, said they wanted a young fellow from the country, that wasnot up to city tricks. Chicago was a hard place on young men--spoiledmost of them. Glad he was a member of the church. They were not, butbelieved a man must be mighty good to be one. As the young man theyhired must sleep in the store, they wanted one they could trust, andwould prefer a church member. 

The salary they offered was not large, but pretty fair in view of hishaving so much to learn, and it was intimated, that if business wasgood, and he suited, it would be increased. The point uppermost intheir minds was to find some one with whom they could trust their storeand goods, and this young man from the country, with a letter from aminister, seemed a godsend. 

They engaged him, but just as he was starting, with heart swellingwith self-satisfaction and joy, one of the firm asked, carelessly, "Where are you staying?'"

"At Gavin's Hotel. "

The man turned sharply, and looked most suspiciously at him, and thenat his partner, who gave a low whistle of surprise, and also eyed theyoung man for a moment askance. Then the men stepped aside, and therewas a brief whispered consultation. Dennis's heart sank within him. He saw that something was wrong, but what, he had not the least idea. The elder member of the embryo firm now stepped up and said, decidedly, "Good-morning, young man; we shall not need your services. "

"What do you mean?" cried Dennis, in a voice of mingled dismay andindignation. 

The man's face was growing red with anger, but he said, coldly, "Youhad better move on. _We_ understand. "

"But _I_ don't understand, your course toward me is most unjust. "

"Look here, young man, we are too old birds to be caught by any suchlight chaff as you have about you. You are a pretty church member, youare! You are a smart one, you are; nice boy, just from the country;suppose you do not know that Gavin's Hotel is the worst gambling holein the city, and every other man that goes there a known thief. Come, you had better move on if you do not want to get into trouble. Youwill make nothing here. "

"But I tell you, gentlemen--" cried Dennis, eagerly. 

"_You_ may tell what you please. _We_ tell you that we would not believeany one from that den under oath. Now you leave!"

The last words were loud and threatening. The attention of passers-bywas drawn toward them, and Dennis saw that further words were useless. In the minds of shrewd but narrow business men, not over-honestthemselves, more acquainted with the trickery of the world than withits virtues, suspicion against any one is fatal, and most assuredlyso against a stranger with appearances unfavorable. 

With heart wellnigh bursting with anger, disappointment, and shame, Dennis hastened away. He had been regarded as a thief, or at best ablackleg, seeking the position for some sinister purpose. This was theopening scene of the day on which he had determined that no mistakesshould be made, and here at the outset he had allowed himself to beidentified with a place of notorious ill-repute. 

Reaching the hotel, he rushed upstairs, got his trunk, and then turnedfiercely on the red-nosed bartender-"Why did you not tell me thecharacter of this place?"

"What kind of a place is it?" asked that functionary, coolly, armsakimbo. 

"You know well enough. You knew I was not one of your sort. "

"You don't mean to say that this is a bad place, do you?" said thebarkeeper, in mock solemnity. 

"Yes, the worst in Chicago. There is your money. "

"Hold on here, my small chicken; there is some money, but not enoughby a jugful. I want five dollars out of you before you take that trunkoff. "

"Why, this is sheer robbery, " exclaimed Dennis. 

"Oh, no; just keeping up the reputation of the house. You say it isthe worst in Chicago: must try and keep up our reputation. "

"Little fear of that; I will not pay it;" and Dennis started for histrunk. 

"Here, let that trunk alone; and if yer don't give me that five dollarscussed quick, I'll put a head on yer;" and he of the red nose put hishands on the bar in readiness to spring over. 

"I say, young feller, " said a good-natured loafer standing by, "youhad better gin him the five dollars; for Barney is the worst one inall Chicago to put a head on a man. "

"And will you stand by and see this outrage?" said Dennis, appealingto him. 

"Oh, gosh!" said the man, "I've got quarrels 'nough of my own withoutgetting my head broke for fellers I don't know. "

Dennis was almost speechless from indignation. Conscious of strength, his strong impulse for a moment was to spring at the throat of thebarkeeper and vent his rage on him. There is a latent tiger in everyman. But a hand seemed to hold him back, and a sober second thoughtcame over him. What! Dennis Fleet, the son of Ethel Fleet, brawling, fighting in a bar-room, a gambling-den, and going out to seek asituation that required confidence and fair-appearing, all blackened, bruised, and bleeding! As the truth flashed upon him in strong revulsionof feeling he fairly turned pale and sick. 

"There's the money, " said he, hoarsely, "and God forgive you. "

In a moment he had taken his trunk and was gone. The barkeeper staredafter him, and then looked at the money with a troubled and perplexedface. 

"Wal, " said he, "I'm used enough to havin' folk ask God to damn me, but I'm blessed if I ever had one ask Him to forgive me, before. I behanged, " said he, after a moment, as the thought grew upon him--"Ibe hanged if I wouldn't give him back the money if he hadn't gone soquick. "

With heart full of shame and bitterness, Dennis hastened down thestreet. At the corner he met a policeman, and told him his story. Allthe satisfaction he got was, "You ought not to go to such a place. Butyou're lucky if they only took five dollars from you; they don'tlet off many as easy as that. "

"Can I have no redress?"

"Now look here; it's a pretty ticklish thing to interfere with themfellers. It'll cost you plaguy sight more'n that, and blood, too, likeenough. If you'll take my advice, you won't stir up that hornet'snest. "

CHAPTER VI

"STARVE THEN!"

Dennis now followed the natural impulse to go to some distant part ofthe city, entirely away from the region that had become so hateful tohim. 

Putting the trunk on the front of a street-car, he rode on till he wasin the heart of the south-side district, the great business centre. He took his trunk into a roomy hardware store, and asked if he mightleave it there a while. Receiving a good-natured permission, he nextstarted off in search of a quiet, cheap boarding-place. His heart washeavy, and yet he felt thankful to have escaped as he had, for thethought of what might have been his experience if Barney had tried tofulfil his threat sickened him. The rough was as strong as he, andscenes of violence were his delight and daily experience. He rathergloried in a black eye, for he always gave two in exchange, and hisown bruised, swollen member paved the way gracefully for the tellingof his exploits, as it awakened inquiry from the lesser lights amongwhom he shone. But what would Dennis have done among the merchantswith "a head on him, " as the barkeeper understood the phrase? He wouldhave had to return home, and that he felt would be worse than death. In fact, he had come nearer to a desperate struggle than he knew, forBarney rarely resisted so inviting an opportunity to indulge hispugilistic turn, and had he not seen the policeman going by just atthat time, there would have been no idle threats in the case. 

Dennis set his teeth with dogged resolution, determined if necessary, to persevere in his search till he dropped in the street. But as heremembered that he had less than five dollars left, and no prospectof earning another, his heart grew like lead. 

He spent several weary hours in the vain search for a boarding-house. He had little to guide him save short answers from policemen. Theplaces were either too expensive, or so coarse and low that he couldnot bring himself to endure them. In some cases he detected that theywere accompanied by worse evils than gambling. Almost in despair, tired, and very hungry (for severe indeed must be the troubles thatwill affect the appetite of healthful youth on a cold winter day), hestopped at a small German restaurant and hotel. A round-faced, jollyTeuton served him with a large plate of cheap viands, which he devouredso quickly that the man, when asked for more, stared at him for amoment, and then stolidly obeyed. 

"What do you ask for a small room and bed for a night?" said Dennis. 

"Zwei shillen, " said the waiter, with a grin; "dot ish, if you don'tvant as pig ped as dinner. Ve haf zwei shillen for bed, and zwei shillenfor efery meal--von dollar a day--sheap!"

The place was comparatively clean. A geranium or two bloomed in thewindow, and lager instead of fiery whiskey seemed the principal beveragevended. Dennis went out and made inquiries, and every one in theneighborhood spoke of it as a quiet, respectable place, thoughfrequented only by laboring people. "That is nothing against it, "thought Dennis. "I will venture to stay there for a night or two, forI must lose no more time in looking for a situation. "

He took his trunk there, and then spent the rest of the day inunavailing search. He found nothing that gave any promise at all. Inthe evening he went to a large hotel and looked over the files ofpapers. He found a few advertisements for clerks and experts of variouskinds, but more from those seeking places. But he noted down everythinghopeful, and resolved that he would examine the morning papers bydaylight for anything new in that line, and be the first on hand. Hisnew quarters, though plain and meagre, were at least clean. Too wearyto think or even to feel more than a dull ache in his heart, he sleptheavily till the dawn of the following day. Poor fellow! it seemed tohim that he had lived years in those two days. 

He was up by daylight, and found a few more advertisements that lookedas if they might lead to something. As early as it was possible to seethe parties, he was on the ground, but others were there as soon ashimself. They had the advantage of some knowledge and experience inthe duties required, and this decided the question. Some spoke kindly, and suggested that he was better fitted for teaching than for business. 

"But where am I to find a position at this season of the year, whenevery place is filled?" asked Dennis. "It might be weeks before I couldget anything to do, and I must have employment at once. "

They were sorry, hoped he would do well, turned away, and went on doingwell for themselves; but the majority merely satisfied themselves thathe would not answer their purpose, and bade him a brief, business-likegood-morning. And yet the fine young face, so troubled and anxious, haunted a good many of those who summarily dismissed him. But "businessis business. "

The day passed in fruitless inquiry. Now and then he seemed on thepoint of succeeding, but only disappointment resulted. There were atthat season of the year few situations offering where a salarysufficient for maintenance was paid, and for these skilled laborerswere required. Dennis possessed no training for any one calling saveperhaps that of teacher. He had merely the fragment of a good generaleducation, tending toward one of the learned professions. He had fineabilities, and undoubtedly would in time have stood high as a lawyer. But now that he was suddenly called upon to provide bread for himselfand those he loved, there was not a single thing of which he couldsay, "I understand this, sir, and can give you satisfaction. "

He knew that if he could get a chance at almost anything, he couldsoon learn enough to make himself more useful than the majorityemployed, for few had his will and motive to work. But the point wasto find some one who would pay sufficient for his own and his mother'ssupport while he learned. 

It is under just such circumstances that so many men, and especiallywomen, make shipwreck. Thrown suddenly upon their own resources, theybring to the great labor-market of the world general intelligence, andalso general ignorance. With a smattering of almost everything, theydo not know practically how to do _one thing well_. Skilled hands, though backed by neither heart nor brains, push them aside. Take theyoung men or the young women of any well-to-do town or village, andmake them suddenly dependent upon their own efforts, and how many couldcompete in any one thing with those already engaged in supplying themarket? And yet just such helpless young creatures are every daycompelled to shift for themselves. If to these unfortunates the pathsof honest industry seem hedged and thorny, not so those of sin. Theyare easy enough at first, if any little difficulty with conscience canbe overcome; and the devil, and fallen humanity doing his work, standready to push the wavering into them. 

At the close of the next day, spent in weary search, Dennis met atemptation to which many would have yielded. As a last resort he hadbeen going around among the hotels, willing to take even the situationof porter, if nothing better offered. The day was fast closing, when, worn out and dejected, he entered a first-class house, and made hisusual inquiry. The proprietor looked at him for a moment, slapped himon the back, and said: "Yes, you are the man I want, I reckon. Do youdrink? No! might have known that from your face. Don't want a man thatdrinks for this place. Come along with me, then. Will give you two anda half a day if you suit, and pay you every night. I pay my helppromptly; they ain't near so apt to steal from you then. "

And the man hurried away, followed by Dennis with beating heart andflushed, wondering face. Descending a flight of stairs, they entereda brilliantly lighted basement, which was nothing less than a large, elegantly arranged bar-*room, with card and lunch-tables, andeasy-chairs for the guests to smoke and tipple in at their leisure. All along one side of this room, resplendent with cut glass and polishedsilver, ran the bar. The light fell warm and mellow on the variouskinds of liquor, that were so arranged as to be most tempting to thethirsty souls frequenting the place. 

Stepping up to the bulky man behind the bar the landlord said: "There, Mr. Swig, is a young man who will fill capitally the place of the chapwe dismissed to-day for getting tight. You may bet your life from hisface that he don't drink. You can break him in in a few days, and youwon't want a better assistant. "

For a moment a desperate wish passed through Dennis's mind, "Oh, thatwrong were right!" Then, indignant with himself, he spoke up, firmly--"Ithink I have a word to say in this matter. "

"Well, say on, then; what's the trouble?"

"I cannot do this kind of work. "

"You will find plenty harder. "

"None harder for one believing as I do. I will starve before I willdo this work. "

The man stared at him for a moment, and then coolly replied, "Starvethen!" and turned on his heel and walked away. 

Dennis also rushed from the place, followed by the coarse, jeeringlaugh of those who witnessed the scene. In his morbid, suffering statetheir voices seemed those of mocking demons. 

The night had now fallen. He was too tired and discouraged to look anyfurther. Wearily he plodded up the street, facing the bitter blastfilled with snow that had begun to fall. 

This then was the verdict of the world--"Starve!" This was the onlyprospect it offered--that same brave world which had so smilinglybeckoned him on to great achievements and unbounded success but a fewdays since--"Starve!" Every blast that swept around the corners howledin his ears, "Starve!" Every warmly clad person hurrying unheedinglyby seemed to say by his indifference, "Starve! who cares? there is noplace for you, nothing for you to do. "

The hard, stern resolution of the past few days, not to yield an inch, to persist in hewing his way through every difficulty, began to flag. His very soul seemed crushed within him. Even upon the threshold ofhis life, in his strong, joyous youth, the world had become to himwhat it literally was that night, a cold, wintry, stormy place, witha black, lowering sky and hard, frozen earth. 

His father's old temptation recurred to him with sudden and greatpower. "Perhaps father was right, " he mused. "God was against him, andis also against me, his son. Does He not visit the iniquity of thefathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation? Notbut that He will save us at last, if we ask Him, but there seems somegreat wrong that must be severely punished here. Or else if God doesnot care much about our present life, thinking only of the hereafter, there must be some blind fate or luck that crushes some and lifts upothers. "

Thus Dennis, too sad and morbid to take a just view of anything, ploddedon till he reached his boarding-place, and stealing in as if he hadno business to be there, or anywhere else, sat down in a dusky cornerbehind the stove, and was soon lost to surrounding life in his ownmiserable thoughts. 

CHAPTER VII

A GOOD SAMARITAN

Dennis was too good a Christian, and had received too deep a lessonin his father's case, to become bitter, angry, and defiant, even ifhe had believed that God was against him. He would have felt that itwas simply his duty to submit--to endure patiently. Somehow Untilto-day his heart had refused to believe that God could be against anyof His creatures. In fact, it was his general impression that God hadeverything to do with his being a good Christian, but very little withhis getting a good place. The defect in his religion, and that of hismother, too, was that both separated the spiritual life of the soultoo widely from the present life with its material, yet essential, cares and needs. At this point they, like multitudes of others, fellshort of their full privilege, and enjoyment of God's goodness. Hismother had cheered and sustained her hard lot by hopes and visions ofthe better life beyond--by anticipating joys to come. She had neverfully learned how God's love, like the sunlight, could shine upon andbrighten the thorny, rocky way, and cause the thorns to blossom, anddelicate fragrant flowers to grow in the crevices and bloom in shadednooks among the sharp stones. She must wait for her consolation. Shemust look out of her darkness to the light that shone through theportals of the tomb, forgetting that God caused His servants to singat midnight, in the inner prison, the deepest dungeon, though scourgedand bleeding. 

Unconsciously her son had imbibed the same ideas. 

Most devoutly he asked every day to be kept from sin, that he mightgrow in the Christian life; but he did not ask or expect, save in avague, general way, that help which a wise, good, earthly father wouldgive to a young, inexperienced child, struggling with the hard, practical difficulties of this world. As the days grew darker and morefull of disappointment, he had asked with increasing earnestness thathe might be kept from sin--from falling before the many and peculiartemptations that assailed him; and we have seen how God answered hisprayer, and kept him where so many would have fallen. But God meantto show him that His goodness extended further than he thought, andthat He cared for His children's well-being now as truly as in thehereafter, when He gathered them home into His immediate presence. ButDennis could not see this now. As far as he thought at all on thesubject, he had the vague feeling that God was either trying his faithor meting out some righteous judgment, and he must do the best hecould, and only see to it that he did not sin and give way morally. 

Yet, in the thick night of his earthly prospects, Dennis still lovedand trusted God. He reasoned justly, that if at last brought to sucha place as heaven, no matter what he suffered here, he had only causefor unbounded gratitude. And he felt sure that all would be right inthe end, but now feared that his life would be like his father's, atissue of disappointments, and that he, an unsuccessful voyager, storm-tossed and shipwrecked, would be thrown upon the heavenly shoreby some dark-crested billow of misfortune. 

Thus Dennis sat lost in gloomy musings, but too wearied in mind andbody to follow any line of thought long. A few stern facts kept loomingup before him, like rocks on which a ship is drifting. He had lessthan a dollar in his pocket. It was Friday night. If he did not getanything to do on Saturday, how was he going to live through Sundayand the days that followed? Then his dependent mother and sisters roseup before him. They seemed to his morbid fancy hungry and cold, andtheir famine-pinched faces full of reproach. His head bowed lower, andhe became the very picture of dejection. 

He was startled by a big, hearty voice at his side, exclaiming: "Whatmakes yer so down in the mouth? Come, take a drink, and cheer up!"

Raising his eyes, he saw a round, red face, like a harvest moon, shiningfull upon him. It was somewhat kindly in its expression, in keepingwith the words. Rough as was the courtesy, it went straight to thelonely, discouraged heart of the young man, and with moistened eyeshe said, "I thank you for speaking to me in a tone that has a littlehuman touch in it, for the last man that spoke to me left an echo inmy ear that I would gladly get out of it. "

"Bad luck to him, then! Give us yer hand; there!" with a grip like avise. "Bill Cronk never went back on a man he took to. I tell yer what, stranger, " said he, becoming confidential, "when I saw yer gloweringand blinking here in the corner as if yer was listening to yer ownfuneral sermon, I be ---- if I could take a comfortable drink. Come, now, take a good swig of old rye, and see how things will mellow up. "

Our good Samaritan in this case was a very profane and disreputableone, as many are in this medley world. He had a great, kindly nature, that was crawling and grovelling in all sorts of low, unseemly places, instead of growing straight up toward heaven. 

"I hope you will think me none the less friendly if I decline, " saidDennis. "I would drink with you as quick as with any man living, butit is a thing I never do. "

"Oh, you're temperance, are yer? Well, I don't think none the wuss ofyer for standing by yer colors. Between us, it would be better for meif I was a little more so. Hang it all! I take a drop too much now andthen. But what is a fellow to do, roughing it up and down the worldlike me? I should often get lonely and mope in the corner as you did, if I didn't get up steam. When I am down in the mouth I take a drinkto 'liven me up, and when I feel good I take a drink to make me feelbetter. When I wouldn't take a drink on my own hook, I meet somebodythat I'd ought to drink with. It is astonishing how many occasionsthere are to drink, 'specially when a man's travelling, like me. "

"No fear but what the devil will make occasions enough, " said Dennis. 

"What has the devil got to do with it?" asked the man, gruffly. 

Just then the miserable wretch entered who, appearing opportunely inGavin's Hotel, had cured Dennis of his desire to drink, when weary anddespondent, for the sake of the effects. For a moment they looked atthe blear-eyed, trembling wreck of a man, and then Dennis asked, "HadGod any hand in making that man what he is?"

"I should say not, " said Bill Cronk, emphatically. 

"Well, I should say the devil had, " said Dennis; "and there behind thebar are the means used--the best tool he has, it seems to me; for withit he gets hold of men with some heart and soul in them, like you. "

The man winced under the words that both conscience and experiencetold him were true; at the same time he was propitiated by Dennis'sgood opinion of him. He gave a big, good-natured laugh, slapped Dennison the shoulder, and said: "Wal, stranger, p'raps you're right. 'Tain'tevery temperance lecturer though that has an awful example come injust at the right time so slick. But you've stood by yer colors, andwe won't quarrel. Tell us, now, if it ain't private, what you're sochopfallen about. "

Dennis told his story, as grateful for this rough sympathy as a thirstytraveller would be in finding a spring though surrounded by thorns androcks. 

The round, jolly face actually grew long and serious through interestin the young man's tribulations. 

After scratching a shaggy but practical head for a few moments, Billspoke as follows:

"Seems to me the case is just this: here you are, a young blooded colt, not broken to either saddle or thills--here you are whinnying around amarket where they want nothing but dray-hosses. People look shy atyou--usually do at a strange hoss. Few know good p'ints when they see'em. When they find you ain't broke in to nothin', they want you towork for nothin'. I see how you can't do this. And yet fodder is runnin'short, and you must do somethin'. "

Bill, having dealt in live-stock all his life, naturally clothed histhoughts in language drawn from familiar objects, and Dennis, miserableas he was, half smiled at the close parallel run between him and ayoung, useless colt; but he only said, "I don't think there is acart-horse in all Chicago that feels more broken down and dispiritedthan I do to-night. "

"That may all be, too, " said Bill; "but you'd feel a little oats mightyquick, and a cart-hoss wouldn't. But I know the p'ints, whether it'sa man or a hoss; you'd take kindly to work of the right sort, and itwould pay any one to take you at yer own terms, but you can't make 'emsee it. If I was in a situation to take you, I'd do it in a minute. Hang it all! I can't do much for you, either. I took a drop too muchin Cleveland t'other night, and some of the folks in the house lookedover my pocket-book and left me just enough to get home with. "

Dennis shook his head reproachfully and was about to speak. 

"I know what you're going to say, " said Bill, heading off anothertemperance lecture. "I'll take a drink by and by, and think over whatyou've said, for I can't think much until I get a little steam up. Butnow we must try and see some way out of the fog for you;" and againin absence of the wonted steam he scratched the shaggy head vigorously. 

"Seems to me the best thing for you is to do as I did when I firstbroke the home pasture and started out on a rampage. I just grabbedthe fust job that come along, good, bad, or indifferent--always keptdoing something. You can look for a bird in the bush quite well whenyou've got one in the hand as when you hain't. To be sure I wasn't assqueamish as you are. I'd jumped at the offer you had this afternoon;but I reckon I'd taken toll too often to be very profitable. But inthis way I always kept a-goin'--never got down underfoot so the strongerones could tread on me. When it comes to that, I want to die. Now ifyou've got plenty of clear grit--Leetle disposed to show the whitefeather though, to-night, ain't yer?"

Dennis flushed up, and was about to speak, almost angrily. 

"There! there!" said his new friend. "I said yer wasn't a cart-hoss:one touch of the spur and up goes tail and ears, and then look out. Are yer ashamed to do any kind of honest work? I mean kinder piouswork, that hasn't any smack of the devil you're so afraid of in it?"

"No! work is just what I want. "

"Would you black boots, now?"

Dennis winced, thought a moment, and then, with a manly flush, said, "Yes, before I would take a cent of charity from any living soul. "

"Give us yer hand again. You're the kind of critter I like to investin; for you'd improve on a feller's hands. No fear about you; the onlything is to get you in harness before a load that will pay to haul. "

Suddenly he got up, strode to the bar-room door, looked out into thenight, and came back again. 

"I think I know of a way in which you can make two or three dollarsto-morrow. "

"How?" exclaimed Dennis, his whole face lighting up with hope. 

"Go to a hardware store, invest in a big wooden snow-shovel, and cleanoff sidewalks before stores. You can pick up a good many quartersbefore night, like enough. "

"I will do it, " said Dennis, heartily, "and thank you warmly for thesuggestion, and for your kindly interest generally, " and he looked upand felt himself another man. 

"Gosh! but it takes mighty few oats to set you up! But come, and letus have a little plain, substantial fodder. I will drink nothing butcoffee, to-night, out of compliment to you. "

Cheered, comforted, and hopeful, Dennis sat down with his goodSamaritan, and made a hearty supper, after which they parted with astrong friendly grip, and sincere good wishes, Cronk, the drover, goingon further west, and Dennis to the rest he so sorely needed. 

CHAPTER VIII

YAHCOB BUNK

Before retiring, Dennis as usual took his Bible from his trunk to reada chapter. He was now in a very different mood from that of a few hoursago. The suggestion of his bar-room acquaintance was a light upon hisway. And with one of Dennis's age and temperament, even a small hopeis potent. He was eager for the coming day, in order to try theexperiment of wringing bread and opportunity for further search outof the wintry snows. 

But that which had done him the most good--more than he realized--wasthe kindness he had received, rough though it was--the sympathy andcompanionship of another human being; for if he had been cast away ona desert island he could not have been more isolated than in the greatcity, with its indifferent multitudes. 

Moreover the generous supper was not without its decided influence;and with it he had drunk a cup of good coffee, that nectar of the gods, whose subtile, delicate influence is felt in body and brain, in everyfibre of the nature not deadened and blunted by stronger and coarserstimulants. He who leaves out physical causes in accounting for mentaland moral states, will usually come wide of the mark. But while givingthe influences above referred to their due force, so far from ignoring, we would acknowledge with emphasis, the chief cause of man's abilityto receive and appreciate all the highest phases of truth and good, namely, God's help asked for and given. Prayer was a habit with Dennis. He asked God with childlike faith for the bestowment of every Christiangrace, and those who knew him best saw that he had no reason tocomplain that his prayers were unanswered. 

But now, at a time when he would most appreciate it, God was about toreveal to him a truth that would be a rich source of help and comfortthrough life, and a sudden burst of sunshine upon his dark way at thepresent hour. He was to be shown how he might look to heaven for helpand guidance in respect to his present and earthly interests, as trulyas in his spiritual life. 

As he opened his Bible his eyes caught the words of our Lord--"Launchout into the deep and let down your nets for a draught. "

Then Peter's answer--"Master, we have toiled all the night and havetaken nothing: nevertheless, at Thy word I will let down the net. "

The result--"They inclosed a great multitude of fishes. "

With these words light broke in upon his mind. "If our Lord, " he mused, "helped His first disciples catch fish, why should He not help me finda good place?" Then unbelief suggested, "It was not for the sake ofthe fish; they were only means to a higher end. "

But Dennis, who had plenty of good common-sense, at once answeredthis objection: "Neither do I want position and money for low, selfishpurposes. My ends are the best and purest, for I am seeking my ownhonest living and the support of my mother and sisters--the veryimperative duties that God is now imposing on me. Would God reveal aduty and no way of performing it?"

Then came the thought: "Have I asked Him to help me? Have I not beenseeking in my own wisdom, and trusting in my own strength? and thistoo when my ignorance of business, the dull season of the year, andeverything was against me, when I specially needed help. Little wonderthat I have fared as I have. "

Turning the leaves of his Bible rapidly, he began searching forinstances of God's interference in behalf of the temporal interestsof His servants--for passages where earthly prosperity was promisedor given. After an hour he closed the Bible with a long breath ofwonder, and said to himself "Why, God seems to care as much for thewell-being and happiness of his children here as He will when He hasus all about Him in the home above. I've been blind for twenty-oneyears to one of the grandest truths of this Book. "

Then, as the thought grew upon him, he exclaimed, joyously, "Takeheart, Dennis Fleet: God is on your side in the struggle for an honestsuccess in this life as truly as in your fight against sin and thedevil. "

It was long before he slept that night, but a truth had been revealedthat rested and strengthened him more than the heavy slumbers afterthe weary days that had preceded. 

The dawn of the winter morning was cold and faint when Dennis appearedin the bar-room the next day. The jolly-faced Teuton was making thefire, stopping often to blow his cold fingers, and wasting enough goodbreath to have kindled a furnace. His rubicund visage, surrounded byshaggy hair and beard of yellow, here appeared in the dust and smokehe was making like the sun rising in a fog. 

"Hillo!" he said, on seeing Dennis; "vat you oop dis early for? Don'tvant anoder dinner yet, I hope?"

"I will take that in good time, " said Dennis; "and shall want a biggerone than that which so astonished you at first. "

"Oh, my eyes!" said the German; "den I go and tell de cook to pegin toget him right avay. "

Laughing good-naturedly, Dennis went to the door and looked out. Onsidewalk and street the snow lay six or eight inches deep, untrodden, white and spotless, even in the heart of the great city. "How differentthis snow will look by night, " thought he; "how soiled and black!Perhaps very many come to this city in the morning of life like thissnow, pure and unstained; but after being here awhile they become likethis snow when it has been tossed about and trodden under every carelessfoot. God grant that, however poor and unsuccessful I may remain, suchpollution may never be my fate. "

But feeling that he had no time for moralizing if he would secure breadfor the coming day of rest, he turned and said to the factotum of thebar-room, "How much will you give to have the snow cleared off thesidewalk in front of your house?"

"Zwei shillen. "

"Then I will earn my breakfast before I eat it, if you will lend mea shovel. "

"I dought you vas a shentlemans, " said the German, staring at him. 

"So I am; just the shentlemans that will clean off your sidewalk forzwei shillen, if you will let him. "

"You vant to do him for exercise?"

"No; for zwei shillings. "

"I dought you vas a shentlemans, " said the man, still staring in stolidwonder at Dennis. 

"Didn't you ever know of a gentleman who came from Germany to thiscountry and was glad to do anything for an honest living?"

"Often and often I haf. You see von here, " said the man, with a grin. "Well, I am just that kind of a gentleman. Now if you will lend me ashovel I will clean off your sidewalk for two shillings, and be a greatdeal more thankful than if you had given me the money for nothing. ""Little fear of dot, " said the man, with another grin. "Vel, you areder queerest Yankee in Chicago, you are; I dink you are 'bout hafSherman. I tells you vat--here, vat's your name?--if you glean off dotsidewalk goot, you shall haf preakfast and dinner, much as you eat, vidout von shent to pay. I don't care if der cook is cooking all day. I like your--vat you call him?--shpunk. "

"It's a bargain, " said Dennis; "and if I can make a few more like itto-day, I shall be rich. "

"You may vel say dot. I vill go into der market and see if dere'senough for me to keep my bart of der bargain goot. "

For half an hour Dennis worked away lustily, and then called histask-master and said, "Will you accept the job?"

Surveying with surprise the large space cleared, and looking in vainfor reason to find fault, he said: "I say nothin' agin him. I hope youvill eat your dinner as quick. Now come in to your preakfast. "

He pretended to be perfectly aghast at Dennis's onslaught on thebuckwheat cakes, and rolled up his eyes despairingly as each new platewas emptied. 

Having finished, Dennis gave him a nod, and said, "Wait tilldinner-time. "

"Ah! dere vill be von famine, " said the German, in a tone of anguish, wringing his hands. 

Having procured the needful implement, Dennis started out, and, thoughthere was considerable competition, found plenty to do, and shovelledaway with little cessation till one o'clock. Then, counting his gains, he found that he had paid for his shovel, secured breakfast and dinner, and had a balance on hand of two dollars and fifty cents, and he hadnearly half a day yet before him. He felt rich--nay, more than that, he felt like a man who, sinking in a shoreless ocean, suddenly catchesa plank that bears him up until land appears in the distance. 

"This is what comes of asking God to help a fellow, " said he to himself. "Strange, too, that He should answer my prayer in part before I asked, by causing that queer jumble of good and evil, Bill Cronk, to suggestto me this way of turning an honest penny. I wish Bill was as good afriend to himself as he is to others. I fear that he will go to thedogs. Bless me! the gnawings of hunger are bad enough, but what mustbe those of conscience? I think I can astonish my German friend to-dayas never before;" and, shouldering his shovel, he walked back to dinner, feeling like a prince bearing aloft the insignia of his power. 

When he entered the bar and lunch room, he saw that something waswrong. The landlord met him, instead of his jolly, satirical friend. 

Now the owner of the place was a wizen-faced, dried-up old anatomy, who seemed utterly exhaling away in tobacco smoke, while his assistantwas becoming spherical under the expansive power of lager. It was hiscustom to sit up and smoke most of the night, and therefore he wasdown late in the morning. When he appeared his assistant told him ofthe bargain he had made with Dennis as a good joke. But old Hans hadn'tany faculty for jokes. Dollars and cents and his big meerschaum madeup the two elements of his life. The thought of losing zwei shillingsor zwei cents by Dennis, or any one else, caused him anguish, andinstead of laughing, his fun-loving assistant was aghast at seeing himfall into a passion. 

"You be von big fule. Vat for we keep mens here who haf no money? Youshould gleared him off, instead of making pargains for him to eat usout of der house. "

"We haf his trunk, " said Jacob, for that was his name. 

"Nothin' in it, " growled Hans, yet somewhat mollified by this fact. When Dennis appeared, he put the case without any circumlocution: "Imakes my livin' by keepin' dis house. I can no make my livin' unlessefrypodies bays me. I haf reason to dink dot you haf no moneys. Vatish de druf? 'Gause if you haf none, you can no longer stay here. "

"Have I not paid for everything I have had so far?" said Dennis. 

"Dot is not der question. Haf you got any moneys?"

"What is your bill in advance up to Monday morning?"

"Zwei dollar and a quarter, if you dake preakfast. ""Deduct breakfast and dinner to-day for clearing off the sidewalk. "

"Dot ish too much; you did it in half-hour. "

"Well, it would have taken you three. But a bargain is a bargain, theworld over. Did not you promise it?"--to Jacob. 

"Yah! und you shall haf him, too, if I be der loser. Yahcob Bunk ishnot der man to go pack on his vort. "

"Vel, den, " said old Hans, "von dollar sheventy-five to Monday morning. "

"There's the money; now let me have my dinner, for I am in a hurry. "

At the sight of money Hans at once became the most obsequious of hosts, and so would remain while it lasted. But Dennis saw that the momentit was gone his purchased courtesy would change, and he trembled athis narrow escape from being thrust out into the wintry streets, friendless, penniless, to beg or starve--equally hard alternatives tohis mind. 

"Come, Yahcob, thou snail, give der shentlemans his dinner, " said Hans. 

Jacob, who had been looking on with heavy, stolid face, now brightenedup on seeing that all was right, and gave Dennis a double portion ofthe steaming pot-pie, and a huge mug of coffee. When Dennis had finishedthese and crowned his repast with a big dumpling, Jacob came to himwith a face as long and serious as his harvest moon of a visage couldbe made, and said: "Dere ish nodding more in Chicago; you haf gleanedit out. Ve must vait dill der evenin' drain gomes pefore ve haf supper. "

"That will be time enough for me, " said Dennis, laughing--for he couldlaugh to-day at little things--and started off again with his shovel. 

CHAPTER IX

LAND AT LAST

During the latter part of a busy afternoon, Dennis came to a spacious, elegant store before which the snow lay untouched save as trodden bypassers-by. Over the high arched doorway was the legend in gilt letters, "Art Building"; and as far as a mere warehouse for beautiful thingscould deserve the title, this place did, for it was crowded withengravings, paintings, bronzes, statuary, and every variety of ornament. With delighted eyes and lingering steps he had passed slowly throughthis store a few days previous in his search, but had received theusual cool negative. He had gone reluctantly out into the cold streetagain as Adam went out of Paradise. 

A large florid-looking man with a light curling mustache now stood inthe doorway. His appearance was unmistakably that of a German of thehighest and most cultivated type. And yet, when he spoke, his Englishwas so good that you detected only a foreign accent. Strong vexationwas stamped upon his face as he looked at the snowy, untidy sidewalk. 

"Mr. Schwartz, " he asked of one of his clerks, "was Pat here thismorning?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Was he perfectly straight?"

"I cannot say that he was, sir. "

"He is off on a spree again. Send him to me the moment he returns. "

"Shall I clear your sidewalk?" said Dennis, stepping up and touchinghis hat respectfully. 

"Yes, " said the gentleman, scarcely looking at him; "and when you havefinished come to the office for your money;" and then he walked backinto the store with a frowning brow. 

Though Dennis was now pretty thoroughly fatigued with the hard day'swork, he entered on this task with a good will as the closing laborof the day, hoping, from the wide space to be cleared, to receiveproportionate recompense. And yet his despatch was not so great asusual, for in spite of himself his eyes were continually wandering tothe large show-windows, from which smiled down upon him summerlandscapes, and lovely faces that seemed all the more beautiful incontrast with the bleak and darkening street. 

He was rudely startled from one of his stolen glances at a sweet, girlish face that seemed peering archly at him from a corner. His earswere assailed by the loud tones and strong brogue of "Pat, " returningthus late to his neglected duties. 

"Bad luck to yez! what yez doin' here?"

"Clearing the sidewalk, " said Dennis, laconically. 

"Give me that shovel, or I'll knock bloody blazes out of yez. "

Dennis at once stood on the defensive, and raised his toolthreateningly. At the same time seeing a policeman, he called out, "Will you please cause this drunken fellow to move on?"

The officer was about to comply, when the Irishman, with a snort likethat of a mad bull, rushed to the door of the art building, wrenchedit open, and, leaving it so, tore down the long store, crying, "MistherLudolph! Misther Ludolph! here's a bloody spalpane a-doin' my work. "

He had scarcely got half-way to the office before there was a crashfollowed by a general commotion. 

Pat, in his blind rage, and with steps uncertain from the effects ofwhiskey, had struck a valuable marble, and it lay broken on the floor. This catastrophe sobered him, and he stood looking in dismay at thedestruction he had wrought. His employer, the gentleman whom Dennishad seen at the door, now appeared upon the scene in a towering passion, and scrupled not to heap maledictions upon the head of the unfortunateHibernian. 

"What do you mean by rushing through the store in this mad style?" hedemanded. 

"There's an impudent fellow outside a-doin' my work, " said Pat. 

"Why didn't you do it yourself, instead of going off to the gin-millsthis morning? Didn't I warn you? Didn't I tell you your last spreeshould be the last in my employ? Now begone, you drunken idiot! andif you ever show your face on these premises again I'll have youarrested and compel payment for this marble, and it will take everycent you have in the world, and more too. "

"Ah! Misther Ludolph, if ye'll only give me one more--"

"I tell you be off! or I will call the policeman at once. "

"But Bridget and the childer will starve. "

"What are Bridget and the children to me? If you won't take care ofthem, you can't expect other people to. Begone!" said his employer, advancing threateningly and stamping his foot. 

Pat looked around in vain for help: the clerks were but fainter echoesof their master. 

Seeing his case to be hopeless, he turned about then hurried away, hisbig red face distorted by many contending emotions. Nor did he stopuntil he reached one of the fatal "gin-mills, " where he soon drownedmemory and trouble in huge potations of the fiery element that wasdestroying him and bringing wretchedness to "Bridget and the childer. "

Again Dennis had a lesson on drinking for the effects. 

He rapidly completed his work and entered the store. A clerk handedhim fifty cents. 

"May I see Mr. Ludolph a moment?" he asked. 

"Yes, " replied the clerk, "he is in the inner office there; but I guessyou won't find him very smooth this evening, " looking at the same timesuggestively toward the broken marble. 

But Mr. Ludolph was not in as bad a humor as was imagined. This thriftyTeuton had not lost much by the mishap of the afternoon, for a monthor two of wages was due Pat, and this kept back would pay in the mainfor the injury he had done. His whole soul being bent on the acquirementof money, for reasons that will be explained further on, his momentarypassion soon passed away when he found he had sustained no materialinjury. To Dennis's knock he responded in his usual tone, "Come in!"and Dennis stood in a warm, lighted, cosey office, where the objectof his quest sat writing rapidly with his back to the door. Denniswaited respectfully till the facile pen glided through the sentence, and then Mr. Ludolph looked up. Dennis's bearing and appearance wereso unmistakably those of a gentleman that Mr. Ludolph, notrecognizing him as the person who had cleared his sidewalk, rosecourteously and said, "Did you wish to see me?"

"Yes, sir, " replied Dennis; "I understand that you dismissed a personin your employ this afternoon. I would respectfully apply for hisplace, if it is not promised. "

The gentleman smiled and said: "You are mistaken, I think. I dischargeda drunken Irishman, who had been porter and man-of-all-work about thestore, this afternoon; but I have no place vacant, young sir, that youwould care to fill. "

"If you think me competent to fill the position of porter and yourman-of-all-work, I would be very glad to obtain it; that is, if itwill support me and those dependent on me. "

The merchant muttered to himself, "I thought he was a gentleman. "

Then, as this was a business matter of some importance, he causedDennis to stand full in the light, while he withdrew somewhat in theshadow, and gave it his attention with characteristic shrewdness andcaution. 

"You seem rather above the situation you ask for, " he said. 

"I am not above it in circumstances, " said Dennis, "and it certainlyis better than shovelling snow all day. "

"Are you the man that just cleaned my sidewalk?"

"I am, sir. "

"You must be aware that your general appearance is very different fromthat of the man discharged to-day, and from those seeking the menialplace in question. Can you explain this fact satisfactorily?"

"I can readily explain it, and I hope satisfactorily. At any rate Ishall be perfectly open;" and Dennis told him briefly, but plainly, just how he was situated. 

As the keen man of the world watched with the closest scrutiny thehonest young face, he believed every word. Accustomed to deal with allclasses of men from childhood, he had learned to read them as the openpage of a book. 

He asked coolly, however, "Have you no recommendations?"

Dennis produced the ministerial letter, which Mr. Ludolph glanced atwith good-natured contempt. 

"This is all right, " he said; "superstition is an excellent thing forsome minds. I managed Pat a year through his priest, and then he gotbeyond the priest and me too. "

This undisguised contempt of all that he held sacred, and the classingof true faith with gross superstition, pained Dennis; and his faceshowed it, though he said nothing. 

"There, " said the gentleman, "I did not mean to hurt your feelings, but to the educated in our land these things seem very childish. "

"I should serve you none the worse, " said Dennis, with quiet dignity, "if I believed that the duty I owed to you I owed also to God. "

Mr. Ludolph looked as if a new idea had struck him, smiled, and said:"Most people's religion, as far as my experience has gone, is not ofthis practical kind. But I believe that I can trust you, and your faceand story are worth much more to me than this letter. A scamp mightpossess that as well as an honest youth like you. Now, as to terms:I will give you forty dollars a month for the first two months, andthen, if you develop and take well to the work, I will give you sixty. "

Dennis thought that this, with close economy, would enable him to liveand support his mother and sisters, and he accepted the terms. 

"Moreover, to show the advantage of telling a straightforward story, you may sleep in the store: the building will be safer for having someone in it. I will pay you at the end of every week as long as you suit, so that you can commence sending something to your mother immediately. You see that I take an interest in you, " said the shrewd man, "andexpect you to take an interest in my business, and work for me as foryourself. "

Simple, honest Dennis could not see that Mr. Ludolph cared infinitelymore for himself than for all the world combined, and made it hislife-study to get the most out of it with the least cost to himself. Under the words that seemed so kind and considerate, the young man'sheart swelled with the strong and grateful purpose to spare himselfin no way in the service of such an employer. The wily man saw this, and smiled to himself over the credulity of mankind. 

"Have you enough to last till next Saturday night?" he asked. 

"I will make it last, " said Dennis, sturdily. 

"That is right, " said Mr. Ludolph. "Stand on your own feet if you can. I never give any more help than will barely enable a man to helphimself"--a maxim which had the advantage not only of being sound, butof according exactly with his disposition. 

After a moment's thought, Mr. Ludolph spoke in a tone so sharp, anda manner so stern, that Dennis was startled. 

"Mark me, young man, I wish a plain understanding in one respect: youtake Pat's place, and I expect you to do Pat's work. I wish no troubleto arise from your being above your business. "

"You will have none, " said Dennis, quietly and firmly. 

"All right, then. Mr. Schwartz will show you about closing up thestore. Be here early Monday morning, and remember that all dependsupon yourself. "

In the depths of his grateful heart Dennis felt how much the successof that day and every day of life depended on God. 

Mr. Ludolph put on his coat and gloves and went out with Dennis intothe store. 

"Gentlemen, " said he to his clerks, "this young man, Dennis Fleet byname, will take the place of Pat Murphy, discharged to-day. Mr. Schwartz, will you show him what it is necessary to do to-night? Hewill be here on Monday morning at the usual time for opening the store, and after that will sleep in the building. "

The clerks looked at him for a moment, as they might at a new pieceof furniture, or a labor-saving machine, and then coolly finished theirduties, and followed their employer. Mr. Schwartz showed him aboutclosing the store, taking care of the furnace, etc. , and Dennis sawthat his place was no sinecure. Still it was not work, but its lack, that he dreaded, and his movements were so eager and earnest that afaint expression of surprise and curiosity tinged the broad, stolidface of Mr. Schwartz; but he only buttoned his coat to the chin andmuttered, "New broom, " and went his way homeward, leaving Dennis togo his. 

CHAPTER X

THE NEW BROOM

The following Sabbath was a bright winter day without, but brightsummer in Dennis's heart. He inquired his way to a neighboring church, and every word of prayer, praise, and truth fell on a glad, gratefulspirit. Returning, he wrote a long letter to his mother, telling herall he had passed through, especially dwelling on the truth he haddiscovered of God's wish to make this life happy and successful, aswell as the life beyond. 

In closing, he wrote: "Here I am, Dennis Fleet, who a few days sincethought the world scarcely large enough for what I meant to do, standingcontentedly and gratefully in Pat Murphy's shoes. I will not concealfrom you, speaking figuratively (the fates forbid that it should beliterally true), that I hope to outgrow them, and arrive at somethingbetter before many months pass. In the meantime I am indeed thankfulfor the means of winning honest bread for us all. It is quite acome-down from the classics and law to the position of porter and manof-all-work in a picture and music store, but if God means me to riseHe can lead me upward from my lowly standpoint as well as from themost favored that I could have chosen for myself. I have learned thatif I will _trust Him_ and do present duty thoroughly, He will not forgetme. "

On Monday morning, half an hour before the specified time, Dennis stoodat the store. Impatiently he walked up and down before what wouldbecome the scene of joys and sorrows such as he had never beforeexperienced. But we will not anticipate. 

In due time Mr. Schwartz appeared. He gave Dennis a cool nod, and said, "Glad to see you so prompt, " then muttered again to himself, "Newbroom. "

In Mr. Schwartz's slow, plodding soul the fire of enthusiasm had neverburned. He was eminently conservative, and looked with wary suspicionon anything that appeared like earnestness. In the midst of a driving, bustling Western city, he stuck in the mud of his German phlegm, likea snag in the swift current of the Mississippi. Yet Mr. Ludolph foundhim a most valuable assistant. He kept things straight. Under hisminute supervision everything had to be right on Saturday night aswell as on Monday morning, on the 31st of December as well as on the1st of January. He was one who through life would be satisfied witha subordinate position, conscious of the lack of enterprise needfulto push his own way in the world. His painstaking, methodical spiritwas just the kind to pervade a large warehouse like that he had incharge, and prevent loss and confusion in the multiplicity of objectsit contained. Pat's careless Irish ways had vexed his soul beyondwords, and now Dennis's eager manner suggested a hare-brained Yankeeyouth who would raise a dust for a week and then be off at somethingelse. He was therefore cool and curt, seeking by frostiness of mannerto nip the budding enthusiasm that annoyed him. 

Dennis heeded him not, but bent every faculty to the mastery of theduties required of him. He was to mop out the store with damp cloths, so as to raise no dust, to look after the furnace and graduate theheat throughout the building, to receive boxes, to assist in packingand unpacking pianos and other musical instruments that occupied partof the upper floors, and to make himself generally useful. So far frombeing an easy position, it was one that required great strength anddespatch, and these had been Pat's qualities save when drink got thebetter of him. For one of his age, Dennis was very strong, and hisexperience in helping his mother in household duties had made him quickand dexterous, where most young men would have been awkward and slow. After a day or two Mr. Schwartz relaxed his grimness somewhat, for ifDennis worked eagerly he also worked well for a beginner. Still itwould require several years of well-doing to satisfy old Schwartz thatall was right. But Mr. Ludolph, with his quick insight into character, watched this "new broom" a few days, and then congratulated himselfon gaining another decided help toward the object nearest his heart. 

The other clerks were of German descent, and under Mr. Schwartz's rigidsystem each one filled his appropriate niche, and performed carefullythe duties assigned. 

Even to Dennis's uncultivated eye there was an inartistic formalityabout the whole establishment. His sense of this was at first but afeeling--a vague impression that grew upon him without his quite knowingwhy. He soon discovered, however, that everything was arranged squarely, according to system, order, and not with a view of placing in the bestlights and shadows the beautiful things to be sold. He saw that Mr. Ludolph was annoyed by the same defect. One bright day, when everythingstood out with glaring distinctness, he seemed provoked beyond measureby this inartistic rigidity, and stormed through the store at a greatrate. 

"This art building and everybody and everything in it look as if theyhad swallowed a ramrod, " snarled he. "Mr. Schwartz, can't you teachthe young men to throw a little ease and grace into the arrangementof the articles under their charge?"

Mr. Schwartz looked at him with a blank, impassive face, and hisemployer felt that he might as well ask an elephant to teach dancing. 

Turning suddenly on a stolid youth, he exclaimed, "By the gods! if youhave not arranged all the statuettes on your counter in straight lines, and half of them with their backs toward the door at which our customersenter! Here, gather round me while I give you some ideas ofarrangement. "

The clerks gathered around him, while with hands of skill and tastehe placed everything artistically. The effect of a little transpositionwas marvellous, and Mr. Schwartz acknowledged that the groups lookeddoubly pretty and inviting. Dennis stood at a respectful distance, butwas a close observer. He was the only one who gained much benefit fromthe lesson, because the only one capable of receiving it. With quick, appreciative eye he saw the grouping needful to produce the desiredeffect. 

As Mr. Ludolph looked up he caught Dennis's intelligent gaze. 

"That is right, Fleet, " he said; "you learn, too, if you can, and whenyou are dusting around see if you cannot combine a little order andgrace. "

From that day forward the hand and taste of Dennis Fleet gradually, and almost imperceptibly at first, gave a new aspect and created anew atmosphere in the "Art Building. " But at first he was kept busyenough at his humble routine duties. Every one felt and expressed alittle surprise at his getting into harness so quickly, but Mr. Schwartz's influence was not conducive to conversation or emotions, however faint. All went forward quietly and orderly, like well-oiledmachinery. Customers received every attention, and though many no doubthad the undefined feeling that something was wrong in the arrangementof the store, each found an abundance of beautiful things suited to histaste and purse, and so trade was good, even though the holiday seasonwas over. 

As for Dennis, he was to a certain extent in Paradise. Nature had givenhim a deep, earnest love of the beautiful, and a keen perception of it. 

Though his days were busy indeed, he found time gradually to studyevery pretty thing in the store. Though much was mystery to him asyet, he felt that he had crossed the threshold of a beautiful world--theworld of art. When a boy in New England he had taken drawing-lessons, and had shown remarkable aptness. While at college, also, he had givensome attention to drawing and coloring, but circumstances had preventedhim from following the bent of his taste. Now the passion awoke withtenfold force, and he had not been in his place a week before he beganto make sketches of little things that pleased him. Some of the picturesand bronzes became almost dear because of the pleasure and inspirationthat they occasioned, and at their sale his feeling was akin to regret. Early in the morning, when refreshed and brightened by the night'srest, he would walk through the store as through fairy-land, and, forgetting that he was a humble servitor, would feel as if all werehis. But in fact was not his possession truer than that of many whosepalace walls glow with every rich gem of art, and yet whose eyes areblind and their hearts dull to the beauty they have paid for?

A few days after his arrival, a little incident occurred that was hardand practical enough, and might justly cause him to feel that heoccupied a humble place, not only in the world of art, but in the worldin general. There had been a day of rain, slush, and mud. One of theyounger clerks had been sent out on an errand, and came in wellsplashed. Drawing off his boots, he threw them to Dennis, saying: "Hereyou, Fleet! black my boots as quick as you can. I must go out again. "

Dennis reddened, and for a moment drew himself up as if he had beenstruck. The young man saw it and said, in a loud, coarse tone thatcould be heard by several customers: "Vat! you above your biz? I thoughtit vould be so. "

Dennis acted with decision. He meant to have the matter settled atonce. Picking up the muddy boots, he marched straight into Mr. Ludolph'soffice. That gentleman looked up, impatient at interruption, and sawhis man-of-all-work standing before him with the splashed boots danglingin his hands. 

"'Well, what is it?" asked he, sharply. 

"Mr. Berder threw me those boots and told me to black them. Is thisa part of my duty here?" said Dennis, in a firm, quiet tone. 

"Curse it all!" said Mr. Ludolph, with much irritation; "I thoughtthere would be trouble with your uppishness. "

"There shall be no trouble whatever, " said Dennis; "but I prefer totake my orders from you, and not from Mr. Berder. If you say this isexpected, the disagreeable task shall be done as well as I can do it. "

Mr. Ludolph looked sharply at the young man for a moment and hesitated. In his heart he felt that he was speaking to a gentleman, and that itwas not the thing to ask of him such menial work. But his irritationand desire to crush out anything like insubordination prevailed. Still, rather than directly order it, he appealed to the custom of the past, and stepping to the door of the office he called: "Mr. Schwartz, comehere! Did Pat black the shoes of the _gentlemen_ of this store?"

"Yes, sir. "

"You took Pat Murphy's place, did you not?"

"Yes, sir, " said Dennis. 

"It seems to me, then, that this settles the question, " said Mr. Ludolph, coolly, turning to his writing; but he furtively and carefullywatched Dennis's course. 

Determined to show that he was not above his business, that he acceptedthe bitter with the sweet, Dennis went upstairs to his room, gotblacking and brush, and taking his station in a corner where Mr. Ludolphcould plainly see him through the glass doors of his office, he polishedaway as vigorously as if that were his only calling. Mr. Ludolph lookedand smiled. His was a nature that could be pleased with a small triumphlike this. But the other clerks, seeing Mr. Berder's success, anddetermining to do their part, also, in taking Dennis, "down a peg, "as they expressed it, brought their boots, too, and Mr. Berder camewith his again in the afternoon. Dennis cleaned and polished away infull view of Mr. Ludolph, who began to realize with vexation that hisman-of-all-work would have little time for the duties of the store ifhe were installed general bootblack of the establishment. But, afterthis, cold and snow kept the streets dry and clean for some time, andthe matter passed on without further notice. Boots were seldom broughtto him, and when they were, they were cleaned without a word. In themeantime, his ability and faithfulness in the discharge of his regularduties, and in some slight degree his taste and judgment, began to berecognized, and Mr. Ludolph congratulated himself that in giving DennisPat Murphy's place he had made a decided change for the better. 

CHAPTER XI

TOO MUCH ALIKE

One of the duties that Dennis enjoyed most was the opening of newgoods. With the curiosity and pleasure of a child he would unpack thetreasures of art consigned to his employer, and when a number of boxeswere left at the front door he was eager to see their contents. Duringhis first three weeks at the store, there had not been many sucharrivals of goods and pictures. But now new things were coming in; and, above all, Mr. Ludolph was daily expecting pictures importeddirectly from Europe. 

One afternoon early in February a large flat box was brought to thestore. Mr. Ludolph examined its marks, smiled, and told Dennis to openit with great care, cutting every nail with a chisel. There was littleneed of cautioning him, for he would have bruised his right hand ratherthan mar one line of beauty. 

The "Art Building" contained two or three small showrooms, where themore valuable pictures could be exhibited in a good light. Into oneof these the large box was carried, and most carefully opened. The twoclerks who were helping Dennis laughed at his eager interest, andcalled him under their breath a "green 'un. " Mr. Schwartz looked uponhim as a mild sort of lunatic. But Mr. Ludolph, who stood near, to seeif the picture was safe and right, watched him with some curiosity. His manner was certainly very different from Pat Murphy's at such atime, and his interest both amused and pleased his employer. 

When at last the picture was lifted from the box and placed on a largeeasel, all exclaimed at its beauty save Dennis. On looking at him, they saw that his eyes had filled with tears, and his lips werequivering so that he could not have spoken. 

"Is she a relation of yours?" asked Mr. Schwartz, in a matter-of-facttone. 

A loud laugh followed this sally from such an unusual source. Dennisturned on his heel, left the room, and busied himself with duties ina distant part of the store the rest of the day. It seemed to him thatthey were like savages bartering away gold and pearls, whose valuethey could not understand; much less could they realize his possessionof a nature of exquisite sensibility to beauty. 

When all were gone he returned to the room, and sat down before thepicture in rapt attention. It was indeed a fine work of art, finishedin that painstaking manner characteristic of the Germans. 

The painting was a winter scene in Germany. In the far background rosewooded and snow-clad hills. Nearer in the perspective was a bold bluff, surmounted by a half-ruined castle. At the base of the bluff floweda river, now a smooth glare of ice, and in the distance figures werewheeling about upon skates. In the immediate foreground were twopersons. One was a lovely young girl, dressed in black velvet trimmedwith ermine. The basque fitted closely to her person, revealing itsgraceful outlines, and was evidently adapted to the active sport inwhich she was engaged. While the rich warm blood mantled her cheeks, the snow was not whiter than her temples and brow. Down her shouldersflowed a profusion of wavy hair, scattered threads of which glistenedlike gold in the slanting rays of the sun. Her eyes, of a deep violet, were turned, in sympathy with the scorn of the full, smiling mouth, upon the figure of a young man kneeling before her, making awkwardattempts to fasten her skate to the trim little foot. It was evidentthat the favor was too much for him, and that his fluttering heartmade his hands trembling and unskilful. But the expression of themaiden's face clearly indicated that her heart was as cold toward himas the ice on which he kneeled. 

The extreme beauty of the picture and its exquisite finish fascinatedDennis, while the girl's face jarred upon his feelings like a musicaldiscord. After gazing fixedly for a long time, he said, "What possessedthe man to paint such a lovely face and make its expression only thatof scorn, pride, and heartless merriment?"

All the long night the face haunted and troubled him. He saw it in hisdreams. It had for him a strong interest that he could notunderstand--that strange fascination which a very beautiful thing thathas been marred and wronged has for some natures. So powerful was thisimpression upon his sensitive nature that he caught himself saying, as of a living being, "Oh, that I could give to that face the expressionGod meant it to have!"

And then he laughed at his own folly. His watchfulness caused him tooversleep the next morning, and he was later than usual in gettingthrough the routine duties of the store. At length, about nine o'clock, dusty and begrimed from mopping, feeding the furnace, etc. , he stoodwith duster and brush in hand before the painting that had so disturbedhis rest. He was in his shirt-sleeves, and in careful economy had alarge coarse apron of ticking girded about his person. His black, dishevelled locks looked like an inverted crow's nest, and altogetherhe was unpresentable, appearing more like the presiding divinity ofa dust-heap than of an "Art Building. "

After gazing a few moments on the scornful, beautiful face that mighthave obtained its haughty patrician lineaments from the old barons ofthe ruined castle just above, he seemed to grow conscious of thishimself, and shrunk behind the picture half ashamed, as if the fairgirl could see him. 

While engaged in cleaning off some stains and marks upon the frame, he did not hear a light footstep in the room. Finishing his task, hestepped out from behind the picture with the purpose of leaving theapartment, when a vision met his gaze which startled him to that degreethat he dropped his brush and duster upon the floor, and stoodtransfixed. There before him, in flesh and blood it seemed, stood thelady of the picture--the same dress, the same beautiful blond face, and, above all, the same expression. He was made conscious of hisabsurd position by a suppressed titter from the clerks at the door, and a broad laugh from Mr. Ludolph. The beautiful face turned towardhim for a moment, and he felt himself looked over from head to foot. At first there was an expression of vexation at the interruption, andthen, as if from the ludicrousness of his appearance, the old laughing, scornful look returned. Casting a quick, furtive glance at the picture, which seemed to satisfy him, Dennis, with hot cheeks, gathered up histools and beat a hasty retreat. As he passed out, Mr. Ludolph asked, good naturedly, "Why, Fleet, what is the matter?"

"Indeed, sir, I hardly know, " answered the bewildered youth, "but itseems to me that I have lost my wits since that picture came. For amoment I thought that the lady on the canvas had stepped out upon thefloor. "

"Now that you speak of it, " exclaimed Mr. Ludolph, advancing into theroom, "there is a striking resemblance. "

"Nonsense! father, " Dennis heard the young lady say; "you are too oldto flatter. As for that hare-brained youth of the dust-brush, he lookedas if he might have the failing of poor Pat, and not always be ableto see straight. "

At this Dennis's cheeks grew hotter still, while a low laugh from oneor two of the clerks near showed that they were enjoying hisembarrassment. 

Dennis hastened away to his room, and it was well that he did not hearthe conversation that followed. 

"Oh, no!" responded Mr. Ludolph, "that is not Dennis's failing. He isa member of a church in 'good and regular standing. ' He will be oneof the 'pillars' by and by. "

"You are always having a fling at superstition and the superstitious, "said his daughter, laughingly. "Is that the reason you installed himin Pat's place?"

"Can you doubt it, my dear?" replied her father, in mock solemnity. 

"Well, " said she, "I think your new factotum fails decidedly in goodmanners, if nothing else. He stared most impudently at me when he cameout from behind the picture. I should have reprimanded him myself ifI had not been so full of laughter at his ridiculous appearance. "

"That's the joke of it. It was as good as a play to see him. I neversaw a man more startled and confused. He evidently thought for a moment, as he said, that the girl in the painting had stepped out upon thefloor, and that you were she. "

"How absurd!" exclaimed his daughter. 

"Yes; and now that I think of it, he glanced from you to the picture, to satisfy himself that his senses were not deceiving him, before hestarted to come away. "

"I cannot see any special resemblance, " she replied, at the same timeinwardly pleased that she should be thought like the beautiful creatureon the canvas. 

"But there is a strong resemblance, " persisted her father, "especiallyin general effect. I will prove it to you. There is old Schwartz; heis not troubled with imagination, but sees things just as they are. He would look at you, my dainty daughter, as if you were a bale ofwool, and judge as composedly and accurately. "

"I fear, my father, " replied she, smilingly, "that you have conspiredwith him to pull the entire bale over my eyes. But let him come. "

By this time Dennis had returned, and commenced dusting some picturesnear the entrance, where he could see and hear. He felt impelled bya curiosity that he could not resist. Moreover he had a little naturalvanity in wishing to show that he was not such a guy, after all. Itwas hard for him to remember that he stood in Pat Murphy's position. What difference did it make to the lady whether such as he was a frightor not?

Mr. Schwartz entered, and at Mr. Ludolph's bidding looked at the livingand the painted girl. In his slow, sententious tones, one could nothelp feeling that he was telling just how things appeared to him. Theyoung lady stood beside the painting and unconsciously assumed theexpression of her fair shadow. Indeed it seemed an expression but toohabitual to her face. 

"Yes, " he said, "there is a decided resemblance--close in dress--closein complexion--color of hair much the same--eyes much alike--MissLudolph not quite so tall, " etc. Then with an awkward attempt at acompliment, like an elephant trying to execute a quickstep, hecontinued:

"If I may be permitted to be so bold as to speak--express an opinion--Ishould beg leave to say that Miss Ludolph favors herself--morefavored--is better-looking, " he blurted out at last, backing out ofthe door at the same time, with his brow bathed in perspiration fromthe throes of this great and unwonted effort at gallantry. 

"Bah!" said Dennis to himself, "the old mole left out the very chiefthing in tracing the likeness--the expression! See her now as shelistens to his awkward attempt at compliment. She is looking at himwith the same scornful, laughing face that the girl in the picturewears toward the bungling admirer at her feet. He is right in one thingthough, she is better-looking. "

But the moment Mr. Schwartz's bulky figure vanished from the doorway, Miss Ludolph caught the critical, intelligent gaze of Dennis Fleet, and the expression of her face changed instantly to a frown. But, todo her justice, it was more in vexation with herself than with him. Her innate delicacy of feeling showed her that it looked like smallvanity to be standing there while comparisons like the above wereinstituted. Her manner at once became cold, observant, and thoroughlyself-possessed. She stepped out into the store, and by a few keen, critical glances seemed to take in its whole effect. Againdisapprobation clouded her fair brow, and she pronounced audibly butone word--"Stiff. "

Then she passed into her father's private office. 

CHAPTER XII

BLUE BLOOD

Dennis's mind was a chaos of conflicting feelings. The picture haddeeply interested him, and so did the beautiful girl that it by strangecoincidence so strongly resembled. It could not be otherwise with oneof his beauty-loving nature. And yet the impression made by the facein the painting--of something wrong, discordant--was felt moredecidedly in respect to the living face. 

But before he had time to realize what had just passed the lady andher father appeared at the door of the office, and he heard the lattersay: "I know you are right, my dear. It's all wrong. The arrangementof the store is as stiff and methodical as if we were engaged in sellingmathematical instruments. But I have not time to attend to the matter, and there is not one in the store that has the least idea of artisticcombination, unless it is Fleet. I have noticed some encouragingsymptoms in him. "

"What! he of the duster and mop? I fear our case is desperate, then, if he is our best hope. "

Dennis's cheeks were burning again; but, turning his back, he rubbedaway harder than ever at a Greek god that he was polishing. But theygave him no thought. Speaking with a sudden animation the young ladysaid, "Father, I have a great mind to try it myself--that is, if youare willing. "

"But, my daughter, I could not permit you to be engaged in any suchemployment before our customers. "

"Certainly not! I would come early in the morning, before art-customersare stirring. I really should enjoy the task greatly, if I had any oneto help me who could in some faint degree comprehend the effects Iwished to produce. The long spring mornings soon to come would be justthe time for it. To what better use could I put my taste and knowledgeof art than in helping you and furthering our plan for life?"

Mr. Ludolph hesitated between his pride and his strong desire to gainthe advantages which the acceptance of this offer would secure. Finallyhe said: "We will think about it. I am expecting a great many new andbeautiful things early in the spring, and no doubt it would be wellthen to rearrange the store completely, and break up the rigid systeminto which we have fallen. In the meantime I appreciate your offer, and thank you warmly. "

Dennis's heart leaped within him at the thought of instruction fromsuch a teacher, and he longed to offer his services. But he rightlyjudged that the proposal would be regarded as an impertinence at thattime. The successor of Pat Murphy was not expected to know anythingof art, or have any appreciation of it. So he bent his head lower, butgave Jupiter Olympus such a rubbing down as the god had deserved longago. In a moment more Miss Ludolph passed him on her way out of thestore, noticing him no more than she did his dust-brush. 

Mr. Ludolph was the younger son of a noble but impoverished Germanfamily, and was intensely proud of his patrician blood. His parents, knowing that he would have to make his own way in the world, had senthim, while a mere boy, to this country, and placed him in charge ofa distant relative, who was engaged in the picture-trade in New York. He had here learned to speak English in his youth with the fluency andaccuracy of a native, but had never become Americanized, so much familypride had he inherited, and $o strongly did he cling to the traditionsof his own land. 

He showed great business ability in his chosen calling, especiallydisplaying remarkable judgment in the selection of works of art. Sounusual was his skill in this direction, that when twenty-one yearsold he was sent abroad to purchase pictures. For several years hetravelled through Europe. He became quite cosmopolitan in character, and for a time enjoyed life abundantly. His very business brought himin contact with artists and men of culture, while his taste and loveof beauty were daily gratified. He had abundant means, and money couldopen many doors of pleasure to one who, like him, was in vigoroushealth and untroubled by a conscience. Moreover, he was able to spendmuch time in his beloved Germany, and while there the great ambitionof his life entered his heart. His elder brother, who was livinginexclusive pride and narrow economy on the ancient but diminishedancestral estate, ever received him graciously. This brother hadmarried, but had not been blessed or cursed with children, for theGerman baron, with his limited finances, could never decide in whatlight to regard them. Too poor to mingle with his equals, too proudto stoop to those whom he regarded as inferiors, he had lived muchalone, and grown narrower and more bigoted in his family pride day byday. Indeed, that he was Baron Ludolph, was the one great fact of hislife. He spent hours in conning over yellow, musty records of theancient grandeur of his house, and would gloat over heroic deeds ofancestors he never thought of imitating. In brief, he was like a smallbarnacle on an old and water-logged ship, that once had made many agallant and prosperous voyage richly freighted, but now had driftedinto shallow water and was falling to decay. He made a suggestion, however, to his younger brother, that wakened the ambition of thelatter's stronger nature, and set him about what became his controllingpurpose, his life-work. 

"Make a fortune in America, " said his brother, "and come back andrestore the ancient wealth and glory of your family. "

The seed fell into receptive soil, and from that day the art andpleasure loving citizen of the world became an earnest man with apurpose. But as he chose his purpose mainly from selfish motives itdid not become an ennobling one. He now gave double attention tobusiness and practical economy. He at once formed the project ofstarting in business for himself, and of putting the large profitsresulting from his judicious selection of pictures into his own pocket. He made the most careful arrangements, and secured agencies that hecould trust in the purchase of pictures after he should return to theUnited States. 

During his stay in Paris, on his way back, an event occurred that hada most untoward influence on his plans and hopes. He fell desperatelyin love with a beautiful French woman. Like himself, she was poor, butof patrician blood, and was very fascinating. She attracted him by herextreme beauty and brilliancy. She was very shrewd, and could seemanything she chose, being a perfect actress in the false, hollow lifeof the world. In accordance with Parisian ideas, she wanted a husbandto pay her bills, to be a sort of protector and base of generaloperations. Here was a man who promised well, fine-looking, and, ifnot rich, capable of making large sums of money. 

She insinuated herself into his confidence, and appeared to share hisenthusiasm for the darling project of his life. He felt that, withsuch a beautiful and sympathetic woman to spur him on and share hissuccess, earth would be a Paradise indeed; and she assured him, inmany delicate and bewitching ways, that it would. In brief, he marriedher; and then learned, in bitterness, anger, and disgust, that she hadtotally deceived him. To his passionate love she returned indifference;to his desire for economy, unbounded extravagance, contracting debtswhich he must pay to avoid disgrace. She showed an utter unwillingnessto leave the gayety of Paris, laughing in his face at his plan of life, and assuring him that she would never live in so stupid a place asGermany. His love died hard. He made every appeal to her that affectionprompted. He tried entreaty, tenderness, coldness, anger, but all invain. Selfish to the core, loving him not, utterly unscrupulous, shetrod upon his quivering heart as recklessly as upon the stones of thestreet. Soon he saw that, in spite of his vigilance, he was in dangerof being betrayed in all respects. Then he grew hard and fierce. Thewhole of his strong German nature was aroused. In a tone and mannerthat startled and frightened her, he said: "_We_ sail for New York inthree days. Be ready. If you prove unfaithful to me--if you seek todesert me, I will _kill_ you. I swear it--not by God, for I don'tbelieve in Him. If He existed, such creatures as you would not. But Iswear it by my family pride and name, which are dearer to me than life, if you leave a stain upon them you shall _die_. You need not seek toescape me. I would follow you through the world. I would kill you on thecrowded street--anywhere, even though I died myself the next moment. Andnow look well to your steps. "

The glitter of his eye was as cold and remorseless as the sheen ofsteel. She saw that he meant and would do just what he said. 

The woman had one good point--at least, it turned out to be such inthis case. She was a coward naturally, and her bad life made her dreadnothing so much as death. Her former flippant indifference to hisremonstrances now changed into abject fear. He saw her weak side, learned his power, and from that time forward kept her within boundsby a judicious system of terrorism. 

He took her to New York and commanded her to appear the charming womanshe could if she chose. She obeyed, and rather enjoyed the excitementand deceit. His friends were delighted with her, but he received theircongratulations with a grim, quiet smile. At times, though, when shewas entertaining them with all grace, beauty, and sweetness, the thoughtof what she was seemed only a horrid dream. But he had merely to catchher eye, with its gleam of fear and hate, to know the truth. 

He felt that he could not trust to the continuance of her good behavior, and was anxious to get away among strangers as soon as possible. Hetherefore closed his business relations in New York. Though she hadcrippled him greatly by her extravagance, he had been able to bringout a fair stock of good pictures, and a large number of articles ofvirtue, selected with his usual taste. The old firm, finding thatthey could not keep him, offered all the goods he wanted on commission. Soin a few weeks he started for Chicago, the most promising city of theWest, as he believed, and established himself there in a modest way. Still the chances were even against him, for he had involved himselfheavily, and drawn to the utmost on his credit in starting. If he couldnot sell largely the first year, he was a broken man. For months thebalance wavered, and he lived with financial ruin on one side, anddomestic ruin on the other. But, with a heart of ice and nerves ofsteel, he kept his hand on the helm. 

His beautiful collection, though in an unpretentious store, at lastattracted attention, and after some little time it became _the_ thing inthe fashionable world to go there, and from that time forward hisfortune was made. 

When his wife became a mother, there was a faint hope in Mr. Ludolph'sheart that this event might awaken the woman within her, if aught ofthe true woman existed. He tried to treat her with more kindness, butfound it would not answer. She mistook it for weakness on his part. From first to last she acted in the most heartless manner, and treatedthe child with shameless neglect. This banished from her husband eventhe shadow of regard, and he cursed her to her face. Thenceforth willand ambition controlled his life and hers, and with an iron hand heheld her in check. She saw that she was in the power of a desperateman, who would sacrifice her in a moment if she thwarted him. Through cowardly fear she remained his reluctant but abject slave, pricking him with the pins and needles of petty annoyances, when shewould have pierced him to the heart had she dared. This monstrous stateof affairs could not last forever, and, had not death terminated theunnatural relation, some terrible catastrophe would no doubt haveoccurred. Having contracted a western fever, she soon became delirious, and passed away in this unconscious state, to the intense joy andrelief of her husband. 

But the child lived, thrived, and developed into the graceful girlwhose beauty surpassed, as we have seen, even the painter's ideal. Herfather at first cared little for the infant, but secured it everyattention. As it developed into a pretty girl, however, with winningways, and rich promise, he gradually associated her with his hopes andplans, till at last she became an essential part of his ambition. 

His plan now was briefly this: He would entangle himself with noalliances or intimate associations in America, nor would he permit hisdaughter to do so. His only object in staying here was the accumulationof a large fortune, and to this for a few years he would bend everyenergy of mind and body. As soon as he felt that he had sufficient meansto live in such style as befitted the ancient and honorable nameof his family, he would return to Germany, buy all he could of theancestral estate that from time to time had been parted with, andrestore his house to its former grandeur. He himself would then seeka marriage connection that would strengthen his social position, whilehis daughter also should make a brilliant alliance with some memberof the nobility. Mr. Ludolph was a handsome, well-preserved man; hehad been most successful in business, and was now more rapidly thanever accumulating that which is truly a power with Europeans of blueblood, as with democratic Americans. Moreover, his daughter's beautypromised to be such that, when enhanced by every worldly advantage, it might well command attention in the highest circles. He sought withscrupulous care to give her just the education that would enable herto shine as a star among the high-born. Art, music, and knowledge ofliterature, especially the German, were the main things to which herattention was directed, and in her father, with his richly stored mind, faultless taste, and cultured voice, she had an instructor such asrarely falls to the lot of the most favored. 

When Christine Ludolph was about sixteen years of age, events occurredwhich might have greatly marred her father's plans. She secretly formeda most unfortunate attachment, which came near resulting in aclandestine marriage. Although the world would have judged her harshly, and the marriage could only have been exceedingly disastrous to herfuture life, the motherless girl was not very much to blame. Even amongthe mature there is a proverbial blindness in these matters. She wasimmature, misled by her imagination, and the victim of uncurbed romanticfancies. But, after all, the chief incentive to her folly was a naturalcraving for the love and sympathy which she had never found in her ownhome. To her chilled young heart these gifts were so sweet andsatisfying that she was in no mood to criticise the donor, even hadher knowledge of the world enabled her to do so. Thus far, in his careof Christine, Mr. Ludolph had conformed to the foreign ideas ofseclusion and repression, and the poor girl, unguided, unguarded bykind womanly counsel, was utterly unsophisticated, and she might haveeasily become the prey of the unscrupulous man whose chief incentivehad been her father's wealth. Mr. Ludolph fortunately discovered thestate of affairs in time to prevent gossip. Under his remorselesslogic, bitter satire, and ridicule her young dream was torn to shreds. The man whom she had surrounded with a halo of romance was shown tobe worthless and commonplace. Her idol had chiefly been a creature ofthe imagination, and when the bald, repulsive truth concerning him hadbeen proved to her in such a way that she could not escape conviction, she was equally disgusted with him and herself. 

For some weeks Mr. Ludolph treated his daughter with cold distrust. "She will be like her mother, I suppose, " he thought. "Already she hasbegun to deceive me and to imperil everything by her folly;" and hisheart was full of bitterness toward his child. Thus the poor girl dweltin a chilled and blighting atmosphere at a time when she most sorelyneeded kindness and wise guidance. 

She was very unhappy, for she saw that her father had lost allconfidence in her. She fairly turned sick when she thought of the past. She had lived in the world of romance and mystery; she had loved withall her girlish power; and, however wrongly and unjustly, by theinevitable laws of association she connected the words "love" and"romance" with one whom she now detested and loathed. Within a weekafter her miserable experience she became as utter a sceptic in regardto human love, and happiness flowing from it, as her father had taughther to be respecting God and the joy of believing. Though seeminglya fair young girl, her father had made her worse than a pagan. Shebelieved in nothing save art and her father's wisdom. He seemed toembody the culture and worldly philosophy that now became, in herjudgment, the only things worth living for. To gain his confidencebecame her great desire. But this had received a severe shock. Mr. Ludolph had lost all faith in everything save money and his own will. Religion was to him a gross superstition, and woman's virtue and truth, poetic fictions. 

He watched Christine narrowly, and said just enough to draw out theworkings of her mind. He then decided to tell his plan for life, andgive her strong additional motives for doing his will. The picture heportrayed of the future dazzled her proud, ambitious spirit, and openedto her fancy what then seemed the only path to happiness. She enteredinto his projects with honest enthusiasm, and bound herself by themost solemn promises to aid in carrying them out. But in bitternesshe remembered one who had promised with seeming enthusiasm before, andhe distrusted his daughter, watching her with lynx-eyed vigilance. 

But gradually he began to believe in her somewhat, as he saw her lookingforward with increasing eagerness to the heaven of German fashionablelife, wherein she, rich, admired, allied by marriage to some powerfulnoble family, should shine a queen in the world of art. 

"I have joined her aspirations to mine, " he said, in self-gratulation. "I have blended our ambitions and sources of hope and enjoyment, andthat is better than all her promises. "

When Dennis saw first the face that was so beautiful and yet so marredby pride and selfishness, Christine was about nineteen years old, andyet as mature in some respects as a woman of thirty. She had the perfectself-possession that familiarity with the best society gives. Mr. Ludolph was now too shrewd to seek safety in seclusion. He went withhis daughter into the highest circles of the city, and Christine hadcrowds of admirers and many offers. All this she enjoyed, but took itcoolly as her right, with the air of a Greek goddess accepting theincense that rose in her temple. She was too proud and refined to flirtin the ordinary sense of the word, and no one could complain that shegave much encouragement. But this state of things was all the morestimulating, and each one believed, with confidence in his peculiarattractions, that he might succeed where all others had failed. MissLudolph's admirers were unaware that they had a rival in some as yetunknown German nobleman. At last it passed into a proverb that thebeautiful and brilliant girl who was so free and courtly in societywas as cold and unsusceptible as one of her father's statues. 

Thus it would seem that when circumstances brought the threads of thesetwo lives near each other, Dennis's and Christine's, the most impassablebarriers rose between them, and that the threads could never be woventogether, or the lives blended. She was the daughter of the wealthy, aristocratic Mr. Ludolph; he was her father's porter. 

Next to the love of art, pride and worldly ambition were her strongestcharacteristics. She was an unbeliever in God and religion, not fromconviction, but from training. She knew very little about either, andwhat light she had came to her through false mediums. She did not evenbelieve in that which in many young hearts is religion's shadow, loveand romance, nor did her father take a more worldly and practical viewof life than she. 

In marked contrast we have seen the character of Dennis Fleet, drawingits inspiration from such different sources. 

Could two human beings be more widely separated--separated in thatwhich divides more surely than continents and seas?

Could Dennis have seen her warped, deformed moral nature, as clearlyas her beautiful face and form, he would have shrunk from her; butwhile recognizing defects, he shared the common delusion, that thelovely outward form and face must enshrine much that is noble and readyto blossom into good, if the right motives can be presented. 

As for Christine, she had one chance for life, one chance for heaven. She was _young_. Her nature had not so hardened and crystallized in evilas to be beyond new and happier influences. 

CHAPTER XIII

VERY COLD

When Dennis entered Mr. Ludolph's store Christine was absent on a visitto New York. On her return she resumed her old routine. At this timeshe and her father were occupying a suite of rooms at a fashionablehotel. Her school-days were over, Mr. Ludolph preferring to completeher education himself in accordance with his peculiar views and tastes. She was just passing into her twentieth year, and looked upon the worldfrom the vantage points of health, beauty, wealth, accomplishments ofthe highest order, and the best social standing. Assurance of a longand brilliant career possessed her mind, while pride and beauty werelike a coronet upon her brow. She was the world's ideal of a queen. 

And yet she was not truly happy. There was ever a vague sense of unrestand dissatisfaction at heart. She saw that her father was proud andambitious in regard to her, but she instinctively felt that he neitherloved nor trusted her to any great extent. She seemed to be living ina palace of ice, and at times felt that she was turning into iceherself; but her very humanity and womanhood, deadened and warpedthough they were, cried out against the _cold_ of a life without God orlove. In the depths of her soul she felt that something was wrong, butwhat, she could not understand. It seemed that she had everything thatheart could wish, and that she ought to be satisfied. 

She had at last concluded that her restlessness was the prompting ofa lofty ambition, and that if she chose she could win world-widecelebrity as an artist. This, with the whole force of her strong nature, she had determined to do, and for over two years had worked with anenergy akin to enthusiasm. She had resolved that painting should bethe solid structure of her success, and music its ornament. 

Nor were her dreams altogether chimerical, for she had remarkabletalent in her chosen field of effort, and had been taught to use thebrush and pencil from childhood. She could imitate with skill andtaste, and express with great accuracy the musical thought of thecomposer; but she could not create new effects, and this had alreadybegun to trouble her. She worked hard and patiently, determined tosucceed. So great had been her application that her father saw theneed of rest and change, and therefore her visit to New York. She hadnow returned strengthened, and eager for her former studies, and resumedthem with tenfold zest. 

The plan of rearranging the store on artistic principles daily grewin favor with her. It was just the exercise of taste she delighted in, and she hoped some day to indulge it on palace walls that would be herown. Her father's pride caused him to hesitate for some time, but shesaid: "Why, Chicago is not our home; we shall soon be thousands ofmiles away. You know how little we really care for the opinions of thepeople here: it is only our own pride and opinion that we need consult. I see nothing lowering or unfeminine in the work. I shall scarcelytouch a thing myself, merely direct; for surely among all in youremploy there must be one or two pairs of hands not so utterly awkwardbut that they can follow plain instructions. My taste shall do it all. We are both early risers, and the whole change can be made before thestore is opened. Moreover, " she added (with an expression indicatingthat she would have little difficulty in ruling her future Germancastle, and its lord also), "this is an affair of our own. Those youemploy ought to understand by this time that it is neither wise norsafe to talk of our business outside. "

After a moment's thought she concluded: "I really think that the properarrangement of everything in the store as to light, display, and effect, so that people of taste will be pleased when they enter, would addthousands of dollars to your sales; and this rigid system of oldSchwartz's, which annoys us both beyond endurance, will be broken up. "

Won over by arguments that accorded with his inclinations, Mr. Ludolphgave his daughter permission to carry out the plan in her own way. 

She usually accompanied her father to the store in the morning. He, after a brief glance around, would go to his private office and attendto correspondence. She would do whatever her mood prompted. Sometimesshe would sit down for a half-hour before one picture; again she wouldexamine most critically a statue or a statuette. Whenever new musicwas received, she looked it over and carried off such pieces as pleasedher fancy. 

She evidently was a privileged character, and no one save her fatherexercised the slightest control over her movements. She treated allthe clerks, save old Schwartz, as if they were animated machines; andby a quiet order, as if she had touched a spring, would set them inmotion to do her bidding. The young men in the store were of Germandescent, and rather heavy and undemonstrative. Mr. Schwartz's systemof order and repression had pretty thoroughly quenched them. They wereeducated to the niches they filled, and seemed to have no thoughtbeyond; therefore they were all unruffled at Miss Ludolph's air ofabsolute sovereignty. Mr. Schwartz was as obsequious as the rest, but, as second to her father in power, was permitted some slight familiarity. In fact this heavy, stolid prime-minister both amused and annoyed her, and she treated him with the caprice of a child toward an elephant--at times giving him the sugar-plum of a compliment, and oftenerpricking him with the pin of some caustic remark. To him she was theperfection of womankind--her reserved, dispassionate manner, her steady, unwearied prosecution of a purpose, being just the qualities that hemost honored; and he worshipped her reverently at a distance, like anold astrologer adoring some particularly bright fixed star. No whiskingcomets or changing satellites for old Schwartz. 

As for Dennis, she treated him as she probably had treated Pat Murphy, and for several days had no occasion to notice him at all. In fact hekept out of her way, choosing at first to observe rather than beobserved. She became an artistic study to him, for her every movementwas grace itself, except that there was no softness or gentleness inher manner. Her face fascinated him by its beauty, though its expressiontroubled him--it was so unlike his mother's, so unlike what he felta woman's ought to be. But her eager interest in that which was becomingso dear to him--art--would have covered a multitude of sins in hiseyes, and with a heart abounding in faith and hope, not yet diminishedby hard experience, he believed that the undeveloped angel existedwithin her. But he remembered her frown when she had first noticed hisobservation of her. The shrewd Yankee youth saw that her pride wouldnot brook even a curious glance. But while he kept at a most respectfuldistance he felt that there was no such wide gulf between them as sheimagined. By birth and education he was as truly entitled to heracquaintance as the young men who sometimes came into the store withher and whom she met in society. Position and wealth were alone wanting, and in spite of his hard experience and lowly work he felt that theremust be some way for him, as for others, to win these. 

He longed for the society of ladies, as every right-feeling young mandoes, and to one of his nature the grace and beauty of womanwere peculiarly attractive. If, before she came, the lovely faces of thepictures had filled the place with a sort of witchery, and createdabout him an atmosphere in which his artist-soul was awakening intolife and growth, how much more would it be true of this living visionof beauty that glided in and out every day!

"She does not notice me, " he at first said to himself, "any more thando these lovely shadows upon the canvas. But why need I care? I canstudy both them and her, and thus educate my eye, and I hope my hand, to imitate and perhaps surpass their perfections in time. "

But this cool, philosophic mood did not last long. It might answervery well in regard to the pictures on the walls, but there was amagnetism about this living, breathing woman that soon caused him tolong for the privilege of being near her and speaking to her of thatsubject that interested them both so deeply. Though he had never seenany of her paintings to know them, he soon saw that she was no novicein such matters and that she looked at works of art with the eye ofa connoisseur. In revery he had many a spirited conversation with her, and he trusted that some day his dreams would become real. He had theromantic hope that if she should discover his taste and strong loveof art she might at first bestow upon him a patronizing interest whichwould gradually grow into respect and acknowledged equality. 

CHAPTER XIV

SHE SPEAKS TO HIM

After the plan for the re-arrangement of the store had been determinedupon, Miss Ludolph began to study its topography. She went regularlythrough the building, examining closely every part and space, sometimessketching a few outlines in a little gilt book. Apparently she wasseeking by her taste to make the show-rooms pictures in themselves, wherein all the parts should blend harmoniously, and create onebeautiful effect. Dennis saw what was coming. The carrying-out of theplan he had heard discussed, and he wished with intense longing thathe might be her assistant. But she would as soon have thought of sendingfor Pat Murphy. She intended to select one of the older clerks to aidher. Still Dennis hoped that by some strange and happy turn of fortunepart of this work might fall to him. 

Every spare moment of early morning and evening he spent in sketchingand studying, but he sadly felt the need of instruction, and of moneyto buy materials. He was merely groping his way as best he might; andhe felt that Miss Ludolph could teach him so much, if she would onlycondescend to the task! He was willing to be a very humble learner atfirst. If in some way he could only make known his readiness to pickup the crumbs of knowledge that she might be willing out of kindnessto scatter in his path, he might expect something from ordinary goodnature. 

But a week or two passed without his receiving so much as a glancefrom those cold blue eyes that rested so critically on all before them;and on an unlucky day in March all hope of help from her vanished. Under the influence of spring the streets were again becoming muddy, and his duties as bootblack increased daily. He had arranged to performthis menial task in a remote corner of the store, as much out of sightas possible. The duty had become still more disagreeable since theyoung lady haunted the place, for he feared she would learn to associatehim only with the dust-brush and blacking-brush. 

Just behind where he usually stood, a good picture had been hung, underMr. Schwartz's system, simply because it accurately fitted the space. It was in a wretched light, and could never be seen or appreciatedthere. Miss Ludolph in her investigations and plannings discoveredthis at a time most unfortunate for poor Dennis. While polishing awayone morning, he suddenly became conscious that she was approaching. It seemed that she was looking directly at him, and was about to speak. His heart thumped like a trip-hammer, his cheeks burned, and a blurcame over his eyes, for he was diffident in ladies' presence. Thereforehe stood before her the picture of confusion, with a big boot poisedin one hand, and the polishing-brush in the other. With the instinctsof a gentleman, however, he made an awkward bow, feeling, though, thatunder the circumstances his politeness could only appear ridiculous. And he was right. It was evident from the young lady's face that herkeen perception of the ridiculous was thoroughly aroused. But for thesake of her own dignity (she cared not a jot for him), she bit her lipto control her desire to laugh in his face, and said, rather sharply, "Will you stand out of my way?"

_She had spoken to him. _

He was so mortified and confused that in his effort to obey he partiallyfell over a bronze sheep, designed to ornament some pastoral scene, and the heel of Mr. Schwartz's heavy boot came down with a thump thatmade everything ring. There was a titter from some of the clerks. Mr. Ludolph, who was following his daughter, exclaimed, "What's the matter, Fleet? You seem rather unsteady, this morning, for a church member. "

For a moment he had the general appearance usually ascribed to thesheep, his unlucky stumbling-block. But by a strong effort he recoveredhimself. Deigning no reply, he set his teeth, compressed his lips, picked up the boot, and polished away as before, trying to look andfeel regardless of all the world. In fact there was as much pride inhis face as there had ever been in hers. But, not noticing him, shesaid to her father: "Here is a specimen. Look where this picture ishung. In bootblack corner I should term it. It would not sell here ina thousand years, for what little light there is would be obscuredmuch of the time by somebody's big boots and the artist in charge. Ithas evidently been placed here in view of one principlealone--dimensions; its length and breadth according with the space inthe corner. You will see what a change I will bring about in a monthor two, after my plans are matured;" and then she strolled to anotherpart of the store. But, before leaving, Miss Ludolph happened to glanceat Dennis's face, and was much struck by its expression. Surely PatMurphy never would or could look like that. For the first time thethought entered her mind that Dennis might be of a different clay andcharacter from Pat. But the next moment his expression of pride andoffended dignity, in such close juxtaposition to the big boot he wastwirling almost savagely around, again appealed to her sense of theludicrous, and she turned away with a broad smile. Dennis, looking up, saw the smile and guessed the cause; and when, a moment after, Mr. Schwartz appeared, asking in his loud, blunt way, "My boots ready?"he felt like flinging both at his head, and leaving the store forever. Handing them to him without a word, he hastened upstairs, for he feltthat he must be alone. 

At first his impulse was strong to rebel--to assert that by birth andeducation he was a gentleman, and must be treated as such, or he wouldgo elsewhere. But, as the tumult in his mind calmed, the case becameas clear to him as a sum in addition. He had voluntarily taken PatMurphy's place, and why should he complain at Pat's treatment? He hadpledged his word that there should be no trouble from his being abovehis business, and he resolved to keep his word till Providence gavehim better work to do. He bathed his hot face in cool water, breatheda brief prayer for strength and patience, and went back to his tasksstrong and calm. 

CHAPTER XV

PROMOTED

Late in the afternoon of the same day (which was Saturday), as Mr. Ludolph was passing out of the store on his way home, he noticed thetable that he had arranged artistically some little time before as alesson to his clerks. Gradually it had fallen back into its old straightlines and rigid appearance. He seemed greatly annoyed. 

"What is the use of re-arranging the store?" he muttered. "They willhave it all back again on the general principle of a ramrod in a littlewhile. But we have put our hands to this work, and it shall be carriedthrough, even if I discharge half of these wooden-heads. "

Then calling the clerk in charge, he said, "Look here, Mr. Berder, Igrouped the articles on this counter for you once, did I not?""Yes, sir. "

"Let me find them Monday morning just as I arranged them on thatoccasion. "

The young man looked as blank and dismayed as if he had been orderedto swallow them all before Monday morning. 

He went to work and jumbled them up as if that were grouping them, andthen asked one or two of the other clerks what they thought of it. They shook their heads, and said it looked worse than before. 

"I vill study over him all day to-morrow, and den vill come earlyMonday and fix him;" and the perplexed youth took himself off. 

Dennis felt almost sure that he could arrange it as Mr. Ludolph haddone, or with something of the same effect, but did not like to offerhis services, not knowing how they would be received, for Mr. Berderhad taken special delight in snubbing him. 

After the duties of the store were over, Dennis wrote to his mothera warm, bright, filial letter, portraying the scene of the day in itscomic light, making all manner of fun of himself, that he might hidethe fact that he had suffered. But he did not hide it, as a returnletter proved, for it was full of sympathy and indignation that_her_ son should be so treated, but also full of praise for hisChristian manliness and patience. 

"And now, my son, " she wrote, "let me tell you of at least tworesults of your steady, faithful performance of your present humbleduties. The money you send so regularly is more than sufficient forour simple wants. We have every comfort, and I am laying something byfor sickness and trouble, for both are pretty sure to come before longin this world. In the second place, you have given me that which isfar better than money--comfort and strength. I feel more and more thatwe can lean upon you as our earthly support, and not find you a 'brokenreed. ' While so many sons are breaking their mothers' hearts, you arefilling mine with hope and joy. I am no prophetess, my son, but fromthe sure word of God I predict for you much happiness and prosperityfor thus cheering and providing for your widowed mother. Mark my words. God has tried you and not found you wanting. He will soon give youbetter work to do--work more in keeping With your character andability. "

This prediction was fulfilled before Dennis received the lettercontaining it, and it happened on this wise. 

Early on Monday morning Mr. Berder appeared and attempted the hopelesstask of grouping the articles on his table in accordance with Mr. Ludolph's orders. After an hour's work he exclaimed in despair, "Icannot do him to save my life. "

Dennis at a distance, with a half-amused, half-pitying face, had watchedMr. Berder's wonderful combinations, and when Rip Van Winkle was placedbetween two togated Roman senators, and Ichabod Crane arranged as ifmaking love to a Greek goddess, he came near laughing outright. Butwhen Mr. Berder spoke he approached and said, kindly and respectfully, "Will you let me try to help you?"

"Yes, " said Mr. Berder; "you cannot make dings vorse. "Acting upon this ungracious permission, Dennis folded his arms andstudied the table for five minutes. 

"Come, " said Mr. Berder, "standing dere and looking so vise as an owlvon't help matters. Mr. Ludolph vill be here soon. "

"I am not losing time, " said Dennis; and a moment proved he was not, for, having formed a general plan of arrangement, he went rapidly towork, and in a quarter of an hour could challenge Mr. Ludolph or anyother critic to find serious fault. 

"There! I could do better if I had more time, but I must go to mysweeping and dusting, or Mr. Schwartz will be down on me, and he ispretty heavy, you know. I never saw such a man--he can see a grain ofdust half across the store. "

Mr. Berder had looked at Dennis's quick, skilful motions in blankamazement, and then broke out into an unwonted panegyric for him: "Isay, Vleet, dot's capital! Where you learn him?" Then in a paroxysmof generosity he added, "Dere's a quarter for you. "

"No, I thank you, " said Dennis, "I did not do it for money. "

"Vat did der fool do it for, den, I'd like to know?" muttered Mr. Berder, the philosophy of bid life resuming its former control. "Saveda quarter, anyhow, and, vat's more, know vere to go next dime der oldman comes down on me. "

A little after nine Mr. And Miss Ludolph came in, and paused at thetable. Dennis, unnoticed, stood behind Benjamin Franklin and Joan ofArc, placed lovingly together on another counter, face to face, as ifin mutual admiration, and from his hiding-place watched the scenebefore him with intense anxiety. One thought only filled his mind--Wouldthey approve or condemn his taste? for he had arranged the table ona plan of his own. His heart gave a glad bound when Mr. Ludolph said:"Why, Berder, this is excellent. To be sure you have taken your ownmethod, and followed your own taste, but I find no fault with that, when you produce an effect like this. "

"I declare, father, " chimed in Miss Ludolph, "this table pleases megreatly. It is a little oasis in this great desert of a store. Mr. Berder, I compliment you on your taste. You shall help me rearrange, artistically, everything in the building. "

Dennis, in his agitation, came near precipitating Benjamin Franklininto the arms of Joan of Arc, a position scarcely in keeping witheither character. 

"Yes, Christine, that is true, " continued Mr. Ludolph, "Mr. Berderwill be just the one to help you, and I am glad you have found onecompetent. By all the furies! just compare this table with the onenext to it, where the Past, Present, and Future have not the slightestregard for each other, and satyrs and angels, philosophers and bandits, are mixed up about as closely as in real life. Here, Berder, try youhand at this counter also; and you, young men, gather round and seethe difference when _art_, instead of mathematics, rules the world ofart. If this thing goes on, we shall have the golden age back again inthe store. "

Mr. Berder, though somewhat confused, had received all his complimentswith bows and smiles. But Dennis, after his thrill of joy at havingpleased Mr. And Miss Ludolph's fastidious taste, felt himself reddeningwith honest indignation that Mr. Berder should carry off all his laurelsbefore his face. But he resolved to say nothing, knowing that timewould right him. When Mr. Ludolph asked the young men to step forward, he came with the others. 

"That's right, Fleet, " said Mr. Ludolph, again, "you can get a usefulhint, too, like enough. "

"Nonsense, father, " said Miss Ludolph, in a tone not so low but thatDennis heard it; "why spoil a good sweeper and duster by putting uppishnotions in his head? He keeps the store cleaner than any man you everhad, and I don't soil my dresses as I used to. "

Dennis's color heightened a little, and his lips closed more firmly, but he gave no other sign that he heard this limitation of his hopeand ambition. But it cut him rather deep. The best he could ever do, then, in her view, was to keep her dresses from being soiled. 

In the meantime Mr. Berder had shown great embarrassment at Mr. Ludolph's unexpected request. After a few moments of awkward hesitationhe stammered out that he could do it better alone. The suspicion ofkeen Mr. Ludolph was at once aroused and he persisted: "Oh, come, Mr. Berder, we don't expect you to do your best in a moment, but a personof your taste can certainly make a great change for the better in thetable before you. "

In sheer desperation the entrapped youth attempted the task, but hehad not bungled five minutes before Mr. Ludolph said, sharply, "Mr. Berder, you did not arrange this table. "

"Vell, " whined Mr. Berder, "I didn't say dot I did. "

"You caused me to believe that you did, " said Mr. Ludolph, his browgrowing dark. "Now, one question, and I wish the truth: Who didarrange this table?"

"Vleet, dere, helped me, " gasped Mr. Berder. 

"_Helped_ you? Mr. Fleet, step forward, if you please, for I intend tohave the truth of this matter. How much help did Mr. Berder give you inarranging this table?"

"None, sir, " said Dennis, looking straight into Mr. Ludolph's eyes. 

All looked with great surprise at Dennis, especially Miss Ludolph, whoregarded him most curiously. "How different he appears from Pat Murphy!"she again thought. 

"Some one has told a lie, now, " said Mr. Ludolph, sternly. "Mr. Fleet, I shall put you to the same test that Berder failed in. Arrange thatcounter sufficiently well to prove that it was your hands that arrangedthis. "

Dennis stepped forward promptly, but with a pale face and compressedlips. Feeling that both honor and success were at stake, he groupedand combined everything as before, as far as the articles would permit, having no time to originate a new plan. As he worked, the clerks gazedin open astonishment, Mr. Ludolph looked significantly at his daughter, while she watched him with something of the same wonder which we havewhen one of the lower animals shows human sagacity and skill. 

Mr. Ludolph was Napoleonic in other respects than his ambition andselfishness. He was shrewd enough to "promote on the field formeritorious services. " Therefore, as Dennis's task approachedcompletion, he said: "That will do, Mr. Fleet, you can finish the workat your leisure. Mr. Berder, you are discharged from this day fordeception. I would have borne with your incompetency if you had beentruthful. But I never trust any one who has deceived me once, " he said, so sternly that even Christine's cheek paled. "Mr. Schwartz will settlewith you, and let me never see or hear from you again. Mr. Fleet, Ipromote you to Mr. Berder's counter and pay. "

Thus this man of the world, without a thought of pity, mercy, or kindlyfeeling in either case, gave one of his clerks a new impetus towardthe devil, and another an important lift toward better things, andthen went his way, congratulating himself that all things had workedtogether for his good, that morning, though where he would find anotherDennis Fleet to fill Pat's place, again vacant, he did not know. 

But Miss Ludolph looked at Dennis somewhat kindly, and with a littlehonest admiration in her face. He was very different from what she hadas a matter of course supposed him to be, and had just done in a quiet, manly way a thing most pleasing to her, so she said with a smile thatseemed perfectly heavenly to him, "_You_ are above blacking boots, sir. "

CHAPTER XVI

JUST IN TIME

At the close of the day on which Dennis received his promotion, andhis horizon was widened so unexpectedly, Mr. Ludolph, in passing out, noticed him engaged as usual on one of Pat Murphy's old tasks. Hestopped and spoke kindly, "Well, Fleet, where am I going to find a manto fill your place made vacant to-day?"

"Would you be willing to listen to a suggestion from me?"

"Certainly. "

"If a young boy was employed to black boots, run errands, and attendto minor matters, I think that by industry I might for a while fillboth positions. In a short time the furnace will require no furtherattention. I am a very early riser, and think that by a little goodmanagement I can keep the store in order and still be on hand to attendto my counter when customers are about. "

Mr. Ludolph was much pleased with the proposition, and said, promptly, "You may try it, Fleet, and I will pay you accordingly. Do you knowof a boy who will answer?"

"I think I do, sir. There is a German lad in my mission class who hasinterested me very much. His father is really a superior artist, butis throwing himself away with drink, and his mother is engaged in analmost hopeless effort to support the family. They have seen muchbetter days, and their life seems very hard in contrast with the past. "

"Can we trust such a boy? Their very necessities may lead to theft. "

"They are not of the thieving sort, sir. I am satisfied that they wouldall starve rather than touch a penny that did not belong to them. "

"Very well, then, let him come and see me; but I will hold youresponsible for him. "

Mr. Ludolph, being in a good humor, was disposed to banter Dennis, sohe added: "Do you find time to be a missionary, also? Are you not indanger of becoming a 'Jack at all trades'?"

"I am not entitled to the first character, and hope to shun the latter. I merely teach a dozen boys in a mission school on Sundays. "

"When you ought to be taking a good long nap, or a row on the lake forfresh air and recreation. "

"I should be dishonest if I spent my Sabbaths in that way. "

"How so?"

"I should give the lie to my profession and belief. I must drop thename of Christian when I live for myself. "

"And if you should drop it, do you think you would be much the loser?"

"Yes, sir, " said Dennis, with quiet emphasis. 

"You are expecting great reward, in some sort of Paradise, for yourmission work, etc. ?"

"Nothing done for God is forgotten or unrewarded. "

"Believing that, it seems to me that you are looking after self-interestas much as the rest of us, " said his employer, with a shrewd smile. 

Looking straight into Mr. Ludolph's eyes, Dennis said, earnestly:"Without boasting, I think that I can say that I try to serve youfaithfully. If you could see my heart, I am sure you would find thatgratitude for your kindness is a part of my motive, as well as mywages. In the same manner, while I do not lose sight of the rich rewardsGod promises and daily gives for the little I can do for Him, I amcertain that I can do much out of simple gratitude and love, and askno reward. "

"Ignorance is certainly bliss in your case, young man. Stick to yourharmless superstition as long as you can. "

And he walked away, muttering: "Delusion, delusion! I have not saida word or done a thing for him in which I had not in view my interestsonly, and yet the poor young fool sees in the main disinterestedkindness. Little trouble have the wily priests in imposing on suchvictims, and so they get their hard-earned wages and set thempropagating the delusion in mission schools, when mind and body needchange and rest. Suppose there is a Supreme Being in the universe, what a monstrous absurdity to imagine that He would trouble Himselfto reward this Yankee youth for teaching a dozen ragamuffins in atenement-house mission school!"

Thus Mr. Ludolph's soliloquy proved that his own pride and selfishnesshad destroyed the faculty by which he could see God. The blind are notmore oblivious to color than he was to those divine qualities whichare designed to win and enchain the heart. A man may sadly mutilatehis own soul. 

At a dainty dinner-table Mr. Ludolph and his daughter discussed theevents of the day. 

"I am glad, " said the latter, "that he is willing to fill Pat's place, for he keeps everything so clean. A dusty, slovenly store is myabomination. Then it shows that he has no silly, uppish notions socommon to these Americans. " (Though born here, Miss Ludolph neverthought herself other than a German lady of rank. ) "But I do not wishto see him blacking boots again. Yet he is an odd genius. How comicalhe looked bowing to me with one of Mr. Schwartz's big boots describinga graceful curve on a level with his head. Let old Schwartz black hisown boots. He ought to as a punishment for carrying around so muchleather. This Fleet must have seen better days. He is like all Yankees, however, sharp after the dollar, though he seems more willing to workfor it than most of them. "

"I'll wager you a pair of gloves, " said her father, "that they get agood percentage of it down at the mission school. He is just the subjectfor a cunning priest, because he sincerely believes in their foolery. He belongs to a tribe now nearly extinct, I imagine--the martyrs, whoin old-fashioned times died for all sorts of delusions. "

"How time mellows and changes everything! There is something heroicand worthy of art in the ancient martyrdoms, while nothing is morerepulsive than modern fanaticism. It is a shame, though, that thisyoung man, with mother and sisters to support, should be robbed of hishard earnings as was Pat Murphy by his priest, and I will try to openhis eyes some day. "

"I predict for you no success. "

"Why so?--he seems intelligent. "

"I have not studied character all my life in vain. He would regardyou, my fair daughter, as the devil in the form of an angel of lighttempting him. "

"He had better not be so plain-spoken as yourself. "

"Oh, no need of Fleet's speaking; his face is like the page of an openbook. "

"Indeed! a face like a sign-board is a most unfortunate one, I shouldthink. "

"Most fortunate for us. I wish I could read every one as I can Fleet. "

"You trust no one, I believe, father. "

"I believe what I see and know. "

"I wish I had your power of seeing and knowing. But how did he get hisartistic knowledge and taste?"

"That I have not inquired into fully, as yet. I think he has an unusualnative aptness for these things, and gains hints and instruction whereothers would see nothing. And, as you say, in the better days past hemay have had some advantages. "

"Well, " said she, caressing the greyhound beside her, "if Wolf hereshould go to the piano and execute an opera, I should not be moreastonished than I was this morning. "

And then their conversation glided off on other topics. 

After dessert, Mr. Ludolph lighted a cigar and sat down to the eveningpaper, while his daughter evoked from the piano true after-dinnermusic--light, brilliant, mirth-inspiring. Then both adjourned to theirprivate billiard-room. 

The scene of our story now changes from Mr. Ludolph's luxuriousapartments in one of the most fashionable hotels in the city to aforlorn attic in De Koven Street. It is the scene of a struggle asdesperate, as heroic, against as tremendous odds, as was ever carriedon in the days of the Crusades. But as the foremost figure in thislong, weary conflict was not an armed and panoplied knight, but merelya poor German woman, only God and the angels took much interest in it. Still upon this evening she was almost vanquished. She seemed to havebut one vantage-point left on earth. For a wonder, her husband wascomparatively sober, and sat brooding with his head in his hands overthe stove where a fire was slowly dying out. The last coal they hadwas fast turning to ashes. From a cradle came a low, wailing cry. Itwas that of hunger. On an old chest in a dusky corner sat a boy aboutthirteen. Though all else was in shadow, his large eyes shone withunnatural brightness, and followed his mother's feeble efforts at thewashtub with that expression of premature sadness so pathetic inchildhood. Under a rickety deal table three other and smaller childrenwere devouring some crusts of bread in a ravenous way, likehalf-famished young animals. In a few moments they came out and clamoredfor more, addressing--not their father; no intuitive turning to himfor support--but the poor, over-tasked mother. The boy came out of hiscorner and tried to draw them off and interest them in something else, but they were like a pack of hungry little wolves. The boy's face wasalmost as sharp and famine-pinched as his mother's, but he seemed tohave lost all thought of himself in his sorrowful regard for her. Asthe younger children clamored and dragged upon her, the point ofendurance was passed, and the poor woman gave way. With a despairingcry she sank upon a chair and covered her face with her apron. 

"Oh, mine Gott, Oh, mine Gott, " she cried, "I can do not von morestroke if ve all die. "

In a moment her son had his arms around her neck, and said: "Oh, moder, don't cry, don't cry. Mr. Fleet said God would surely help us in timeof trouble if we would only ask Him. "

"I've ask Him, and ask Him, but der help don't come. I can do no more;"and a tempest of despairing sobs shook her gaunt frame. 

The boy seemed to have got past tears, and just fixed his large eyes, full of reproach and sorrow, on his father. 

The man rose and turned his bloodshot eyes slowly around the room. Thewhole scene, with its meaning, seemed to dawn upon him. His mind wasnot so clouded by the fumes of liquor but that he could comprehend thesupreme misery of the situation. He heard his children crying--fairlyhowling for bread. He saw the wife he had sworn to love and honor, where she had fallen in her unequal conflict, brave, but overpowered. He remembered the wealthy burgher's blooming, courted daughter, whomhe had lured away to marry him, a poor artist. He remembered how, inspite of her father's commands and her mother's tears, she had lefthome and luxury to follow him throughout the world because of her faithin him and love for him--how under her inspiration he had risen togreat promise as an artist, till fame and fortune became almosta certainty, and then, under the debasing influence of his terribleappetite, he had dragged her down and down, till now he sawher--prematurely old, broken in health, broken in heart--fall helplesslybefore the hard drudgery that she no longer had strength to perform. With a sickening horror he remembered that he had taken even thepittance she had wrung from that washtub, to feed, not his children, but his accursed appetite for drink. Even his purple, bloated facegrew livid as all the past rushed upon him, and despair laid an icyhand upon his heart. 

A desperate purpose formed itself within his mind. 

Turning to the wall where hung a noble picture, a lovely landscape, whose rich coloring, warm sunlight, and rural peace formed a sharp, strange contrast with the meagre, famine-stricken apartment, he wasabout to take it down from its fastening when his hand was arrestedby a word--"Father!"

He turned, and saw his son looking at him with his great eyes full ofhorror and alarm, as if he were committing a murder. 

"I tell you I must, and I vill, " said he, savagely. 

His wife looked up, sprang to his side, and with her hands upon hisarm, said, "No, Berthold, you must not, you shall not sell dot picture. "

He silently pointed to his children crying for bread. 

"Take der dress off my back to sell, but not dot picture. Ve may asvell die before him goes, for we certainly vill after. Dot is de onlyding left of der happy past. Dot, in Gott's hands, is my only hope forder future. Dot picture dells you vat you vas, vat you might be stillif you vould only let drink alone. Many's der veary day, many's derlong night, I've prayed dot dot picture vould vin you back to yourformer self, ven tears and sufferings vere in vain. Leave him, andsome day he vill tell you so plain vat you are, and vot you can be, dot you break der horrid spell dot chains you, and your artist-soulcome again. Leave him, our only hope, and sole bar against despair anddeath. I vill go and beg a dousand times before dot picture's sold;for if he goes, your artist-soul no more come back, and you're lost, and ve all are lost. "

The man hesitated. His good angel was pleading with him, but in vain. 

Stamping his foot with rage and despair, he shouted, hoarsely, "It istoo late I am lost now. "

And he tore the picture from its fastening. His wife sank back againstthe wall with a groan as if her very soul were departing. 

But before his rash steps could leave the desolation he had made, hewas confronted by the tall form of Dennis Fleet. 

The man stared at him for a moment as if he had been an apparition, and then said, in a hard tone, "Let me pass!"

Dennis had knocked for some time, but such was the excitement withinno one had regarded the sound. He had, therefore, heard the wife'sappeal and its answer, and from what he knew of the family from hismission scholar, the boy Ernst, comprehended the situation in the main. When, therefore, matters reached the crisis, he opened the door andmet the infatuated man as he was about to throw away the last relicof his former self and happier life. With great tact he appeared asif he knew nothing, and quietly taking a chair he sat down with hisback against the door, thus barring egress. In a pleasant, affabletone, he said: "Mr. Bruder, I came to see you on a little businessto-night. As I was in something of a hurry, and no one appeared tohear my knock, I took the liberty of coming in. "

The hungry little ones looked at him with their round eyes of childishcuriosity, and for a time ceased their clamors. The wife sank into achair and bowed her head in her hands with the indifference of despair. Hope had gone. A gleam of joy lighted up Ernst's pale face at the sightof his beloved teacher, and he stepped over to his mother and commencedwhispering in her ear, but she heeded him not. The man's face wore asullen, dangerous, yet irresolute expression. It was evident that hehalf believed that Dennis was knowingly trying to thwart him, and suchwas his mad frenzy that he was ready for any desperate deed. 

CHAPTER XVII

RESCUED

In a tone of suppressed excitement, which he tried in vain to rendersteady, Mr. Bruder said: "You haf der advantage of me, sir. I know notyour name. Vat is more, I am not fit for bissiness dis night. Indeed, I haf important bissiness elsewhere. You must excuse me, " he added, sternly, advancing toward the door with the picture. 

"Pardon me, Mr. Bruder, " said Dennis, politely. "I throw myself entirelyon your courtesy, and must ask as a very great favor that you will nottake away that picture till I see it, for that, in part, is what Icame for. I am in the picture trade myself, and think I am a tolerablyfair judge of paintings. I heard accidentally you had a fine one, andfrom the glimpse I catch of it, I think I have not been misinformed. If it is for sale, perhaps I can do as well by you as any one else. I am employed in Mr. Ludolph's great store, the 'Art Building. ' Youprobably know all about the place. "

"Yes, I know him, " said the man, calming down somewhat. 

"And now, sir, " said Dennis, with a gentle, winning courtesy impossibleto resist, "will you do me the favor of showing me your picture?"

He treated poor Bruder as a gentleman, and he, having really been one, was naturally inclined to return like courtesy. Therefore he said, "Oh, certainly, since you vish to see him. I suppose I might as vellsell him to you as any von else. "

Mr. Bruder was a man of violent impulses, and his mad excitement wasfast leaving him under Dennis's cool, business-like manner. To gaintime was now the great desideratum. 

The picture having been replaced upon the wall, Mr. Bruder held thelamp so as to throw upon it as good a light as possible. 

Dennis folded his arms calmly and commenced its study. He had meantto act a part---to pretend deep interest and desire for long criticalstudy---that he might secure more time, but in a few moments he becamehonestly absorbed in the beautiful and exquisitely finished landscape. 

The poor man watched him keenly. Old associations and feelings, seemingly long dead, awoke. As he saw Dennis manifest every mark oftrue and growing appreciation, he perceived that his picture was beingstudied by a discriminating person. Then his artist-nature began toquicken into life again. His eyes glowed, and glanced rapidly fromDennis to the painting, back and forth, following up the judgment oneach and every part which he saw written in the young man's face. Ashe watched, something like hope and exultation began to light up hissullen, heavy features; thought and feeling began to spiritualize andennoble what but a little before had been so coarse and repulsive. 

Ernst was looking at Dennis in rapt awe, as at a messenger from heaven. 

The poor wife, who had listened in a dull apathy to the conversation, raised her head in sudden and intelligent interest when the picturewas replaced upon the wall. It seemed that her every hope was boundup in that. As she saw Dennis and her husband standing before it---asshe saw the face of the latter begin to assume something of its formerlook---her whole soul came into her great blue eyes, and she watchedas if more than life were at stake. 

If that meagre apartment, with its inmates, their contrasts ofcharacter, their expressive faces, could have then been portrayed, itwould have made a picture with power to move the coldest heart. 

At last Dennis drew a long breath, turned and gave his hand to theman, saying with hearty emphasis, "Mr. Bruder, you are an artist. "

The poor man lifted his face to heaven with the same expression of joyand gratitude that had rested on it long, long years ago, when hisfirst real work of merit had received similar praise. 

His wife saw and remembered it, and, with an ecstatic cry that thrilledDennis's soul, exclaimed, "Ah! mine Gott be praised! mine Gott bepraised! his artist-soul come back!" and she threw herself on herhusband's neck, and clung to him with hysteric energy. The man meltedcompletely, and bowed his head upon his wife's shoulder, while hiswhole frame shook with sobs. 

"I will be back in half an hour, " said Dennis, hastily, brushing tearsfrom his own eyes. "Come with me, Ernst. "

At the foot of the stairs Dennis said: "Take this money, Ernst, andbuy bread, butter, tea, milk, and coal, also a nice large steak, forI am going to take supper with you to-night. I will stay here andwatch, for your father must not be permitted to go out. "

"Oh, Gott bless you! Gott bless you!" said the boy, and he hurriedaway to do his errand. 

Dennis walked up and down before the door on guard. Ernst soon returned, and carried the welcome food upstairs. After a little time he stoledown again and said: "Father's quiet and queer like. Mother has giventhe children a good supper and put them to bed. Better come now. "

"In a few moments more; you go back and sit down quietly and saynothing. "

After a little Dennis went up and knocked at the door. Mrs. Bruderopened it, and held out her hand. Her quivering lips refused to speak, but her eyes filled with grateful tears. The children were tucked awayin bed. Ernst crouched by the fire, eating some bread and butter, forhe was cold and half-famished. Mr. Bruder sat in the dusky corner withhis head in his hands, the picture of dejection. But, as Dennis entered, he rose and came forward. He tried to speak, but for a moment couldnot. At last he said, hoarsely: "Mr. Vleet, you haf done me and minea great kindness. No matter vat the result is, I dank you as I neverdanked any living being. I believe Gott sent you, but I fear too late. You see before you a miserable wreck. For months and years I haf beena brute, a devil. Dot picture dere show you vat I vas, vat I might hafbeen. You see vat I am, " he added, with an expression of intenseloathing. "I see him all to-night as if written in letters of fire, and if dere is a vorse hell dan der von I feel vithin my soul, Gottonly knows how I am to endure him. "

"Mr. Bruder, you say I have done you a favor. "

"Gott knows you haf. "

"I want you to do me one in return. I want you to let me be yourfriend, " said Dennis, holding out his hand. 

The man trembled, hesitated; at last he said, brokenly, "I am notfit--to touch--your hand. "

"Mr. Bruder, " said Dennis, gently, "I hope that I am a Christian. "

"Still more, den, I am unfit efer to be in your presence. "

"What! am I greater than my Master? Did not Christ take the hand ofevery poor, struggling man on earth that would let Him? Come, Mr. Bruder, if you have any real gratitude for the little I have done toshow my interest in you and yours, grant me my request. "

"Do you really mean him?" he gasped. "Do you really vant to be drunkenold Berthold Bruder's friend?"

"God is my witness, I do, " said Dennis, still holding out his hand. 

The poor fellow drew a few short, heavy breaths, and then graspedDennis's hand, and clung to it with the force of a drowning man. "Oh!" said he, after a few moments of deep emotion, "I feel dot I hafa plank under me now. "

"God grant that yon may soon feel that you are on the Rock ChristJesus, " said Dennis, solemnly. 

Fearing the reaction of too great and prolonged emotion, Dennis nowdid everything in his power to calm and quiet his new-found friends. He told them that he boarded at a restaurant, and he asked if he mighttake supper with them. 

"Him is yours already, " said Mr. Bruder. 

"No, it isn't, " said Dennis--"not after I have given it to you. ButI want to talk to you about several matters, for I think you can beof great service to me;" and he told them of his experience during theday; that he had been promoted, and that he wanted Ernst to come andaid him in his duties. Then he touched on the matter nearest his heart--his own wish to be an artist, his need of instruction--and told howby his increase of pay he had now the means of taking lessons, whilestill able to support his mother and sisters. 

"And now, Mr. Bruder, I feel that I have been very fortunate in makingyour acquaintance. You have the touch and tone that I should beoverjoyed to acquire. Will you give me lessons?"

"Yes, morning, noon, and night, vithout von shent of pay. "

"That will not do. I'll not take one on those terms. "

"I vill do vatever you want me to, " said the man, simply, "I vish Icould be led and vatched over as a little child. "

Dennis saw his pathetic self-distrust, and it touched him deeply. 

"As your friend, " he said, with emphasis, "I will not advise you todo anything that I would not do myself. "

So they arranged that Ernst should go to the store in the morning, andthat Dennis should come three nights in the week for lessons. 

All made a hearty supper save Mr. Bruder. He had reached that desperatestage when his diseased stomach craved drink only. But a strong cupof tea, and some bread that he washed down with it, heartened him alittle, and it was evident that he felt better. The light of a fainthope was dawning in his face. 

Dennis knew something of the physical as well as moral Struggle beforethe poor man, and knew that after all it was exceedingly problematicalwhether he could be saved. Before he went away he told Mrs. Bruder tomake her husband some very strong coffee in the morning, and to lethim drink it through the day. As for Bruder, he had resolved to dierather than touch another drop of liquor. 

But how many poor victims of appetite have been haunted to the graveby such resolves--shattered and gone almost as soon as made!

After a long, earnest talk, in which much of the past was revealed onboth sides, Dennis drew a small Testament from is pocket and said:"Mr. Bruder, I wish to direct your thoughts to a better Friend thanI am or can be. Will you let me read you something about Him?"

"Yes, and dank you. But choose someding strong--suited to me. "

Dennis read something strong--the story of the Demoniac of Gadara, andleft him "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. "

"Mr. Bruder, permit me as your _friend_ to say that I think that is theonly safe place for you. Your better self, your true manhood, has beenoverpowered by the demon of intemperance. I do not undervalue human willand purpose, but I think you need a divine, all-powerful Deliverer. "

"I know you are right, " said Mr. Bruder. "I haf resolved ofer andofer again, only to do vorse, and sink deeper at der next temptation, till at last I gave up trying. Unless I am sustained by some strengthgreater dan mine, I haf no hope. I feel dot your human sympathy andkindness vill be a great help to me, and somehow I dake him as anearnest dot Gott vil be kind to me too. "

"Oh, Mr. Fleet!" he continued, as Dennis rose to go, "how much I oweto you! I vas in hell on earth ven you came. I vould haf been in hellbeneath before morning. I proposed, from the proceeds of dot picture, to indulge in von more delirium, and den seek to quench all in dervaters of der lake. "

Dennis shuddered, but said: "And I believe that God purposes that youshould have a good life here, and a happy life in heaven. Co-work withHim. "

"If He vill help me, I'll try, " said the man, humbly. "Good-night, andGott bless you;" and he almost crushed Dennis's hand. 

As the young man turned to Mrs. Bruder, he was much struck by herappearance: she was very pale, and a wonderful light shone from hereyes. She took his hand in both of hers, and looked at him for a momentwith an expression he could never forget, and then slowly pointedheavenward without a word. 

Dennis hastened away, much overcome by his own feelings. But the silent, deserted streets seemed luminous, such was the joy of his heart. 

CHAPTER XVIII

MISS LUDOLPH MAKES A DISCOVERY

Several hours were measured off by the clock of a neighboring steeplebefore Dennis's excited mind was sufficiently calm to permit sleep, and even then he often started up from some fantastic dream in whichthe Bruders and Mr. And Miss Ludolph acted strange parts. At last heseemed to hear exquisite music. As the song rose and fell, it thrilledhim with delight. Suddenly it appeared to break into a thousand pieces, and fall scattering on the ground, like a broken string of pearls, andthis musical trash, as it were, awoke him. The sun was shining brightlyinto the room, and all the air seemed vibrating with sweet sounds. Hestarted up and realized that he had greatly overslept. Much vexed, hebegan to dress in haste, when he was startled by a brilliant preludeon the piano, and a voice of wonderful power and sweetness struck intoan air that he had never heard before. Soon the whole building wasresonant with music, and Dennis stood spellbound till the strange, rich sounds died away, as before, in a few instrumental notes that hadseemed in his dream like the song breaking into glittering fragments. 

"It must be Miss Ludolph, " thought Dennis. "And can she sing like that?What an angel true faith would make of her! Oh, how could I oversleepso!" And he dressed in breathless haste. In going down to the secondfloor, he found a piano open and new music upon it, which Miss Ludolphhad evidently been trying; but she was not there. Yet a peculiardelicate perfume which the young lady always used pervaded the place, even as her song had seemed to pulsate through the air after it hadceased. She could not be far off. Stepping to a picture show-room overthe front door, Dennis found her sitting quietly before a largepainting, sketching one of the figures in it. 

"I learned from my father that you were a very early riser, " she said, looking up for a moment, and then resuming her work. "I fear there issome mistake about it. If we are ever to get through rearranging thestore you will have to curtail your morning naps. "

"I most sincerely beg your pardon. I never overslept so before. ButI was out late last night, and passed through a most painful scene, that so disturbed me that I could not sleep till nearly morning, andI find to my great vexation that I have overslept. I promise you itshall not happen again. "

"I am not sure of that, if you are out late in Chicago, and passingthrough painful scenes. I should say that this city was a peculiarlybad place for a young man to be out late in. "

"It was an experience wholly unexpected to me, and I hope it may neveroccur again. It was a scene of trouble that I had no hand in making, but which even humanity would not permit me to leave at once. "

"Not a scene of measles or smallpox, I hope. I am told that your missionpeople are indulging in these things most of the time. You have notbeen exposed to any contagious disease?"

"I assure you I have not. "

"Very well; be ready to assist me to-morrow morning, for we have noslight task before us, and I wish to complete it as soon as possible. I shall be here at half-past six, and do not promise to sing you awakeevery morning. Were you not a little startled to hear such unwontedsounds echoing through the prosaic old store?"

"I was indeed. At first I could not believe that it was a human voice. "

"That is rather an equivocal compliment. "

"I did not mean to speak in compliment at all, but to say in allsincerity that I have seldom heard such heavenly music. "

"Perhaps you have never heard very much of any kind, or else yourimagination overshadows your other faculties. In fact I think it does, for did you not at first regard me as a painted lady who had steppedfrom the canvas to the floor?"

"I confess that I was greatly confused and startled. "

"In what respect did you see such a close resemblance?"

Dennis hesitated. 

"Are you not able to tell?" asked she. 

"Yes, " said Dennis, with heightened color, "but I do not like to say. "

"But I wish you to say, " said she, with a slightly imperious tone. 

"Well, then, since you wish me to speak frankly, it was your expression. As you stood by the picture you unconsciously assumed the look andmanner of the painted girl. And all the evening and morning I had beentroubling over the picture and wondering how an artist could paint solovely a face, and make it express only scorn and pride. It seemed tome that such a face ought to have been put to nobler uses. "

Miss Ludolph bit her lip and looked a little annoyed, but turning toDennis she said, with some curiosity: "You are not a bit like the manwho preceded you. How did you come to take his place?"

"I am poor, and will gratefully do any honest work rather than beg orstarve. "

"I wish all the poor were of the same mind, but, from the way theydrag on us who have something to give, I think the rule is usually theother way. Very well, that will answer; since you have asked papa tolet you continue to do Pat's duties, you had better be about them, though it is not so late as you think;" and she turned to her sketchingin such a way as to quietly dismiss him. 

She evidently regarded him with some interest and curiosity, as aunique specimen of the genus homo, and, looking upon him as a humbledependant, was inclined to speak to him freely and draw him out forher amusement. 

On going downstairs he saw that Mr. Ludolph was writing in his office. He was an early riser, and sometimes, entering the side door by a passkey before the store was opened, would secure an extra hour forbusiness. He shook his head at Dennis, but said nothing. 

By movements wonderfully quick and dexterous Dennis went through hiswonted tasks, and at eight o'clock, the usual hour, the store was readyfor opening. 

Mr. Ludolph often caught glimpses of him as he darted to and fro, hischeeks glowing, and every act suggesting superabundant life. 

He sighed and said: "After all, that young fellow is to be envied. Heis getting more out of existence than most of us. He enjoys everything, and does even hard work with a zest that makes it play. There will beno keeping him down, for he seems possessed by the concentrated vimof this driving Yankee nation. Then he has a world of delusions besidesthat seem grand realities. Well, it is a sad thing to grow old andwise. "

Indeed it is, in Mr. Ludolph's style. 

When Dennis opened the front door, there was Ernst cowering in theMarch winds, and fairly trembling in the flutter of his hopes andfears. Dennis gave him a hearty grasp of the hand and drew him in, saying, "Don't be afraid; I'll take care of you. "

The boy's heart clung to him as the vine tendril clasps the oak, and, upheld by Dennis's strength, he entered what was to him wonderlandindeed. 

Mr. Ludolph looked him over as he and his daughter passed out on theirreturn to breakfast, and said, "He will answer if he is strong enough. "

He saw nothing in that child's face to fear. 

Dennis assured him with a significant glance, which Mr. Ludolphunderstood as referring to better fare, that "he would grow strongfast now. "

Miss Ludolph was at once interested in the boy's pale face and large, spiritual eyes; and she resolved to sketch them before good living haddestroyed the artistic effect. 

Under kindly instruction, the boy took readily to his duties, andpromised soon to become very helpful. At noon Dennis took him out tolunch, and the poor, half-starved lad feasted as he had not for manya long day. 

The afternoon mail brought Dennis his mother's letter, and he wonderedthat her prediction should be fulfilled even before it reached him, and thus again his faith was strengthened. He smiled and said tohimself, "Mother lives so near the heavenly land that she seems to getthe news thence before any one else. "

During the day a lady who was talking to Mr. Ludolph turned and saidto Dennis: "How prettily you have arranged this table! Let me see; Ithink I will take that little group of bronzes. They make a very niceeffect together. "

Dennis, with his heart swelling that he had arrived at the dignity ofsalesman, with much politeness, which evidently pleased the lady, assured her that they would be sent promptly to her address. 

Mr. Ludolph looked on as if all was a matter of course while she waspresent, but afterward said: "You are on the right track, Fleet. Younow see the practical result of a little thought and grace inarrangement. In matters of art, people will pay almost as much forthese as for the things themselves. The lady would not have boughtthose bronzes under Berder's system. When things are grouped rightly, people see just what they want, and buy the _effect_ as well as thearticles;" and with this judicious praise Mr. Ludolph passed on, betterpleased with himself even than with Dennis. 

But, as old Bill Cronk had intimated, such a peck of oats was almosttoo much for Dennis, and he felt that he was in danger of becoming toohighly elated. 

After closing the store, he wrote a brief but graphic letter to hismother, describing his promotion, and expressing much sympathy forpoor Berder. Regarding himself as on the crest of prosperity's wave, he felt a strong commiseration for every degree and condition oftroubled humanity, and even could sigh over unlucky Berder's deservedtribulations. 

About eight o'clock he started to see his new friends in De KovenStreet, and take his lesson in drawing. They welcomed him warmly, forthey evidently looked upon him as the one who might save them from theengulfing waves of misfortune and evil. 

The children were very different from the clamorous little wolves ofthe night before. No longer hungry, they were happy in the corner, with some rude playthings, talking and cooing together like a flockof young birds. Ernst was washing the tea-things, while his mothercared for the baby, recalling to Dennis, with a rush of tender memories, his mother and his boyhood tasks. Mr. Bruder still sat in the duskycorner. The day had been a hard one for him. Having nothing to do inthe present, he had lived the miserable past over and over again. Attimes his strength almost gave way, but his wife would say, "Be patient!your friend Mr. Fleet will be in soon. "

From a few hints of what had passed, Dennis saw the trouble at once. Mr. Bruder must have occupation. After a few kindly generalities, theytwo got together, as congenial spirits, before the rescued picture;and soon both were absorbed in the mysteries of the divine art. 

As the wife looked at the kindling, interested face of her husband, she murmured to herself over and over again, like the sweet refrainof a song, "His artist-soul haf come back; it truly haf. "

The lesson that night could be no more than a talk on general principlesand rules. But Mr. Bruder soon found that he had an apt scholar, andDennis's enthusiasm kindled his own flagging zeal, and the artist-soulawakening within him, as his wife believed, longed to express itselfas of old in glowing colors. 

Moreover, his ambition was renewed in this promising pupil. Naturallygenerous, and understanding his noble profession, he felt his poorbenumbed heart stir and glow at the thought of aiding this eageraspirant to become what he had hoped to be. He might live again in thericher and better-guided genius of his scholar. 

"I will send you by Ernst in the morning some sketching paper, materials, and canvas, and you can prepare some studies for me. I willlet him bring some drawings and colorings that I have made of late inodd moments, and you can see about how advanced I am, and what faultsI have fallen into while groping my own way. And I am going to sendyou some canvas, also, for I am quite sure that if you paint a pictureMr. Ludolph will buy it. "

The man's face brightened visibly at this. 

"Will you let your friend make a suggestion?" continued Dennis. 

"You can command me, " said Mr. Bruder, with emphasis. 

"No; friends never do that; but I would like to suggest that at firstyou take some simple subject, that you can soon finish, and leaveefforts that require more time for the future. That picture there showswhat you can do, and you need to work now more from the commercialstandpoint than the artist's. "

After a moment's thought, the man said, "You are right. As I lookaround dis room, and see our needs, I see dat you are right. Do' Imeant to attempt someding difficult, to show Mr. Ludolph vat I coulddo. "

"That will all come in good time; and now, my friend, good-night. "

The next day was far more tolerable for poor Bruder, because he wasoccupied, and he found it much easier to resist the clamors of appetite. 

Dennis's sketches interested him greatly, for, though they showed thenatural defects of one who had received little instruction, both powerand originality were manifest in their execution. 

"He, too, can be an artist, if he vill, " was his emphatic comment, after looking them over. 

He prepared one study, to be continued under his own eye, and anotherfor Dennis to work at alone. Afterward he sat down to something forhimself. He thought a few moments, and then outlined rapidly as hissubject the figure of a man dashing a wineglass to the ground. 

As he worked, his wife smiled encouragement to him as of old, and oftenlooked upward in thankfulness to Heaven. 

CHAPTER XIX

WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH HIM?

The sun was just tingeing the eastern horizon with light when Dennissprang from his bed on the following morning. He vowed that Miss Ludolphshould never have cause to complain of him again; for, great as wasthe luxury of being awakened by such exquisite music, it was one thathe could not afford. 

It must be confessed that he gave a little more care than usual thatmorning to his toilet; but his resources were very limited. Still, asnature had done so much for him, he could not complain. By half-pastsix his duties in the store were accomplished, and brushed and furbishedup as far as possible, he stood outside the door awaiting his fairtask-mistress. Sometimes he wondered at the strange fascination sheexercised over him, but generally ended by ascribing it to her beautyand love of art. 

A little after the time appointed she appeared with her father, andseemed pleased at Dennis's readiness for work. 

"I shall not have to sing you awake this morning, " she said, "and Iam glad, for I am in a mood for business. "

She was attired in a close-fitting walking-dress that set off hergraceful person finely. It was evident that her energetic nature wouldpermit no statuesque repose while Dennis worked, but that she had comeprepared for active measures. 

She had inherited a good constitution, which, under her father'sdirection, had been strengthened and confirmed by due regard to hygienicrules. Therefore she had reached the stage of early womanhood aboundingin vitality and capable of great endurance. Active, graceful motionwas as natural to her as it is for a swallow to be on the wing. Themoment she dropped her book, palette, or pencil, she was on her feet, her healthful nature seeming like a mountain brook, that, checked fora time in its flow, soon overleaps its bounds and speeds on more swiftlythan ever. But the strange part of this superabundant activity was, that she never seemed to do anything in an abrupt way, as from mereimpulse. Every act glided into another smoothly and gracefully. Herlithe, willowy figure, neither slight nor stout, was peculiarly adaptedto her style of movement. She delighted in the game of billiards, forthe quick movements and varied attitudes permitted, and the precisionrequired, were all suited to her taste; and she had gained suchmarvellous skill that even her father, with his practiced hand, wasscarcely her match. 

As she tripped lightly up the long winding stairs to the show-roomover the front door where their labors were to begin, she appeared toDennis the very embodiment of grace and beauty. And yet she seemed socold and self-centred, so devoid of warm human interest in the greatworld of love, joy, and suffering, that she repelled while shefascinated. 

"If the blood should come into the cheeks of one of her father'sstatues, and the white marble eyes turn to violet blue, and the snowyhair to wavy gold, and it should spring from its pedestal into justsuch life, it would be more like her than any woman I ever saw, " thoughtDennis, as he stood for a moment or two waiting to do her bidding. 

Her plans had been thoroughly matured, and she acted with decision. Pointing to the side opposite the door--the side which would naturallystrike the eye of the visitor first--she said, "I wish all the picturestaken down from that wall and placed around the room so that I can seethem. "

She began as an absolute dictator, intending to give no hint of herplans and purposes except as conveyed by clear, terse orders. But thesehad so intelligent and appreciative an interpreter in Dennis, thatgradually her attention was drawn to him as well as to his work. 

He had his step-ladder ready, and with a celerity decidedly pleasing, soon placed the pictures safely on the floor, so that she could stillsee them and judge of their character. Though his dexterous manner andcareful handling of the pictures were gratifying, it must be confessedthat his supple form, the graceful and varied attitudes he unconsciouslyassumed in his work, pleased her more, and she secretly began to studyhim as an artistic subject, as he had studied her. 

In her complacency she said: "So far, very well, Mr. Fleet. Icongratulate myself that I have you to assist me, instead of thatawkward fraud, Mr. Berder. "

"And I assure you, Miss Ludolph, that I have longed intensely for thisprivilege ever since I knew your purpose. "

"You may have cause to repent, like many another whose wishes havebeen gratified; for your privilege will involve a great deal of hardwork. "

"The more the better, " said Dennis, warmly. 

"How so? I should think you had more to do now than you would careabout. "

"Work is no burden to one of my years and strength, provided it issuited to one's tastes. Moreover, I confess that I hope to derive greatadvantages from this labor. "

"In what way?" she asked, with a slight frown, imagining that hethought of extra pay. 

"Because unconsciously you will give me instruction, and I hope thatyou are not unwilling that I should gain such hints and suggestionsas I can from the display of your taste that I must witness. "

"Not at all, " said she, laughing. "I see that you are ambitious tolearn your business and rise in the store. "

"I am ambitious to gain a knowledge of one of the noblest callings. "

"What is that?"

"Art. "

"What!" said she, with a half-scornful smile; "are you a disciple ofart?"

"Yes; why not?"

"Well, I do not wish to hurt your feelings, but, to tell you the honesttruth, it seems but the other day that you were Pat Murphy. "

"But am I a Pat Murphy?" he asked, with gentle dignity. 

"No, Mr. Fleet; I will do you the justice to say that I think you verymuch above your station. "

"I am sufficiently a democrat, Miss Ludolph, to believe that a man canbe a man in any honest work. "

"And I, Mr. Fleet, am not in the least degree a democrat. "

Which fact she proceeded to prove by ordering him about for the nexthour like the most absolute little despot that ever queened it overa servile province in the dark ages. Bat it was rather difficult tokeep up this style of dictatorship with Dennis. He seemed so intelligentand polite that she often had it to her tongue to ask his opinion oncertain points. Toward the last she did so, and the opinion he gave, she admitted to herself, was judicious; but for a purpose of her ownshe disregarded it, and took a different way. 

Dennis at once saw through her plan of arrangement. In the centre ofthat side of the room which he had cleared, she caused him to hang oneof the largest and finest pictures, which, under Mr. Schwartz'smanagement, had been placed in a corner. Around the central paintingall the others were to be grouped, according to color, subject, andmerit. At the same time each wall was to have a character of its own. Such a task as this would require no little thought, study, andcomparison; and Miss Ludolph was one to see delicate points ofdifference which most observers would not notice. It was her purposeto make the room bloom out naturally like a great flower. This carefulselection of pictures was necessarily slow, and Dennis rejoiced thattheir united work would not soon be over. 

To her surprise she often saw his eyes instinctively turning to thesame picture that she was about to select, and perceived that he haddivined her plan without a word of explanation, and that his taste wasconstantly according with hers in producing the desired effects. Thoughall this filled her with astonishment, she revealed no sign of it tohim. At eight she said: "That will do for to-day. We have made a goodbeginning--better indeed than I had hoped. But how is it, Mr. Fleet, since you are such an uncompromising democrat, that you permit a younglady to order you about in this style?"

Dennis smiled and said: "It seems perfectly natural for you to speakin this way, and it does not appear offensive as it might in another. Moreover, I have voluntarily taken this position and am in honor boundto accept all it involves. "

"But which was the controlling motive of your mind?"

"Well, a few seem born to command, and it is a pleasure to obey, " saidDennis, paying a strong but honest compliment to the natural littleautocrat. 

"Indeed, Mr. Fleet, do church members flatter?" said she, secretlymuch pleased. 

"I did not mean to flatter, " said he, flushing. "They who have powershould use it like the All-powerful--gently, considerately. "

It was her turn to flush now, and she said, "Oh, I perceive, thecompliment was the sugar-coating of the little homily to follow. "

"I have no such diplomacy as you credit me with, " said Dennis, lookingstraight into her eyes with honest frankness. "I merely spoke my passingthought. "

"But he has fine eyes, " said she to herself, and then she said to him:"Very well, I certainly will give you credit for being superior toyour position. Be ready again to-morrow at the same hour;" and witha smile somewhat kindly she vanished. 

Somehow she seemed to take the light out of the room with her. Thepictures suddenly looked tame and ordinary, and everything commonplace. Here was an effect not exactly artistic, which he could not understand. He sighed, he scarcely knew why. 

But the day's duties came with a rush, and soon he was utterly absorbedin them. 

That evening Dennis was much cheered by Mr. Bruder's comments on hissketches. 

"Considering de advantages you haf had, an de little time you can give, dey are very goot. You haf fallen into de natural faults of dose whowork alone, but we can soon cure dese. Now here is some vork dat Ivant you to do under my eye, and dat study on outlining you can takehome. Moreover, I can give you some lessons in outlining from my ownpicture;" and Mr. Bruder showed him what he had done. 

Dennis saw in the clear, vigorous profile the artist's thought, andcongratulated himself that his teacher was a master in his profession. 

For two hours they worked and talked, and Dennis felt that every suchlesson would be a long step forward. 

Poor Bruder looked more and more like himself every day, but God onlyknew how he had to struggle. 

"I don't know how him vill end, " he said. "I pray nearly every minute, but sometimes I feel dat I must drink even do' I die dat moment. "

It was disease as well as appetite that he was fighting, for appetiteindulged beyond a certain point becomes disease. 

His wife's face was different also--the sharp look of misery fadingout of it. Dennis noticed the changes, and thought to himself, whilewalking home: "After all, the highest art is to bring out on the livingface all we can of God's lost image. How beautiful the changes in thesetwo poor people's faces! and the best part of it is, that they are thereflex of changes going on in the soul, the imperishable part. "

Then, in quick and natural transition, his mind reverted to ChristineLudolph; and the thought of her face, which God had fashioned so fair, but which was already sadly marred by sin, becoming fixed and rigidin pride and selfishness, was as painful as if, according to an oldlegend, her lithe, active form should gradually turn to stone. But ifthe reverse could ever be true--if the beautifying Christian gracescould dwell within her soul and light up her face--as lamps illuminingsome rare and quaint transparency, the resulting loveliness wouldrealize the artist's fondest ideal. 

Musing thus, what wonder that he vowed then and there, under thestarlight, to pray and work for her till the new life should illumineher heart. Little dreamed Christine, as she slept that night, that thefirst link of a chain which might bind her to heaven had been forged. 

The dawn was late and lowering on the following morning. Great massesof clouds swept across the sky, and soon the rain was falling in gustytorrents. Dennis rose and hastened through his duties as before, andwas ready at the hour appointed, but had little hope of seeing MissLudolph. Still he opened the door and looked up the street. To hissurprise he saw her coming, attended by her father's valet. Only partof her glowing face was visible, for she was incased from head to footin a light and delicate suit of rubber. 

Dennis opened the door, and she stepped quickly in, scattering sprayon every side like a sea-nymph. The young man looked at her withopen-eyed admiration and surprise, which both amused and pleased her. 

"True enough, " she thought, "his face is like a signboard. "

She seemed to him, as she threw off her wet coverings, like an exquisiteflower, that, lifted by the breeze after a storm, scatters theburdensome rain-drops on every side and stands up more beautiful andblooming than ever. 

"You were not expecting me, I imagine, " she said. 

"Well, I must admit I scarcely did, and yet I could not help lookingfor you. "

"Isn't that a distinction without a difference?" she asked, with apleasant smile, for she was gratified at not finding the store closedand dark. 

"I am very glad you have come, " he replied, flushing slightly withpleasure, "for it would have been a long, dreary morning if you hadnot. "

Dennis thought he referred to the lack of occupation. He did not know, nor did she notice, that he meant the lack of herself. 

"Well, " said she, "I am glad you like the work, for you destined tohave enough of it. "

CHAPTER XX

IS HE A GENTLEMAN?

The days and weeks that followed were to Dennis such as only come oncein a lifetime, and not in every lifetime either. A true, pure love wasgrowing up within his heart--growing as the little child develops instrength and pleasurable life, and yet unconsciously to itself. Itseemed as if some strong magician's wand had touched the world or him. Everything was transfigured, and no wonderland was more full of interestthan that in which he existed. His life was a waking dream, in whichnothing was distinct or definite, but all things abounded in hope andhappy suggestion. He compared it afterward to a tropical island of thePacific, a blissful fragment of life by itself, utterly distinct fromthe hard, struggling years that preceded, and the painful awakeningthat followed. 

Even the place of his daily toil was pervaded by a beautiful presence. For many days he and Christine worked together, and at last her eyeshad rested on, or her fingers had touched, nearly everything in thestore, and therefore all was associated with her. Throughout theirlabors his quick sympathy and appreciation made him almost hands andfeet to her, and she regarded him as a miracle of helpfulness--oneof those humble, useful creatures who are born to wait upon andinterpret the wishes of the rich and great. His admiring glancesdisturbed her not and raised no suspicion in her mind. She had beenaccustomed to such for years, and took them as a matter of course. 

She treated the young men whom she met in society with a courtly easeand freedom, but her smiles and repartee ever seemed like brilliantmoonlight that had no warmth; and, while no restraint appeared, shestill kept all at a distance. There was a marked difference in herintercourse with Dennis. Regarding him as too humble ever to presumeupon her frankness, she daily spoke more freely, and more truly actedout herself before him. She was happy and in her element among thebeautiful works of art they were arranging, and in this atmosphere herwomanly nature, chilled and dwarfed though it was, would often manifestitself in ways sweet and unexpected. Under no other circumstances couldshe have appeared so well. She as often spoke to herself in racy commenton what was before her as to Dennis, and ever and anon would make somepleasant remark to him, as she might throw a dainty morsel to hergreyhound Wolf, looking wistfully at her while she dined. At the sametime it must be confessed that she had a growing respect for him, asshe daily saw some new proof of his intelligence and taste; but botheducation and disposition inclined her instinctively to the old feudalidea that even genius, if poor, must wait a humble servitor on wealthand rank, and where a New England girl would have been saying toherself, "This gifted, educated man is my equal, and, whether I wantto or not, I ought to treat him as such, " she was not troubled at all. To her, he was her father's clerk and man-of-all-work, a most useful, trusted, and agreeable servant, and she was kind to him as such. Indeedthe little autocrat was kind to every one that pleased her. She wasa benign queen to obedient subjects, but woe to those who wereotherwise. 

To Dennis, however, though he realized it not, she was becoming as thevery apple of his eye. He was learning to regard her with a deeperinterest because of the very defects that he plainly recognized. Whileon the one hand he had the enthusiastic love caused by his admirationfor her, on the other he felt the tenderer and greater love which wasthe result of pity. He tried to account for his feelings toward herby the usual sophistries of unconscious lovers. It was friendship; itwas artistic interest in her beauty; it was the absorbing, unselfishregard of a Christian for one providentially commended to him to beled out of darkness into light. How could he help thinking of one forwhom he prayed night and morning and every hour in the day? It was allthis, but he was soon to learn that it was a great deal more. And sothe days of occupation and companionship passed; the spell worked onwith increasing and bewildering power, and the crisis could not bedelayed much longer. 

One morning in the latter part of April she seemed more gracious thanusual. Their labors were drawing to a close, and, as he had proved sotasteful and efficient in the store, she concluded that he might beequally useful in other ways and places. She could command him at thestore, but not in respect to a task that she had in view; so she adopteda little feminine artifice as old as the time when Eve handed Adam theapple, and she looked at him in such a way that he could not refuse. 

Blind, honest Dennis, it is needless to say, saw nothing of this littlestrategy of which he was destined to be the happy, willing victim, and his love expanded and bloomed under the genial light of her presenceand kindness, like the flowers of the convolvulus in a bright dawn ofJune. She brought her general graciousness to a definite and blissfulclimax by saying, when about to go home, "Well, Mr. Fleet, you havedone better than usual to-day, and I certainly must give you creditfor possessing more taste than any young man of my acquaintance. "

Dennis's heart gave as great a bound as if the laurel crown of all theOlympic games had been placed upon his brow. 

"I am now going to ask a favor, " she continued. 

"You may command me, Miss Ludolph, " interrupted Dennis. 

"No, not in this case, " she replied. "Whatever you do will be regardedas a personal favor to me. At the same time it will afford you scopefor such display of your taste as will secure many compliments. "

"If I am able to satisfy _you_ I shall be more than compensated, " saidDennis with a bow. 

She smiled and thought to herself, "That isn't bad for a porter andman-of-all-work, " and explained as follows:

"Some young ladies and gentlemen have decided upon giving anentertainment, consisting of music, tableaux, and statuary. Now, inregard to the two latter parts, we need above all things some personof taste like yourself, whose critical eye and dexterous hand willinsure everything to be just right. You will be a sort of general stagemanager and superintendent, you know. I feel sure you will be all themore willing to enter upon this work when you know that the proceedsare to go toward the Church of the Holy Virgin. This is going to bea very select affair, and the tickets are five dollars each. "

"Is it a Protestant church?" asked Dennis, in some trepidation. 

"Oh, certainly, " she answered, with a peculiar smile, "an Episcopalchurch. "

"It seems a strange name for a Protestant church, " said Dennis. "Itis enough for me that you wish it; at the same time it certainly isa pleasure to contribute what little I can to aid any Christianorganization. "

"Come, Mr. Fleet, you are narrow, " she said, with a controversialtwinkle in her eye. "Why not toward a Catholic church?"

"I fear that all people with decided religious opinions are sometimesregarded as narrow, " he answered, with a smile. 

"That is an inadequate answer to my question, " she said; "but I willnot find fault since you have so good-naturedly acceded to my request. Come to No. -- Wabash Avenue at three this afternoon. Papa gives youleave of absence. "

She vanished, and figuratively the sun went down to Dennis, and he wasin twilight till he should see her again. He looked forward to theafternoon with almost feverish eagerness, for several reasons. It wouldbe his first introduction to "good society, " for as such theunsophisticated youth regarded the prospect. He had the natural longingof a young, healthful nature for the companionship of those of his ownage and culture, and his life in the great city had often been verylonely. He expected, as a matter of course, to be treated as an equalat the artistic entertainment in which he was to participate. In hisbusiness relations at the store he had taken a subordinate positionand made up his mind to the logical consequences. But now that he wasinvited to a private house, and would appear there possessing all thequalities of a gentleman, he surely would be treated as one. "Is notthis Chicago, whose citizens were nearly all poor a few years ago?"he thought; "and surely, if what Miss Ludolph says is true, I haveadvantages in my taste over most poor young men. " Moreover, it was hisideal of an entertainment, where art and music should take the placeof the coarser pleasures of eating, drinking, and dancing. Chief ofall, Christine would be there, and even he in his blindness became alittle uneasy and self-conscious as he realized how this thought toweredabove the others. 

She had given him a list of the things he was to bring with him in theafternoon, and he occupied every spare moment in getting them ready. At a quarter past two he summoned the carman of the store, and theyloaded up the miscellaneous cargo needed for the coming mysteries, andby three all were before the large elegant mansion to which he hadbeen directed. Dennis rang the bell and was shown by a servant intothe front parlor, where he found Miss Ludolph, Miss Brown, a tall, haughty brunette, and the young lady of the house, Miss Winthrop, abright, sunny-faced blonde, and two or three other young ladies of nospecial coloring or character, being indebted mainly to their toiletsfor their attractions. Dennis bowed to Miss Ludolph, and then turnedtoward the other ladies, expecting as a matter of course to beintroduced. No introduction came, but his expectant manner was soobvious that Miss Ludolph colored and looked annoyed, and the otheryoung ladies tittered outright. 

Advancing a step or two she said, coldly, "Mr. Fleet, you may helpMapes carry the things into the back parlor, and then we will directyou as to the arrangement. "

Dennis crimsoned painfully. At first he was too confused to think, andmerely obeyed mechanically. Then came the impulse to say boldly thatthis kind of thing might answer at the store, but not here, and henearly carried it out; but soon followed the sober second thought, that such action would bring a blight over all his prospects, andinvolve the loss of his position at the store. Such giving way topassion would injure only himself. They would laugh, and merely suffera momentary annoyance; to him and his the result would be mostdisastrous. Why should he let those who cared not a jot for him causesuch sad injury?

By the time he had carried his first armful into the back parlor, hehad resolved for his mother and sisters' sakes that he would go throughthe following scenes as well as he could, and then turn his back onsociety till he could enter it a recognized gentleman; and withcompressed lips and flashing eye he mentally vowed that that day shouldsoon come. 

As he was unpacking his materials he could not help hearing theconversation in the front parlor. 

"Did you ever see such presumption?" exclaimed Miss Brown. "He evidentlyexpected to be introduced, and that we should rise and courtesyall around. "

"He must have seen better days, for he certainly appeared like agentleman, " said Miss Winthrop. 

"I should hardly give that title to a man who swept a store out everymorning" replied Miss Brown. 

"No, indeed!" chorused the three colorless young ladies. 

"I know nothing about this young man, " said Miss Winthrop, rufflingher plumage somewhat for an argument, of which she was fond; "but, asa case in hand, suppose a highly educated and refined man for somereason swept a store out every morning, what would you call him?" andshe looked around as if she had given a poser. 

The colorless young ladies looked blank--their natural expression. 

"Nonsense!" said the positive Miss Brown; "such men don't sweep stores. He may have passed current in some country village, but that is notour set. "

"But the case is certainly supposable, " retorted Miss Winthrop, moreintent upon her argument than upon Dennis. "Come, what does the Countesssay?" she asked, turning to Christine; for that was the familiar nameby which she went among her young companions. 

"The case is not supposable, but actual, " she answered, so distinctlythat it seemed that she meant Dennis to hear. "As far as I have anymeans of judging, he is a refined, educated man, and I have learnedfrom papa that his motive in sweeping the store is the support of hismother and sisters--certainly a very worthy one. To your question, Susie, I answer unhesitatingly that in accordance with your Americanprinciples and professions he is a gentleman, and you ought to treathim as such. But you Americans are sometimes wonderfully inconsistent, and there is often a marvellously wide margin between your boastedequality and the reality. Now in Europe these questions have beensettled for ages, and birth and rank define a person's positionaccurately. "

"I do not believe in equality, " said Miss Brown, with a toss of herhead. (Her father was a mighty brewer, but he and hers were in characterand antecedents something like the froth on their own beer. )

Miss Winthrop was a little embarrassed at finding her supposed casea real one, for it might involve some practical action on her part. Many an ardent advocate of the people in theory gives them practicallythe cold shoulder, and is content to stay on the summit of Mt. Olympus. She was a girl of good impulses and strong convictions of abstractright, but rarely had either the courage or the opportunity to carrythem out. She was of the old Boston family of Winthrops, and thereforecould meet Miss Ludolph on her own ground in the way of pedigree. 

But, however Dennis fared, she felt that she must look after herargument, and, having conquered theoretically as far as America wasconcerned, determined to carry war into Europe, so she said: "Are younot mistaken in saying that birth and rank only settle position abroad?Some of the most honored names there are or were untitled. "

"Oh, certainly, but they were persons of great genius, and _genius_ isthe highest patent of nobility. But I leave you republicans to settlethis question to suit yourselves. I am going to look after thepreparations for this evening, as I have set my heart on a successthat shall ring through the city. "

But they all flocked after her into the back parlor, now doublyinteresting as it contained an object of curiosity in Dennis Fleet--averitable gentleman who swept a store. 

CHAPTER XXI

CHRISTINE'S IDEA OF CHRISTIANS

The large apartment where the amateur performers expected to win theirlaurels was now filled with all the paraphernalia needed to producemusical, artistic, and scenic effects. Much had been gathered beforeDennis's arrival, and his cart-load added all that was necessary. Everything seemed in inextricable confusion. 

"The idea of having anything here to-night!" exclaimed Miss Winthrop. "It will take us a week to get things arranged. "

"The thing is hopeless, " said the blank young ladies. 

Even Christine looked somewhat dismayed, but she said, "Remember wehave till half-past eight. "

"I will call two or three of the servants, " said Miss Brown. 

"I beg of you do not, at least not yet, " exclaimed Christine. "Whatwill their clumsy hands do in work like this, but mar everything. Ihave great faith in Mr. Fleet's abilities, " she continued, turningtoward Dennis, with an enchanting smile, and resuming the tactics ofthe morning. Though the smile went to Dennis's heart like a fieryarrow, his pride, thoroughly aroused, made him cold and self-possessed. He naturally assumed the manner possible only to the true gentlemanwho, though wronged, chooses not to show his feelings save by a grave, quiet dignity. In view of their action and manner, he consciously felthimself their superior; and this impression, like an atmosphere, wasfelt by them also. As they looked upon his tall, erect form, manlybearing, and large dark eyes, in which still lurked the fire of anhonest indignation, they felt the impossibility of ordering him aboutlike Mapes the carman. They regarded him for a moment in awkwardsilence, not knowing what to do or say. Even haughty Christine wasembarrassed, for the stronger spirit was present and thoroughly aroused, and it overpowered the weaker natures. Christine had never seen Dennislook like that, and did not know that he could. He was so differentfrom the eager, humble servitor that heretofore had interpreted hervery wishes, even before they were spoken! Moreover, the success oftheir entertainment now depended upon him, and she felt that he wasin a mood requiring delicate treatment, and that she could not orderhim around in the role to which she had assigned him. And yet if shehad known him, she might, for he had made up his mind to go througheven the most menial service with proud humility, and then be carefulnot to be so caught again; and, when Dennis had resolved upon a thing, that settled the question so far as he was concerned. Seeing Christine'shesitation and embarrassment, he stepped forward and said: "MissLudolph, if you will indicate _your_ wishes I will carry them out asrapidly as possible. I can soon bring order out of this confusion; andyou must have some plan of arrangement. "

She gave him a quick, grateful glance, that thawed more of his icethan he cared to have melt so quickly. 

"Of course we have, " said she. "This is but the nervous hesitationbefore the shock of a battle that has all been planned on paper. Hereis our programme. "

"All battles do not go forward in the field as planned on paper, ifmy feeble memory serves me, " said Miss Winthrop, maliciously. 

"I grant you that, " said Christine, quietly, "and you need not taxyour memory so greatly to prove it. "

She was now very kind and gracious to Dennis, believing that to be thebest policy. It usually is, but she received no special proof of itfrom him: he listened alike to request, suggestion, and compliment. There was nothing sullen or morose in his appearance, nothing resentfulor rude. With the utmost respect he heard all she said, and carriedout her wishes with that deft, graceful promptness in which he had fewequals. At the same time his manner was that of one who thoroughlyrespected himself--that of a refined and cultivated person, who, havingbecome committed to a disagreeable part, performed it with only theprotest of dignified silence. 

As his first step, he cleared a space for action, and arrangedeverything to be in view when needed. The rapidity with which orderemerged from confusion was marvellous to the young ladies. 

Then he took their programme, studied it a few moments, and comparedit with the pictures of the scenes they wished to imitate. He thenarranged for these one after another, placing everything needed withinreach, and where it could readily be seen, making the combinationsbeforehand as far as possible. As he worked so intelligently andskilfully, requiring so few explanations, the young ladies exchangedsignificant glances, and strolled into the front parlor. They mustexpress an opinion. 

"I declare, Christine, " said Miss Winthrop, "it is a shame that youdid not introduce him, for he is a gentleman. He works like a captiveprince. "

"How romantic!" gushed the colorless young ladies. 

"Nonsense!" said Miss Brown; "I hate to see any one in his positionputting on such airs. "

As soon as she had seen Dennis fairly at work just like her mother'sservants, or her father's men, she felt that he ought to be treatedas such--riches being Miss Brown's patent of nobility; and she resolvedif possible to lower his ridiculous pride, as she regarded it. MissBrown was a very handsome, stylish girl of a certain type, but she nomore understood Dennis's feelings than she did Sanscrit. 

Christine said nothing, but admitted to herself, with a secret wonder, that Dennis awakened in her a respect, a sort of fear, that no otherman had inspired, save her father. There was something in his manner, though altogether respectful, that made her feel that he was not tobe trifled with. This impression was decidedly heightened when, a fewmoments later, Miss Brown, pursuant of her resolution to lower Dennis'spride, ordered him in an offensive manner to do something for her thathad no connection with the entertainment. At first he acted as if hehad not heard her, but his rising color showed that he had. In spiteof warning glances from Christine and Miss Winthrop, she repeated herrequest in a loud, imperious tone. 

Dennis drew himself up to his full height, and, turning his dark eyesfull upon her, said, firmly, "I am ever ready to _offer_ any servicethat a gentleman can to a lady, but surely I am not your footman. "

"Your pride is ridiculous, sir. You are here to help, and will be paidfor it. This is my house, and I expect persons of your position, whilein it, to do as they are bidden. "

"Since such are the rules and principles of your house, permit me atonce to leave you in full possession;" and he was about to retire witha manner as cold as Mr. Ludolph himself could have assumed, and ashaughty, when a light hand fell upon his arm. Looking down he met thedeep blue eyes of Christine Ludolph lifted pleadingly to his. 

"Mr. Fleet, you need not do what is asked. It is not right to requireit. In fact we all owe you an apology. " Then, in a low, quick tone, she added, "Will you not stay as a favor to me?"

She felt his arm tremble under her hand, there was a moment'shesitation, then he replied, in the same manner, "Miss Ludolph, _you_can command me on _this_ occasion" (there was no promise for thefuture); and then he turned to his work as if resolved to see and knownothing else till the ordeal ended. 

In spite of herself Christine blushed, but taking Miss Brown by the armshe led her aside and gave her a vigorous lecture. 

"Are you sane?" she said. "Do you not remember that nearly a thousanddollars' worth of tickets are sold, and that the people will be hereby half-past eight, and at nine we must appear? Even after what he hasdone, if you should drive him away the thing would be a failure, andwe should be the ridiculous town-talk for a year. "

"But I hate--"

"No matter what you hate. Treat him as you please tomorrow. We needhim now;" and so the petted, wilful girl, spoiled by money and flattery, was kept under restraint. 

A great deal of preparation was required for the last two pieces onthe programme, and the young ladies grouped themselves not far offwhile Dennis worked. Christine explained from time to time as thenatural leader of the party. Still an awkward silence followed thescene above described. This restraint could not long endure, and oneof the colorless young ladies asked a question that led to more thanshe intended, and indeed, more than she understood. 

"Christine, what do you do with yourself Sundays? Your pew is notoccupied once in an age. "

"I usually paint most of the day, and ride out with papa in theafternoon when it is pleasant. "

"Why, you are a perfect little heathen!" they all exclaimed in chorus. 

"Yes, I suppose I am worse than a pagan, " she said, "for I not onlydo not believe in your superstitions, but have none of my own. "

"What do you believe in, then?" asked Miss Winthrop. 

"Art, music, fame, power. "

She announced her creed so coolly and decidedly that Dennis lifted astartled face to hers. She saw his grieved, astonished expression, andit amused her very much. Henceforth she spoke as much for his benefitas for theirs. 

"If you would be equally honest, " she continued, "you would find thatyour creeds also are very different from the one in the prayer-book. "

"And what would mine be, pray, " asked one of the colorless young ladies. 

"I will sum it up in one sentence, Miss Jones--'Keep in the fashion. '"

"I think that you are very unjust. I'm sure I go to church regularly, and attend a great many services in Lent and on Saints' days. I'vebeen confirmed, and all that. "

"Yes, it is the thing to do in your set. Now, here is Miss Winthrop, a Presbyterian, who manifests quite another religious phase. "

"Pray what is mine?" asked that lady, laughing. 

"Oh, you want hair-splitting in regard to the high doctrines--clear, brilliant arguments, cutting like sharp, merciless steel into thebeliefs of other denominations. Then, after your ism has been glorifiedfor an hour on Sunday morning, and all other isms pierced and lashed, you descend from your intellectual heights, eat a good dinner, takea nap, and live like the rest of us till the next Sabbath, when (ifit is a fine day) you climb some other theological peak, far beyondthe limits of perpetual snow, and there take another bird's-eye viewof something that might be found very different if you were nearer toit. "

"And what is my phase?" asked Miss Brown. 

"Oh, you are an out-and-out sinner, and do just what you please, inspite of priest or prayer-book, " said Christine, with a laugh in whichall the ladies joined. 

"Well, " said Miss Brown, "I do not think that I am worse than the restof you. "

"Not in the least, " replied Christine. "We all have some form ofreligion, or none at all, as it accords with our peculiar tastes. "

"And you mean to say that having a religion or not is a mere matterof taste?" asked Miss Winthrop. 

"Yes, I should say it was, and practically that it _is_. You ladies, andnearly all that I have met, seem to choose a style of religion suited toyour tastes; and the tastes of many incline them to have no religion atall. "

"Why, Miss Ludolph!" exclaimed Miss Winthrop, her cheeks glowing withhonest dissent and zeal for the truth; "our religion is taken from theBible. Do you not believe in the Bible?"

"No! not in the sense in which you ask the question; nor you either, my charming Miss Winthrop. "

"Indeed I do, every word of it, " said the orthodox young lady, hotly. 

"Let me test you. Miss Brown, have you such a book in the house? Oh, yes, here is an elegantly bound copy, but looking as if never opened. And now, Miss Winthrop, this city is full of all sorts of horrid people, living in alleys and tenement houses. They are poor, half-naked, hungry, and sometimes starving. Many are in prison, and more ought to be; manyare strangers, more utterly alone and lonely in our crowded streetsthan on a desert island. They are suffering from varieties of disgustingdisease, and having a hard time generally. How many hungry people haveyou fed? How many strangers (I do not mean distinguished ones fromabroad) have you taken in and comforted? How many of the naked haveyou clothed? And how long is your list of the sick and imprisoned thatyou have visited, my luxurious little lady?"

A real pallor overspread Miss Winthrop's sunny face, for she saw whatwas coming, but she answered, honestly, "I have done practically nothingof all this. " Then she added: "Papa and mamma are not willing that Ishould visit such places and people. I have asked that I might, butthey always discourage me, and tell of the awful experiences of thosewho do. "

"Then they don't believe the Bible, either, " said Christine; "for ifthey did they would insist on your doing it; and if you believed youwould do all this in spite of them; for see what is written here; thevery Being that you worship and dedicate your churches to will say, because of your not doing this, 'Depart from me, ye cursed, intoeverlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. ' And this isbut one of many similar passages. Now all this is a monstrous fableto me. The idea of any such experiences awaiting my light-heartedlittle Sybarite here!"

Miss Winthrop had buried her face in her hands, and was trembling fromhead to foot. The words of God never seemed so real and true beforeas now when uttered by an unbeliever. 

"I don't believe there is any such place or things, " said Miss Brown, bluntly. 

"There spake my mature and thoughtful friend who is not to be imposedupon, " said Christine, with a touch of irony in her tone. 

Dennis had listened in sad wonder. Such words of cynical unbelief werein dark, terrible contrast with the fair young face. He saw the mindand training of her father in all she said, but he bitterly condemnedthe worldly, inconsistent life of multitudes in the church who do moreto confirm unbelievers than all their sophistries. But as she went on, seemingly having the argument all her own way, his whole soul burnedto meet and refute her fatal views. For her own sake and the others'as well as for the dishonored name of his Lord, he must in some wayturn the tide. Though regarded as a humble servitor, having no rightto take part in the conversation, he determined that his hands mustlift up the standard of truth if no others would or could. To his joyhe found that the programme would soon give him the coveted opportunity. 

Christine went on with a voice as smooth and musical as the flow ofa stream over a glacier. 

"I have read the Bible several times, and that is more than all of youcan say, I think. It is a wonderful book, and has been the inspirationof some of our best art. There are parts that I enjoy reading verymuch for their sublimity and peculiarity. But who pretends to live asthis old and partially obsolete book teaches? Take my father, forinstance. All the gentlemen in the church that I know of can do, andare accustomed to do, just what he does, and some I think do muchworse; and yet he is an infidel, as you would term him. And as to theladies, not the Bible, but fashion rules them with a rod of iron. Ihave cut free from it all, and art shall be my religion and theinspiration of my life. "

As Christine talked on, the twilight deepened, and Dennis worked withincreasing eagerness. 

"After all, " she continued, "it is only history repeating itself. Theeducated mind to-day stands in the same attitude toward Christianityas that of the cultured mind of Greece and Rome toward the oldermythology in the second century. Then as now the form of religion waskept up, but belief in its truth was fast dying out. The cities aboundedin gorgeous temples, and were thronged with worshippers, but theysacrificed at the dictates of fashion, custom, and law, not of faith. So our cities are adorned with splendid churches, and fashion and thetastes of the congregation decide as to the form of service. The sectsdiffer widely with each other, and all differ with the Bible. Theancients gave no more respect to what was regarded as the will of theirimaginary deities than do modern Christians to the precepts of theBible. People went to the ceremonies, got through with them, and thendid what they pleased; and so they do now. 

"Take for instance one of your commonest doctrines, that of prayer;the majority have no practical belief in it. My father has taken me, and out of curiosity I have attended several prayer meetings. Themerest fraction of the congregation are present at the best of times, and if the night is stormy the number out is ridiculously small. Yetall profess to believe that the Lord of heaven and earth will bepresent, and that it is His will that they should be. Your Bible teachesthat the Being who controls completely the destiny of every personwill be in the midst of those gathered in His name, to hear and answertheir petitions. If this is true, then no earthly ruler was every soneglected and insulted, so generally ignored, as this very Deity towhom you ascribe unlimited power, and from whom you say you receivelife and everything. An eastern despot would take off the heads ofthose who treated him in such a style; and a republican politicianwould scoff at the idea of giving office to such lukewarm followers. Why, here in Christian Chicago the will of God is no more heeded bythe majority than that of the Emperor of China, and the Bible mightas well be the Koran. Looking at these facts from my impartialstandpoint, I am driven to one of two alternatives: either you regardyour God as so kind and good, so merciful, that you can trespass onHis forbearance to any extent, and treat Him with a neglect and anindifference that none would manifest toward the pettiest earthlypotentate, and still all will be well; or else you have no realpractical belief in your religion. Though not very charitably inclined, I cannot think quite so meanly of human nature as to take the formerview, so I am driven to the latter. For surely no man who wished tolive and prosper, no woman who loved her husband and children, couldso coolly and continually disregard the Deity in whom they profess tobelieve, with the old Greek poet, that they 'live, move, and have theirbeing. '"

The twilight deepened, and Christine continued, her words, portrayingthe decline of faith, according ominously with the increasing gloom. 

"Why, in order to see the truth of what I am saying, look at the emblemof your faith--the Cross. All its historical associations are thoseof self-denial, and suffering for others. The Founder of your faithendured death upon it. He was a great, good man like Socrates, thoughno doubt a mistaken enthusiast. But what He meant He said plainly andclearly, as, for instance, 'Whosoever doth not bear his cross and comeafter Me cannot be My disciple. ' I admit that in the past He had awonderful following. In the ages of martyrdom multitudes left all, andendured all that He did, for His sake. But so there have been othergreat leaders with equally devoted followers. But in this practicalage religious enthusiasm has but little chance. What crosses do themembers of the Church of the Holy Virgin take up? and what are borneby your great rich church, Miss Winthrop? The shrewd people of thisday manage better, and put their crosses on the top of the church. Isuppose they reason that the stone tower can carry it for the wholecongregation, on the principle of a labor-saving machine. But, honestly, your modern disciples are no more like their Master than one of thepale, slim, white-kidded gentlemen who will be here to-night is likeRichard Coeur de Lion as he led a charge against the Moslems. Yourcross is dwindling to a mere pretty ornament--an emblem of a past thatis fast fading from men's memories. It will never have the power toinspire the heart again, as when the Crusaders--"

At that moment their eyes were blinded by a sudden, dazzling light. There was a general and startled exclamation, and then, awe-struck andsilent, they gazed as if spellbound upon a luminous cross blazingbefore them. 

CHAPTER XXII

EQUAL TO AN EMERGENCY

The fiery cross that so awed Christine and her little group of auditorswas to be the closing scene of the evening entertainment. It was ofmetal, and by a skilful adjustment of jets was made to appear as ifall aflame. While the others were intent on Christine's words, andshe in the interest of her theme had quite forgotten him, Dennis madeall his arrangements, and at the critical point narrated in thepreceding chapter he turned on the gas with the most startling effect. It seemed a living, vivid refutation of Christine's words, and evenshe turned pale. After a moment, for the emblem to make its fullimpression, Dennis stepped out before them all, his face lighted upby the luminous cross. They admitted that no crusader could look moreearnest and brave than he. 

"Miss Ludolph, " he said, in a firm, yet respectful tone, "I shouldevermore be unworthy of your respect and confidence--what is more, Ishould be false to myself, false to my faith--should I remain silentin view of what I have been compelled to hear. That sacred emblem hasnot spent its meaning, or its power. Millions to-day would die forthe sake of Him who suffered on it. Many even of those weak, inconsistent ones that you have so justly condemned would part withlife rather than with the faint hope that centres there, " pointing tothe radiant symbol. 

"You are rude, sir, " said Christine, her face pale, but her eyesflashing in turn. 

"No, he is right! he is right!" exclaimed Miss Winthrop, springing upwith tears in her eyes. "Undeserving as I am of the name of Christian, I would die, I know I would die, before I would give up my poor littlehope--though I confess you make me fear that it is a false one. Butit's the best I have, and I mean it shall be better. I think a goodtouch of persecution, that would bring people out, would do the churchmore good than anything else. 

"Pardon me, Miss Ludolph, " continued Dennis; "but I appeal to yoursense of justice. Could I be a true man and be silent, believing whatI do? Could I hear the name of my Best Friend thus spoken of, and saynot one word in His behalf?"

"But I spoke most highly of the Christ of the Bible. "

"You spoke of Him as a great, good, but mistaken _man_, an enthusiast. To me He is the mighty God, my Divine Saviour, to whom I owe infinitelymore than life. You know that I mean no disrespect to you, " he added, with gentle but manly courtesy. "I regret more deeply than words canexpress that you honestly think as you do. But if I as honestly believethe Bible, am I not acting as you said a true follower ought? For Iassure you it is a heavier cross than you can ever know to speak thusunbidden where I am regarded only as a serving-man. But should I not befalse and cowardly if I held my peace? And if you afterward should knowthat I claimed the name of Christian, would you not despise me as youremembered this scene?"

Christine bit her lip and hesitated, but her sense of justice prevailed, and she said, "I not only pardon you, but commend your course in viewof your evident sincerity. "

Dennis replied by a low bow. 

At this moment there was a loud ring at the door. 

"There come the gentlemen, " exclaimed Miss Brown. "I am so glad! Oh, dear! what a long, uncomfortable preachment we have had! Now for somefun!"

The colorless young ladies had stared first at Christine, and then atthe cross, in blank amazement. 

At the word "gentlemen" they were all on the alert and ready for _real_life; but Miss Winthrop left the room for a short time. 

A handsome, lively youth entered, scattering bows and compliments onevery side with the off-hand ease of an accomplished society man. Hepaid no heed to Dennis, evidently regarding him as the showman. 

"Well, ladies, you have done your part, " he said; "your arrangementsseem complete. "

"Yes, Mr. Mellen; but where is our tenor?" asked Christine. "We haveonly three-quarters of an hour for music rehearsal, before we mustretire to dress for our parts. "

"Bad news for you, Miss Ludolph, " said Mr. Mellen, coming to her side;"Archer is sick and can't come. "

"Can't come?" they all exclaimed in dismayed chorus. 

"What is the matter?" asked Miss Winthrop, anxiously, coming in atthat moment. 

"Matter enough, " said Miss Brown, poutingly; "that horrid Archer hasgone and got sick, I do believe he did it on purpose. He did not knowhis parts near as well as he ought, and he has taken this way to getout of it. "

"But he promised me he would study them all the morning, " saidChristine. "Oh, I am so sorry! What shall we do? Our entertainmentseems fated to be a failure;" and she spoke in a tone of deepdisappointment. 

"I assure you I feel the deepest sympathy for you, " said Mr. Mellen, looking tenderly at Christine, "but I did my best. I tried to dragArcher here out of his sick-bed, and then I ran around among some othergood singers that I know, but none would venture. They said the musicwas difficult, and would require much practice, and that now isimpossible. "

"Oh, isn't it too bad?" mourned Miss Winthrop. "The programme is allprinted, and the people will be so disappointed! We can't have thatsplendid duet that you and Mr. Archer were to sing, Christine. I havea score of friends who were coming to hear that alone. "

"Oh, as for that matter, half our music is spoiled, " said Christine, dejectedly. "Well, this is the last time I attempt anything of thekind. How in the world we are going to get out of this scrape I do notknow. The tickets are so high, and so much has been said, that thepeople are expecting a great deal, and there is every prospect of amost lame and impotent conclusion. "

A general gloom settled upon the faces of all. At this moment Dennisstepped forward hesitatingly and said to Christine, "Have you the musicthat Mr. Archer was to sing?"

"Certainly! do you suppose it was of the kind that he couldextemporize?" said Miss Brown, pertly. 

"Will you let me see it? If you are willing, perhaps I can assist youin this matter. "

All turned toward him with a look of great surprise. 

"What do you think of that from the man who sweeps Mr. Ludolph's store?"asked Miss Brown, in a loud whisper. 

"I think the fellow is as presuming as he is ignorant, " said Mr. Mellen, so plainly that all heard him. 

"It is not presuming, sir, to offer a kindness where it is needed, "said Dennis, with dignity, "and my ignorance is not yet proved. Thepresumption is all on your part. "

Mr. Mellen flushed and was about to answer angrily when Miss Winthropsaid hastily, but in a kindly tone, "But really, Mr. Fleet, much ofour music is new and very difficult. "

"But it is written, is it not?" asked Dennis, with a smile. 

Christine looked at him in silent wonder. What would he not do next?But she was sorry that he had spoken, for she foresaw only mortificationfor him. 

"Oh, give him the music by all means, " said Miss Brown, expecting toenjoy his blundering attempts to sing what was far beyond him. "There, I will play the accompaniment. It's not the tune of Old Hundred thatyou are to sing now, young man, remember. "

Dennis glanced over the music, and she began to play a loud, difficultpiece. 

He turned to Miss Ludolph, and said: "I fear you have given me thewrong music. Miss Brown is playing something not written here. "

They exchanged significant glances, and Miss Winthrop said, "Play theright music, Miss Brown. "

She struck into the music that Dennis held, but played it so out oftime that no one could sing it. Dennis laid down his sheets on thepiano and said quietly, though with flushed face: "I did not mean tobe obtrusive. You all seemed greatly disappointed at Mr. Archer'sabsence and the results, and I thought that in view of the emergencyit would not be presumption to offer my services. But it seems thatI am mistaken. "

"No, it is not presumption, " said Miss Winthrop. "It was true kindnessand courtesy, which has been ill requited. But you see, to be frank, Mr. Fleet, we all fear that you do not realize what you areundertaking. "

"Must I of necessity be an ignoramus because, as Miss Brown says, Isweep a store?"

"Let me play the accompaniment, " said Christine, with the decidedmanner that few resisted, and she went correctly through the difficultand brilliant passage. Dennis followed his part with both eye and ear, and then said, "Perhaps I had better sing my part alone first, andthen you can correct any mistakes. "

There was a flutter of expectation, a wink from Mr. Mellen, and anaudible titter from Miss Brown. 

"Certainly" said Miss Ludolph, who thought to herself, "If he willmake a fool of himself, he may"; and she played the brief prelude. 

Then prompt at the proper moment, true to time and note, Dennis's rich, powerful tenor voice startled and then entranced them all. He sung theentire passage through with only such mistakes as resulted from hisnervousness and embarrassment. 

At the close, all exclaimed in admiration save Miss Brown, who bit herlip in ill-concealed vexation, and said, with a half-sneer, "Really, Mr. What-is-your-name, you are almost equal to Blind Tom. "

"You do Blind Tom great injustice, " said Dennis. "I read my music. "

"But how did you learn to read music in that style?" asked Christine. 

"Of course it took me years to do so. But no one could join our musicalclub at college who could not read anything placed before him. "

"It must have been small and select, then. "

"It was. "

"How often had you sung that piece before?" asked Miss Brown. 

"I never saw it before, " answered Dennis. 

"Why, it is just out, " said Christine. 

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, our troubles are over at last, " said MissWinthrop. "Mr. Fleet seems a good genius--equal to any emergency. Ifhe can sing that difficult passage, he can sing anything else we have. We had better run over our parts, and then to our toilets. "

One of the colorless young ladies played the accompaniments, her musicmaking a sort of neutral tint, against which their rich and variedvoices came out with better effect. They sung rapidly through theprogramme, Dennis sustaining his parts correctly and with taste. Hecould read like the page of an open book any music placed before him, and years of practice enabled him to sing true and with confidence. As he sung one thing after another with perfect ease, their wondergrew; and when, in the final duet with Christine, they both came outstrongly, their splendid, thoroughly-trained voices blending in perfectharmony, they were rewarded with a spontaneous burst of applause, inwhich even Miss Brown was compelled to join. 

Christine said nothing, but gave Dennis a quick, grateful glance, whichamply repaid him for the martyrdom she had led him into that afternoon. 

He acknowledged the plaudits of the others with a slight, cool bow, but her thanks with a warm flush of pleasure, and then turned tocomplete his arrangements as if nothing had happened. There was notthe slightest show of exultation or of a purpose to demand equality, in view of what had taken place. His old manner returned, and he actedas if they were all strangers to him. They exchanged significant, wondering glances, and after a brief consultation retired to thedining-room, where coffee and sandwiches were waiting. Miss Winthropand Christine sincerely hoped that Miss Brown would invite Dennis out, but she did not, and since it was her house, as she had said, theycould not interfere. Dennis heard the clatter of knives and forks, andsaw that he was again slighted; but he did not care now. Indeed, inthe light of the sacred emblem before which he had stood, he had learnedpatience. He remembered how the rich and great of the world had treatedhis Master. Then, too, Christine's kind, grateful glance seemed tofall upon him like a warm ray of sunlight. 

When they had finished and were about to dress for their parts, MissBrown put her head within the door and said, "You will find some lunchin the dining-room. "

Dennis paid no heed to her, but he heard Miss Winthrop say: "Really, Miss Brown, that is too bad after what he has done and shown himselfto be. I wonder that he does not leave the house. "

"He will not do that until he is no longer needed, " said Christine. 

"Then he may as soon as he chooses, " said Miss Brown. She was a girlof violent prejudices, and from her very nature would instinctivelydislike such a person as Dennis Fleet. 

"Well, " said Miss Winthrop, "he is a gentleman, and he gave thestrongest proof of it when he quietly and modestly withdrew afterachieving a success that would have turned any one's head, and thatought to have secured him full recognition. "

"I told you he was a gentleman, " said Christine, briefly, "and Iconsider myself a judge;" and then their voices passed out of hearing. 

Dennis, having arranged everything so that he could place his handsreadily upon it, found that he had half an hour to spare. He said tohimself: "Miss Ludolph is wrong. I shall leave the house for a shorttime. I am a most unromantic individual; for, no matter what or howI feel, I do get hungry. But I am sure Miss Brown's coffee andsandwiches would choke me. I have already swallowed too much from herto care for any more, so here's for a restaurant. "

Miss Winthrop hastened through her toilet in order that she might comedown and speak to Dennis while he was alone. She wished to thank himfor his course and his vindication of the truth, and to assure himthat she both respected him and would treat him as a true gentleman. She went into the back parlor, but he was not there; then she passedto the dining-room, but found only servants clearing away and preparingfor the grand supper of the evening. 

In quick alarm she asked, "Where is Mr. Fleet?"

"Is it the man in the back parlor, mum? He's just after goin' out. "

"Oh, girls!" exclaimed Miss Winthrop, rushing upstairs, "Mr. Fleet hasgone. "

And there was general consternation. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE REVELATION

The toilets of the young ladies were nearly completed, but, withoutwaiting to add another touch, all hastened to the place where they hadleft Dennis. One of the colorless young ladies appeared upon the scenewith a shawl around her bare shoulders, and a great deal of color onone cheek, and none on the other as yet; but this slight discrepancywas unnoted in the dire calamity they feared. 

Many were the exclamations and lamentations. 

"Why, the people will be here in fifteen minutes, " said Miss Winthrop, in a nervous tremor. 

"Did he leave no word?" asked Miss Brown of the servants. 

"No word, mum, " was the dismal echo. 

"What shall we do?" they said, looking at one another with blank faces;but none could answer. 

"I do hate such proud, freakish people. There is no managing ordepending on them, " said Miss Brown, spitefully. 

Miss Winthrop bit her lips to keep from saying to her hostess whatwould be more true than polite. There was a flash of anger inChristine's dark blue eyes, and she said, coldly: "I imagine that youhave finished the business this time, Miss Brown. But I confess thatI am greatly surprised, for he said I could depend upon him forto-night. "

"So you can, " said Dennis, coming in behind them. "I am sorry you havehad this needless alarm. But the fact is, I am a plain, ordinary mortal, and live in a very material way. "

"There was plenty of lunch in the dining-room, " said Miss Brown, tartly. "You need not have gone out and made all this trouble. "

"Pardon me for slighting your hospitality, " said Dennis, with slightemphasis on the word. 

Again significant glances were exchanged. Miss Brown darted a blacklook at Dennis, and left the room. 

"I can assure you, ladies, " added he, "that all is ready. I can laymy hand in a moment on whatever is needed. Therefore you need giveyourselves no further anxiety. "

There was a general stampede for the dressing-rooms, but Miss Winthroplingered. When Dennis was alone she went up to him and frankly gaveher hand, saying: "Mr. Fleet, I wish to thank you for your courseto-day. Between Miss Ludolph's unwitting sermon and your brave andunexpected vindication of our faith, I hope to become more deservingof the name of Christian. You are a gentleman, sir, in the truest andbest sense of the word, and as such it will ever be a pleasure towelcome you at my father's house;" and she gave him her card. 

A flush of grateful surprise and pleasure mantled Dennis's face, butbefore he could speak she was gone. 

The audience were soon thronging in. By half-past eight the performerswere all in the back parlor, and there was a brilliant army of actorsand actresses in varied and fanciful costume, many coming to the housedressed for their parts. There were gods and goddesses, shepherds andshepherdesses, angels, crusaders, who would take leave of languishingladies, living statuary, and tableaux of all sorts. Dennis was muchshocked at the manner in which ladies exposed themselves in the nameof art and for the sake of effect. Christine seemed perfectly Greekand pagan in this respect, yet there was that in her manner that forbadea wanton glance. But, as he observed the carriage of the men aroundhim, he was more than satisfied that no plea of art could justify the"style, " and felt assured that every pure-minded woman would take thesame view if she realized the truth. Under the name of fashion and artmuch is done in society that would be simply monstrous on ordinaryoccasions. 

The music, as far as possible, was in character with the scenes. Theentertainment went forward with great applause. Every one was radiant;and the subtile, exhilarating spirit of assured success glowed in everyeye, and gave a richer tone and coloring to everything. 

Christine appeared in several and varied characters, and Dennis hadeyes only for her. The others he glanced over critically as the artistin charge, and then dismissed them from his thoughts; but on Christinehis eyes rested in a spell-bound admiration that both amused and pleasedher. She loved power of every kind, and when she read approval in thetrained and critical eye of Dennis Fleet she knew that all the audiencewere applauding. 

But Dennis had little time for musing, so great was the strain uponhim to prevent confusion. His voice excited great surprise and applause, many inquiring vainly who he was. When he and Christine sung togetherthe audience were perfectly carried away, and stormed and applaudedwithout stint. Indeed, it seemed that they could not be satisfied. Thecall was so urgent that several asked Christine to sing again, and shedid so alone. For ten minutes she held the audience perfectly entranced, and no one more so than Dennis. Usually she was too cold in all thatshe did, but now in her excitement she far surpassed herself, and heacknowledged that he had never heard such music before. 

The very soul of song seemed breathed into her, and every nook andcorner of the house appeared to vibrate with melody. Even the servantsin distant rooms said that it seemed that an angel was singing. Aftershe ceased, the audience sat spellbound for a moment, and then followedprolonged thunders of applause, the portly brewer, Mr. Brown himself, leading off again and again. 

"Now let the tenor sing alone, " he said, for, though a coarse man, hewas hearty and good-natured. 

The audience emphatically echoed his wish, but Dennis as decidedlyshook his head. 

Then came a cry, "Miss Ludolph and the tenor again"; and the audiencetook it up with a clamor that would not be denied. 

Christine looked inquiringly at Dennis, and he replied in a low tone, "You command me this evening. "

Again she thanked him with her eyes, and from a music stand nearchose a magnificent duet from Mendelssohn, in which he must sing severaldifficult solos. 

"Act your pleasure. I am familiar with it, " he said, smiling at theway she had circumvented him in his refusal to sing alone. 

Christine sat down and played her own accompaniment, while Dennis stoodat her side. He determined to do his best and prove that though heswept a store he could also do something else. Many of the strainswere plaintive, and his deep and unconscious feeling for his faircompanion in song gave to his voice a depth, and at times a pathos, that both thrilled and _touched_ the heart, and there were not a few weteyes in the audience. Unconsciously to himself and all around, he wassinging his love; and even Christine, though much preoccupied with herpart, wondered at the effect upon herself, and recognized the deepimpression made upon the audience. 

As the last notes died away the sliding-doors were closed. 

Dennis had achieved a greater success than Christine, because, singingfrom the heart, he had touched the heart. His applause could be readin moist eyes and expressive faces rather than in noisy hands. She sawand understood the result. A sad, disappointed look came into her face, and she said in a low, plaintive tone, as if it were wrung from her:"There must be something wrong about me. I fear I shall never reachtrue art. I can only win admiration, never touch the heart. "

Dennis was about to speak eagerly, when they were overwhelmed by therush and confusion attendant on the breaking up of the entertainment. Part of the older guests at once left for their homes, and the reststayed for supper. The parlors were to be cleared as soon as possiblefor dancing. Christine was joined by her father, who had sat in theaudience, scarcely believing his eyes, much less his ears. Was thatthe young man who was blacking old Schwartz's boots the other day?

His daughter was overwhelmed with compliments, but she took them verycoolly and quietly, for her heart was full of bitterness. That whichher ambitious spirit most desired she could not reach, and to thedegree that she loved art was her disappointment keen. She almostenvied poor Dennis, but she knew not the secret of his success; nordid he, either, in truth. His old manner returned, and he busied himselfin rapidly packing up everything that he had brought. Mr. Ludolph, whohad received a brief explanation from Christine, came and said, kindly, "Why, Fleet, you have blossomed out strongly to-day. "

"Indeed, sir, I think I have never had a more rigorous pruning, " wasthe reply. 

When the story had been told Mr. Ludolph in full, he understood theremark. Christine was waiting for the crowd to disperse somewhat, inorder to speak to Dennis also, for her sense of justice and her genuineadmiration impelled her to warm and sincere acknowledgment. But atthat moment Mr. Mellen came in, exclaiming, "Miss Ludolph, they areall waiting for you to lead the dance, for to you is given this honorby acclamation, and I plead your promise to be my partner"; and hecarried her off, she meaning to return as soon as possible, andsupposing Dennis would remain. 

A moment after, light, airy music was heard in the front parlor, followed by the rhythmical cadence of light feet and the rustle ofsilks like a breeze through a forest. 

For some reason as she went away Dennis's heart sank within him. Reaction followed the strong excitements of the day, and a strangesense of weariness and despondency crept over him. The gay music inthe other room seemed plaintive and far away, and the tripping feetsounded like the patter of rain on autumn leaves. The very lightsappeared to burn dimmer, and the color to fade out of his life. Mechanically he packed up the few remaining articles, to be called forin the morning, and then leaned heavily against a pillar, intendingto rest a moment before going out into the night alone. 

Some one pushed back the sliding-door a little and passed into theroom. Through the opening he caught a glimpse of the gay scenewithin. Suddenly Christine appeared floating lightly through the waltzinhergauzy drapery, as if in a white, misty cloud. Through the narrow openingshe seemed a radiant, living portrait. But her partner whirled her outof the line of vision. Thus in the mazes of the dance she kept appearingand disappearing, flashing in sight one moment, leaving a blank in thecrowded room the next. 

"So it will ever be, I suppose, " he said to himself, bitterly; "chanceand stolen glimpses my only privilege. "

Again she appeared, smiling archly on the man whose arm clasped herwaist. 

A frown black as night gathered on Dennis's brow; then a sudden palloroverspread his face to his very lips. The revelation had come! Thenfor the first time he knew--knew it as if written in letters of firebefore him--that he loved Christine Ludolph. 

At first the knowledge stunned and bewildered him, and his mind wasa confused blur; then as she appeared again, smiling upon and in theembrace of another man, a sharp sword seemed to pierce his heart. 

Dennis was no faint shadow of a man who had frittered away in numberlessflirtations what little heart he originally had. He belonged to themale species, with something of the pristine vigor of the first man, who said of the one woman of all the world, "This is now bone of mybones, and flesh of my flesh"; and one whom he had first seen but afew short months since now seemed to belong to him by the highest anddivinest right. But could he ever claim his own?

In his morbid, wearied state, there seemed a "great gulf fixed" betweenthem. For a moment he fairly felt faint and sick, as if he had receiveda wound. He was startled by hearing Miss Winthrop say at his side:"Mr. Fleet, you will not leave yet. I have many friends wishing anintroduction to you. What is the matter? You look as if you were ill. "

At her voice he flushed painfully. He was so vividly conscious of hislove himself that he felt that every one else must be able to see it, and darkness and solitude now seemed a refuge. Recovering himself bya great effort he said, "Pardon me, I do--I am not well--nothing isthe matter--a little rest and I shall be myself again. "

"No wonder. You have been taxed every way beyond mortal endurance, andI think that it is a shame the way you have been treated. Pray do notjudge Chicago society altogether by what you have seen here. Let meget you some refreshment, and then I will acquaint you with some peoplewho can recognize a gentleman when they meet him. "

"No, Miss Winthrop, " said Dennis, courteously but firmly; "you are notin your own home, and by staying I should not be accepting yourhospitality. I appreciate your kindness deeply, and thank your friendswho have expressed a willingness to make my acquaintance. It would notbe right to stay longer in this house than is necessary. I do not feelresentful. I have no room in my memory for Miss Brown and her actions, but at the same time self-respect requires that I go at once;" and hetook his hat. 

"I am not surprised that you feel as you do. But give me the pleasureof welcoming you at my own home as soon as possible, " she said, andgave her hand to him in parting. 

Dennis took it respectfully and bowed low, saying, "I shall notwillingly deny myself so great a pleasure. " and was gone. 

Christine came in a few moments later, and found only servants clearingthe room for dancing. 

"Where is Mr. Fleet?" she asked. 

"Gone, mum. "

"Yes, " said Miss Winthrop, coming in at the same time; "he has gonenow in very truth; and I don't think the power exists that could leadhim to darken these doors again. I doubt if I ever come myself. I neversaw a clearer instance of--of--well--_shoddy_. "

"It seems to me that you Christians are as proud as any of us. "

"Isn't there a difference between pride and self-respect? I am satisfiedthat if Miss Brown were in trouble, or poor, Mr. Fleet would be thefirst to help her. Oh, Christine, we have treated him shamefully!"

"You seem to take a wonderful interest in this unknown knight in rustyarmor. " (Dennis's dress was decidedly threadbare. )

"I do, " said the impulsive girl, frankly, "because he is wonderfullyinteresting. What man of all the large audience present to-night couldhave acted the part he did? I am satisfied that that man is by birthand education a gentleman. Are you ready, with your aristocraticnotions, to recognize chiefly Miss Brown's title to position? Whatcould her coat-of-arms be but the dollar symbol and the beer-barrel?"

"Come, remember she is our hostess. "

"You are right; I should not speak so here; but my indignation getsthe better of me. "

"Would you invite him to your house?"

"Certainly. I have asked him; and what is more, he has promised tocome. Supposing that he is poor, are not many of your noblemen as pooras poverty? My parlors shall be haunted only by men of ability andcharacter. "

"You are not going to shut out this little heathen, " said Christine, putting her arm about her friend. 

"Never!" said Miss Winthrop, returning the embrace with double warmth. Then she added, sadly: "You are not an unbeliever from conviction andknowledge, Christine, but from training and association. While I admireand honor your father as a splendid and gifted man, I regret his andyour scepticism more deeply than you can ever know. "

"Well, Susie, " said Christine, with a smile, "if they shut out suchas you from your Paradise, I do not wish to go there. "

"If, with my clear knowledge of the conditions of entrance, I _shutmyself out_, I shall have no right to complain, " said Miss Winthrop, sadly. 

But the absence of two such belles could not long remain unnoted; and, having been discovered, they were pounced upon by half a dozen younggentlemen, clamorous for the honor of their hands in the "German. "

In spite of herself, Christine was vexed and annoyed. Dennis had seemed, in his obscurity, a nice little bit of personal property, that shecould use and order about as she pleased. He had been so subservientand eager to do her will, that she had never thought of him otherwisethan as her "humble servant. " But now her own hand had suddenly givenhim the role of a fine gentleman. Christine was too logical to thinkof continuing to order about a man who could sing Mendelssohn's musicas Dennis had done. 

She congratulated herself that the arrangement of the store was nearlycompleted, and that only one show-room was unfinished. 

"I suppose he will be very dignified when we meet again, " she thoughtto herself. "I should not be at all surprised if my impulsive littlefriend Susie loses her heart to him. Well, I suppose she can to anyone she chooses. As for me, rich or poor, stupid or gifted, the menof this land are all alike;" and with a half-sigh she plunged resolutelyinto the gayeties of the evening, as if to escape from herself. 

CHAPTER XXIV

NIGHT THOUGHTS

Dennis passed out of the heavy, massive entrance to the wealthy brewer'smansion with a sense of relief as if escaping from prison. The duskinessand solitude of the street seemed a grateful refuge, and the nightwind was to his flushed face like a cool hand laid on a feverish brow. He was indeed glad to be alone, for his was one of those deep, earnestnatures that cannot rush to the world in garrulous confidence whendisturbed and perplexed. There are many sincere but shallow people whomust tell of and talk away every passing emotion. Not of the abundanceof their hearts, for abundance there is not, but of the uppermost thingin their hearts their mouths must speak, even though the subjects beof the delicate nature that would naturally be hidden. Such mentalconstitutions are at least healthful. Concealed trouble never preysupon them like the canker in the bud. Everything comes to the surfaceand is thrown off. 

But at first Dennis scarcely dared to recognize the truth himself, andthe thought of telling even his mother was repugnant. For half an hourhe walked the streets in a sort of stupor. He was conscious only ofa heavy, aching heart and a wearied, confused brain. All the time, however, he knew an event had occurred that must for good or evilaffect his entire existence; but he shrank with nervous dread fromgrappling with the problem. As the cold air refreshed and revived him, his strong, practical mind took up the question almost without volition, and by reason of his morbid, wearied state, only the dark anddiscouraging side was presented. The awakening to his love was a verydifferent thing to Dennis, and to the majority in this troubled world, from the blissful consciousness of Adam when for the first time he sawthe fair being whom he might woo at his leisure, amid embowering roses, without fear or thought of a rival. 

To Dennis the fact of his love, so far from promising to be the sourceof delightful romance and enchantment, clearly showed itself to be thehardest and most practical question of a life full of such questions. In his strong and growing excitement he spoke to himself as to a secondperson: "Oh, I see it all now. Poor, blind fool that I was, to thinkthat by coveting and securing every possible moment in her presenceI was only learning to love art! As I saw her to-night, so radiant andbeautiful, and yet in the embrace of another man, and that man evidentlyan ardent admirer, what was art to me? As well might a starving manseek to satisfy himself by wandering through an old Greek temple asfor me to turn to art alone. One crumb of warm, manifested love fromher would be worth more than all the cold, abstract beauty in theuniverse. And yet what chance have I? What can I hope for more thana passing thought and a little kindly, condescending interest? Clerkand man-of-all-work in a store, poor and heavily burdened, the ideaof my loving one of the most wealthy, admired, and aristocratic ladiesin Chicago! It is all very well in story-books for peasants to fallin love with princesses, but in practical Chicago the fact of myattachment to Miss Ludolph would be regarded as one of the richestjokes of the season, and by Mr. Ludolph as such a proof of rusticityand folly as would at once secure my return to pastoral life. "

Then hope whispered, "But you can achieve position and wealth as othershave done, and then can speak your mind from the standpoint ofequality. "

But Dennis was in a mood to see only the hopeless side that night, andexclaimed almost aloud: "Nonsense! Can it be even imagined that she, besieged by the most gifted and rich of the city, will wait for a poorunknown admirer? Mr. Mellen, I understand, approaches her from everyvantage-ground save that of a noble character; but in the fashionableworld how little thought is given to this draw back!" and in hisperturbation he strode rapidly and aimlessly on, finding some reliefin mere physical activity. 

Suddenly his hasty steps ceased, and even in the dusk of the streethis face gleamed out distinctly, so great was its pallor. Like a rayof light, a passage from the Word of God revealed to him his situationin a new aspect. It seemed to him almost that some one had whisperedthe words in his ear, so distinctly did they present themselves--"Beye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. "

Slowly and painfully he said to himself, as if recognizing the mosthopeless barrier that had yet been dwelt upon, "Christine Ludolph isan infidel. "

Not only the voice of reason, and of the practical world, but also thevoice of God seemed to forbid his love; and the conviction that hemust give it all up became a clear as it was painful. The poor fellowleaned his head against the shaggy bark of an elm in a shadowy squarewhich the street-lamps could but faintly penetrate. The night windswayed the budding branches of the great tree, and they sighed overhim as if in sympathy. 

The struggle within his soul was indeed bitter, for, though thus farhe had spoken hopelessly, he had not been altogether hopeless; but nowthat conscience raised its impassable wall high as heaven, which hemust not break through, his pain was so great as to almost unman him, and such tears as only men can weep fell from his eyes. In anguish heexclaimed, "That which might have been the chief blessing of life hasbecome my greatest misfortune. "

Above him the gale caused two fraying limbs to appear to moan in echoof the suffering beneath. 

"This then must be the end of my prayers in her behalf--my ardenthope and purpose to lead her to the truth--she to walk through honored, sunny paths to everlasting shame and night, and I through dark andpainful ways to light and peace, if in this bitter test I remainfaithful. Surely there _is_ much to try one's faith. And yet it must beso as far as human foresight can judge. "

Then a great pity for her swelled his heart, for he felt that her casewas the saddest after all, and his tears flowed faster than ever. 

Human voices now startled him--some late revellers passing homeward. The tears and emotion, of which we never think of being ashamed whenalone with Nature and its Author, he dreaded to have seen by hisfellows, and hastily wiping his eyes, he slunk into the deeper shadowof the tree, and they passed on. Then, an old trait asserting itself, he condemned his own weakness. Stepping from the sheltering trunkagainst which he was leaning, he stood strong and erect. 

The winds were hushed as if expectant in the branches above. 

"Dennis Fleet, " he said, "you must put your foot on this folly hereand now. "

He bared his head and looked upward. 

"O God, " he said, solemnly, "if this is contrary to Thy will--Thy willbe done. "

He paused a moment reverently, and then turned on his heel and stroderesolutely homeward. 

A gust of wind crashed the branches overhead together like the clashof cymbals in victory. 

The early spring dawn was tingeing the eastern horizon before the gayrevel ceased and the mansion of the rich brewer was darkened. All thelong night, light, airy music had caused late passers-by to pause amoment to listen, and to pity or envy the throng within, as dispositiondictated. Mr. Brown was a man who prided himself on lavish and rathercoarse hospitality. A table groaning under costly dishes and everyvariety of liquor was the crowning feature, the blissful climax of allhis entertainments; and society from its highest circles furnished anabundance of anxious candidates for his suppers, who ate and criticised, drank to and disparaged, their plebeian host. 

Mrs. Brown was heavy in every sense of the word, and with her hugeperson draped with acres of silk, and festooned with miles ofpoint-lace, she waddled about and smiled and nodded good-naturedly ateverybody and everything. 

It was just the place for a fashionable revel, where the gross, repulsivefeatures of coarse excess are veiled and masked somewhat bythe glamour of outward courtesy and good-breeding. 

At first Christine entered into the dance with great zest and a decidedsense of relief. She was disappointed and out of sorts with herself. Again she had failed in the object of her intense ambition, and thoughconscious that, through the excitement of the occasion, she had sungbetter than ever before, yet she plainly saw in the different resultsof her singing and that of Dennis Fleet that there was a depth in thehuman heart which she could not reach. She could secure only admiration, superficial applause. The sphere of the true artist who can touch andsway the popular heart seemed beyond her ability. By voice or pencilshe had never yet attained it. She had too much mind to mistake thecharacter of the admiration she excited, and was far too ambitious tobe satisfied with the mere praise bestowed on a highly accomplishedgirl. She aspired, determined, to be among the first, and to be asecond-rate imitator in the world of art was to her the agony of adisappointed life. And yet to imitate with accuracy and skill, notwith sympathy, was the only power she had as yet developed. She sawthe limitations of her success more clearly than did any one else, andchafed bitterly at the invisible bounds she could not pass. 

The excitement of the dance enabled her to banish thoughts that wereboth painful and humiliating. Moreover, to a nature so active and fullof physical vigor, the swift, grace motion was a source of keenenjoyment. 

But when after supper many of the ladies were silly, and the gentlemenwere either stupid or excited, according to the action of the "invisiblespirit of wine" upon their several constitutions--when after manyglasses of champagne Mr. Mellen began to effervesce in frothysentimentality and a style of love-making simply nauseating to one ofChristine's nature--she looked around for her father in order to escapefrom the scenes that were becoming revolting. 

Though of earth only in all the sources of her life and hopes, she wasnot earthy. If her spirit could not soar and sing in the sky, it alsocould not grovel in the mire of gross materiality. Some little time, therefore, before the company broke up, on the plea of not feelingwell she lured her father away from his wine and cigars and a knot ofgentlemen who were beginning to talk a little incoherently. Makingtheir adieux amid many protestations against their early departure, they drove homeward. 

"How did you enjoy yourself?" asked her father. 

"Very much in the early part of the evening, not at all in the latterpart. To sum up, I am disgusted with Mr. Mellen and these Browns ingeneral, and myself in particular. "

"What is the matter with Mr. Mellen? I understand that the intriguingmammas consider him the largest game in the city. "

"When hunting degenerates into the chase and capture of insects, youmay style him game. Between his champagne and silly love-making, hewas as bad as a dose of ipecac. "

Christine spoke freely to her father of her admirers, usually makingthem the themes of satire and jest. 

"And what is the trouble with our entertainers?"

"I am sorry to speak so of any one whose hospitality I have accepted, but unless it is your wish I hope never to accept it again. They allsmell of their beer. Everything is so coarse, lavish, and ostentatious. They tell you as through a brazen trumpet on every side, 'We are rich. '""They give magnificent suppers, " said Mr. Ludolph, in apology. 

"More correctly, the French cook they employ gives them. I do notobject to the nicest of suppers, but prefer that the Browns be not onthe _carte de menu_. From the moment our artistic programme ended, and the entertainment fell into their hands, it began to degenerateinto an orgy. Nothing but the instinctive restraints of good-breedingprevents such occasions from ending in a drunken revel. "

"You are severe. Mr. Brown's social effort is not a bad type of theentertainments that prevail in fashionable life. "

"Well, it may be true, but they never seemed to me so lacking in goodtaste and refinement before. Wait till we dispense choice viands andwines to choicer spirits in our own land, and I will guarantee amarvellously wide difference. Then the eye, the ear, the mind, shallbe feasted, as well as the lower sense. "

"Well, I do not see why you should be disgusted with yourself. I amsure that you covered yourself with glory, and were the belle of theoccasion. "

"That is no great honor, considering the occasion. Father, strange asit may seem to you, I envied your man-of-all-work to-night. Did younot mark the effect of his singing?"

"Yes, and felt it in a way that I cannot explain to myself. His tonesseemed to thrill, and stir my very heart. I have not been so affectedby music for years. At first I thought it was surprise at hearing himsing at all, but I soon found that it was something in the musicitself. "

"And that something I fear I can never grasp--never attain. "

"Why, my dear, they applauded you to the echo. "

"I would rather see one moist eye as the tribute to my singing thanto be deafened by noisy applause. I fear I shall never reach high art. Men's hearts sleep when I do my best. "

"I think you are slightly mistaken there, judging from your train ofadmirers, " said Mr. Ludolph, turning off a disagreeable subject witha jest. The shrewd man of the world guessed the secret of her failure. She herself must feel, before she could touch feeling. But he hadsystematically sought to chill and benumb her nature, meaning it toawake at just the time, and under just the circumstances, that shouldaccord with his controlling ambition. Then reverting to Dennis, hecontinued: "It won't answer for Fleet to sweep the store any longerafter the part he played to-night. Indeed, I doubt if he would bewilling to. Not only he, but the world will know that he is capableof better things. What has occurred will awaken inquiry, and may soonsecure him good business offers. I do not intend to part readily withso capable a young fellow. He does well whatever is required, andtherefore I shall promote him as fast as is prudent. I think I canmake him of great use to me. "

"That is another thing that provokes me, " said Christine. "Onlyyesterday morning he seemed such a useful, humble creature, and lastevening through my own folly he developed into a fine gentleman; andI shall have to say, 'By your leave, sir'; 'Will you please dothis'?--If I dare ask anything at all. "

"I am not so sure of that, " said her father. "My impression is thatFleet has too much good sense to put on airs in the store. But I willgive him more congenial work; and as one of the young gentleman clerks, we can ask him up now and then to sing with us. I should much enjoytrying some of our German music with him. "

CHAPTER XXV

DARKNESS

The next morning Christine did not appear at the late breakfast atwhich her father with contracted brow and capricious appetite satalone. Among the other unexpected results of the preceding day she hadtaken a very severe cold, and this, with the reaction from fatigue andexcitement, caused her to feel so seriously ill that she found itimpossible to rise. Her father looked at her, and was alarmed; for hercheeks were flushed with fever, her head was aching sadly, and sheappeared as if threatened with one of those dangerous diseases whoseearlier symptoms are so obscure and yet so much alike. She tried tosmile, but her lip quivered, and she turned her face to the wall. 

The philosophy of Mr. Ludolph and his daughter was evidently adaptedto fair weather and smooth sailing. Sickness, disease, and the possibleresults, were things that both dreaded more than they ever confessedto each other. It was most natural that they should, for only in healthor life could they enjoy or hope for anything. By their own belieftheir horizon was narrowed down to time and earth, and they could lookfor nothing beyond. In Mr. Ludolph's imperious, resolute nature, sickness always awakened anger as well as anxiety. It seemed like anenemy threatening his dearest hopes and most cherished ambition, therefore the heavy frown upon his brow as he pushed away the scarcelytasted breakfast. 

To Christine the thought of death was simply horrible, and with thewhole strength of her will she ever sought to banish it. To her itmeant corruption, dust, nothingness. With a few drawbacks she hadenjoyed life abundantly, and she clung to it with the tenacity of onewho believed it was all. With the exception of some slight passingindisposition, both she and her father had been seldom ill; and fora number of years now they had voyaged on over smooth, sunny seas ofprosperity. 

Christine's sudden prostration on the morning following theentertainment was a painful surprise to both. 

"I will have Dr. Arten call at once, " he said, at parting, "and willcome up from the store early in the day to see you;" and Christine wasleft alone with her French maid. 

Her mind was too clouded and disturbed by fever to think coherently, and yet a vague sense of danger--trouble--oppressed her, and while shelay in a half-unconscious state between sleeping and waking, a thousandfantastic visions presented themselves. But in them all the fiery Crossand Dennis Fleet took some part. At times the Cross seemed to blazeand threaten to burn her to a cinder, while he stood by with stern, accusing face. The light from the Cross made him luminous also, andthe glare was so terrible that she would start up with a cry of fear. Again, they would both recede till in the far distance they shone likea faint star, and then the black darkness that gathered round her wasmore dreadful than the light, and with her eyes closed she would reachout her hot hands for the light to return. Once or twice it shone uponher with soft, mellow light, and Dennis stood pointing to it, pleadingso earnestly and tenderly that tears gathered in her eyes. Then allwas again blurred and distorted. 

Within an hour after her father left, she found Dr. Arten feeling herpulse and examining her symptoms. With a great effort she rousedherself, and, looking at the doctor with an eager inquiring face, said;"Doctor, tell me the truth. What is the matter?"

He tried to smile and evade her question, but she would not let him. 

"Well, really, Miss Ludolph, " he said, "we can hardly tell yet whatis the matter. You have evidently caught a very severe cold, and Ihope that is all. When I come this evening I may be able to speak moredefinitely. In the meantime I will give you something to soothe andreduce your fever!"

The French maid followed the doctor out, leaving the door ajar in herhaste, and in an audible whisper said: "I say, docteur, is it not zesmallpox? Zere is so much around. Tell me true, for I must leave zisvery minute. "

"Hush, you fool!" said the doctor, and they passed out of hearing. A sickening dread made Christine's heart almost stand still. When thewoman returned her mistress watched her most narrowly and asked, "Whatdid the doctor say to you?"

The maid replied in French that he had said she must be still and nottalk. 

"But you asked him if I had the smallpox. What did he say?"

"Ah, mademoiselle, you make one grand meestake. I ask for a small boxto keep your medicine in, zat it make no smell. "

From the woman's lie, and from the fact that she was redolent withcamphor, and that she kept as far away as possible, near the windows, Christine gathered a most painful confirmation of her fears. For atime she lay almost paralyzed by dread. 

Then as the medicine relieved her of fever and unclouded her mind, thought and conscience awoke with terrible and resistless power. Asnever before she realized what cold, dark depths were just beneath hergay, pleasure-loving life, and how suddenly skies radiant with thericher promise of the future could become black and threatening. Never had earthly life seemed so attractive, never had her own prospectsseemed so brilliant, and her hopes of fame, wealth, and happiness inher future German villa more dazzling, than now when they stood outagainst the dark background of her fears. 

"If, instead of going forward to all this delight, I become an objectof terror and loathing even before I die, and something that must behidden out of sight as soon as possible after, what conceivable fatecould be worse? That such a thing is possible proves this to be adreadful and defective world, with all its sources of pleasure. Surelyif there were a God he would banish such horrible evils. 

"There is no God--there can't be any--at least none such as the Biblereveals. How often I have said this to myself! how often my father hassaid it to me! and yet the thought of Him torments me often even whenwell. 

"Why does this thought come so persistently now? I settled it longago, under father's proof, that I did not believe in Him or thesuperstitions connected with His name. Why doesn't the question staysettled? Other superstitions do not trouble me. Why should that Crosscontinually haunt me? Why should the _man_ who died thereon have thepower to be continually speaking to me through His words that I haveread? I believe in Socrates as much as I do in Him, and yet I recall theGreek sage's words with an effort, and cannot escape from theNazarene's. All is mystery and chaos and danger. We human creaturesare like frothy bubbles that glisten and dance for a moment on a swiftblack tide that seems flowing forever, and yet nowhere. "

Then her thoughts recurred to Dennis. 

"That young Fleet seemed to believe implicitly in what he saidyesterday, and he lives up to what he believes. I would give the worldfor his delusion, were it only for its comforting and sustaining powerfor this life. If he were very ill, he would be imagining himself onthe threshold of some sort of heaven or paradise, and would be calmand perhaps even happy, while I am so supremely wretched I find thatI have nothing--absolutely nothing to sustain me--not even the memoryof good deeds. I have not even lived the unselfish life that Socratesrecommends, much less the holy life of the Bible. I have pleased myself. Well, believing as I have been taught, that seemed the most sensiblecourse. Why doesn't it seem so now?"

Thus tossed on a sea of uncertainty and fear, Christine, in darknessand weakness, grappled with those mighty questions which only He canput to rest who said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe inGod, believe also in Me. "

Dennis walked resolutely home. He felt himself adamant in his sternresolution. He at least had the deathlike peace that follows decision. The agony of conflict was over for a time, and, as he thought, forever. 

From mere exhaustion he slept heavily, and on the following day withwhite face and compressed lips entered on his work. And work it nowbecame indeed; for the old glamour was all gone, and life looked aspractical and hard as the stones of the street. Even the pictures onthe walls seemed to him but things for sale, representing money values;and money appeared the beginning, middle, and ending of the world'screed. Like the unsubstantial mirage had vanished the beautiful, happylife of the past few weeks. Around him were the rocks and sands of thedesert, through which he must toil with weary, bleeding feet till hereached the land watered by the river of life. Reason and duty, as hebelieved, forbade the existence of this foolish passion, and he mustand would destroy it; but in his anguish he felt as if he had resolvedto torture himself to death. 

"And she will never know what I suffer--never know the wealth of heartI have lavished upon her. I am glad she will not, for the knowledgeof my love would make no more impression on her cold, proud naturethan a drop of warm summer rain falling on the brow of yonder marblestatue of Diana. She would only be amazed at my presumption. She feelsthat she shines down on me like the sun, and that I am a poor littlesatellite that she could blot out altogether by causing her father toturn me into the street again, which undoubtedly would be done shouldI reveal my feelings. "

And he was right. 

"Come!" said he to himself, breaking from his painful revery, "noweakness! You have your way to make in the world, and your work to do. God will help you, and no creature shall hinder you;" and he plungedresolutely into his duties. 

Mr. Ludolph was late in reaching the store that morning, and Dennisfound himself secretly hoping, in spite of himself, that Christinewould accompany him. His will and heart were now in distinct opposition, and the latter would not obey orders. 

When Mr. Ludolph appeared, it was with a frowning, clouded brow. Withouta word he passed into his private office, but seemed so restless andtroubled in his manner that Dennis felt something was wrong. Why shouldhe take such an interest in this man? Why should he care? The otherclerks did not: not one save himself had noticed anything different. Poor Dennis was to learn that he had a disease of many and variedsymptoms. 

After something over an hour had passed, Mr. Ludolph started from hisdesk, took his hat and cane as with the purpose of going out--a veryunusual thing at that time. But, as he was passing down the store, hemet Dr. Arten opposite Dennis's counter. 

"Well?" said Mr. Ludolph, impatiently. 

"I will call again this evening, " said the doctor, prudentlynon-committal. "Your daughter has caught a very severe cold. I hopeit is nothing more than a cold, but so many troublesome diseasescommence with these obscure symptoms that we have to wait till furtherdevelopments reveal the true nature of the case. "

"You doctors make no headway in banishing disease from the world, "snarled Mr. Ludolph. "There is smallpox around, is there not?"

"Yes, I am sorry to say there is a great deal of it, but if you rememberthe history of that one disease, I think you will admit your remarkto be unfair. "

"I beg your pardon, doctor, but I am anxious, and all out of sorts, as I ever am in sickness" (when affecting himself--he might justlyhave added). "It seems such a senseless, useless evil in the world. The idea of you Christians believing a benevolent Being rules theworld, and that He permits smallpox. Can it be possible that my daughterhas contracted this loathsome horror?" "Well, it is possible, but Ihope not at all probable. We doctors are compelled to look at thepractical rather than the theological side of the question. It ispossible for any one to have this disease. Has your daughter beenvaccinated?"

"No!" growled Mr. Ludolph. "I don't believe in vaccination. It is asapt to vitiate the system as to protect it. "

"I am sorry for that, " said the doctor, looking grave. 

Keen Mr. Ludolph saw and read his physician's expression accurately. Seizing his hand he said, eagerly: "Pardon me, doctor; you canunderstand a father's feelings. Watch this case night and day. Spareno pains, and be assured I will regret no expense"; and he hastenedaway to his daughter's bedside. 

No prisoner at the bar ever listened with more interest than Dennis. If it had been his own case they were discussing it would not havetouched him half so nearly. 

But a moment before, Christine in her pride, wealth, and beauty seemeddestined to go through life as in a triumphant march. Now he saw herto be a weak human creature, threatened as sorely as the poorest andhumblest. Her glorious beauty, even her life, might pass away in LeGrand Hotel as surely as in a tenement house. The very thought thrilledhim with fear. Then a great pity rushed into his soul like a tide, sweeping everything before it. His stern resolution to stifle andtrample upon his love melted like a snow-wreath, and every interestof life centred in the darkened room where Christine tossed and moanedin the deeper darkness of uncertainty and doubt. The longing to go toher with comfort and help was so intense that it required the utmosteffort of reason and will to prevent such rash action. He trembled athimself--at the strength of his feelings--and saw that though he mightcontrol outward action his heart had gone from him beyond remedy, andthat his love, so long unrecognized, was now like the principal sourceof the Jordan, that springs from the earth a full-grown river, andthat he could not help it. 

Mr. Ludolph found little comfort at his daughter's bedside. Sendingher maid away, who was glad to go, Christine told what she hadoverheard. Smallpox seemed in the mind of every one, but this was notstrange since it was so prevalent in the city. 

"Oh, father, what shall I do--what shall I do, if this should be thecase? Janette will leave me, and there will be no one to take care ofme. I know I shall die, and I might as well as to be made hideous bythis horrible disease. No, I would rather live, on any terms; for todie is to be nothing. Oh, father, are you sure the Bible is all false?There is so much in it to comfort the sick. If I could only believein such a life hereafter as Susie Winthrop does, I would as soon dieas not. "

"No, " said Mr. Ludolph, firmly, "your only chance is to get well. Thereis no use in deceiving ourselves. I have secured the services of themost skilful of physicians, and will see that you have every attention. So try to be as calm as possible, and co-operate with every effort tobaffle and banish disease. After all it may be nothing more than asevere cold. "

So then in very truth this world was all. In bitterness and dread sherealized how slight was her hold upon it. To her healthful body painwas a rare experience, but now her head and every bone ached, and theslightest movement caused increased suffering. But her mental troublewas by far the greatest. Often she murmured to herself, "Oh, that Ihad been trained to the grossest superstitions, so that I might notlook down into this black bottomless gulf that unbelief opens at myfeet!" and she tossed and moaned most piteously. 

Mr. Ludolph returned to the store in an exceedingly worried and anxiousstate. As he entered he caught Dennis's eager, questioning gaze, anda thought struck him: "Perhaps this young fellow, through his missionschool, may know of some good, trustworthy woman who would act asnurse"; and coming to Dennis he explained the situation, and then askedif he knew of any one, or could find a suitable person. 

Dennis listened eagerly, thought a moment, and then said, with a flushedface and in a low tone: "I think my mother would be willing to come. She has had the smallpox and would not be afraid. "

"But would she be willing?"

"I think I could persuade her, " said Dennis. 

Mr. Ludolph thought a moment, then said: "I think she would be the oneof all others, for she must be very much of a lady, and I would notlike to put my daughter in charge of a common, coarse woman. You mayrest assured that I would reward her liberally. "

"She would not come for money, sir. "

"What then?"

Dennis flushed how more deeply than before. He had been speaking forhis mother from his own point of view, and now he hardly knew what tosay, for he was not good at evasion. But he told the truth, if not allthe truth. "We feel very grateful to you for the means of support, anda chance in life when the world was very dark. You have since promotedme--"

"Nonsense!" said Mr. Ludolph, somewhat touched, though; "you haveearned every dollar you have received, and your coming has been ofadvantage to me also. But if your mother will meet this need, shouldit occur, neither of you will have cause to regret it"; and he passedon to his office, but soon after went away again and did not returnthat day. 

To Dennis the hours dragged on like years, full of suspense and mentaltumult. At times he would bow his head behind his counter, and prayin tearful fervor for the object of his constant thought. The day wasrainy, and the store empty of customers, for which he was most thankful, as he would have made the poorest of salesmen. At last the hour forclosing arrived, and he was left to himself. In the solitude of hisown room he once more looked the situation fairly in the face. Withhis head bowed in his hands he reflected: "Last night I _thought_to tear this love from my heart, but to-night I find that this wouldbe to tear out my heart itself. I cannot do it. It is my strongestconviction that I can no more stop loving her than I can stop living. Unconsciously this love has grown until now it is my master, and itis folly to make any more resolves, only to be as weak as water whenI least expect it. What shall I do?"

Motionless, unconscious of the lapse of time, he remained hour afterhour absorbed in painful thought. Circumstances, reason, the Bible, all seemed to frown upon his love; but, though it appeared to behopeless, his whole nature revolted against the idea of its beingwrong. 

"It cannot be wrong to love, purely and unselfishly, " he muttered. "Such love as mine seems to carry its own conviction of right withit--an inner consciousness that seems so strong and certain as to bebeyond argument--beyond everything; and yet if God's Word is againstit I must be wrong, and my heart is misleading me. "

Again in unbroken silence an hour passed away. Then the thought struckhim: "It is not contrary to God's action! He so loved theworld--unbelievers and all--as to give His best and dearest! Can itbe wrong to be God-like?"

"It is not wise, it is not safe, " prudence whispered, "to give aworldly, unbelieving spirit the power to influence you that she willhave who is first in your heart. What true congeniality can there be?What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? or what parthath he that believeth with an infidel? As the most intimate friendand companion in life, you should seek one who truly can be _one_with you in all things, and most assuredly so in this vital respect. "

"Ah, " thought Dennis, "that would have been very good advice to giveawhile ago. If from the first I could have understood my feelings anddanger, I might have steeled my heart against the influences that havebrought me to this. But the mischief is done. The words that now, inspite of myself, continually run in my mind, are, 'What God hath joinedtogether let not man put asunder. ' It seems as if some resistless powerhad joined my soul to hers, and I find no strength within myself tobreak the bond. I am not usually irresolute; I think I have principle;and yet I feel that I should not dare make the most solemn vow againstthis love. I should be all the more weak because conscience does notcondemn me. It seems to have a light that reason and knowledge knownot of. And yet I wish I could be more sure. I wish I could say tomyself, I may be loving hopelessly, but not sinfully. I would take therisk. Indeed I cannot help taking it. Oh, that I could find light, clear and unmistakable!"

He rose, turned up his light, and opened the Pauline precepts. Thesewords struck his eyes, "Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to beloosed. " Then, above, the words, "How knowest thou, O man, whetherthou shalt save thy wife, even though she be an unbeliever?"

"Am I not bound--bound by that which is God's link in the chain? Itdoes not seem as if the legal contract could change or strengthen myfeelings materially, and while honoring the inviolable rite of marriage, which is God's law and society's safety, I know that nothing can moresurely bind me to her, so that the spirit, the vital part of thepassage, applies to me. Then if through this love I could save her--ifby prayer and effort I could bring her feet into the paths of life--I should feel repaid for all that I could possibly suffer. She may slightmy human love with its human consummation, but God will not let a lifeof prayer and true love be wasted, and she may learn here, or knowhereafter, that though the world laid many rich gifts at her feet Ibrought the best of all. "

He looked out, and saw that the early spring dawn was tingeing thehorizon. 

"A good omen, " he said aloud. "Perhaps the night of this trouble ispast, and the dawn is coming. I am convinced that it is not wrong; andI am resolved to make the almost desperate attempt. A mysterious hope, coming from I know not where or what, seems to beckon and encourageme forward. "

Dennis was young. 

CHAPTER XXVI

MISS LUDOLPH COMMITS A THEFT

Mr. Ludolph on his return found Christine suffering from a nervoushorror of the smallpox. From the indiscreet and callous maid, intenton her own safety, and preparing to palliate the cowardice of herflight should her fears prove true, Christine learned that the citywas full of this loathsome disease, and her feelings were harrowed byexaggerated instances of its virulent and contagious character. 

"But you will surely stay with me, " pleaded Christine. 

"Mademoiselle could not expect zat. "

"Heartless!" muttered Christine. Then she said: "Won't you go for SusieWinthrop? Oh, how I would like to see her now!"

"She vould not come; no von vould come who knew. "

Christine wrung her hands and cried, "Oh, I shall die alone and desertedof all!"

"No, you shall not, " said her father, entering at that moment; "so donot give way, my dear. --Leave the room, stupid!" (to the maid, whoagain gladly escaped, resolving not to re-enter till the case wasdecided). "I have secured the best of physicians, and the best ofnurses, and by to-night or to-morrow morning we shall know about whatto expect. I cannot help hoping still that it is only a severe cold. "And he told her of Dennis's offer of his mother's services. 

"I am sure I should like her, for somehow I picture to myself a kind, motherly person. What useful creatures those Fleets are! They are onhand in emergencies when one so needs help. It seemed very nice tohave young Fleet my humble servant; but really, father, hedeserves promotion. "

"He shall have it, and I doubt not will be just as ready to do yourbidding as ever. It is only commonplace people whose heads are turnedby a little prosperity. Fleet knew he was a gentleman before he cameto the store. "

"Father, if I should have the smallpox and live, would my beaut--wouldI become a fright?"

"Not necessarily. Let us hope for the best. Make the most of the world, and never endure evils till they come, are my maxims. Half of sufferingis anticipation of possible or probable evil. "

"Father, " said Christine, abruptly, "I believe you are right, you_must_ be right, and have given me the best comfort and hope thattruthfully can be given. But this is a strange, cruel world. We seemthe sport of circumstances, the victims of hard, remorseless laws. Onebad person can frightfully injure another person" (a spasm distortedher father's face). "What accidents may occur! Worst of all are thosehorrible, subtle, contagious diseases which, none can see orguard against! Then to suffer, die, corrupt--faugh! To what a disgustingend, to what a lame and impotent conclusion, does the noble creature, man, come! My whole nature revolts at it. For instance, here am I ayoung girl, capable of the highest enjoyment, with everything to livefor, and lured forward by the highest hopes and expectations; and yet, in spite of all the safeguards you can place around me, my path is inthe midst of dangers, and now perhaps I am to be rendered hideous, ifnot killed outright, by a disease the very thought of which fills mewith loathing. What I fear _has_ happened, and may happen again. Andwhat compensation is there for it all?--what can enable one to bear itall? Oh, that I could believe in a God and a future happier life!"

"And what kind of a God would He be who, having the power to prevent, permits, or orders, as the Bible teaches, all these evils? I am a manof the world, and pretend to nothing saint-like or chivalric, but doyou think I am capable of going to Mr. Winthrop and striking down hisdaughter Susie with a loathsome disease? And yet if a minister orpriest should come here he would begin to talk about the mysteriousprovidence, and submission to God's will. If I am to have a God, Iwant one at least better than myself. "

"You _must_ be right, " said Christine, with a weary moan. "There is noGod, and if there were, in view of what you say, I could only hate andfear Him. How chaotic the world is! But it is hard. " After a moment sheadded, shudderingly: "_It is horrible_. I did not think of these thingswhen well. "

"Get well and forget them again, my dear. It is the best you can do. "

"If I get well, " said Christine, almost fiercely, "I shall get themost I can out of life, cost what it may;" and she turned her face tothe wall. 

A logical result of his teaching, but for some reason it awakened inMr. Ludolph a vague foreboding. 

The hours dragged on, and late in the afternoon the hard-drivenphysician appeared, examined his patient, and seemed relieved. 

"If there is no change for the worse, " he said, cheerily, "if no newsymptoms develop by to-morrow, I can pronounce this merely a severecold, caused by the state of the system and too sudden check ofperspiration;" and the doctor gave and opiate and bowed himself out. 

Long and heavily Christine slept. The night that Dennis filled withagonizing prayer and thought was to her a blank. While he in his strongChristian love brought heaven nearer to her, while he resolved on thatwhich would give her a chance for life, happy life, here and hereafter, she was utterly unconscious. No vision or presentiment of good, likea struggling ray of light, found access to her darkened spirit. Soheavy was the stupor induced by the opiate, that her sleep seemed likethe blank she so feared, when her brilliant, ambitious life should endin nothingness. 

So I suppose God's love meditates good, and resolves on life and joyfor us, while our hearts are sleeping, dead to Him, benumbed andparalyzed so that only His love can awaken them. Like a vague yethope-inspiring dream, this truth often enters the minds of those whoare wrapped in the spiritual lethargy that may end in death. God wakes, watches, loves, and purposes good for them. When we are mostunconscious, perhaps another effect for our salvation has been resolvedupon in the councils of heaven. 

But ambition more than love, earthly hopes rather than heavenly, keptMr. Ludolph an anxious watcher at Christine's side that night. A smileof satisfaction illumined his somewhat haggard face as he saw the feverpass away and the dew of natural moisture come out on Christine's brow, but there was no thankful glance upward. Immunity from loathsome diseasewas due only to chance and the physician's skill, by his creed. 

The sun was shining brightly when Christine awoke and by a faint callstartled her father from a doze in the great armchair. 

"How do you feel, my dear?" he asked. 

She languidly rubbed her heavy eyes, and said she thought she wasbetter--she felt no pain. The opiate had not yet lost its effect. Butsoon she greatly revived, and when the doctor came he found herdecidedly better, and concluded that she was merely suffering from asevere cold, and would soon regain her usual health. 

Father and daughter were greatly relieved, and their spirits rose. 

"I really feel as if I ought to thank somebody, " said Christine. "Iam not going to thank the doctor, for I know what a bill is coming, so I will thank you. It was very kind of you to sit up the long nightwith me. "

Even Mr. Ludolph had to remember that he had in his anxiety thoughtas much of himself as of her. 

"Another lease of life, " said Christine, dreamily looking into thefuture; "and, as I said last night, I mean to make the most of it. "

"I can best guide you in doing that, " said her father, looking intohis daughter's face with keen scrutiny. 

"I believe you, and intend to give you the chance. When can we leavethis detested land, this city of shops and speculators? To think thatI, Christine Ludolph, am sick, idle, and perhaps have endangered allby reason of foolish exposure in a brewer's tawdry, money-splashedhouse! Come, father when is the next scene in the brief drama to open?I am impatient to go _home_ to our beloved Germany and enter on reallife. "

"Well, my dear, if all goes well, we can enter on our true career ayear from next fall--a short year and a half. Do not blame the delay, for it will enable us to live in Germany in almost royal style. I neverwas making money so rapidly as now. I have invested in that whichcannot depreciate, and thus far has advanced beyond belief--buildingsin the business part of the city. Rents are paying me from twenty toa hundred per cent. At the same time I could sell out in a month. Soyou see you have only to co-operate with me--to preserve health andstrength--to enjoy all that money can insure; and money can buy almosteverything. "

Christine's eyes sparkled as the future opened before her, and shesaid, with emphasis, "If _I_ could preserve health and strength, I wouldlive a thousand years. "

"You can do much toward it. Every chance is in favor of prudence andwise action;" and, much relieved, her father went to the store. 

Business had accumulated, and in complete absorption he gave himselfto it. With an anxiety beyond expression, Dennis, flushed and trembling, ventured to approach. Merely glancing to see who it was, Mr. Ludolph, with his head bent over his writing, said, "Miss Ludolph is better--no fear of smallpox, I think--you need not write to your mother--greatlyobliged. "

It was well for Dennis that his employer did not look up. The openface of Mr. Ludolph's clerk expressed more than friendly interest inhis daughter's health. The young man went to his tasks with a mountainof fear lifted from his heart. 

But the thought of the beloved one lying alone and sick at the hotelseemed very pathetic to him. Love filled his heart with more sympathyfor Christine upon her luxurious couch, in rapid convalescence, thanfor all the hopeless suffering of Chicago. What could he do for her?She seemed so far off, so high and distant, that he could not reachher. If he ventured to send anything, prudence whispered that she wouldregard it as an impertinence. But love can climb every steep place, and prudence is not its grand-vizier. 

Going by a fruit-store in the afternoon he saw some fine strawberries, the first in from the South. He bought a basket, decorated it withGerman ivy obtained at a flower-stand, and spirited it upstairs to hisroom as if it were the most dangerous of contraband. In a disguisedhand he wrote on a card, "For Miss Ludolph. " Calling Ernst, who hadlittle to do at that hour of the day, he said: "Ernst, my boy, takethis parcel to Le Grand Hotel, and say it is for Miss Christine Ludolph. Tell them to send it right up, but on no account--remember, on noaccount--tell any one who sent it. Carry it carefully in just thismanner. "

Ernst was soon at his destination, eager to do anything for his friend. 

After all, the day had proved a long one for Christine. Unaccustomedto the restraints of sickness, she found the enforced inaction verywearisome. Mind and body both seemed weak. The sources of chiefenjoyment when well seemed powerless to contribute much now. In silkenrobe she reclined in an arm-chair, or languidly sauntered about theroom. She took up a book only to throw it down again. Her pencil farednobetter. Ennui gave to her fair young face the expression of one whohad tried the world for a century and found it wanting. She was leaningher elbow on the window-sill, gazing vacantly into the street, whenErnst appeared. 

"Janette, " she said, suddenly, "do you see that boy? He is employedat the store. Go bring him up here; I want him;" and with more animationthan she had shown that day she got out materials for a sketch. 

"I must get that boy's face, " she said, "before good living destroysall his artistic merit. "

Ernst was unwilling to come, but the maid almost dragged him up. 

"What have you got there?" asked Miss Ludolph, with a reassuring smile. 

"Something for Miss Ludolph, " stammered the boy, looking very muchembarrassed. 

Christine carefully opened the parcel and then exclaimed with delight:"Strawberries, as I live! the very ambrosia of the gods. Papa sentthem, did he not?"

"No, " said the boy, hanging his head. 

"Who did, then?" said Christine, looking at him keenly. 

He shuffled uneasily, but made no answer. 

"Come, I insist on knowing, " she cried, her wilful spirit and curiosityboth aroused. 

The boy was pale and frightened, and she was mentally taking notes ofhis face. But he said, doggedly, "I can't tell. "

"But I say you must. Don't you know that I am Miss Ludolph?"

"I don't care what you do to me, " said the little fellow, beginningto cry, "I won't tell. "

"Why won't you tell, my boy?" said Christine, cunningly, in a wheedlingtone of voice. 

Before he knew it, the frightened, bewildered boy fell into the trap, and he sobbed, "Because Mr. Fleet told me not to, and I wouldn't disobeyhim to save my life. "

A look of surprise, and then a broad smile, stole over the young girl'sface--at the gift, the messenger, and at him who sent it. It was indeeda fresh and unexpected little episode, breaking the monotony of theday--as fresh and pleasing to her as one of the luscious berries sograteful to her parched mouth. 

"You need not tell me, " she said, soothingly, "if Mr. Fleet told younot to. "

The boy saw the smile, and in a moment realized that he had been trickedout of the forbidden knowledge. 

His little face glowed with honest indignation, and looking straightat Miss Ludolph, with his great eyes flashing through the tears, hesaid, "You stole that from me. "

Even she colored a little and bit her lip under the merited charge. But all this made him all the more interesting as an art study, andshe was now sketching away rapidly. She coolly replied, however, "Youdon't know the world very well yet, my little man. "

The boy said nothing, but stood regarding her with his unnaturallylarge eyes filled with anger, reproach, and wonder. 

"Oh, " thought Christine, "if I could only paint that expression!"

"You seem a great friend of Mr. Fleet, " she said, studying and sketchinghim as if he had been an inanimate object. 

The boy made no answer. 

"Perhaps you do not know that I am a friend--friendly, " she added, correcting herself, "to Mr. Fleet also. "

"Mr. Fleet never likes to have his friends do wrong, " said the boy, doubtingly. 

Again she colored a little, for Ernst's pure and reproachful face madeher feel that she had done a mean thing, but she laughed said: "Yousee I am not in his mission class, and have never had the instructionthat you have. But, after all, why do you think Mr. Fleet better thanother people?"

"By what he does. "

"That is a fair test; what has he done?"

"He saved us all from starving, and worse than starving. "

Then with feminine tact she drew from him his story, and it was toldwith deep feeling and the natural pathos of childhood, and his gratitudecaused him to dwell with a simple eloquence on the part Dennis hadtaken, while his rich and loved German accent made it all the moreinteresting to Christine. She dropped her pencil, and, when he finished, her eyes, that were seldom moistened by the dew of sympathy, were wet. 

"Good-by, my child, " she said, in a voice so kind and sweet that itseemed as if another person had spoken. "You shall come again, andthen I shall finish my sketch. When I get well I shall go to see yourfather's picture. Do not be afraid; neither you nor Mr. Fleet willfare the worse for the strawberries, and you may tell him that theyhave done me much good. "

When Dennis, wondering at Ernst's long absence, heard from him hisstory, his mind was in a strange tumult, and yet the result of hiseffort seemed favorable. But he learned more fully than ever thatChristine was not perfect, and that her faultless beauty and tastewere but the fair mask of a deformed spirit. But he dwelt in hope onthe feeling she had shown at Ernst's story. 

"She seemed to have two hearts, " said the boy--"a good, kind one wayinside the cold, hard outside one. "

"That is about the truth, " thought Dennis. "Good-night, Ernst. I don'tblame you, my boy, for you did the best you could. "

He had done better than Dennis knew. 

CHAPTER XXVII

A MISERABLE TRIUMPH

After Ernst's departure Christine reclined wearily in her chair, quiteexhausted by even the slight effort she had made, but her thoughtswere busy. 

"What a unique character that Dennis Fleet is! And yet, in view ofwhat he believes and professes, he is both natural and consistent. Heseems humble only in station, and that is not his fault. Everythinghe does seems marked by unusual good taste and intelligence. His earlierposition and treatment in the store must have been very galling. I canhardly believe that the gentleman I sang Mendelssohn's music with theother evening was the same that I laughed at as he blacked oldSchwartz's boots. And yet he saw me laugh, and blacked the boots, conscious that he was a gentleman. It must have been very hard. Andyet I would rather do such work myself than live on charity, and soundoubtedly he felt. It is very fortunate that we nearly finished therearrangement of the pictures before all this occurred, for I couldnot order him about now as I have done. The fact is, I like servants, not dignified helpers; and knowing what I do, even if he would permitit, I could not speak to him as formerly. But he did show wonderfultaste and skill in his help. See now that little ivy-twined basket ofluscious fruit: it looks just like him. If he were only rich and titled, what a genuine nobleman he would make! He is among the few men who donot weary or disgust me; so many are coarse and commonplace. I cannotunderstand it, but I, who fear and care for no one except my father, almost feared him when under Miss Brown's insolence he looked as fewmen can. What a jumble the world is! He sweeps the store, whileinsignificant atoms of men are conspicuous in their littleness byreason of high position. 

"It was very kind of him to send me this tasteful gift after themiserable experience I caused him the other day. I suppose he does iton the principle of returning good for evil, as his creed teaches. Moreover, he seems grateful that father gave him employment, and achance to earn twice what he receives. He certainly must be promotedat once. 

"Perhaps, " thought she, smiling to herself, while a faint tinge ofcolor came into her cheeks--"perhaps, like so many others, he may beinclined to be a little sentimental also, though he will never be assilly as some of them. 

"What a noble part he acted toward those Bruders! The heart of a pagancould not fail to be touched by that poor little fellow's story, andit has made me believe that I have more heart than I supposed. Sometimes, especially when I hear or read of some such noble deed, Icatch glimpses of a life infinitely better than the one I know, likethe sun shining through a rift in the clouds; then they shut downagain, and father's practical wisdom seems the best there is. 

"At any rate, " she said aloud, getting up and walking the floor withsomething of the old restless energy, "I intend to live while I live, and crowd into life's brief day all that I can. I thank Mr. Fleet fora few sensations in what would otherwise have been a monotonous, drearyafternoon. "

"What, strawberries!" said Mr. Ludolph, coming in. "Where did you getthese? They are the first I have seen. "

"Your man-of-all-work sent them to me, " said Christine, daintily dippingone after another in sugar. 

"Well, that is a good joke. "

"A most excellent one, which I am enjoying, and in which you may share. Help yourself. "

"And what has led him to this extravagant favor?"

"Consistency, I suppose. As a good Christian he would return good forevil; and I certainly caused him many and varied tortures the otherday. "

"No, he is grateful; from first to last the callow youth has beenoverwhelmed with gratitude that I have permitted him to be worth tome double what I paid him. "

"Well, you have decided to promote him, have you not?"

"Yes, he shall have charge of the hanging of new pictures, and thegeneral arrangement of the store, so as to keep up your tasteful andartistic methods. Moreover, he shall meet customers at the door, anddirect them just where to find what they want. He is fine-looking, polite, speaks English perfectly, and thus takes well. I can graduallywork him in as general salesman, without creating troublesomejealousies. "

"What will old Schwartz say?"

"Schwartz is good at finance and figures. I can trust him, and he mustrelieve me more in this respect. He of course knows that this is themore important work, and will feel honored. As to the others, if theydo not like it I can find plenty who will. Fleet's good fortune willtake him quite by surprise. He was performing his old humble dutiesas briskly and contentedly as usual to-day. "

"I am surprised at that, for I should have supposed that he would havebeen on his dignity somewhat, indicating by manner at least that thetime for a change had come. He can indicate a great deal by manner, as you might have learned had you seen him under Miss Brown's insultsand my lack of courtesy. Well, it does me good to find one Americanwhose head is not turned by a little success. You are right though, I think, father; that young fellow can be very useful to you, and adecided help in hastening the time when we can leave this shop life, and enter our true sphere. I am more impatient to go than words canexpress, for life seems so brief and uncertain that we must graspthings as soon as possible or we lose them forever. Heavens! what ascare I have had! Everything seemed slipping from under my feetyesterday, and I sinking I know not where. Surely by concentratingevery energy we can be ready to go by a year from next fall. "

"Yes, that is my plan now. "

On the following day Dennis was again promoted and his pay increased. A man more of the Pat Murphy type was found to perform the coarse workof the store. As Mr. Ludolph had said, Dennis could hardly realize hisgood fortune. He felt like one lifted out of a narrow valley to abreezy hillside. He was now given a vantage-point from which it seemedthat he could climb rapidly, and his heart was light as he thought ofwhat he would be able to do for his mother and sisters. Hope grewsanguine as he saw how he would now have the means to pursue his belovedart-studies to far greater advantage. But, above all, his promotionbrought him nearer the object of his all-absorbing passion. What hefeared would take him one or two years to accomplish he had gained ina day. Hope whispered that perhaps it was through her influence insome degree that he had obtained this advance. Could she have seen andread his ardent glances? Lovers' hopes will grow like Jonah's gourd, and die down as quickly. Words could not express his longing to seeher again, but for several days she did not come to the store. Shemerely sent him word to complete the unfinished show-room in accordancewith the plan on which they had been working, leaving space on thesides of the room opposite each other for two large pictures. Thoughmuch disappointed, Dennis had carefully carried out her bidding. 

Every evening the moment his duties permitted he sought his instructor, Mr. Bruder, and, with an eagerness that his friends could notunderstand, sought to educate hand and eye. Dennis judged rightly thatmere business success would never open to him a way to the heart ofsuch a girl as Christine. His only hope of winning even her attentionwas to excel in the world of art, where she hoped to shine as a queen. Then to his untiring industry and eager attention he added real geniusfor his tasks, and it was astonishing what progress he made. When atthe close of his daily lesson Dennis had taken his departure, Mr. Bruder would shake his head, and cast up his eyes in wonder, andexclaim: "Dot youth vill astonish de vorld yet. Never in all Germanyhaf I seen such a scholar. "

Often till after midnight he would study in the solitude of his ownlittle room. And now, relieved of duties in the early morning, hearranged an old easel in the attic of the store, a sort of generallumber-room, yet with a good light for his purpose. Here he securedtwo good hours daily, and often more, for painting; and his hand grewskilful, and his eye true, under his earnest efforts. But his intenseapplication caused his body to grow thin and his face pale. 

Christine had rapidly recovered from her illness, her vital and elasticconstitution rebounding back into health and vigor like a bow rarelybent. She, too, was working scarcely less eagerly than Dennis, andpreparing for a triumph which she hoped would be the earnest of thefame she meant to achieve. She no longer came to the store with herfather in the morning, but spent the best and early hours of the dayin painting, riding out along the lake and in the park in the afternoon. Occasionally she came to the store in the after part of the day, glancedsharply round to see that her tasteful arrangement was kept up, andever seemed satisfied. 

Dennis was usually busy with customers at that time, and, thoughconscious of her presence the moment she entered, found no excuse orencouragement to approach. The best he ever received from her was aslight smile and a cold bow of recognition, and in her haste andself-absorption she did not always give these. She evidentlyhad something on her mind by which it was completely occupied. 

"She does not even think of me, " sighed Dennis; "she evidently imaginesthat there is an immeasurable distance between us yet. "

He was right; she did not think of him, and scarcely thought of anyone else, so absorbed was she in the hope of a great success that nowwas almost sure. She had sent her thanks for the berries by her father, which so frightened Dennis that he had ventured on no more such favors. She had interceded for his promotion. Surely she had paid her debt, and was at quits. So she would have been if he had only given her abasket of strawberries, but having given his heart, and lifelong love, he could scarcely be expected to be satisfied. But he vowed after eachblank day all the more resolutely that he would win her attention, secure recognition of his equality, and so be in position for layingsiege to her heart. 

But a deadly blight suddenly came over all his hopes. 

One bright morning late in May two large flat boxes were brought tothe store. Dennis was busy with customers, and Mr. Schwartz said, inhis blunt, decided way, that he would see to the hanging of thosepictures. They were carried to the show-room in the rear of the store, and Dennis at once concluded that they were something very fine, designed to fill the spaces he had left, and was most anxious to seethem. Before he was disengaged they were lifted from their casing andwere standing side by side on the floor, opposite the entrance, thewarm rich morning light falling upon them with fine effect. Mr. Schwartzseemed unusually excited and perplexed for him, and stared first atone picture, then at the other, in a manner indicating that not theirbeauty, but some other cause disturbed him. 

Dennis had scarcely had time to exclaim at the exquisite lovelinessand finish of the two paintings before Mr. Ludolph entered, accompaniedby Mr. Cornell, a well-known artist, Mr. French, proprietor of anotherlarge picture-store, and several gentlemen of taste, but of lessernote, whom Dennis had learned to know by sight as habitues of the"Temple of Art. " He also saw that Christine was advancing up the storewith a lady and gentleman. Feeling that his presence might be regardedas obtrusive, he passed out, and was about to go away, when he heardhis name called. 

Looking up he saw Miss Winthrop holding out her hand, and in a momentmore she presented him to her father, who greeted him cordially. Christine also gave him a brief smile, and said: "You need not go away. Come and see the pictures. "

Quick-eyed Dennis observed that she was filled with suppressedexcitement. Her cheeks, usually but slightly tinged with pink, now byturns glowed and were pale. Miss Winthrop seemed to share hernervousness, though what so excited them he could not divine. Thepaintings, beautiful as they were, could scarcely be the adequatecause; and yet every eye was fastened on them. 

One seemed the exact counterpart of the other in frame and finish aswell as subject. A little in the background, upon a crag overhangingthe Rhine, was a castle, massive, frowning, and built more for securityand defence than comfort. The surrounding landscape was bold, wild, and even gloomy. But in contrast with these rugged and sterner features, was a scene of exquisite softness and tenderness. Beneath the shadowof some great trees not far from the castle gate, a young crusader wastaking leave of his fair-haired bride. Her pale, tearful face, whereinlove and grief blent indescribably, would move the most callous heart, while the struggle between emotion and the manly pride that would notpermit him to give way, in the young chieftain's features, was scarcelyless touching. Beautiful as were the accessories of the pictures, theirmain point was to portray the natural, tender feeling induced by aparting that might be forever. At first they all gazed quietly andalmost reverently at the vivid scene of human love and sorrow, saveold Schwartz, who fidgeted about as Dennis had never seen him before. Clearly something was wrong. 

"Mr. Schwartz, " said Mr. Ludolph, "you may hang the original pictureon the side as we enter, and the copy opposite. We would like to seethem up, and in a better light. "

"Dat's it, " snorted Mr. Schwartz; "I'd like to know vich is vich. "

"You do not mean to say that you cannot tell them apart? The originalhung here some time, and you saw it every day. "

"I do mean to say him, " said Mr. Schwartz, evidently much vexed withhimself. "I couldn't have believed dat any von in de vorld could soimpose on me. But de two pictures are just de same to a pin scratchin frame, subject, and treatment, and to save my life I cannot telldem apart. "

Christine's face fairly glowed with triumph, and her eyes were allaflame as she glanced at her friend. Miss Winthrop came and took hercold, quivering hands into her own warm palms, but was scarcely lessexcited. Dennis saw not this side scene, so intent was he on thepictures. 

"Do you mean to say, " said Mr. Cornell, stepping forward, "that oneof these paintings is a copy made here in Chicago, and that Mr. Schwartzcannot tell it from the original?"

"He says he cannot, " said Mr. Ludolph. 

"And I'd like to see the von who can, " said old Schwartz, gruffly. 

"Will you please point out the original, " said one of the gentlemen, "that we may learn to distinguish them? For my part they seem like thetwins whose mother knew them apart by pink and white ribbons, and whenthe ribbons got mixed she could not tell which was which. "

Again Christine's eyes glowed with triumph. 

"Well, really, gentlemen, " said Mr. Ludolph, "I would rather you woulddiscover the copy yourselves. Mr. Cornell, Mr. French, and some others, I think, saw the original several times. "

"Look at Mr. Fleet, " whispered Miss Winthrop to Christine. 

She looked, and her attention was riveted to him. Step by step, he haddrawn nearer, and his eyes were eagerly glancing from one picture tothe other as if following up a clew. Instinctively she felt that hewould solve the question, and her little hands clenched, and her browgrew dark. 

"Really, " said Mr. Cornell, "I did not know that we had an artist inChicago who could copy the work of one of the best European paintersso that there need be a moment's hesitancy in detecting differences, but it seems I am mistaken. I am almost as puzzled as Mr. Schwartz. "

"The frames are exactly alike, " said Mr. French. 

"There is a difference between the two pictures, " said Mr. Cornell, slowly. "I can feel it rather than see it. They seem alike, line forline and feature for feature, in every part; and just where thedifference lies and in what it consists I cannot tell for the life ofme. "

With the manner of one who had settled a difficult problem, Dennisgave a sigh of relief so audible that several glanced at him. 

"Perhaps Mr. Fleet from his superior knowledge and long experience cansettle this question, " said Christine, sarcastically. 

All eyes were turned toward him. He flushed painfully, but said nothing. 

"Speak up, " said Mr. Ludolph, good-naturedly, "if you have any opinionto give. "

"I would not presume to give my opinion among so many more competentjudges. "

"Come, Mr. Fleet, " said Christine, with a covert taunt in her tone, "that is a cheap way of making a reputation. I fear the impressionwill be given that you have no opinion. "

Dennis was now very pale, as he ever was under great excitement. Theold look came again that the young ladies remembered seeing at MissBrown's entertainment. 

"Come, speak up if you can, " said Mr. Ludolph shortly. 

"Your porter, Mr. Ludolph?" said Mr. Cornell, remembering Dennis onlyin that capacity. "Perhaps he has some private marks by which he canenlighten us. "

Dennis now acted no longer as porter or clerk, but as a man among men. 

Stepping forward and looking Mr. Cornell full in the face he said: "Ican prove to you, sir, that your insinuation is false by simply statingthat I never saw those pictures before. The original had been removedfrom the store before I came. I have had therefore no opportunity ofknowing the copy from the original. But the pictures are different, and I can tell precisely wherein I think the difference lies. "

"Tell it then, " said several voices. Christine stood a little back andon one side, so that he could not see her face, or he would havehesitated long before he spoke. In the firm, decided tones of onethoroughly aroused and sure of his ground, he proceeded. 

"Suppose this the copy, " said he, stepping to one of the pictures. (Christine breathed hard and leaned heavily against her friend. ) "Iknow of but one in Chicago capable of such exquisite work, and he didnot do it; indeed he could not, though a master in art. "

"You refer to Mr. Bruder?" said Mr. Cornell. 

Dennis bowed and continued: "It is the work of one in whom the imitativepower is wonderfully developed; but one having never felt--or unableto feel--the emotions here presented cannot portray them. This pictureis but the beautiful corpse of that one. While line for line, andfeature for feature, and even leaf for leaf on the trees is faithfullyexact, yet the soul, the deep, sorrowful tenderness that you feel inthat picture rather than see, is wanting in this. In that picture youforget to blame or praise, to criticise at all, so deeply are yoursympathies touched. It seems as if in reality two human hearts werebeing torn asunder before you. This you know to be an exquisite pictureonly, and can coolly criticise and dwell on every part, and say howadmirably it is done. "

And Dennis bowed and retired. 

"By Jove, he is right, " exclaimed Mr. Cornell; and approving faces andnodding heads confirmed his judgment. But Dennis enjoyed not histriumph, for as he turned he met Christine's look of agony and hate, and like lightning it flashed through his mind, "She painted thepicture. "

CHAPTER XXVIII

LIFE WITHOUT LOVE

As Dennis realized the truth, and remembered what he had said, hisface was scarcely less full of pain than Christine's. He saw that herwhole soul was bent on an imitation that none could detect, and thathe had foiled her purpose. But Christine's wound was deeper than that. She had been told again, clearly and correctly, that the sphere ofhigh, true art was beyond her reach. She felt that the verdict wastrue, and her own judgment confirmed every word Dennis uttered. Butshe had done her best; therefore her suffering was truly agony--thepain and despair at failure in the most cherished hope of life. Thereseemed a barrier which, from the very limitations of her being, shecould not pass. She did not fail from the lack of taste, culture, orskill, but in that which was like a sixth sense--something she did notpossess. Lacking the power to touch and move the heart, she knew shecould never be a great artist. 

Abruptly and without a word she left the room and store, accompaniedby the Winthrops. Dennis felt as if he could bite his tongue out, andChristine's face haunted him like a dreadful apparition. Wherever heturned he saw it so distorted by pain, and almost hate, that it scarcelyseemed the same that had smiled on him as he entered at her invitation. 

"Truly God is against all this, " groaned he, to himself; "and what Iin my weakness could not do He has accomplished by this unlooked-forscene. She will now ever regard me with aversion. "

Dennis, like many another, thought he saw God's plan clearly from amere glimpse of a part of it. He at once reached this miserableconclusion, and suffered as greatly as if it had been God's will, instead of his own imagination. To wait and trust is often the latestlesson we learn in life. 

Mr. Ludolph's guests, absorbed in the pictures, at first scarcelynoticed the departure of the others. 

Christine, with consummate skill and care, kept her relationship tothe picture unknown to all save the Winthrops, meaning not toacknowledge it unless she succeeded. But in Dennis's startled andpained face she saw that he had read her secret, and this fact alsoannoyed her much. 

"I should like to know the artist who copied this painting, " said Mr. Cornell. 

"The artist is an amateur, and not willing to come before the publicat present, " said Mr. Ludolph, so decidedly that no further questionswere asked. 

"I am much interested in that young clerk of yours, " said Mr. French. "He seems to understand himself. It is so hard to find a gooddiscriminating judge of pictures. Do you expect to keep him?"

"Yes, I do, " said Mr. Ludolph, with such emphasis that his rival intrade pressed that point also no further. 

"Well, really, Mr. Ludolph, " said one of the gentlemen, "you deal inwonders, mysteries, and all sorts of astonishing things yere. We havean unknown artist in Chicago deserving an ovation; you have in youremploy a prince of critics, and if I mistake not he is the same whosang at Brown's some little time ago. Miss Brown told me that he wasyour porter. "

"Yes, I took him as a stranger out of work and knew nothing of him. But he proved to be an educated and accomplished man, who will doubtlessbe of great use to me in time. Of course I promoted him when I foundhim out. " These last remarks were made for Mr. French's benefit ratherthan for any one's else. He intended that his rival should knowinglyviolate all courtesy if he sought to lure Dennis away. After admiringthe paintings and other things recently received, the gentlemen bowedthemselves out. 

On leaving the store Mr. Winthrop--feeling awkward in the presence ofthe disappointed girl--had pleaded business, and bidden her adieu witha warm grasp of the hand and many assurances that she had succeededbeyond his belief. 

"I know you mean kindly in what you say, " said Christine, while notthe slightest gleam lighted up her pale, sad face. "Good-by. "

She, too, was relieved, and wished to be alone. Miss Winthrop soughtto comfort her friend as they walked homeward. 

"Christine, you look really ill. I don't see why you take this matterso to heart. You have achieved a success that would turn any head butyours. I could not believe it possible had I not seen it. Your ambitionand ideal are so lofty that you will always make yourself miserableby aiming at the impossible. As Mr. Fleet said, I do not believe thereis another in the city who could have done so well, and if you can dothat now, what may you not accomplish by a few years more of work?"

"That's the terrible part of it, " said Christine, with a long sigh. "Susie, I have attained my growth. I can never be a real artist andno one living can ever know the bitterness of my disappointment. I donot believe in the immortality that you do, and this was my only chanceto live beyond the brief hour of my life. If I could only have won formyself a place among the great names that the world will ever honor, I might with more content let the candle of my existence flicker outwhen it must. But I have learned to-day what I have often feared--thatChristine Ludolph must soon end in a forgotten handful of dust. "

"Oh, Christine, if you could only believe!"

"I cannot. I tried in my last sickness, but vainly. I am more convincedthan ever of the correctness of my father's views. "

Miss Winthrop sighed deeply. "Why are you so despondent?" she at lastasked. 

As if half speaking to herself, Christine repeated the words, "'Paintedby one having never felt, or unable to feel, the emotions presented, and therefore one who cannot portray them. ' That is just the trouble. I tried to speak in a language I do not know. Susie, I believe I amabout half ice. Sometimes I think I am like Undine, and have no soul. I know I have no heart, in the sense that you have. " "I live a very coldsort of life, " she continued, with a slight shudder. "I seemsurrounded by invisible barriers that I cannot pass. I can see, beyond, what I want, but cannot reach it. Oh, Susie, if you knew what I sufferedwhen so ill! Everything seemed slipping from me. And yet why I shouldso wish to live I hardly know, when my life is so narrowed down. "

"You see the disease, but not the remedy, " sighed Susie. 

"What is the remedy?"

"_Love_. Love to God, and I may add love for some good man. "

Christine stopped a moment and almost stamped her foot impatiently. 

"You discourage me more than any one else, " she cried. "As to lovingGod, how can I love merely a name? and, even if He existed, how couldI love a Being who left His world so full of vile evils? As to humanlove, faugh! I have had enough of romantic attachments. "

"Do you never intend to marry?"

"Susie, you are the friend of my soul, and I trust you and you onlywith our secret. Yes, I expect to marry, but not in this land. Youknow that in Germany my father will eventually be a noble, therepresentative of one of the most ancient and honorable families. Weshall soon have sufficient wealth to resume our true position there. A husband will then be found for me. I only stipulate that he shallbe able to give me position among the first, and gratify my bent forart to the utmost"

"Well, Christine, you are a strange girl, and your dream of the futureis stranger still. "

"Sometimes I think that all is a dream, and may end like one. Nothingseems certain or real, or turns out as one expects. Think of it. Anobody who swept my father's store the other day has this morning madesuch havoc in my dream that I am sick at heart. "

"But you cannot blame Mr. Fleet. He did it unconsciously; he was goadedon to do it. No _man_ could have done otherwise. You surely do not feelhardly toward him?"

"We do not naturally love the lips and bless the voice that tell usof an incurable disease. Oh, no, " she added, "why should I think ofhim at all? He merely happened to point out what I half suspectedmyself. And yet the peculiar way this stranger crosses my path fromtime to time almost makes me superstitious. "

"And you seem to have peculiar power over him. He would have assuredlyleft us in the lurch at our tableau party had it not been for you, andI should not have blamed him. And to-day he seemed troubled and painedbeyond expression when he read from your face, as I imagine, that youwere the author of the picture. "

"Yes, I saw that he discovered the fact, and this provokes me also. If he should speak his thoughts--"

"I do not think he will. I am sure he will not if you caution him. "

"That I will not do; and I think on the whole he has too much senseto speak carelessly of what he imagined he saw in a lady's face. Andnow, Susie, good-by. I shall not inflict my miserable self longer uponyou to-day, and I am one who can best cure my wounds in solitude. "

"Do you cure them, Christine? or do you only cover them up? If I hadyour creed nothing could cure my wounds. Time might deaden the pain, and I forget them in other things, but I do not see where any curecould come from. Oh, Christine! you did me good service when in thedeepening twilight of Miss Brown's parlor you showed me my useless, unbelieving life. But I do believe now. The cross is radiant to menow--more radiant than the one that so startled us then. Mr. Fleet'swords were true, I know, as I know my own existence. I could die formy faith. "

Christine frowned and said, almost harshly: "I don't believe in areligion so full of crosses and death. Why could not the all-powerfulBeing you believe in take away the evil from the world?"

"That is just what He came to do. In that very character he was pointedout by His authorized forerunner: 'Behold the Lamb of God, that takethaway the sin of the world. '"

"Why does he not do it then?" asked Christine, petulantly. "Centurieshave passed. Patience itself is wearied out. He has had time enough, if He ever meant or had the power to fulfil the promise. But the worldis as full of evil and suffering as ever. Susie, I would not disturbyour credulous faith, for it seems to do you good; but to me Christwas a noble but mistaken man, dead and buried centuries ago. He cando for me no more than Socrates. They vigorously attacked evil in theirday, but evil was too much for them, as it is for us. We must just getthe most we can out of life, and endure what we cannot prevent orescape. An angel could not convert me to-day--no, not even SusieWinthrop, and that is saying more still;" and with a hasty kiss shevanished. 

Susie looked wistfully after her, and then bent her steps homewardwith a pitying face. 

Christine at once went to her own private room. Putting on a loosewrapper she threw herself on a lounge, and buried her face in thecushions. Her life seemed growing narrow and meagre. Hour after hourpassed, and the late afternoon sun was shining into her room when shearose from her bitter revery, and summed up all in a few words spokenaloud, as was her custom when alone. 

"Must I, after all, come down to the Epicurean philosophy, 'Let useat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die'? I seem on a narrowisland, the ocean is all around me, and the tide is rising, _rising_. Itwill cover _soon_ my standing-place, and then what becomes of ChristineLudolph?"

A look of anguish came into the fair young face, and a slight shudderpassed over her. She glanced around a room furnished in costly elegance. She saw her lovely person in the mirror opposite, and exclaimed: "Whata mystery it all is! I have so much, and yet so utterly fail of havingthat which contents. I have all that wealth can purchase; and multitudesact as if that were enough. I know I am beautiful. I can see thatyonder for myself, as well as read it in admiring eyes. And yet mymaid is better contented than I, and the boy who blacks the bootsbetter satisfied with his lot than either of us. I am raised so highthat I can see how much more there is or might be beyond. I feel likeone led into a splendid vestibule, only to find that the palace iswanting, or that it is a mean hovel. All that I have only mocks me, and becomes a means of torture. All that I am and have ought to be, might be, a mere prelude, an earnest and a preparation for somethingbetter beyond. But I am told, and must believe, that this is all, andI may lose this in a moment and forever. It is as if a noble strainof music commenced sweetly, and then suddenly broken down into a fewdiscordant notes and ceased. It is like my picture--all very well; butthat which would speak to and move the heart, year after year, whenthe mere beauty ceased to please--that life or something is wanting. What were his words?--'This picture is but the beautiful corpse ofthe other'; and my life is but a cold marble effigy of a true life. And yet is there any true and better life? If there is nothing betterbeyond, I have been carried forward too far. Miss Brown thoroughlyenjoys champagne and flirtations. Susie Winthrop is happy in hersuperstition, as any one might be who could believe what she does. But I have gone past the power of taking up these things, as I havegone past my childhood's sports. And now what is there for me? My mostdear and cherished hope--a hope that shone above my life like a sun--hasbeen blown away by the breath of my father's clerk (it required nogreater power to bring me down to my true level), and I hoped to bea queen among men, high-born, but crowned with the richer coronet ofgenius. I, who hoped to win so high a place that men would speak ofme with honest praise, now and in all future time, must be contentedas a mere accomplished woman, deemed worthy perhaps in time to gracesome nobleman's halls who in the nice social scale abroad may standa little higher than myself. I meant to shine and dazzle, to stoop togive in every case; but now I must take what I can get, with a humble'Thank you';" and she clenched her little powerless hands in impotentrevolt at what seemed very cruel destiny. 

She appeared at the dinner-table outwardly calm and quiet. Her fatherdid not share in her bitter disappointment, and she saw that he didnot, and so felt more alone. He regarded her success as remarkable (asit truly was), having never believed that she could copy a picture soexactly as to deceive an ordinarily good observer. When, therefore, old Schwartz and others were unable to distinguish between the pictures, he was more than satisfied. He was sorry that Dennis had spoiled thetriumph, but could not blame him. At the same time he recognized inFleet another and most decided proof of intelligence on questions ofart, for he knew that his criticism was just. He believed that whenthe true knight that his ambition would choose appeared, with goldenspurs and jewelled crest, then her deeper nature would awaken, and shefar surpass all previous effort. Moreover, he did not fully understandor enter into her lofty ambition. To see her settled in life, titled, rich, and a recognized leader in the aristocracy of his own land, washis highest aspiration so far as she was concerned. 

He began, therefore, in a strain of compliment to cheer his daughterand rally her courage; but she shook her head sadly, and said sodecidedly, "Father, let us change the subject, " that with some surpriseat her feelings he yielded to her wish, thinking that a little timeand experience would moderate her ideas and banish the pain ofdisappointment. It was a quiet meal, both being occupied by their ownthoughts. Soon after he was absorbed for the evening by his cigar andsome business papers. 

It was a mild, summer-like night, and a warm, gentle rain was falling. Even in the midst of a great city the sweet odors of spring found theirway to the private parlor where Christine sat by the window, stilllost in painful thoughts. 

"Nature is full of hope, and the promise of coming life. So ought Ito be in this my spring-time. Why am I not? If I am sad and disappointedin my spring, how dreary will be my autumn, when leaf after leaf ofbeauty, health, and strength drops away!"

A muffled figure, seemingly regardless of the rain, passed slowly downthe opposite side of the street. Though the person cast but a singlequick glance toward her window, and though the twilight was deepening, something in the passer-by suggested Dennis Fleet. For a moment shewished she could speak to him. She felt very lonely. Solitude had doneher no good. Her troubles only grew darker and more real as she broodedover them. She instinctively felt that her father could not understandher, and she had never been able to go to him for sympathy. He was notthe kind of person that any one would seek for such a purpose. Christinewas not inclined to confidence, and there was really no one who knewher deeper feelings, and who could enter into her real hopes for life. She was so proud and cold that few ever thought of giving herconfidence, much less of asking hers. 

Up to the time of her recent illness she had been strong, self-confident, almost assured of success. At times she recognizeddimly that something was wrong; but she shut her eyes to the unwelcometruth, and determined to succeed. But her sickness and fears at thattime, and now a failure that seemed to destroy the ambition of herlife, all united in greatly shaking her self-confidence. 

This evening, as never before, she was conscious of weakness anddependence. With the instinct of one sinking, her spirit longed forhelp and support. Then the thought suddenly occurred to her, "Perhapsthis young stranger, who so clearly pointed out the disease, may alsoshow the way to some remedy. "

But the figure had passed on. In a moment mere pride and conventionalityresumed sway, and she smiled bitterly, saying to herself, "What a weakfool I am to-night! Of all things let me not become a romantic missagain. "

She went to her piano and struck into a brilliant strain. For a fewmoments the music was of a forced and defiant character, loud, gay, but with no real or rollicking mirth in it, and it soon ceased. Thenin a sharp contrast came a sad, weird German ballad, and this was real. In its pathos her burdened heart found expression, and whoever listenedthen would not merely have admired, but would have felt. One songfollowed another. All the pent-up feeling of the day seemed to findnatural flow in the plaintive minstrelsy of her own land. 

Suddenly she ceased and went to her window. The muffled figure stoodin the shadow of an angle in the attitude of a listener. A moment laterit vanished in the dusk toward the business part of the city. The quickfootsteps died away, and only the patter of the falling rain broke thesilence. Christine felt sure that it was Dennis. At first her feelingwas one of pleasure. His coming and evident interest took somewhat, she scarcely knew why, from her sense of loneliness. Soon her prideawoke, however, and she said: "He has no business here to watch andlisten. I will show him that, with all his taste and intelligence, wehave no ground in common on which he can presume. "

Her father had also listened to the music, and said to himself:"Christine is growing a little sentimental. She takes thisdisappointment too much to heart. I must touch her pride with the spura little, and that will make her ice and steel in a moment. It is noslight task to keep a girl's heart safe till you want to use it. I willwait till the practical daylight of to-morrow, and then she shalllook at the world through my eyes again. "

CHAPTER XXIX

DENNIS'S LOVE PUT TO PRACTICAL USE

The day following his unlucky criticism of the pictures was one ofgreat despondency to Dennis. He had read in Christine's face that hehad wounded her sorely; and, though she knew it to be unintentional, would it not prejudice her mind against him, and snap the slenderthread by which he hoped to draw across the gulf between them the cord, and then the cable, that might in time unite their lives?

In the evening his restless, troubled spirit drove him, in spite ofthe rain, to seek to be at least nearer to her. He felt sure that inthe dusk and wrapped in his greatcoat he would not be noticed, but wasmistaken, as we have seen. He was rewarded, for he heard her sing asnever before, as he did not believe she could sing. For the first timeher rich, thoroughly trained voice had the sweetness and power offeeling. To Dennis her song seemed like an appeal, a cry for help, andhis heart responded in the deepest sympathy. As he walked homeward hesaid to himself: "She could be a true artist, perhaps a great one, forshe can feel. She has a heart. She has a taste and skill in touch thatfew can surpass. I can scarcely believe the beautiful coloring andfaultless lines of that picture are her work. " He long for a chanceto speak with her and explain. He felt that he had so much to say, andin a thousand imaginary ways introduced the subject of her painting. He hoped he might find her sketching in some of the rooms again. Hethought that he knew her better for having heard her sing, and thathe could speak to her quite frankly. 

The next day she came to the store, but passed him without the slightestnotice. He hoped she had not seen him, and, as she passed out, soplaced himself that she must see him, and secured for his pains onlya slight, cold inclination of the head. 

"It is as I feared, " he said, bitterly. "She detests me for havingspoiled her triumph. She is not just, " he added, angrily. "She has nosense of justice, or she would not blame me. What a mean-spiritedcraven I should have been had I shrunk away under her taunts yesterday. Well, I can be proud too. "

When she came in again he did not raise his eyes, and when she passedout he was in a distant part of the store. Christine saw no tall muffledfigure under her window again, though she had the curiosity to look. That even this humble admirer, for whom she cared not a jot, shouldshow such independence rather nettled and annoyed her for a moment. But she paid no more heed to him than to the other clerks. 

But what was the merest jar to Christine's vanity cost Dennis adesperate struggle. It required no effort on her part to pass him bywithout a glance. To him it was torture. In a few days she ceased tothink about him at all, and only remembered him in connection with herdisappointment. But she was restless, could settle down to no work, andhad lost her zest in her old pleasures. She tried to act as usual, for she saw her father's eye was on her. He had not much indulgencefor any one's weaknesses save his own, and often by a little coldsatire would sting her to the very quick. On the other hand, hisadmiration, openly expressed in a certain courtly gallantry, nourishedher pride but not her heart. Though she tried to keep up her usualroutine, her manner was forced before him and languid when alone. Buthe said, "All this will pass away like a cold snap in spring, and theold zest will come again in a few days. "

It did, but from a cause which he could not understand, and which hisdaughter with consummate skill and care concealed. He thought it wasonly the old enthusiasm rallying after a sharp frost of disappointment. 

Dennis's pride gave way before her cool and unstudied indifference. It was clearly evident to him that he had no hold upon her lifewhatever, and how to gain any he did not see. He became more and moredejected. 

"She must have a heart, or I could not love her so; but it is so incasedin ice I fear I can never reach it. "

That something was wrong with Dennis any friend who cared for him atall might see. The Bruders did, and, with the quick intuitions ofwoman, Mrs. Bruder half guessed the cause. Mr. Bruder, seeingpreoccupation and sometimes weary apathy in Dennis's face, would say, "Mr. Fleet is not well. "

Then, as even this slight notice of his different appearance seemedto give pain, Mr. Bruder was patiently and kindly blind to his pupil'sinattention. 

Dennis faithfully kept up all his duties on Sunday as during the week;but all was now hard work. Some little time after the unlucky morningwhich he could never think of without an expression of pain, he wentto his mission class as usual. He heard his boys recite their lessons, said a few poor lame words in explanation, and then leaned his headlistlessly and wearily on his hand. He was startled by hearing a sweetvoice say, "Well, Mr. Fleet, are you not going to welcome a new laborerinto your corner of the vineyard?"

With a deep flush he saw that Miss Winthrop was in charge of the classnext to him, and that he had been oblivious to her presence nearly anhour. He tried to apologize. But she interrupted him, saying: "Mr. Fleet, you are not well. Any one can see that. "

Then Dennis blushed as if he had a raging fever, and she was perplexed. 

The closing exercises of the school now occupied them and then theywalked out together. 

"Mr. Fleet, " she said, "you never accepted my invitation. We have notseen you at our house. But perhaps your circle of friends is so largethat you do not wish to add to it. "

Dennis could not forbear a smile at the suggestion, but he said, inapology, "I do not visit any one, save a gentleman from whom I amtaking lessons. "

"Do you mean to say that you have no friends at all in this great city?"

"Well, I suppose that is nearly the truth; that is, in the sense youuse the term. My teacher and his wife--"

"Nonsense! I mean friends of one's own age, people of the same cultureand status as yourself. I think we require such society, as truly aswe need food and air. I did not mean those whom business or duty broughtyou in contact with, or who are friendly or grateful as a matter ofcourse. "

"I have made no progress since my introduction to society at MissBrown's, " said Dennis. 

"But you had the sincere and cordial offer of introduction, " said MissWinthrop, looking a little hurt. 

"I feel hardly fit for society, " said Dennis, all out of sorts withhimself. "It seems that I can only blunder and give pain. But I amindeed grateful for your kindness. "

Miss Winthrop looked into his worn, pale face, and instinctively knewthat something was wrong, and she felt real sympathy for the lonelyyoung man, isolated among thousands. She said, gently but decidedly:"I did mean my invitation kindly, and I truly wished you to come. Theonly proof you can give that you appreciate my courtesy is to acceptan invitation for to-morrow evening. I intend having a little musicalentertainment. "

Quick as light flashed the thought, "Christine will be there. " He said, promptly: "I will come, and thank you for the invitation. If I amawkward, you must remember that I have never mingled in Chicago society, and for a long time not in any. "

She smiled merrily at him, and said, "Don't do anything dreadful, Mr. Fleet. "

He caught her mood, and asked what had brought her down from hertheological peak to such a valley of humiliation as a mission school. 

"You and Miss Ludolph" she answered, seriously. "Between you, you gaveme such a lesson that afternoon at Miss Brown's that I have led adifferent life ever since. Christine made all as dark as despair, andagainst that darkness you placed the fiery Cross. I have tried to clingto the true cross ever since. Now He could not say to me, 'Inasmuchas ye did it not. ' And oh!" said she, turning to Dennis with a smilefull of the light of Heaven, "His service is so very sweet! I heardlast week that teachers were wanted at this mission school, so I came, and am glad to find you a neighbor. "

Dennis's face also kindled at her enthusiasm, but after a moment grewsad again. 

"I do not always give so lifeless a lesson as to-day, " he said, in alow voice. 

"Mr. Fleet, you are not well. I can see that you look worn and greatlywearied. Are you not in some way overtaxing yourself?"

Again that sensitive flush, but he only said: "I assure you I am well. Perhaps I have worked a little hard. That is all. "

"Well, then, come to our house and play a little tomorrow evening, "she answered from the platform of a street car, and was borne away. 

Dennis went to his lonely room, full of self-reproach. 

"Does she find Christ's service so sweet, and do I find it so dull andhard? Does human love alone constrain me, and not the love of Christ?Truly I am growing weak. Every one says I look ill. I think I am, inbody and soul, and am ceasing to be a man; but with God's help I willbe one--and what is more, a Christian. I thank you, Miss Winthrop; youhave helped me more than I have helped you. I will accept yourinvitation to go out into the world. I will no longer mope, brood, andperish in the damp and shade of my own sick fancies. If I cannot winher, I can at least be a man without her;" and he felt better andstronger than he had done for a long time. The day was breaking again. 

In accordance with a custom that was growing with him ever since thememorable evening when Bill Cronk befriended him, he laid the wholematter before his Heavenly Father, as a child tells an earthly parentall his heart. Then he added one simple prayer, "Guide me in allthings. "

The next day was brighter and better than its forerunners. "For somereason I feel more like myself, " he thought. After the excitement andactivity of a busy day, he said, "I can conquer this, if I must. "

But when he had made his simple toilet, and was on his way to MissWinthrop's residence, his heart began to flutter strangely, and heknew the reason. Miss Winthrop welcomed him most cordially, and puthim at his ease in a moment, as only a true lady can. Then she turnedto receive other guests. He looked around. Christine was not there;and his heart sank like lead. "She will not be here, " he sighed. Butthe guests had not ceased coming, and every new arrival caused a flutterof hopes and fears. He both longed and dreaded to meet her. At last, when he had almost given up seeing her, suddenly she appeared, advancingup the parlor on her father's arm. Never had she seemed so dazzlinglybeautiful. He was just then talking to Mr. Winthrop, and for a fewmoments that gentleman was perplexed at his incoherent answers and thechanges in his face. Having paid their respects to the daughter, Mr. And Miss Ludolph came toward Mr. Winthrop, and of course Dennis hadto meet them. Having greeted them warmly, Mr. Winthrop said, "Of courseyou do not need an introduction to Mr. Fleet. "

Dennis had shrunk a little into the background, and at first they hadnot noticed him. Mr. Ludolph said, good-naturedly, "Glad to see you, Mr. Fleet, and will be still more glad to hear your fine voice. "

But Christine merely bowed as to one with whom her acquaintance wasslight, and turned away. At first Dennis had blushed, and his hearthad fluttered like a young girl's; but, as she turned so coolly away, his native pride and obstinacy were aroused. 

"She shall speak to me and do me justice, " he muttered. "She mustunderstand that I spoke unconsciously on that miserable morning, andam not to be blamed. As I am a man, I will speak boldly and securerecognition. " But as the little company mingled and conversed beforethe music commenced, no opportunity offered. He determined to showher, however, that he was no country boor, and with skill and tastemade himself agreeable. 

Christine furtively watched him. She was surprised to see him, as theidea of meeting him in society as an equal had scarcely been suggestedbefore. But when she saw that he greeted one after another with graceand ease, and that all seemed to enjoy his conversation, so that alittle knot of Miss Winthrop's most intelligent guests were about himat last, she felt that it would be no great condescension on her partto be a little more affable. In her heart, though, she had not forgiventhe unconscious words that had smitten to the ground her ambitioushopes. 

Then again, his appearance deeply interested her. A suppressedexcitement and power, seen in the glow and fire of his dark eyes, andfelt in his tones, stirred her languid pulses. 

"He is no vapid society-man, " she said to herself; and her artist eyewas gratified by the changes in his noble face. 

"Look at Fleet, " whispered her father; "could you believe he wassweeping the store the other day? Well, if we don't find out his worthand get what we can from him, the world will. We ought to have had himup to sing before this, but I have been so busy since your illnessthat it slipped my mind. "

Miss Winthrop now led Christine to the piano, and she played a classicalpiece of music in faultless taste. Then followed duets, solos, quartets, choruses, and instrumental pieces, for nearly all present were musicalamateurs. Under the inspiration of this soul-stirring art, coldnessand formality melted away, and with jest and brilliant repartee, alternating with song, there gathered around Miss Winthrop's pianosuch a group as could never grace the parlors of Miss Brown. Sometimesthey would carry a new and difficult piece triumphantly through; againthey would break down, with much laughter and good-natured rallying. 

Dennis, as a stranger, held back at first; but those who rememberedhis singing at the tableau party were clamorous to hear him again, andthey tested and tried his voice during the evening in many and variedways. But he held his own, and won greener laurels than ever. He didhis very best, for he was before one whom he would rather please thanall the world; moreover, her presence seemed to inspire him to dobetter than when alone. Christine, like the others, could not helplistening with delight to his rich, clear tenor, and Mr. Ludolph wasundisguised in his admiration. 

"I declare, Mr. Fleet, I have been depriving myself of a good deal ofpleasure. I meant to have you up to sing with us before, but we havebeen under such a press of business of late! But the first evening Iam disengaged you must surely come. "

Christine had noticed how quietly and almost indifferently Dennis hadtaken the many compliments showered on him before, but now, when herfather spoke, his face flushed, and a sudden light came into his eyes. Dennis had thought, "I can then see and speak to her. " Every now andthen she caught his eager, questioning, and almost appealing glance, but he made no advances. "He thinks I am angry because of his keencriticism of my picture. For the sake of my own pride, I must not lethim think that I care so much about his opinion;" and Christine resolvedto let some of the ice thaw that had formed between them. Moreover, in spite of herself, when she was thrown into his society, he greatlyinterested her. He seemed to have just what she had not. He could meether on her own ground in matters of taste, and then, in contrast withher cold, negative life, he was so earnest and positive. "Perhaps papaspoke for us both, " she thought, "and I have been depriving myself ofa pleasure also, for he certainly interests while most men only wearyme. "

Between ten and eleven supper was announced; not the prodigal abundanceunder which the brewer's table had groaned, but a dainty, elegantlittle affair, which inspired and promoted social feeling, though the"spirit of wine" was absent. The eye was feasted as truly as the palate. Christine had stood near Dennis as the last piece was sung, and heturned and said in a low, eager tone, "May I have the pleasure ofwaiting on you at supper?"

She hesitated, but his look was so wistful that she could not wellrefuse, so with a slight smile she bowed assent, and placed the tipsof her little gloved hand on his arm, which so trembled that she lookedinquiringly and curiously into his face. It was very pale, as was everthe case when he felt deeply. He waited on her politely but silentlyat first. She sat in an angle, somewhat apart from the others. As hestood by her side, thinking how to refer to the morning in theshow-room, she said: "Mr. Fleet, you are not eating anything, and youlook as if you had been living on air of late--very unlike yourappearance when you so efficiently aided me in the rearrangement ofthe store. I am delighted that you keep up the better order of things. "Dennis's answer was quite irrelevant. 

"Miss Ludolph, " he said, abruptly, "I saw that I gave you pain thatmorning in the show-room. If you only knew how the thought has painedme!"

Christine flushed almost angrily, but said, coldly, "Mr. Fleet, thatis a matter you can never understand, therefore we had better dismissthe subject. "

But Dennis had determined to break the ice between them at any risk, so he said, firmly but respectfully: "Miss Ludolph, I did understandall, the moment I saw your face that day. I do understand how you havefelt since, better than you imagine. "

His manner and words were so assured that she raised a startled faceto his, but asked coldly and in an indifferent manner, "What can youknow of my feelings?"

"I know, " said Dennis, in a low tone, looking searchingly into herface, from which cool composure was fast fading--"I know your dearesthope was to be among the first in art. You staked that hope on yoursuccess in a painting that required a power which you do not possess. "Christine became very pale, but from her eyes shone a light beforewhich most men would have quailed. But Dennis's love was so true andstrong that he could wound her for the sake of the healing and lifehe hoped to bring, and he continued--"On that morning this cherishedhope for the future failed you, not because of my words, but becauseyour artist eye saw that my words were true. You have since beenunhappy--"

"What right have _you_--you who were but a few days since--who are astranger--what right have you to speak thus to me?"

"I know what you would say, Miss Ludolph, " he answered, a slight flushcoming into his pale face. "Friends may be humble and yet true. Butam I not right?"

"I have no claim on your friendship, " said Christine, coldly. "But, for the sake of argument, grant that you are right, what follows?" andshe looked at him more eagerly than she knew. She felt that he hadread her very soul and was deeply moved, and again the superstitiousfeeling crept over her, "That young man is in some way connected withmy destiny. "

Dennis saw his power and proceeded rapidly, for he knew they might beinterrupted at any moment; and so they would have been had anythingless interesting than eating occupied the attention of others. 

"I saw in the picture what in your eyes and mine would be a fataldefect--the lack of life and true feeling--the lack of power to live. I did not know who painted it, but felt that any one who could paintas well as that, and yet leave out the soul, as it were, had not thepower to put it in. No artist of such ability could willingly orignorantly have permitted such a defect. "

Christine's eyes sank, their fire faded out, and her face had thepallor of one listening to her doom. This deeper feeling mastered themomentary resentment against the hand that was wounding her, and sheforgot him, and all, in her pain and despair. 

In a low, earnest tone Dennis continued: "But since I have come toknow who the artist is, since I have studied the picture more fully, and have taken the liberty of some observation"--Christine hung onhis lips breathlessly, and Dennis spoke slowly, marking the effect ofevery word--"I have come to the decided belief that the lady who paintedthat picture can reach the sphere of true and highest art. "

The light that stole into Christine's face under his slow, emphaticwords was like a rosy dawn in June; and the thought flashed throughDennis's mind, "If an earthly hope can so light up her face, what willbe the effect of a heavenly one?"

For a moment she sat as one entranced, looking at a picture far offin the future. His words had been so earnest and assured that theyseemed reality. Suddenly she turned on him a look as grateful and happyas the former one had been full of pain and anger, and said: "Ah, donot deceive me, do not flatter. You cannot know the sweetness and powerof the hope you are inspiring. To be disappointed again would be death. If you are trifling with me I will never forgive you, " she added, insudden harshness, her brow darkening. 

"Nor should I deserve to be forgiven if I deceived you in a matterthat to you is so sacred. "

"But how--how am I to gain this magic power to make faces feel andlive on canvas?"

"You must believe. You yourself must feel. "

She looked at him with darkening face, and then in a sudden burst ofpassion said: "I don't believe; I can't feel. All this is mockery, after all. "

"No!" said Dennis, in the deep, assured tone that ever calms and securesattention. "This is not mockery. I speak the words of truth andsoberness. You do not believe, but that is not the same as cannot. Andpermit me to contradict you when I say you _do_ feel. On this subject sonear your heart you feel most deeply--feel as I never knew any one feelbefore. This proves you capable of feeling on other and higher subjects, and what you feel your trained and skilful hand can portray. You felt onthe evening of that miserable day, and sang as I never heard you singbefore. Your tones then would move any heart, and my tears fell with therain in sympathy: I could not help it. "

Her bosom rose and fell tumultuously, and her breath came hard andquick. 

"Oh, if I could believe you were right!"

"I know I am right, " he said, so decidedly that again hope grew rosyand beautiful in her face. 

"Then again, " he continued, eagerly, "see what an advantage you haveover the most of us. Your power of imitation is wonderful. _You can copyanything you see. _"

"Good-evening, Miss Ludolph. Where have you been hiding? I have twicemade the tour of the supper-room in my search, " broke in the volubleMr. Mellen. Then he gave Dennis a cool stare, who acted as ifunconscious of his presence. An expression of disgust flitted acrossChristine's face at the interruption, or the person--perhaps both--and she was about to shake him off that Dennis might speak further, when Miss Winthrop and others came up, and there was a general movementback to the parlors. 

"Why, Christine, what is the matter?" asked her friend. "You look asif you had a fever. What has Mr. Fleet been saying?"

"Oh, we have had an argument on my hobby, art, and of course don'tagree, and so got excited in debate. "

Miss Winthrop glanced keenly at them and said, "I would like to haveheard it, for it was Greek meeting Greek. "

"To what art or _trade_ did Mr. Fleet refer?" asked Mr. Mellen, with aninsinuation that all understood. 

"One that you do not understand, " said Christine, keenly. 

The petted and spoiled millionaire flushed angrily a moment, and thensaid with a bow: "You are right, Miss Ludolph. Mr. Fleet is acquaintedwith one or two arts that I have never had the pleasure of learning. "

"He has at least learned the art of being a gentleman, " was the sharpretort. 

The young man's face grew darker, and he said, "From the _sweeping_nature of your remarks, I perceive that Mr. Fleet is high in yourfavor. "

"A poor pun made in poorer taste, " was all the comfort he got fromChristine. 

Dennis was naturally of a very jealous disposition where his affectionswere concerned. His own love took such entire possession of him thathe could not brook the interference of others, or sensibly considerthat they had the same privilege to woo, and win if possible, that hehad. Especially distasteful to him was this rich and favored youth, whose presence awakened all his combativeness, which was by no meanssmall. 

Mr. Mellen's most inopportune interruption and covert taunts provokedhim beyond endurance. His face was fairly white with rage, and for amoment he felt that he could stamp his rival out of existence. In thelow, concentrated voice of passion he said, "If Mr. Mellen should losehis property, as many do, I gather from his remarks that he would stillkeep up his idea of a gentleman on charity. "

Mr. Mellen flushed to the roots of his hair, his hands clenched. Inthe flashing eyes and threatening faces of the young men thosewitnessing the scene foresaw trouble. A light hand fell on Dennis'sarm, and Miss Winthrop said, "Mr. Fleet, I wish to show you a picture, and ask your judgment in regard to it. "

Dennis understood the act, and in a moment more his face was crimsonwith shame. 

"Miss Winthrop, you ought to send me home at once. I told you I wasunfit for society. Somehow I am not myself. I humbly ask your pardon. "

"So sincere a penitent shall receive absolution at once. You weregreatly provoked. I trust you for the future. "

"You may, " was the emphatic answer. After that pledge Mr. Mellen mighthave struck him and received no more response than from a marble statue. 

Mr. Mellen also took a sober second thought, remembering that he wasin a lady's parlor. He walked away with his ears tingling, for theflattered youth had never had such an experience before. The few whowitnessed the scene smiled significantly, as did Christine halfcontemptuously; but Miss Winthrop soon restored serenity, andthe remaining hours passed away in music and dancing. Christine did notspeak to Dennis again--that is, by word of mouth--but she thought ofhim constantly, and their eyes often met;--on his part that same eager, questioning look. She ever turned hers at once away. But his wordskept repeating themselves continually, especially his last sentence, when the unlucky Mr. Mellen had broken in upon them--"You can copyanything you see. "

"How noble and expressive of varied feeling his face is!" she thought, watching it change under the playful badinage of Miss Winthrop. 

"How I would like to copy it! Well, you can--'You can copy anythingyou see. '" Then like a flash came a suggestion--"You can make himlove you, and copy feeling, passion, life--from the _living_ face. Whether I can believe or feel, myself, is very doubtful. This I cando: he himself said so. I cannot love, myself--I must not; I do notwish to now, but perhaps I can inspire love in him, and then make hisface a study. As to my believing, he can never know how utterlyimpossible his faith is to me. "

Then conscience entered a mild protest against the cruelty of theproject. "Nonsense!" she said to herself; "most girls flirt for sport, and it is a pity if I cannot with such a purpose in view. He will soonget over a little puncture in his heart after I have sailed away tomy bright future beyond the sea, and perhaps Susie will comfort him;"and she smiled at the thought. Dennis saw the smile and was entrancedby its loveliness. How little he guessed the cause!

Having resolved, Christine acted promptly. When their eyes again met, she gave him a slight smile. He caught it instantly and lookedbewildered, as if he could not believe his eyes. Again, when a littlelater, at the urgent request of many, he sang alone for the first time, and again moved his hearers deeply by the real feeling in his tones, he turned from the applause of all, with that same questioning look, to her. She smiled an encouragement that she had never given him before. The warm blood flooded his face instantly. All thought that it was thegeneral chorus of praise. Christine knew that she had caused it, andsurprise and almost exultation came into her face. "I half believe heloves me now, " she said. She threw him a few more kindly smiles fromtime to time, as one might throw some glittering things to an eagerchild, and every moment assured her of her power. 

"I will try one more test, " she said, and by a little effort she luredto her side the offended Mr. Mellen, and appeared much pleased by hisattention. Then unmistakably the pain of jealousy was stamped onDennis's face, and she was satisfied. Shaking off the perplexed Mr. Mellen again, she went to the recess of a window to hide her look ofexultation. 

"The poor victim loves me already, " she said. "The mischief is done. I have only to avail myself of what exists from no fault of mine, andsurely I ought to; otherwise the passion of the infatuated youth willbe utterly wasted, and do no one any good. "

Thus in a somewhat novel way Christine obtained a new master inpainting, and poor Dennis and his love were put to use somewhat as ahuman subject might be if dissected alive. 

CHAPTER XXX

THE TWO HEIGHTS

Dennis went home in a strange tumult of hopes and fears, but hopepredominated, for evidently she cared little for Mr. Mellen. "The iceis broken at last, " he said. It was, but he was like to fall throughinto a very cold bath, though he knew it not. He was far too excitedto sleep, and sat by his open window till the warm June night grewpale with the light of coming day. 

Suddenly a bright thought struck him; a moment more and it became anearnest purpose. "I think I can paint something that may express toher what I dare not put in words. "

He immediately went up into the loft and prepared a large frame, soproportioned that two pictures could be painted side by side, oneexplanatory and an advance upon the other. He stretched his canvasover this, and sketched and outlined rapidly under the inspiration ofhis happy thought. 

Christine came with her father to the store, as had been her formercustom, and her face had its old expression. The listless, disappointedlook was gone. She passed on, not appearing to see him while with herfather, and Dennis's heart sank again. "She surely knew where to lookfor me if she cared to look, " he said to himself. Soon after he wentto the upper show-room to see to the hanging of a new picture. 

"I am so glad your taste, instead of old Schwartz's mathematics, hascharge of this department now, " said a honeyed voice at his side. Hewas startled greatly. 

"What is the matter? Are you nervous, Mr. Fleet? I had no idea thata lady could so frighten you. "

He was blushing like a girl, but said, "I have read that somethingwithin, rather than anything without, makes us cowards. "

"Ah, then you confess to a guilty conscience?" she replied, with atwinkle in her eye. 

"I do not think I shall confess at all till I have a mercifulconfessor, " said Dennis, conscious of a deeper meaning than his lightwords might convey. 

"'The quality of mercy is not strained, ' therefore it is unfit for myuse. I'll none of it, but for each offence impose unlimited penance. "

"But suppose one must sin?"

"He must take the consequences then. Even your humane religion teachesthat;" and with this parting arrow she vanished, leaving him too excitedto hang his picture straight. 

It all seemed a bewildering dream. Being so thoroughly taken by surpriseand off his guard, he had said far more than he meant. But had sheunderstood him? Yes, better than he had himself, and laughed at hisanswers with their covert meanings. 

She spent the next two days in sketching and outlining his variousexpressions as far as possible from memory. She would learn to catchthose evanescent lines--that something which makes the human faceeloquent, though the lips are silent. 

Dennis was in a maze, but he repeated to himself jubilantly again, "The ice is broken. " That evening at Mr. Bruder's he asked for studiesin ice. 

"Vy, dat is out of season, " said Mr. Bruder, with a laugh. 

"No, now is just the time. It is a nice cool subject for this hotweather. Please oblige me; for certain reasons I wish to be able topaint ice perfectly. "

Arctic scenery was Mr. Bruder's forte, on which he specially pridedhimself. He was too much of a gentleman to ask questions, and wasdelighted to find the old zest returning in his pupil. They were soonconstructing bergs, caves, and grottoes of cold blue ice. Evening afterevening, while sufficient light lasted, they worked at this study. Dennis's whole soul seemed bent on the formation of ice. After a monthof labor Mr. Bruder said, "I hope you vill get over dis by fall, orve all freeze to death. "

"One of these days I shall explain, " said Dennis, smiling. 

The evening of the second day after the little rencounter in theshow-room, Mr. Ludolph sat enjoying his cigar, and Christine was atthe piano playing a difficult piece of music. 

"Come, father, " she said, "here is a fine thing just from Germany. There is a splendid tenor solo in it, and I want you to sing it forme. "

"Pshaw!" said her father, "why did I not think of it before?" and herang the bell. "Here, Brandt, go down to the store, and if Mr. Fleetis there ask him if he will come up to my rooms for a little while. "

Brandt met Dennis just starting for his painting lesson, but led hima willing captive, to give Christine instruction unconsciously. 

She, whose strategy had brought it all about, smiled at her success. It was not her father's tenor she wanted, but Dennis's face; and herfather should unknowingly work her will. The girl had learned so muchfrom the wily man of the world that she was becoming his master. 

Dennis came and entered with a thrill of delight what was to himenchanted ground. Mr. Ludolph was affable, Christine kind, but shelooked more than she said. 

Dennis sang the solo, after one or two efforts, correctly. Then Mr. Ludolph brought out a piece of music that he wished to try; Christinefound others; and before they knew it the evening had passed. Quitea knot of delighted listeners gathered in the street opposite. ThisChristine pointed out to her father with evident annoyance. 

"Well, my dear, " he said, "hotel life in a crowded city renders escapefrom such things impossible. "

But a purpose was growing in her mind of which she spoke soon after. Throughout the evening she had studied Dennis's face as much as shecould without attracting notice, and the thought grew upon her thatat last she had found a path to the success she so craved. 

"You seem to have gone to work with your old interest, " said her father, as he came out of his room the next morning and found Christine at hereasel. 

"I shall try it again, " she said, briefly. 

"That is right, " said he. "The idea of being daunted by one partialfailure! I predict for you such success as will satisfy even yourfastidious taste. "

"We shall see, " she said. "I hope, too. " But she would not have herfather know on what grounds. He might regard the experiment as adangerous one for herself as well as for Dennis, and she decided tokeep her plan entirely secret. 

She now came to the store daily, and rarely went away without givingDennis a smile or word of recognition. But he noticed that she everdid this in a casual manner, and in a way that would not attractattention. He also took the hint, and never was obtrusive ordemonstrative, but it was harder work for his frank nature. Whenunobserved, his glances grew more ardent day by day. So far fromchecking these, she encouraged them, but, when in any way he soughtto put his feelings into words, she changed the subject instantly anddecidedly. This puzzled him, for he did not understand that looks couldbe painted, but not words. The latter were of no use to her. But sheled him on skilfully, and, from the unbounded power his love gave her, played upon his feelings as adroitly as she touched her grand piano. 

Soon after the company at Miss Winthrop's, she said to him, "Youreceived several invitations the other evening, did you not?"

"Yes. "

"Accept them. Go into society. It will do you good. "Thus he soon found himself involved in a round of sociables, musicales, and now and then a large party. Christine was usually present, radiant, brilliant, the cynosure of all eyes, but ever coolly self-possessed. At first she would greet him with distant politeness, or pretend notto see him at all, but before the evening was over would manage togive him a half-hour in which she would be kind and even gentle attimes, but very observant. Then for the rest of the evening he wouldfind no chance to approach. It appeared that she was deeply interestedin him, enjoyed his society, and was even becoming attached to him, but that for some reason she determined that no one should notice this, and that matters should only go so far. Poor Dennis could not knowthat he was only her unconscious instructor in painting, paid solelyin the coin of false smiles and delusive hopes. At times, though, shewould torture him dreadfully. Selecting one of her many admirers, shewould seem to smile upon his suit, and poor Dennis would writhe in allthe agonies of jealousy, for he was very human, and had all the normalfeeling of a strong man. She would then watch his face grow pale andhis manner restless, as quietly and critically as an entomologistregards the struggles of an insect beneath his microscope. Again, shewould come to him all grace and sweetness, and his fine face wouldlight up with hope and pleasure. She would say honeyed nothings, butstudy him just as coolly in another aspect. 

Thus she kept him hot and cold by turns--now lifting him to the pinnacleof hope, again casting him down into the valley of fear and doubt. What she wanted of him was just what she had not--feeling, intense, varied feeling, so that, while she remained ice, she could paint asif she felt; and with a gifted woman's tact, and with the power of oneloved almost to idolatry, she caused every chord of his soul, now inhappy harmony, now in painful discord, to vibrate under her skilfultouch. But such a life was very wearing, and he was failing under it. Moreover, he was robbing himself of sleep in the early morning, thathe might work on his picture in the loft of the store, for which heasked of poor Mr. Bruder nothing but ice. 

Mrs. Bruder worried over him continually. 

"You vork too hart. Vat shall we do for you? Oh, my fren, if you loveus do not vork so hart, " she would often say. But Dennis would onlysmile and turn to her husband in his insatiable demand for paintedice. At last Mr. Bruder said, "Mr. Fleet, you can paint ice, as faras I see, as veil as myself. "

Then Dennis turned around short and said, "Now I want warm rosy lightand foliage; give me studies in these. "

"By de hammer of Thor, but you go to extremes. "

"You shall know all some day, " said Dennis, entering on his new taskswith increasing eagerness. 

But day by day he grew thinner and paler. Even Christine's heartsometimes relented; for, absorbed as she was in her own work andinterests, she could not help noticing how sadly he differed from thevigorous youth who had lifted the heavy pictures for her but a fewshort weeks ago. But she quieted herself by the thought that he wasa better artistic subject, and that he would mend again when the coolweather came. 

"Where shall we go for the two hot months?" asked her father the morningafter the Fourth. 

"I have a plan to propose, " replied Christine. "Suppose we go tohousekeeping. "

"What!" said her father, dropping his knife and fork, and looking ather in astonishment. "Go to all the expense of furnishing a house, when we do not expect to stay here much more than a year? We shouldhardly be settled before we left it. "

"Listen to me patiently till I finish, and then I will abide by yourdecision. But I think you will give me credit for having a slight turnfor business as well as art. You remember Mr. Jones's beautiful houseon the north side, do you not? It stands on ---- Street, well back, surrounded by a lawn and flowers. There is only one other house on theblock. Well, Mr. Jones is embarrassed, and his house is for sale. Frominquiry I am satisfied that a cash offer would obtain the propertycheaply. The furniture is good, and much of it elegant. What we do notwant--what will not accord with a tasteful refurnishing--can be sentto an auction-room. At comparatively slight expense, if you can spareMr. Fleet to help me during the time when business is dull, I can makethe house such a gem of artistic elegance that it will be notedthroughout the city, and next fall some rich snob, seeking to vaultsuddenly into social position, will give just what you are pleased toask. In the meantime we have a retired and delightful home. 

"Moreover, father, " she continued, touching him on his weak side, "itwill be a good preparation for the more difficult and important workof the same kind awaiting me in my own land. "

"Humph!" said Mr. Ludolph, meditatively, "there is more method in yourmadness than I imagined. I will think of it, for it is too importanta step to be taken hastily. "

Mr. Ludolph did think of it, and, after attending to pressing mattersin the store, went over to see the property. A few days afterward hecame up to dinner and threw the deed for it into his daughter's lap. She glanced it over, and her eyes grew luminous with delight andtriumph. 

"See how comfortable and happy I will make you in return for thiskindness, " she said. 

"Oh, come, " replied her father, laughing, "that is not the point. Thisis a speculation, and your business reputation is at stake. "

"I will abide the test, " she answered, with a significant nod. 

Christine desired the change for several reasons. There was a room inthe house that would just suit her as a studio. She detested thepublicity of a hotel. The furnishing of an elegant house was a formof activity most pleasing to her energetic nature, and she felt a verystrong wish to try her skill in varied effect before her grand effortin the Ludolph Hall of the future. 

But in addition to these motives was another, of which she did notspeak to her father. In the privacy of her own home she could pursuethat peculiar phase of art study in which she was absorbed. Her lifehad now become a most exciting one. She ever seemed on the point ofobtaining the power to portray the eloquence of passion, feeling, butthere was a subtile something that still eluded her. She saw it daily, and yet could not reproduce it. She seemed to get the features right, and yet they were dead, or else the emotion was so exaggerated as tosuggest weak sentimentality, and this of all things disgusted her. Every day she studied the expressive face of Dennis Fleet, themysterious power seemed nearer her grasp. Her effort was now gainingall the excitement of a chase. She saw before her just what she wanted, and it seemed that she had only to grasp her pencil or brush, and placethe fleeting expressions where they might always appeal to the sympathyof the beholder. Nearly all her studies now were the human face andform, mainly those of ladies, to disarm suspicion. Of course she tookno distinct likeness of Dennis. She sought only to paint what his faceexpressed. At times she seemed about to succeed, and excitement broughtcolor to her cheek and fire to her eye that made her dazzlinglybeautiful to poor Dennis. Then she would smile upon him in such abewitching, encouraging way that it was little wonder his face lightedup with all the glory of hope. 

If once more she could have him about her as when rearranging thestore, and, without the restraint of curious eyes, could play upon hisheart, then pass at once to her easel with the vivid impression ofwhat she saw, she might catch the coveted power, and become able toportray, as if she felt, that which is the inspiration of all thehighest forms of art--feeling. 

That evening, Dennis, at Mr. Ludolph's request, came to the hotel totry some new music. During the evening Mr. Ludolph was called out fora little time. Availing himself of the opportunity, Dennis said, "Youseem to be working with all your old zest and hope. "

"Yes, " she said, "with greater hope than ever before. "

"Won't you show me something that you are doing?"

"No, not yet. I am determined that when you see work of mine again thefatal defect which you pointed out shall be absent. "

His eyes and face became eloquent with the hope she inspired. Was herheart, awakening from its long winter of doubt and indifference, teaching her to paint? Had she recognized the truth of his assurancethat she must feel, and then she could portray feeling? and had sheread in his face and manner that which had created a kindred impulsein her heart? He was about to speak, the ice of his reserve and prudencefast melting under what seemed good evidence that her smiles andkindness might be interpreted in accordance with his longings. She sawand anticipated. 

"With all your cleverness, Mr. Fleet, I may prove you at fault, andbecome able to portray what I do not feel or believe. "

"You mean to say that you work from your old standpoint merely?" askedDennis, feeling as if a sunny sky had suddenly darkened. 

"I do not say that at all, but that I do not work from yours. "

"And yet you hope to succeed?" "I think I am succeeding. "

Perplexity and disappointment were plainly written on his face. She, with a merry and half-malicious laugh, turned to the piano, and sung:

 From Mount Olympus' snowy height The gods look down on human life: Beneath contending armies fight; All undisturbed they watch the strife. 

Dennis looked at her earnestly, and after a moment said, "Will youplease play that accompaniment again?"

She complied, and he sang:

 Your Mount Olympus' icy peak Is barren waste, by cold winds swept: Another height I gladly see, Where God o'er human sorrow wept. 

She turned a startled and almost wistful face to him, for he had givena very unexpected answer to her cold, selfish philosophy, which wasso apt and sudden as to seem almost inspired. 

"Do you refer to Christ's weeping over Jerusalem?" she asked. 

"Yes. "

She sat for a little time silent and thoughtful, and Dennis watchedher keenly. Suddenly her brow darkened, and she said, bitterly:"Delusion! If He had been a God He would not have idly wept over sorrow. He would have banished it. "

Dennis was about to reply eagerly, when Mr. Ludolph entered, and musicwas resumed. But it was evident that Dennis's lines had disturbed thefair sceptic's equanimity. 

CHAPTER XXXI

BEGUILED

Dennis returned to his room greatly perplexed. There was something inChristine's actions which he could not understand. From the time oftheir first conversation at Miss Winthrop's, she had evidently feltand acted differently. If her heart remained cold and untouched, ifas yet neither faith nor love had any existence therein, what was theinspiring motive? Why should deep discouragement change suddenly toassured hope?

Then again her manner was equally inexplicable. From that same eveningshe gave him more encouragement than he had even hoped to receive formonths, but yet he made no progress. She seemed to enjoy meeting him, and constantly found opportunity to do so. Her eyes were continuallyseeking his face, but there was something in her manner in this respectthat puzzled him more than anything else. She often seemed looking athis face, rather than at _him_. At first Christine had been furtiveand careful in her observations, but as the habit grew upon her, andher interest increased, she would sometimes gaze so steadily that poorDennis was deeply embarrassed. Becoming conscious of this, she wouldherself color slightly, and be more careful for a time. 

In her eagerness for success, Christine did not realize how dangerousan experiment she was trying. She could not look upon such a face asDennis Fleet's, eloquent with that which should never fail to toucha woman's heart with sympathy, and then forget it when she chose. Moreover, though she knew it not, in addition to her interest in himas an art study, his strong, positive nature affected her cool, negativeone most pleasantly. His earnest manifested feeling fell like sunlighton a heart benumbed with cold. 

Thus, under the stimulus of his presence, she found that she couldpaint or sketch to much better purpose than when alone. This knowledgemade her rejoice in secret over the opportunity she could now have, as Dennis again assisted her in hanging pictures, and affixing to thewalls ornaments of various kinds. 

Coming to him one morning in the store, she said, "I am going to aska favor of you again. "

Dennis looked as if she were conferring the greatest of favors. Hisface always lighted up when she spoke to him. 

"It is very kind of you to ask so pleasantly for what you can command, "he said. 

"To something of the same effect you answered before, and the resultwas the disagreeable experience at Miss Brown's. "

Dennis's brow contracted a little, but he said, heroically, "I willgo to Miss Brown's again if you wish it. "

"How self-sacrificing you are!" she replied, with a half-mischievoussmile. 

"Not as much so as you imagine, " he answered, flushing slightly. 

"Well, set your mind at rest on that score. Though not very merciful, as you know, I would put no poor soul through that ordeal again. Inthis case you will only have to encounter one of the tormentors youmet on that occasion, and I will try to vouch for her better behavior. "Then she added, seriously: "I hope you will not think the task beneathyou. You do not seem to have much of the foolish pride that stands inthe way of so many Americans, and then"--looking at him with a pleadingface--"I have so set my heart upon it, and it would be such adisappointment if you were unwilling!"

"You need waste no more ammunition on one ready to surrender atdiscretion, " he said. 

"Very well; then I shall treat you with all the rigors of a prisonerof war. I shall carry you away captive to my new castle on the northside and put you at your old menial task of hanging pictures anddecorating in various ways. As eastern sovereigns built their palacesand adorned their cities by the labors of those whom the fortunes ofwar threw into their hands, so your skill and taste shall be usefulto me; and I, your head task-mistress, " she added, with her insinuatingsmile, "will be ever present to see that there is no idling, nothingbut monotonous toil. Had you not better have stood longer in thedefensive?"

Dennis held out his hands in mock humility and said: "I am ready formy chains. You shall see with what fortitude I endure my captivity. "

"It is well that you should show it somewhere, for you have not doneso in your resistance. But I parole you on your honor, to report atsuch times as I shall indicate and papa can spare you;" and with asmile and a lingering look that seemed, as before, directed to hisface rather than himself, she passed out. 

That peculiar look often puzzled him, and at times he would go to aglass and see if there was anything wrong or unusual in his appearance. But now his hopes rose higher than ever. She had been very gracious, certainly, and invited intimate companionship. Dennis felt that shemust have read his feelings in his face and manner, and, to hisingenuous nature, any encouragement seemed to promise all he hoped. 

For a week after this he scarcely saw her, for she was very busy makingpreliminary arrangements for the occupation of her new home. But oneafternoon she suddenly appeared, and said, with affected severity, "Report to-mor-row at nine A. M. "

Dennis bowed humbly. She gave him a pleasant smile over her shoulder, and passed away as quickly as she had come. It seemed like a visionto him, and only a trace of her favorite perfume (which indeed everseemed more an atmosphere than a perfume) remained as evidence thatshe had been there. 

At five minutes before the time on the following day he appeared atthe new Ludolph mansion. From an open window Christine beckoned himto enter, and welcomed him with characteristic words--"In view of yourfoolish surrender to my power, remember that you have no rights thatI am bound to respect. "

"I throw myself on your mercy. "

"I have already told you that I do not possess that trait; so preparefor the worst. "

She was dressed in some light summer fabric, and her rounded arms andneck were partially bare. She looked so white and cool, soself-possessed, and, with all her smiles, so devoid of warm humanfeeling, that Dennis felt a sudden chill at heart. The ancient fableof the sirens occurred to him. Might she not be luring him on to hisown destruction? At times he almost hoped that she loved him; again, something in her manner caused him to doubt everything. But there werenot, as in the case of Ulysses and his crew, friendly hands to bindand restrain, or to put wax in his ears, and soon the music of hervoice, the strong enchantment of the love she had inspired, banishedall thought of prudence. His passion was now becoming a species ofintoxication, a continued and feverish excitement, and its influencewas unhappy on mind and body. There was no rest, peace, or assurancein it, and the uncertainty, the tantalizing inability to obtain adefinite satisfying word, and yet the apparent nearness of the prize, wore upon him. Sometimes, when late at night he sat brooding over hislast interview, weighing with the nice scale of a lover's anxiety herevery look and even accent, his own haggard face would startle him. 

Then again her influence was not morally good, and his interest declinedin everything save what was connected with her. 

Conscience at times told him that he was more bent on gaining her lovefor himself than in winning it for God. He satisfied himself by tryingto reason that when he had won her affection his power for good wouldbe greater, and thus, while he ever sought to look and suggest his ownlove in nameless little ways, he made less and less effort to remindher of a better love than even his. Moreover, she never encouraged anyapproach to sacred themes, sometimes repelling it decidedly, and so, though he would scarcely acknowledge it, the traitorous fear sprungup, that in speaking of God's love he might mar his chances of speakingof his own. 

In the retirement of his own room, his reveries grew longer, and hisprayers shorter and less inspired by faith and earnestness. At themission school, Susie Winthrop noticed with regret that the lesson wasoften given in a listless, preoccupied manner; and even the littleboys themselves missed something in the teacher once so interestingand animated. From witnessing his manner when with Christine, MissWinthrop had more than suspected his secret for some time, and shefelt at first a genuine sympathy for him, believing his love to behopeless. From the first she had found Dennis very fascinating, butwhen she read his secret in his ardent glances toward Christine, shebecame conscious that her interest was rather greater than passingacquaintance warranted, and, like the good, sensible girl that shewas, fought to the death the incipient fancy. At first she felt thathe ought to know that Christine was pledged to a future that wouldrender his love vain. But her own feelings made her so exceedinglysensitive that it was impossible to attempt so difficult and delicatea task. Then, as Christine seemed to smile upon him, she said toherself: "After all, what is their plan, but a plan, and to me a verychimerical one? Perhaps Mr. Fleet can give Christine a far betterchance of happiness than her father's ambition. And, after all, theseare matters in which no third person can interfere. " So, while remainingas cordial as ever, she prudently managed to see very little of Dennis. 

As we have seen, under Christine's merry and half-bantering words (astyle of conversation often assumed with him), even the thought ofcaution vanished. She led him over the moderately large and partiallyfurnished house. There were women cleaning, and mechanics at work onsome of the rooms. As they passed along she explained the nature ofthe decorations she wished. They consisted largely of rich carvingsin wood, and unique frames. 

"I wish you to help me design these, and see that they are properlyput up, and to superintend the fresco-painters and mechanics in general. Indeed, I think you are more truly my prime-minister than my captive. "

"Not less your captive, " said Dennis, with a flush. 

She gave him a bewildering smile, and then studied its effect uponhim. He was in Elysium, and his eyes glowed with delight at her presenceand the prospect before him. At last she led him into two largeapartments on the second floor that opened into each other, and said, "These are my rooms; that yonder is my studio, " as was evident fromthe large easel with canvas prepared upon it. 

They at once had to Dennis all the sacredness of a shrine. 

"I intend to make these rooms like two beautiful pictures, " saidChristine, "and here shall be the chief display of your taste. "

Dennis could scarcely believe his ears, or realize that the cold, beautiful girl who a few short months ago did not notice him nowvoluntarily gave him such opportunities to urge his suit. The successthat a man most covets seemed assured, and his soul was intoxicatedwith delight. He said, "You intimated that my tasks might be menial, but I feel as I imagine a Greek artist must have done, when asked todecorate the temple of a goddess. "

"I think I told you once before that your imagination overshadowedyour other faculties. "

Her words recalled the painted girl whom she by a strange coincidenceso strongly resembled. To his astonishment he saw the same strikinglikeness again. Christine was looking at him with the laughing, scornfulexpression that the German lady bent upon the awkward lover who kneeledat her feet. His face darkened in an instant. 

"Have I offended you?" she asked, gently; "I remember now you did notadmire that picture. "

"I liked everything about it save the expression of the girl's face. I think you will also remember that I said that such a face should beput to nobler uses. "

Christine flushed slightly, and for a moment was positively afraid ofhim. She saw that she must be more careful, for she was dealing withone of quick eye and mind. At the same time her conscience reproachedher again. The more she saw of him the more she realized how sincereand earnest he was; how different from ordinary society-men, to whoman unsuccessful suit to a fair lady is a mere annoyance. But she wasnot one to give up a purpose readily for the sake of conscience oranything else, and certainly not now, when seemingly on the point ofsuccess. So she said, with a slight laugh, "Do not compare me to anyof those old pagan myths again;" and having thus given a slight reason, or excuse, for her unfortunate expression, she proceeded to beguilehim more thoroughly than ever by the subtile witchery of smiles, glances, and words, that might mean everything or nothing. 

"You seem to have a study on your easel there, " said Dennis, as theystood together in the studio. "May I see it?"

"No, " said she; "you are to see nothing till you see a triumph in theportrayal of feeling and lifelike earnestness that even your criticaleye cannot condemn. "

She justly feared that, should he see her work, he might discover herplan; for, however she might disguise it, something suggesting himselfentered into all her studies. 

"I hope you will succeed, but doubt it. "

"Why?" she asked, quickly. 

"Because we cannot portray what we cannot feel. The stream cannot risehigher than its fountain. " Then he added, with heightened color andsome hesitation, "I fear--your heart is still sleeping"; and he watchedwith deep anxiety how she would take the questioning remark. 

At first she flushed almost angrily; but, recovering self-possessionin a moment, she threw upon him an arch smile, suggesting all that alover could wish, and said: "Be careful, Mr. Fleet; you are seekingto penetrate mysteries that we most jealously guard. You know that inthe ancient temple there was an inner sanctuary which none might enter. "

"Yes, _one_ might, " said Dennis, significantly. 

With her long lashes she veiled the dark blue eyes that expressedanything but tender feeling, and yet, so shaded, they appeared as alover would wish, and in a low tone she answered, "Well, he could notenter when he would, only when permitted. "

She raised her eyes quickly to see the effect; and she did see aneffect that she would have given thousands to be able to transfer tocanvas. 

His face, above all she had ever seen, seemed designed to expressfeeling, passion; and his wearing life had made it so thin, and hiseyes were so large and lustrous, that the spiritual greatlypredominated, and she felt as if she could almost see the throbs ofthe strong, passionate heart. 

Apart from her artistic purposes, contact with such warm, intense lifehad for Christine a growing fascination. She had not realized that inkindling and fanning this flame of honest love to sevenfold power andheat, she might be kindled herself. When, therefore, she saw the faceof Dennis Fleet eloquent with the deepest, strongest feeling that humanfeatures can portray, another chord than the artistic one was touched, and there was a low, faint thrill of that music which often becomesthe sweetest harmony of life. 

"And at some time in the future may I hope to enter?" he asked, tremulously. 

She threw him another smile over her shoulder as she turned to hereasel--a smile that from a true woman would mean, You may, but whichfrom many would mean nothing, and said, vaguely, "What is life withouthope?" and then, as matters were going too fast and far, decisivelychanged the subject. 

Seated at her easel she painted eagerly and rapidly, while he measuredthe space over and around the fireplace with a view to itsornamentation. She kept the conversation on the general subject ofart, and, though Dennis knew it not, every glance at his face was thatof a portrait-painter. 

CHAPTER XXXII

BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT

Dennis went back to the store in a maze of hopes and fears, but hopepredominated. Christine could not be indifferent and treat him as shedid, if she had a particle of sincerity, and with a lover's faith hewould not believe her false, though he knew her to be so faulty. 

"At any rate, " he said to himself, "in this new arrangement I have allthe opportunity a man could ask, and if I cannot develop her plainlymanifested interest into something more decisive by such companionship, I may as well despair;" and he determined to avail himself of everyadvantage within his reach in making the most of what he deemed a rarestroke of fortune. His greatly increased salary enabled him to dresswith that taste and even elegance so pleasing to a lady's eye, and hehad withal acquired that ease and grace of manner which familiaritywith the best society bestows. 

It is also well to tell the reader that after some hesitation Dennishad confided his feelings to his mother, and received from her thewarmest sympathy. To Ethel Fleet's unworldly nature, that he shouldfall in love with and marry his employer's daughter seemed eminentlyfitting, with just a spice of beautiful romance. And it was her son'shappiness and Christine's beauty that she thought of, not Mr. Ludolph'smoney. In truth, such was her admiration for her son, she felt thatwith all her wealth the young lady would receive a greater honor thanshe conferred. Though Dennis wrote with the partiality of a lover, hecould not so portray Christine's character but that his mother feltthe deepest anxiety, and often sighed in sad foreboding of serioustrouble in the future. 

From Mrs. Fleet's knowledge of her son's passion, Christine, thoughshe knew it not, received another advantage of incalculable value. Dennis had painted an excellent little cabinet likeness of her, andsent it to his mother. In the quiet of the night she would sit downbefore that picture, and by her strong imagination summon her idealof Christine, and then lead her directly to Christ, as parents broughttheir children of old. Could such prayers and faith be in vain? Faithis often sorely tried in this world, but never tried in vain. 

Day after day Dennis went to Mr. Ludolph's new home during the morninghours, and Christine's spell worked with bewildering and increasingpower. While she tortured him with many doubts and fears, his hopegrew to be almost a certainty that he had at last made a place forhimself in her heart. Sometimes the whole story of his love trembledon his lips, but she never permitted its utterance. That she determinedshould be reserved for the climax. He usually met her alone, but noticedthat in the presence of others she was cool and undemonstrative. Mr. Ludolph rarely saw them together, and, when he did, there was nothingin his daughter's manner to awaken suspicion. This perfectly actedindifference in the presence of others, and equally well acted regardwhen alone, often puzzled Dennis sorely. But at last he concluded:"She is wiser than I. She knows that I am in no condition now to makeproposals for her hand; therefore it is better that there should beno recognized understanding between us;" and he resolved to be asprudent as she. Then again she would so awaken his jealousy and fearsthat he would feel that he must know his fate--that anything was betterthan such torturing uncertainty. 

As for Christine, two processes were going on in her mind--one thatshe recognized, and one that she did not. 

Her artistic aims were clear and definite. In the first place she meantperfectly to master the human face as it expressed emotions, especiallysuch as were of a tender nature; and in the second place she intendedto paint a picture that in itself would make her famous. She chose amost difficult and delicate subject--of the character she had everfailed in--a declaration of love. 

When Dennis began to work again in her presence, the picture was welladvanced. 

In a grand old hall, whose sides were decorated with armor and weapons, a young man stood pleading his cause with a lady whose hand he held. The young girl's face was so averted that only a beautiful profile wasvisible, but her form and attitude were grace itself. The lovers stoodin an angle of the hall near an open window, through which was seena fine landscape, a picture within a picture. But Christine meant toconcentrate all her power and skill on the young knight's face. Thisshould be eloquent with all the feeling and passion that the humanface could express, and she would insure its truthfulness to lifeby copying life itself--the reality. Dennis Fleet was the human victimthat she was offering on the altar of her ambition. 

Much of the picture was merely in outline, but she finished the formand features of the suppliant in all save the expression, and this shemeant to paint from his face whenever she was in the right mood andcould bring matters to a crisis. 

After he had been coming to the house two or three times a week fornearly a month she felt that she was ready for the final scene, andyet she dreaded it, she had staked so much hope upon it. It alsoprovoked her to find that she was really afraid of him. His was sucha strong, sincere nature, that she felt increasingly the wrong oftrifling with it. In vain she tried to quiet herself by saying, "I donot care a straw for him, and he will soon get over his infatuationon discovering the truth. "

But she had a lesson to learn as well as he, for as we have intimated, unrecognized as yet, there was a process going on in her mind that intime would make strange havoc in her cold philosophy. Her heart's longwinter was slowly breaking up; her girlish passion, intense as it wasfoolish, proved that she had a heart. Everything had been against her. Everything in her experience and education, and especially in herfather's strong character and prejudices, had combined to deaden andto chill her; and had these influences continued, she would undoubtedlyhave become as cold and hard as some whom we find in advanced lifewith natures like the poles, where the ice gathers year after year, but never melts. 

But in Dennis Fleet she met a nature as positive as she was becomingnegative. He was so warm and earnest that when she commenced to fanhis love into a stronger flame for purely artistic purposes, as shevowed to herself, some sparks of the sacred fire fell on the cold altarof her own heart and slowly began to kindle. 

But this awakening would not now be that of a child, but of a _woman_. Therefore, Mr. Ludolph, beware!

But she had yet much to learn in the hard, strange school of experiencebefore she would truly know herself or her own needs. 

Success in art, however, was still her ruling passion. And thoughstrange misgivings annoyed and perplexed her, though her respect forDennis daily increased, and at times a sudden pity and softness madeher little hands hesitate before giving an additional wrench to therack of uncertainty upon which she kept him; still, she would not forthe world have abandoned her purpose, and such compunctions were asyet but the little back eddies of the strong current. 

One day, in the latter part of August, Christine felt herself in themood to give the finishing touch to the principal figure in her picture. The day was somewhat hazy, the light subdued and favorable for artisticwork. Though she had prolonged Dennis's labors, to his secret delightand great encouragement, she could not keep him employed much longer. 

She sent for him to come over in the afternoon. "Some brackets, carvings, and pictures had come for her studio, and she wished him toput them up, " she said, coolly, as he entered. 

He had come glowing with hope and almost assurance, for, the last timethey had parted, she had dismissed him with unusual kindness. But herewas one of those capricious changes again that he could not understand. 

She took her seat at her easel, saying, with a nod and a smile, "I candirect you here, for I am in a mood for work this afternoon. "

He bowed quietly and went on with his task. Her rather cool receptionoppressed him, and the tormenting question presented itself, for thehundredth time, "Can she in any degree feel as I do?" He longed tosettle the matter by plain, straightforward action. 

Her maid knocked at the door, saying, "The mail, mademoiselle. "

A dainty note was handed her, which seemed decidedly pleasing, andDennis noticed as she read it that she wore on her finger a solitairediamond that he had not seen before. His latent jealousy was aroused. She saw that her spell was working, and smiled. Soon she said: "Mr. Fleet, you seem very grave. What is the matter?"

He answered, curtly, "Nothing. "

She looked at him with a pretty, pained surprise. At the same time herheart smote her. His face was so pale and thin, and indicated suchreal suffering, that she pitied him more than ever. But she would havesuffered much herself for the sake of success, and she was not one tohesitate long over the suffering of another. She compressed her lipsas she said, mentally: "Art is first, and these transient feelings aresecondary. There is little in the world but that has cost some onedeeply. " She did not know how profound a truth this was. 

After a few moments Dennis said, in a tone that had a jealous tinge, "Miss Ludolph, your correspondent seems to interest you deeply. "

"And you also, I think, " she replied, with an arch smile; "and youwill be interested still more when you have read this;" and she offeredhim the note. 

"I have no right--do not think me prying, " said he, flushing. 

"I give the right. You know a lady can give many rights--if shechooses, " she added, significantly. 

He looked at her eagerly. 

Her eyes fell consciously, and her cheeks glowed with excitement, forshe felt that the critical moment had come. But instantly her proud, resolute nature aroused as never before, and she determined to makethe most of the occasion, let the consequences be what they might. Therefore she worked eagerly and watched him closely. Never had shebeen so conscious of power. She felt inspired, capable of placing onthe canvas anything she chose. If in this mood she could succeed inbringing into his face just the expression she desired, she could catchit and fix it forever, and with it make a laurel (not a hymeneal)wreath for her own brow. But what could Dennis know of all this? Tohim the glowing cheek and eyes so lustrous told a different tale; andhope--sweet, exquisite, almost assured--sprang up in his heart. 

And he meant that it should be assured. He would speak that day if itwere possible, and _know_ his happiness, instead of fondly believing andhoping that all was sure. Then he would be as prudent and patient as shedesired. Thus Christine was destined to have her wish fulfilled. 

She continued: "The note is from a special friend of yours; indeed Ithink you form a little mutual-admiration society, and you are spokenof, so I think you had better read it. "

"I shall not read the note, " said Dennis; "but you may tell me, if youchoose, what you think the writer will have no objection to my knowing. "

"And do you mean to suggest that you do not know who wrote the note?I can inform you that you are to be invited to a moonlight sail andmusicale on the water. Is not that a chance for romance?"

"And will _you_ go?" asked Dennis, eagerly. 

"Yes, if _you_ will, " she said, in a low tone, giving him a sidelongglance. 

This was too much for Dennis, the manner more than the words, and takentogether they would have led any earnest man to committal. He was aboutto speak eagerly, but she was not quite ready. 

"Moreover, " she continued, quickly, while Dennis stood before her withcheeks alternately hot and pale, "this special friend who invites youwill be there. Now don't pretend ignorance of her name. "

"I suppose you mean Miss Winthrop, " said Dennis, flushing. 

"Ah, you blush, do you? Well, it is my turn to ask pardon for seemingcuriosity. "

He drew a few steps nearer to her, and the expression she had so longedto see came into his face. She looked at him earnestly with her wholesoul in her eyes. She would photograph him on memory, if possible. Fora moment or two he hesitated, embarrassed by her steady gaze, andseemingly at a loss for words. Then, in a low, deep tone he said, "You, better than any one, know that I have no cause to blush at the mentionof Miss Winthrop's name. "

She did not answer, but was painting rapidly. He thought this was dueto natural excitement expressing itself in nervous action. But she didnot discourage him, and this he felt was everything. With his heartin his eyes and tones, he said: "Oh, Christine, what is the use ofwearing this transparent mask any longer? Your quick woman's eyehas seen for weeks the devoted love I cherish for you. I have heard muchof woman's intuitions. Perhaps you saw my love before I recognized itmyself, since your grace and beauty caused it to grow unconsciouslywhile I was your humble attendant. But, Christine, believe me, if youwill but utter in words what I fondly believe I have read in yourkindly glances and manner, though so delicately veiled--if you willgive me the strength and rest which come of assured hope--I know thatnot far in the future I shall be able to place at your feet more thanmere wealth. I, too, hope to be an artist, and you have been my chiefinspiration. I could show you a picture now that would tell more ofwhat I mean than can my poor words. There is a richer and happier worldthan you have yet known, and oh, how I have prayed that I might leadyou into it!" and in words of burning eloquence he proceeded to tellthe story of his love. 

She heard him as in a dream. She understood his words, remembered themafterward, but so intent was she on her darling purpose that she heededthem not. His voice sounded far away, and every power of mind and bodywas concentrated to transfer his expression to the canvas before her. Even he, blinded as he was by his emotions, occupied by the long pent-uptorrent of feeling that he was pouring into her unheeding ear, wonderedat her strange, dazzling beauty and peculiar manner. 

After speaking a moment or two, the blur over his eyes and the confusionof his mind began to pass away, and he was perplexed beyond measureat the way she was receiving the open declaration of his love. She waspainting through it all, not with the nervous, random stroke of onewho sought to hide excitement and embarrassment in occupation. She wasworking earnestly, consciously, with precision, and, what was strangestof all, she seemed so intent upon his face that his words, which wouldhave been such music to any woman that loved, were apparently unheard. He stopped, but the break in his passionate flow of language wasunnoted. 

"Christine, listen to me!" he cried, in an agony of fear and perplexity. The tone of his appeal might have stirred a marble bosom to pity, butshe only raised her left hand deprecatingly as if warding off aninterruption, while she worked with intense eagerness with her right. 

"Christine!" a frown contracted her brow for a second, but she workedon. 

He looked at her as if fearing she had lost her reason, but there wasno madness in her swift, intelligent strokes. Then like a flash thethought came to him: "It is my face, not myself, that she wants! This, then, has been the secret of her new hope as an artist. She would notfeel, as I told her she must, but she would call out and copy myemotion; and this scene, which means life or death to me, is to herbut a lesson in art, and I am no more than the human subject under thesurgeon's knife. But surely no anatomist is so cruel as to put in hislancet before the man is dead. "

Every particle of color receded from his face, and he watched hermanner for the confirmation of his thought. 

Her face was indeed a study. A beautiful smile parted her lips, hereyes glowed with the exultation of assured and almost accomplishedsuccess, and she looked like an inspired priestess at a Greek oracle. 

But a bitterness beyond words was filling his heart. 

A few more skilful strokes, and she threw down her brush, crying inecstatic tones, "Eureka! Eureka!" as she stood before the painting inrapt admiration. In an instant he stood by her side. With all the prideof triumph she pointed to the picture, and said: "Criticise that, ifyou can! Deny that there is soul, life, feeling there, if you dare!Is that painting but a 'beautiful corpse'?"

Dennis saw a figure and features suggesting his own, pleading with allthe eloquence of true love before the averted face of the maiden inthe picture. It was indeed a triumph, having all the power of thereality. 

He passed his hand quickly across his forehead, as if to repel someterrible delusion, while yet he whispered its reality to himself, insilent, despairing confession: "Ah, my God! How cold she must be whenshe can see any one look like that, and yet copy the expression asfrom a painted face upon the wall!"

Then, his own pride and indignation rising, he determined at once toknow the truth; whether he held any place in her heart, or whether thepicture was all, and he nothing. 

Drawing a step nearer, as if to examine more closely, he seized a brushof paint and drew it over the face that had cost both him and Christineso much, and then turned and looked at her. 

For a moment she stood paralyzed, so great seemed the disaster. Thenshe turned on him in fury. "How dare you!" she exclaimed. 

Only equal anger, and the consciousness of right, could have sustainedany man under the lightning of her eyes. 

"Rather, let me ask, how dare you?" he replied, in the deep, concentrated voice of passion; and lover and lady stood before theruined picture with blazing eyes. In the same low, stern voice hecontinued, "I see the secret of your artistic hope now, Miss Ludolph, but permit me to say that you have made your first and last success, and there in that black stain, most appropriately black, is the result. "

She looked as if she could have torn him to atoms. 

"You have been false, " he continued. "You have acted a lie before mefor weeks. You have deceived in that which is most sacred, and withsacrilegious hands have trifled with that which every true man regardsas holy. "

She trembled beneath his stern, accusing words. Conscience echoed them, anger and courage were fast deserting her in the presence of the arousedand more powerful spirit of her wronged lover. But she said, petulantly, "Nonsense! You know well that half the ladies of the city would haveflirted with you from mere vanity and love of power; my motive wasinfinitely beyond this. "

Until now this had almost seemed sufficient reason to excuse her action, but she distrusted it even to loathing as she saw the look of scorncome out on his noble face. 

"And is that your best plea for falsehood? A moment since I loved youwith a devotion that you will never receive again. But now I despiseyou. "

"Sir!" she cried, her face scarlet with shame and anger, "leave thisroom!"

"Yes, in a moment, and never again to enter it while Christine Ludolphis as false in character as she is beautiful in person. But before Igo, you, in your pride and luxury, shall hear the truth for once. Notonly have you been false, but you have been what no true woman evercan be--cruel as death. Your pencil has been a stiletto with which youhave slowly felt for my heart. You have dipped your brush in humansuffering as if it were common paint. Giotto stabbed a man andmercifully took him off by a few quick pangs, that he might paint hisdying look. You, more cruel, accomplish your purpose by slow, remorseless torture. Merciful Heaven only knows what I have sufferedsince you smiled and frowned on me by turns, but I felt that if I couldonly win your love I would gladly endure all. You falsely made mebelieve that I had won it, and yet all the while you were dissectingmy heart, as a surgeon might a living subject. And now what have youto offer to solace the bitterness of coming years? Do you not knowthat such deeds make men bad, faithless, devilish? Never dream ofsuccess till you are changed utterly. Only the noble in deed and intruth can reach high and noble art. "

She sat before the disfigured picture with her face bowed in her hands. 

She thought he was gone, but still remained motionless like one doomed. A few moments passed and she was startled by hearing his voice again. It was no longer harsh and stern, but sad, grave, and pitiful. "MissLudolph, may God forgive you. "

She trembled. Pride and better feeling were contending for the mastery. After a few moments she sprang up and reached out her hands; but hewas gone now in very truth. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

THE TWO PICTURES

When Christine saw that Dennis was not in the room, she rushed to awindow only in time to see his retreating form passing down the street. For a moment she felt like one left alone to perish on a sinking wreck. His words, so assured in their tones, seemed like those of a prophet. Conscience echoed them, and a chill of fear came over her heart. Whatif he were right? What if she had let the one golden opportunity ofher life pass? Even though she had stolen her inspiration from himthrough guile and cruelty, had he not enabled her to accomplish morethan in all her life before? To what might he not have led her, if shehad put her hand frankly and truthfully in his? There are times whento those most bewildered in mazes of error light breaks, clear andunmistakable, defining right and wrong with terrible distinctness. Such an hour was this to Christine. The law of God written on her heartasserted itself, and she trembled at the guilty thing she saw herselfto be. But there seemed no remedy save in the one she had driven away, never to return, as she believed. After a brief but painful revery sheexclaimed: "But what am I thinking of? What can he or any man of thisland be to me?"

Then pride, her dominant trait, awoke as she recalled his words. 

"He despises me, does he? I will teach him that I belong to a spherehe cannot touch--the poor infatuated youth! And did he dream that I, Christine Ludolph, could give him my hand? He shall learn some daythat none in this land could receive that honor, and none save theproudest in my own may hope for it. The idea of my giving up my ancientand honorable name for the sake of this unknown Yankee youth. "

Bold, proud words that her heart did not echo. 

But pride and anger were now her controlling impulses, and with thestrong grasp of her resolute will she crushed back her gentler andbetter feelings, and became more icy and hard than ever. 

By such choice and action, men and women commit moral suicide. 

With a cold, white face, and a burnished gleam in her eyes, she wentto the easel and commenced painting out the ominous black stain. 

"I'll prove him a false prophet also. I will be an artist withoutpassing through all his sentimental and superstitious phases that haveso amused me during the past weeks. I have seen his lovelorn face toooften not to be able to reproduce it and its various expressions. "

Her strokes were quick and almost fierce. 

"Mrs. Dennis Fleet, ha! ha! ha!" and her laugh was as harsh anddiscordant as the feeling that prompted it. 

Again, a little later: "He despises me! Well, he is the first man thatever dared to say that;" and her face was flushed and dark with anger. 

Dennis at first walked rapidly from the scene of his bitterdisappointment, but his steps soon grew slow and feeble. The point ofendurance was passed. Body and mind acting and reacting on each otherhad been taxed beyond their powers, and both were giving way. He feltthat they were, and struggled to reach the store before the crisisshould come. Weak and trembling, he mounted the steps, but fell faintingacross the threshold. One of the clerks saw him fall and gave thealarm. Mr. Ludolph, Mr. Schwartz, and others hastened to the spot. Dennis was carried to his room, and a messenger was despatched for Dr. Arten. Ernst, with flying feet, and wild, frightened face, soon reachedhis home in De Koven Street, and startled his father and mother withthe tidings. 

The child feared that Dennis was dead, his face was so thin and white. Leaving the children in Ernst's care, both Mr. And Mrs. Bruder, promptedby their strong gratitude to Dennis, rushed through the streets as ifdistracted. Their intense anxiety and warm German feeling caused themto heed no more the curious glances cast after them than would a manswimming for life note the ripple he made. 

When Dennis regained consciousness, they, and Mr. Ludolph and Dr. Arten, were around him. At first his mind was confused, and he couldnot understand it all. 

"Where am I?" he asked, feebly, "and what has happened?"

"Do not be alarmed; you have only had a faint turn, " said the doctor. 

"Oh, Mr. Fleet, you vork too hart, you vork too hart; I knew dis vouldcome, " sobbed Mrs. Bruder. 

"Why, his duties in the store have not been so onerous of late, " saidMr. Ludolph, in some surprise. 

"It is not der vork in der store, but he vork nearly all night too. Den he haf had trouble, I know he haf. Do he say no vort about him?"

Dennis gave Mrs. Bruder a sudden warning look, and then, through thestrong instinct to guard his secret, roused himself. 

"Is it anything serious, doctor?" he asked. 

The physician looked grave, and said, "Your pulse and whole appearanceindicate great exhaustion and physical depression, and I also fearthat fever may set in. "

"I think you are right, " said Dennis. "I feel as if I were going tobe ill. My mind has a tendency to wander. Mr. Ludolph, will you permitme to go home? If I am to be sick, I want to be with my mother. "

Mr. Ludolph looked inquiringly at the doctor, who said significantly, in a low tone, "I think it would be as well. "

"Certainly, Fleet, " said his employer; "though I hope it is only atemporary indisposition, and that you will be back in a few days. Youmust try and get a good night's rest, and so be prepared for the journeyin the morning. "

"With your permission I will go at once. A train leaves now in an hour, and by morning I can be at home. "

"I scarcely think it prudent, " began the doctor. 

"Oh, certainly not to-night, " said Mr. Ludolph, also. 

"Pardon me, I must go at once, " interrupted Dennis, briefly and sodecidedly that the gentlemen looked at each other and said no more. 

"Mr. Bruder, " he continued, "I must be indebted to you for a real proofof your friendship. In that drawer you will find my money. The key isin my pocketbook. Will you get a carriage and take me to the depot atonce? and can you be so kind as to go on home with me? I cannot trustmyself alone. Mrs. Bruder, will you pack up what you think I need?"His faithful friends hastened to do his bidding. 

"Mr. Ludolph, you have been very kind to me. I am sorry this hasoccurred, but cannot help it. I thank you gratefully, and will nowtrespass on your valuable time no longer. "

Mr. Ludolph, feeling that he could be of no further use, said: "Youwill be back in a week, Fleet. Courage. Good-by. "

Dennis turned eagerly to the doctor and said: "Can you not give mesomething that will reduce the fever and keep me sane a little longer?I know that I am going to be delirious, but would reach the refuge ofhome first. "

A prescription was given and immediately procured, and the doctor wentaway shaking his head. 

"This is the way people commit suicide. They know no more about, orpay no more heed to, the laws of health than the laws of China. Hereis the result: This young fellow has worked in a way that would breakdown a cast-iron machine, and now may never see Chicago again. "

But Dennis might have worked even in his intense way for months andyears without serious harm, had not a fair white hand kept him on therack of uncertainty and fear. 

Not work, but worry, makes havoc of health. 

In the gray dawn Ethel Fleet, summoned from her rest, received herson, weak, unconscious, muttering in delirium, and not recognizingeven her familiar face. He was indeed a sad, painful contrast to theruddy, buoyant youth who had left her a few short months before, abounding in hope and life. But she comforted herself with the thoughtthat neither sin nor shame had brought him home. 

We need not dwell on the weary weeks that followed. Dennis had everyadvantage that could result from good medical skill and the mostfaithful nursing. But we believe that his life lay rather in hismother's prayers of faith. In her strong realization of the spiritualworld she would go continually into the very presence of Jesus, andsay, "Lord, he whom Thou lovest is sick"; or, like parents of old, shewould seem by her importunity to bring the Divine Physician to hisvery bedside. 

Mr. Bruder, too, insisted on remaining, and watched with the unweariedfaithfulness of one who felt that he owed to Dennis far more than life. It was indeed touching to see this man, once so desperate and depraved, now almost as patient and gentle as the mother herself, sitting by hisunconscious friend, often turning his eyes heavenward and mutteringin deep guttural German as sincere a prayer as ever passed human lips, that Dennis might be spared. 

The hand of God seemed about to take him from them, but their strong, loving faith laid hold of that hand, and put upon it the restraintthat only reverent, believing prayer can. Dennis lived. After manydays delirium ceased, and the confused mind became clear. But duringhis delirium Ethel and Mr. Bruder learned from the oft-repeated words, "Cruel, cruel Christine!" the nature of the wound that had nearlydestroyed his life. 

Mr. Ludolph was late in reaching his home on the evening after Denniswas taken sick. Christine sat in the dusk on the ivy-shaded piazza, awaiting him. He said, abruptly, "What have you been doing to Fleet, over here?"

For a second her heart stood still, and she was glad the increasinggloom disguised her face. By a great effort she replied, in a cool, matter-of-fact tone: "I do not understand your question. Mr. Fleet washere this afternoon, and gave some finishing touches to my studio. Ido not think I shall need him any more. "

Her quiet, indifferent voice would have disarmed suspicion itself. 

"It is well you do not, for he seems to have received some 'finishingtouches' himself. He fell across the threshold of the store in a deadfaint, and has gone home, threatened with a serious illness. "

Even her resolute will could not prevent a sharp, startled exclamation. 

"What is the matter?" said her father, hastily; "you are not going tofaint also, are you?"

"No, " said Christine, quietly again; "but I am tired and nervous, andyou told your news so abruptly! Why, it seemed but a moment ago he washere at work, and now he is dangerously ill. What an uncertain stumblingforward in the dark life is!"

This was a style of moralizing peculiarly distasteful to Mr. Ludolph--all the more repugnant because it seemed true, and broughthome in Dennis's experience. Anything that interfered with his plansand interests, even though it might be God's providence, always angeredhim. And now he was irritated at the loss of one of his best clerks, just as he was becoming of great value; so he said, sharply: "I hopeyou are not leaning toward the silly cant of mysterious providence. Life is uncertain stumbling only to fools who can't see the chancesthat fortune throws in their way, or recognize the plain laws of healthand success. This young Fleet has been putting two days' work in onefor the past four months, and now perhaps his work is done forever, for the doctor looked very grave over him. "

Again the shadow of night proved most friendly to Christine. Her facehad a frightened, guilty look that it was well her father did not see, or he would have wrung from her the whole story. She felt the chillof a terrible dread at heart. If he should die, her conscience wouldgive a fearful verdict against her. She stood trembling, feeling almostpowerless to move. 

"Come, " said her father, sharply, "I am hungry and tired. "

"I will ring for lights and supper, " said Christine hastily, and thenfled to her own room. 

When she appeared, her father was sitting at the table impatientlyawaiting her. But her face was so white, and there was such anexpression in her eyes, that he started and said, "What is the matter?"

His question irritated her, and she replied as sharply as he had spoken. 

"I told you I was tired, and I don't feel well. I have been a monthin constant effort to get this house in order, and I am worn out, Isuppose. "

He looked at her keenly, but said more kindly, "Here, my dear, takethis wine"; and he poured out a glass of old port. 

She drank it eagerly, for she felt she must have something that wouldgive her life, warmth, and courage. In a way she could not understand, her heart sank within her. 

But she saw her father was watching her, and knew she must actskillfully to deceive him. Rallied and strengthened by the generouswine, her resolute will was soon on its throne again, and Mr. Ludolphwith all his keen insight was no match for her. In a matter-of-facttone she said:

"I do not see how we have worked Mr. Fleet to death. Does he chargeanything of the kind?7'

"Oh, no! but he too seems possessed with the idea of becoming an artist. That drunken old Bruder, whom he appears to have reformed, was givinghim lessons, and after working all day he would study much of the nightand paint as soon as the light permitted in the morning. He might havemade something if he had had a judicious friend to guide him" ("Andsuch you might have been, " whispered her conscience), "but now he dropsaway like untimely fruit. "

"It is a pity, " said she, coolly, and changed the subject, as if shehad dismissed it from her mind. 

Mr. Ludolph believed that Dennis was no more to his daughter than auseful clerk. 

The next morning Christine rose pale and listless. 

Her father said, "I will arrange my business so that we can go off ona trip in a few days. "

When left alone she sat down at her easel and tried to restore theexpression that had so delighted her on the preceding day. But shecould not. Indeed she was greatly vexed to find that her tendency wasto paint his stern and scornful look, which had made a deeper impressionon her mind than any she had even seen on his face, because sounexpected and novel. She became irritated with herself, and cried, fiercely: "Shame on your weakness! You are unworthy of your blood andancestry. I will reproduce that face as it was before he so insolentlydestroyed it;" and she bent over her easel with an expression not atall in harmony with her work. Unconsciously she made a strange contrast, with her severe, hard face and compressed lips, to the look of loveand pleading she sought to paint. For several days she wrought withresolute purpose, but found that her inspiration was gone. 

At last she threw down her brush in despair, and cried: "I cannot catchit again. The wretch either smiles or frowns upon me. I fear he wasright: I have made my first and last success;" and she leaned her headsullenly and despairingly on her hand. Again the whole scene passedbefore her, and she dwelt upon every word, as she was beginning oftento do now, in painful revery. When she came to the words, "I too meanto be an artist. I could show you a picture that would tell you farmore of what I mean than can my poor words" she started up, and, hastilyarraying herself for the street, was soon on her way to the ArtBuilding. 

No one heeded her movements there, and she went directly upstairs tohis room. Though simple and plain, it had unmistakably been the abodeof a gentleman and a person of taste. It was partially dismantled, andin disorder from his hasty departure, and she found nothing whichsatisfied her quest there. She hastened away, glad to escape from aplace where everything seemed full of mute reproach, and next bent hersteps to the top floor of the building. In a part half-filled withantiquated lumber, and seldom entered, she saw near a window facingthe east an easel with canvas upon it. She was startled at the throbbingof her heart. 

"It is only climbing these long stairs, " she said; but her words werebelied by the hesitating manner and eager face with which she approachedand removed the covering from the canvas. 

She gazed a moment and then put out her hand for something by whichto steady herself. His chair was near, and she sank into it, exclaiming:"He has indeed painted more than he--more than any one--could put intowords. He has the genius that I have not. All here is striking andoriginal;" and she sat with her eyes riveted to a painting that hadrevealed to her--herself. 

Here was the secret of Dennis's toil and early work. Here were theresults of his insatiable demand for the incongruous elements of iceand sunlight. 

Side by side were two emblematic pictures. In the first there openedbefore Christine a grotto of ice. The light was thin and cold but veryclear. Stalactites hung glittering from the vaulted roof. Stalagmitesin strange fantastic forms rose to meet them. Vivid brightness andbeauty were on every side, but of that kind that threw a chill on thebeholder. All was of cold blue ice, and so natural was it that the eyeseemed to penetrate its clear crystal. To the right was an opening inthe grotto, through which was caught a glimpse of a summer landscape, a vivid contrast to the icy cave. 

But the main features of the picture were two figures. Sleeping on acouch of ice was the form of a young girl. The flow of the drapery, the contour of the form, was grace itself, and yet all was ice. Butthe face was the most wonderful achievement. Christine saw her ownfeatures, as beautiful as in her vainest moments she had ever daredto hope. So perfect was the portrait that the delicate blue veinsbranched across the temple in veiled distinctness. It was a face thatlacked but two things, life and love; and yet in spite of all itsbeauty the want of these was painfully felt--all the more painfully, even as a lovely face in death awakens a deeper sadness and regret. 

One little icy hand grasped a laurel wreath, also of ice. The otherhand hung listless, half open, and from it had dropped a brush thatformed a small stalagmite at her side. 

Bending over her in most striking contrast was the figure of a youngman, all instinct with life, power, and feeling. Though the face wasturned away, Dennis had suggested his own form and manner. His lefthand was extended toward the sleeping maiden, as if to awaken her, while with the right he pointed toward the opening through which wasseen the summer landscape, and his whole attitude indicated an eagerwish to rescue her. This was the first picture. 

The second one was still more suggestive. At the entrance of the grotto, which looked more cold than ever, in its partial shadow, Christine sawherself again, but how changed! She now had a beauty which she couldnot believe in--could not understand. 

The icy hue and rigidity were all gone. She stood in the warm sunlight, and seemed all warmth and life. Her face glowed with feeling, yet wasfull of peace. 

Instead of the barren ice, flowers were at her feet, and fruitful treesbent over her. Birds were seen flitting through their branches. Thebended boughs, her flowing costume, and the tress of golden hair liftedfrom her temple, all showed that the summer wind was blowing. 

Everything, in contrast with the frozen, death-like cave, indicatedlife, activity. Near her, a plane-tree, which in nature's language isthe emblem of genius, towered into the sky; around its trunk twinedthe passion-flower, meaning, in Flora's tongue, "Holy love"; whilejust above her head, sipping the nectar from an open blossom, was abright-hued butterfly, the symbol of immortality. By her side stoodthe same tall, manly form, with face still averted. He was pointing, and her eyes, softened, and yet lustrous and happy, were followingwhere a path wound through a long vista, in alternate light and shadow, to a gate, that in the distance looked like a pearl. Above and beyondit, in airy outline, rose the walls and towers of the Holy City, theNew Jerusalem. 

For a long time she sat in rapt attention. Moment by moment thepaintings in their meaning grew upon her. At last her eyes filled withtears, her bosom rose and fell with an emotion most unwonted, and inlow tones she murmured: "Heavenly delusion! and taught with the logicI most dearly love. Oh, that I could believe it! I would give tenthousand years of the life I am leading to know that it is true. Isthere, can there be a path that leads through light or shade to a finaland heavenly home? If this is true, in spite of all my father's keenand seemingly convincing arguments, what a terrible mistake our lifeis!"

Then her thoughts reverted to the artist. 

"What have I done in driving him away with contempt in his heart forme? I can no more affect haughty superiority to the man who paintedthose pictures. Though he could not be my lover, what a friend he mighthave been! I fear I shall never find his equal. Oh, this world of chaosand confusion! What is right? What is best? _What is truth?_ He mighthave taught me. But the skilful hand that portrayed those wonderfulscenes may soon turn to dust, and I shall go to my grave burdened withthe thought that I have quenched the brightest genius that will evershine upon me;" and she clasped her hands in an agony of regret. 

Then came the thought of securing the pictures. Dropping a veil overher red eyes, she went down and got some large sheets of paper, andby fastening them together made a secure covering. Then she carriedthe light frame with the canvas to the second floor, and, summoningErnst, started homeward with her treasure. The boy obeyed withreluctance. Since the time she had surprised him out of his secret inregard to the strawberries, he had never liked her, and now he feltthat in some way she was the cause of the sickness of his dearestfriend. Christine could not bear the reproach of his large, truthfuleyes, and their walk was a silent one. At parting she handed him abanknote, but he shook his head. 

"Have you heard from Mr. Fleet?" she asked, with a flush. 

The boy's lip quivered at the mention of that name, and he answered, hastily: "Fader wrote moder Mr. Fleet was no better. I fear he die;"and in an agony of grief he turned and ran sobbing away. 

From under her veil Christine's tears were falling fast also, and sheentered her elegant home as if it had been a prison. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

REGRET

The next day was the Sabbath, and a long, dreary one it was toChristine. But late in the afternoon Susie Winthrop came with a pale, troubled face. 

"Oh, Christine, have you heard the news?" she exclaimed. 

Christine's heart stood still with fear, but by a great effort shesaid, composedly, "What news?"

"Mr. Fleet has gone home very ill; indeed, he is not expected to live. "

For a moment she did not answer, and when she did it was with a voiceunnaturally hard and cold: "Have you heard what is the matter?"

Miss Winthrop wondered at her manner, but replied, "Brain fever, I amtold. "

"Is he delirious?" asked Christine, in a low tone. 

"Yes, all the time. Ernst, the little office-boy, told me he did notknow his own mother. It seems that the boy's father is with Mrs. Fleet, helping take care of him. "

Christine's face was averted and so colorless that it seemed likemarble. 

"Oh, Christine, don't you care?" said Susie, springing up and comingtoward her. 

"Why should I care?" was the quick answer. 

Susie could not know that it was in reality but an incoherent cry ofpain--the blind, desperate effort of pride to shield itself. But thetone checked her steps and filled her face with reproach. 

"Perhaps you have more reason to care than you choose to admit, " shesaid, pointedly. 

Christine flushed, but said, coldly: "Of course I feel an interest inthe fate of Mr. Fleet, as I do in that of every passing acquaintance. I feel very sorry for him and his friends"; but never was sympathyexpressed in a voice more unnaturally frigid. 

Susie looked at her keenly, and again saw the tell-tale flush risingto her cheek. She was puzzled, but saw that her friend had no confidenceto give, and she said, with a voice growing somewhat cold also: "Well, really, Christine, I thought you capable of seeing as much as the restof us in such matters, but I must be mistaken, if you only recognizedin Dennis Fleet a passing acquaintance. Well, if he dies I doubt ifeither you or I look upon his equal again. Under right influences hemight have been one of the first and most useful men of his day. Butthey need not tell me it was overwork that killed him. I know it wastrouble of some kind. "

Christine was very pale, but said nothing; and Susie, pained andmystified that the confidence of other days was refused, bade herfriend a rather cold and abrupt adieu. 

Left alone, Christine bowed her white face in her hands and sat sostill that it seemed as if life had deserted her. In her morbid stateshe began to fancy herself the victim of some terrible fatality. Herheart had bounded when Susie Winthrop was announced, believing thatfrom her she would gain sympathy; but in strange perversity she hadhidden her trouble from her friend, and permitted her to go away incoldness. Christine could see as quickly and as far as any, and fromthe first had noted that Dennis was very interesting to her friend. Until of late she had not cared, but now for some reason the fact wasnot pleasing, and she felt a sudden reluctance to speak to Susie ofhim. 

Now that she was alone a deeper sense of isolation came over her thanshe had ever felt before. Her one confidential friend had departed, chilled and hurt. She made friends but slowly, and, having once becomeestranged, from her very nature she found it almost impossible to makethe first advances toward reconciliation. 

Soon she heard her father's steps, and fled to her room to nerve herselffor the part she must act before him. But she was far from successful;her pale face and abstracted manner awakened his attention and hissurmises as to the cause. Having an engagement out, he soon left herto welcome solitude; for when she was in trouble he was no source ofhelp or comfort. 

Monday dragged wearily to a close. She tried to work, but could not. She took up the most exciting book she could find, only to throw itdown in despair. Forever before the canvas or the page would rise apale thin face, at times stern and scornful, again full of reproach, and then of pleading. 

Even at night her rest was disturbed, and in dreams she heard themutterings of his delirium, in which he continually charged her withhis death. At times she would take his picture from its place ofconcealment, and look at it with such feelings as would be awakenedby a promise of some priceless thing now beyond reach forever. Thenshe would become irritated with herself, and say, angrily: "What isthis man to me? Why am I worrying about one who never could be muchmore to me living than dead? I will forget the whole miserable affair. "

But she could not forget. Tuesday morning came, but no relief. "Whetherhe lives or dies he will follow me to my grave!" she cried. "From thetime I first spoke to him there has seemed no escape, and in strange, unexpected ways he constantly crosses my path!"

She felt that she must have some relief from the oppression on herspirit. Suddenly she thought of Ernst, and at once went to the storeand asked if he had heard anything later. He had not, but thought thathis mother would receive a letter that day. 

"I want to see your father's picture, and will go home that way, ifyou will give me the number. "

The boy hesitated, but at last complied with her wish. 

A little later Christine knocked at Mr. Bruder's door. There was noresponse, though she heard a stifled sound within. After a little sheknocked more loudly. Then the door slowly opened, and Mrs. Bruder stoodbefore her. Her eyes were very red, and she held in her hand an openletter. Christine expected to find more of a lady than was apparentat first glance in the hard-working woman before her, so she said, "Mygood woman, will you tell Mrs. Bruder I would like to see her?"

"Dis is Mrs. Bruder, " was the answer. 

Then Christine noticed the letter, and the half-effaced traces ofemotion, and her heart misgave her; but she nerved herself to say, "Icame to see your husband's picture. "

"It is dere, " was the brief reply. 

Christine began to expatiate on its beauty, though perhaps for thefirst time she looked at a fine picture without really seeing it. Shewas at a loss how to introduce the object of her visit, but at lastsaid, "Your husband is away?"

"Yes. "

"He is taking care of one of my father's--of Mr. Fleet, I am told. Have you heard from him as to Mr. Fleet's health?"

"Dis is Miss Ludolph?"

"Yes. "

"You can no read Sherman?"

"Oh, yes, I can. German is my native tongue. "

"Strange dot him should be so. "

"Why?"

"Der Shermans haf hearts. "

Christine flushed deeply, but Mrs. Bruder without a word put herhusband's letter into her hand, and Christine read eagerly what, translated, is as follows:

"MY DEAR WIFE--Perhaps before this reaches you our best friend, ourhuman savior, will be in heaven. There is a heaven, I believe as Inever did before; and when Mrs. Fleet prays the gate seems to open, and the glory to stream right down upon us. But I fear now that noteven her prayers can keep him. Only once he knew her; then he smiledand said, 'Mother, it is all right, ' and dropped asleep. Soon fevercame on again, and he is sinking fast. The doctor shakes his head andgives no hope. My heart is breaking. Marguerite, Mr. Fleet is not dyinga natural death; he has been slain. I understand all his manner now, all his desperate hard work. He loved one above him in wealth--nonecould be above him in other respects--and that one was Miss Ludolph. I suspected it, though till delirious, he scarcely ever mentioned hername. But now I believe she played with his heart--the noblest thatever beat--and then threw it away, as if it were a toy instead of therichest offering ever made to a woman. Proud fool that she was; shehas done more mischief than a thousand such frivolous lives as herscan atone for. I can write no more; my heart is breaking with griefand indignation. "

As Christine read she suffered her veil to drop over her face. Whenshe looked up she saw that Mrs. Bruder's gaze was fixed upon her asupon the murderer of her best friend. She drew her veil closer abouther face, laid the letter down, and left the room without a word. Shefelt so guilty and miserable on her way home that it would scarcelyhave surprised her had a policeman arrested her for the crime withwhich her own conscience, as well as Mr. Bruder's letter, charged her;and yet her pride revolted at it all. 

"Why should this affair take so miserable a form with me?" she said. "To most it ends with a few sentimental sighs on one side, and as agood joke on the other. All seems to go wrong of late, and I am destinedto have everything save happiness and the success upon which I set myheart. There is no more cruel mockery than to give one all save thevery thing one wants; and, in seeking to grasp that, I have broughtdown upon myself this wretched, blighting experience. On this chaoticworld! The idea of there being a God! Why, I could make a better worldmyself!" and she reached her home in such a morbid, unhappy state, that none in the great city need have envied the rich and flatteredgirl. Mechanically she dressed and came down to dinner. 

During the afternoon Ernst, while out on an errand, had slipped homeand heard the sad news. He returned to Mr. Ludolph's office crying. To the question, "What is the matter?" he had answered, "Oh, Mr. Fleetis dying; he is dead by dis time!"

Mr. Ludolph was sadly shocked and pained, for as far as he could likeanybody besides himself and daughter, he had been prepossessed in favorof his useful and intelligent clerk, and he was greatly annoyed at thethought of losing him. He returned full of the subject, and the firstwords with which he greeted Christine were, "Well, Fleet will hang nomore pictures for you, and sing no more songs. "

She staggered into a chair and sat before him pale and panting, forshe thought he meant that death had taken place. 

"Why, what is the matter?" cried he. 

She stared at him gaspingly, but said nothing. 

"Here, drink this, " he said, hastily pouring out a glass of wine. 

She took it eagerly. After a moment he said: "Christine, I do notunderstand all this. I was merely saying that my clerk, Mr. Fleet, wasnot expected--"

The point of endurance and guarded self-control was past, and shecried, half-hysterically: "Am I never to escape that man? Must everyone I meet speak to me as if I had murdered him?"

Then she added, almost fiercely: "Living or dead, never speak to meof him again! I am no longer a child, but a woman, and as such I insistthat his name be dropped between us forever!"

Her father gave a low exclamation of surprise, and said, "What! washe one of the victims?" (this being his term for Christine's rejectedsuitors). 

"No, " said she; "I am the victim. He will soon be at rest, while Ishall be tormented to the grave by--" She hardly knew what to say, somingled and chaotic were her feelings. Her hands clenched, and witha stamp of her foot she hastily left the room. 

Mr. Ludolph could hardly believe his eyes. Could this passionate, thoroughly aroused woman be his cold, self-contained daughter? He couldnot understand, as so many cannot, that such natures when aroused aretenfold more intense than those whom little things excite. A long andpeculiar train of circumstances, a morbid and overwrought physicalcondition, led to this outburst from Christine, which was as much acause of surprise to herself afterward as to her father. He judgedcorrectly that a great deal had occurred between Dennis and herselfof which he had no knowledge, and again his confidence in her wasthoroughly shaken. 

At first he determined to question her and extort the truth. But when, an hour later, she quietly entered the parlor, he saw at a glance thatthe cold, proud, self-possessed woman before him would not submit tothe treatment accepted by the little Christine of former days. Thewily man read from her manner and the expression of her eye that hemight with her consent lead, but could not command without awakeninga nature as imperious as his own. 

He was angry, but he had time to think. Prudence had given a decidedvoice in favor of caution. 

He saw what she did not recognize herself, that her heart had beengreatly touched, and in his secret soul he was not sorry now tobelieve that Dennis was dying. 

"Father, " said Christine, abruptly, "how soon can we start on oureastern trip?"

"Well, if you particularly wish it, " he replied, "I can leave by theevening train to-morrow. "

"I do wish it very much, " said Christine, earnestly, "and will beready. "

After an evening of silence and constraint they separated for thenight. 

Mr. Ludolph sat for a long time sipping his wine after she had gone. 

"After all it will turn out for the best, " he said. "Fleet will probablydie, and then will be out of the way. Or, if he lives, I can easilyguard against him, and it will go no further. If she had been bewitchedby a man like Mr. Mellen, the matter would have been more difficult. 

"In truth, " he continued, after a little, "now that her weak woman'sheart is occupied by an impossible lover, there is no danger frompossible ones;" and the man of the world went complacently to his rest, believing that what he regarded as the game of life was entirely inhis own hands. 

The next evening the night express bore Christine from the scene ofthe events she sought to escape; but she was to learn, in common withthe great host of the sinning and suffering, how little change of placehas to do with change of feeling. We take memory and character withus from land to land, from youth to age, from this world to the other, from time through eternity. Sad, then, is the lot of those who evercarry the elements of their own torture with them. 

It was Christine's purpose, and she had her father's consent, to makea long visit in New York, and, in the gayety and excitement of themetropolis, to forget her late wretched experience. 

As it was still early in September, they resolved to stop at West Pointand participate in the gayest season of that fashionable watering-place. At this time the hotels are thronged with summer tourists returninghomeward from the more northern resorts. Though the broad piazzas ofCozzens's great hotel were crowded by the _elite_ of the city, there wasa hum of admiration as Christine first made her round on her father'sarm; and in the evening, when the spacious parlor was cleared fordancing, officers from the post and civilians alike eagerly soughther hand, and hundreds of admiring eyes followed as she swept throughthe mazes of the dance, the embodiment of grace and beauty. She wasvery gay, and her repartee was often brilliant, but a close observerwould have seen something forced and unnatural in all. Such an observerwas her father. He saw that the sparkle of her eyes had no more heartand happiness in it than that of the diamonds on her bosom, and thatwith the whole strength of her resolute nature she was laboring torepel thought and memory. But, as he witnessed the admiration sheexcited on every side, he became more determined than ever that hisfair daughter should shine a star of the first magnitude in the_salons_ of Europe. At a late hour, and wearied past the powerof thought, she gladly sought refuge in the blank of sleep. 

The next morning they drove out early, before the sun was high andwarm. It was a glorious autumn day. Recent rains had purified theatmosphere, so that the unrivalled scenery of the Hudson stood out inclear and grand outline. 

As Christine looked about her she felt a thrill of almost delight--thefirst sensation of the kind since that moment of exultation whichDennis had inspired, but which he had also turned to the bitternessof disaster and humiliation. She was keenly alive to beauty, and shesaw it on every side. The Ludolph family had ever lived among themountains on the Rhine, and the heart of this latest child of the raceyearned over the rugged scenery before her with hereditary affection, which had grown stronger with each successive generation. 

The dew, like innumerable pearls, gemmed the grass in the park-likelawn of the hotel, and the slanting rays of the sun flecked theluxuriant foliage. Never before had this passion for the beautiful innature been so gratified, and all the artist feeling within her awoke. 

On reaching the street the carriage turned southward, and, after passingthe village of Highland Falls, entered on one of the most beautifuldrives in America. At times the road led under overarching forest-trees, shaded and dim with that delicious twilight which only myriads offluttering leaves can make. Again it would wind around some boldheadland, and the broad expanse of the Hudson would shine out dottedwith white sails. Then through a vista its waters would sparkle, suggesting an exquisite cabinet picture. On the right the thickly-woodedmountains rose like emerald walls, with here and there along theirbase a quiet farmhouse. With kindling eye and glowing cheeks she drankin view after view, and at last exclaimed, "If there were only a fewold castles scattered among these Highlands, this would be the veryperfection of scenery. "

Her father watched her closely, and with much satisfaction. 

"After all, her wound is slight, " he thought, "and new scenes andcircumstances will soon cause her to forget. "

Furtively, but continually, he bent his eyes upon her, as if to readher very soul. A dreamy, happy expression rested on her face, as ifa scene were present to her fancy even more to her taste than the oneher eyes dwelt upon. In fact she was living over that evening at MissWinthrop's, when Dennis had told her that she could reach truest andhighest art--that she could feel--could copy anything she saw; andexhilarated by the fresh morning air, inspired by the scenery, shefelt for the moment, as never before, that it might all be true. 

Was he who gave those blissful assurances also exerting a subtile, unrecognized power over her? Certainly within the last few weeks shehad been subject to strange moods and reveries. But the first dawningof a woman's love is like the aurora, with its strange, fitful flashes. The phenomena have never been satisfactorily explained. 

But, as Mr. Ludolph watched complacently and admiringly, her expressionsuddenly changed, and a frightened, guilty look came into her face. The glow upon her cheeks gave place to extreme pallor, and she glancednervously around as if fearing something, then caught her father'seye, and was conscious of his scrutiny. She at once became cold andself-possessed, and sat at his side pale and quiet till the ride ended. But he saw from the troubled gleam of her eyes that beneath that calmexterior were tumult and suffering. Few in this life are so guilty andwretched as not to have moments of forgetfulness, when the happierpast comes back and they are oblivious of the painful present. Sucha brief respite Christine enjoyed during part of her morning ride. Thegrand and swiftly varying scenery crowded her mind with pleasant images, which had been followed by a delicious revery. She felt herself to bea true priestess of Nature, capable of understanding and interpretingher voices and hidden meanings--of catching her evanescent beauty andfixing it on the glowing canvas. The strong consciousness of such powerwas indeed sweet and intoxicating. Her mind naturally reverted to himwho had most clearly asserted her possession of it. 

"He, too, would have equal appreciation of this scenery, " she said toherself. 

Then came the sudden remembrance, shrivelling her pretty dreams as thelightning scorches and withers. 

"_He--he is dead!--he must be by this time!_"

And dread and guilt and something else which she did not define, butwhich seemed more like a sense of great loss, lay heavy at her heart. No wonder her father was perplexed and provoked by the sad change inher face. At first he was inclined to remonstrate and put spurs to herpride. But there was a dignity about the lady at his side, even thoughshe was his daughter, that embarrassed and restrained him. Moreover, though he understood much and suspected far more--more indeed than thetruth--there was nothing acknowledged or tangible that he could layhold of, and she meant that it should be so. For reasons she did notunderstand she felt a disinclination to tell her troubles to SusieWinthrop, and she was most resolute in her purpose never to permit herfather to speak on the subject. 

If Mr. Ludolph had been as coarse and ignorant as he was hard andselfish, he would have gone to work at the case with sledge-hammerdexterity, as many parents have done, making sad, brutal havoc indelicate womanly natures with which they were no more fit to deal thana blacksmith with hair-springs. But though he longed to speak, andbring his remorseless logic to bear, Christine's manner raised a barrierwhich a man of his fine culture could not readily pass. 

She joined her father at a late breakfast, smiling and brilliant, buther gayety was clearly forced. The morning was spent in sketching, sheseeming to crave constant occupation or excitement. 

In the afternoon father and daughter drove up the river to the militarygrounds to witness a drill. Mr. Ludolph did his best to rally Christine, pointing out everything of interest. First, the grand old ruin of FortPutnam frowned down upon them. This had been the one feature wanting, and Christine felt that she could ask nothing more. Her wonder andadmiration grew as the road wound along the immediate bluff and aroundthe plain by the river fortifications. But when she stood on the piazzaof the West Point Hotel, and looked up through the Highlands towardNewburgh, tears came to her eyes, and she trembled with excitement. From her recent experiences her nerves were morbidly sensitive. Buther father could only look and wonder, she seemed so changed to him. 

"And is the Rhine like this?" she asked. 

"Well, the best I can say is, that to a German and a Ludolph it seemsjust as beautiful, " he replied. 

"Surely, " said she, slowly and in half-soliloquy, "if one could livealways amid such scenes as these, the Elysium of the gods or the heavenof the Christians would offer few temptations. "

"And among just such scenes you shall live after a short year passes, "he answered, warmly and confidently. But with anger he missed thewonted sparkle of her eyes when these cherished plans were broached. 

In bitterness Christine said to herself: "A few weeks since this thoughtwould have filled me with delight. Why does it not now?"

Silently they drove to the parade-ground. At the sally-port of thedistant barracks bayonets were gleaming. There was a burst of martialmusic, then each class at the Academy--four companies--came out uponthe grassy plain upon the double-quick. Their motions were light andswift, and yet so accurately timed that each company seemed one perfectpiece of mechanism. A cadet stood at a certain point with a small colorflying. Abreast of this their advance was checked as suddenly as ifthey had been turned to stone, and the entire corps was in line. Thenfollowed a series of skilful manoeuvres, in which Christine was muchinterested, and her old eager manner returned. 

"I like the army, " she exclaimed; "the precision and inflexible routinewould just suit me. I wish there was war, and I a man, that I mightenter into the glorious excitements. "

Luxurious Mr. Ludolph had no tastes in that direction, and, shrugginghis shoulders, said: "How about the hardships, wounds, and chances ofan obscure death? These are the rule in a campaign; the gloriousexcitements the exceptions. "

"I did not think of those, " she said, shrinking against the cushions. "Everything seems to have so many miserable drawbacks!"

The pageantry over, the driver turned and drove northward through themost superb scenery. 

"Where are we going?" asked Christine. 

"To the cemetery, " was the reply. 

"No, no! not there!" she exclaimed, nervously. 

"Nonsense! Why not?" remonstrated her father. 

"I don't wish to go there!" she cried, excitedly. "Please turn around. "

Her father reluctantly gave the order, but added, "Christine, youcertainly indulge in strange moods and whims of late. "

She was silent a moment, and then she began a running fire of questionsabout the Academy, that left no space for explanations. 

That evening she danced as resolutely as ever, and by her beauty andbrilliant repartee threw around her many bewildering spells that eventhe veterans of the Point could scarcely resist. 

But when alone in her own room she looked at her white face in themirror, and murmured in tones full of unutterable dread and remorse, "He is dead--he must be dead by this time!"

CHAPTER XXXV

REMORSE

Christine had a peculiar experience while at West Point. She saw onevery side what would have brought her the choicest enjoyment, had hermind been at rest. To her artist nature, and with her passion and powerfor sketching, the Highlands on the Hudson were paradise. But thoughshe saw in profusion what once would have delighted her, and what shenow felt ought to be the source of almost unmingled happiness, she wasstill thoroughly wretched. It was the old fable of Tantalus repeatingitself. Her sin and its results had destroyed her receptive power. Theworld offered her pleasures on every side; she longed to enjoy them, but could not, for her heart was preoccupied--filled and overflowingwith fear, remorse, and a sorrow she could not define. 

A vain, shallow girl might soon have forgotten such an experience asChristine had passed through. Such a creature would have beensentimental or hysterical for a little time, according to temperament, and then with the old zest have gone to flirting with some new victim. There are belles so weak and wicked that they would rather plumethemselves on the fact that one had died from love of them. But injustice to all such it should be said that they rarely have mind enoughto realize the evil they do. Their vanity overshadows every otherfaculty, and almost destroys those sweet, pitiful, unselfish qualitieswhich make a true woman what a true man most reverences next to God. 

Christine was proud and ambitious to the last degree, but she had notthis small vanity. She did not appreciate the situation fully, but shewas unsparing in her self-condemnation. 

If Dennis had been an ordinary man, and interested her no more thanhad other admirers, and had she given him no more encouragement, shewould have shrugged her shoulders over the result and said she wasvery sorry he had made such a fool of himself. 

But as she went over the past (and this now she often did), she sawthat he was unusually gifted; nay, more, the picture she discoveredin the loft of the store proved him possessed of genius of a highorder. And such a man she had deceived, tortured, and even killed!This was the verdict of her own conscience, the assertion of his ownlips. She remembered the wearing life of alternate hope and fear shehad caused him. She remembered how eagerly he hung on her smiles andsugared nothings, and how her equally causeless frowns would darkenall the world to him. She saw day after day how she had developed ina strong, true heart, with its native power to love unimpaired, themost intense passion, and all that her own lesser light might burn alittle more brightly. Then, with her burning face buried in her hands, she would recall the bitter, shameful consummation. Worse than all, waking or sleeping, she continually saw a pale, thin face, that evenin death looked upon her with unutterable reproach. In addition to themisery caused by her remorse, there was a deeper bitterness still. Within the depths of her soul a voice told her that the picture wastrue; that he might have awakened her, and led her out into the warmthand light of a happy life--a life which she felt ought to be possible, but which as yet had been but a vague and tantalizing dream. Now theworld seemed to her utter chaos--a place of innumerable paths leadingnowhere; and her own hands had broken the clew that might have broughther to something assured and satisfactory. She was very wretched, forher life seemed but a little point between disappointment on one sideand the blackness of death and nothingness on the other. The verybeauty of the landscapes about her often increased her pain. She feltthat a few weeks ago she would have enjoyed them keenly, and found intheir transference to canvas a source of unfailing pleasure. With aconscious blush she thought that if he were present to encourage, tostimulate her, by the very vitality of his earnest, loving nature, shewould be in the enjoyment of paradise itself. In a word, she saw theheaven she could not enter. 

To the degree that she had mind, heart, conscience, and an intensedesire for true happiness, she was unhappy. Dress, dancing, the passingadmiration of society, the pleasures of a merely fashionable life, seemed less and less satisfactory. She was beyond them, as childrenoutgrow their toys, because she had a native superiority to them, andyet they seemed her best resource. She had all her old longing topursue her art studies, and everything about her stimulated her tothis, but her heart and hand appeared paralyzed. She was in just thatcondition, mental and moral, in which she could do nothing well. 

And so the days passed in futile efforts to forget--to drown in almostreckless gayety--the voices of conscience and memory. But she onlyremembered all the more vividly; she only saw the miserable truth allthe more clearly. She suffered more in her torturing consciousnessthan Dennis in his wild delirium. 

After they had been at the hotel about a week, Mr. Ludolph receivedletters that made his speedy return necessary. On the same day thefamily of his old New York partner arrived at the house on their returnfrom the Catskills. Mrs. Von Brakhiem gladly received Christine underher care, feeling that the addition of such a bright star would makeher little constellation one of the most brilliant in the fashionableworld. 

The ladies of the house were now immersed in the excitement of anamateur concert. Mrs. Von Brakhiem, bent upon shining among theforemost, though with a borrowed lustre, assigned Christine a mostprominent part. She half shrank from it, for it recalled unpleasantmemories; but she could not decline without explanations, and so enteredinto the affair with a sort of recklessness. 

The large parlors were filled with chairs, which were soon occupied, and it was evident that in point of attraction elegant toilets wouldvie with the music. Christine came down on her father's arm, dressedlike a princess, and, though her diamonds were few, such were theirsize and brilliancy that they seemed on fire. Every eye followed Mrs. Von Brakhiem's party, and that good lady took half the admiration toherself. 

A superior tenor, with an unpronounceable foreign name, had come upfrom New York to grace the occasion. But personally he lacked everygrace himself, his fine voice being the one thing that redeemed himfrom utter insignificance in mind and appearance. Nevertheless he wasvain beyond measure, and made the most of himself on all occasions. 

The music was fine, for the amateurs, feeling that they had a criticalaudience, did their best. Christine chose three brilliant, difficult, but heartless pieces as her contribution to the entertainment (shewould not trust herself with anything else); and with somethingapproaching reckless gayety she sought to hide the bitterness at herheart. Her splendid voice and exquisite touch doubled the admirationher beauty and diamonds had excited, and Mrs. Von Brakhiem basked instill stronger reflected light. She took every opportunity to make itknown that she was Miss Ludolph's chaperon. 

After her first effort, the "distinguished" tenor from New York openedhis eyes widely at her; at her second, he put up his eyeglass insomething like astonishment; and the close of her last song found himnervously rummaging a music portfolio in the corner. 

But for Christine the law of association had become too strong, andthe prolonged applause recalled the evening at Miss Brown's when thesame sounds had deafened her, but when turning from it all she hadseen Dennis Fleet standing in rapt attention, his lips parted, hiseyes glowing with such an honest admiration that even then it was worthmore to her than all the clamor. Then, by the same law of association, she again saw that eager, earnest face, changed pale, dead--dead!--andshe the cause. Regardless of the compliments lavished upon her, sheburied her face in her hands and trembled from head to foot. 

But the irrepressible tenor had found what he wanted, and now cameforward asking that Miss Ludolph would sing a duet with him. 

She lifted a wan and startled face. Must the torturing similarity andstill more torturing contrast of the two occasions be continued? Butshe saw her father regarding her sternly--saw that she was becomingthe subject of curious glances and whispered surmises. Her pride wasaroused at once, and, goaded on by it, she said, "Oh, certainly; I amnot feeling well, but it does not signify. "

"And den, " put in the tenor, "dis is von grand occazeon to _you_, for itis so unfrequent dat I find any von vorthy to sing dis style of musicvith _me_. "

"What is the music?" asked Christine, coldly. 

To her horror she found it the same selection from Mendelssohn thatshe had sung with Dennis. 

"No, " she said, sharply, "I cannot sing that. "

"Pardon me, my daughter, you can sing it admirably if you choose, "interposed her father. 

She turned to him imploringly, but his face was inflexible, and hiseyes had an incensed look. For a moment she, too, was angry. Had heno mercy? She was about to decline coldly, but her friends were veryurgent and clamorous--"Please do, " "Don't disappoint us, " echoing onevery side. The tenor was so surprised and puzzled at her insensibilityto the honor he had conferred, that, to prevent a scene she could notexplain, she went to the piano as if led to the stake. 

But the strain was too great upon her in her suffering state. Thefamiliar notes recalled so vividly the one who once before had sungthem at her side that she turned almost expecting to see him--but sawonly the vain little animated music-machine, who with many contortionswas producing the harmony. "Just this mockery my life will ever be, "she thought; "all that I am, the best I can do, will always be connectedwith something insignificant and commonplace. The rich, impassionedvoice of the _man_ who sang these words, and who might have taught me tosing the song of a new and happier life, I have silenced forever. "

The thought overpowered her. Just then her part recurred, but her voicedied away in a miserable quaver, and again she buried her face in herhands. Suddenly she sprang from the piano, darted through the low-cutopen window near, and a moment later ordered her startled maid fromthe room, turned the key, and was alone. 

Her father explained coldly to the astonished audience and thehalf-paralyzed tenor (who still stood with his mouth open) that hisdaughter was not at all well that evening, and ought not to haveappeared at all. This Mrs. Von Brakhiem took up and repeated withendless variations. But the evidences of sheer mental distress on thepart of Christine had been too clear, and countless were the whisperedsurmises of the fashionable gossips in explanation. 

Mrs. Von Brakhiem herself, burning with curiosity, soon retired, thatshe might receive from her lovely charge some gushing confidences, which she expected, as a matter of course, would be poured into whatshe chose to regard as her sympathizing ear. But she knocked in vainat Christine's door. 

Later Mr. Ludolph knocked. There was no answer. 

"Christine!" he called. 

After some delay a broken voice answered, "You cannot enter--I am notwell--I have retired. "

He turned on his heel and strode away, and that night drank more brandyand water than was good for him. 

As for Christine, warped and chilled though her nature had been, shewas still a woman, she was still young, and, though she knew it not, she had heard the voice which had spoken her heart into life. Througha chain of circumstances for which she was partly to blame, she hadbeen made to suffer as she had not believed was possible. The terriblewords of Mr. Bruder's letter rang continually in her ears--"Mrs. Fleetis not dying a natural death; he has been, slain. "

For many long, weary days the conviction had been growing upon herthat she had indeed slain him and mortally wounded herself. Untilto-night she had kept herself outwardly under restraint, but now thelong pent-up feeling gave way, and she sobbed as if her heart wouldbreak--sobbed till the power to weep was gone. If now some kind, judicious friend had shown her that she was not so guilty as she deemedherself; that, however, frightful the consequences of such acts, shewas really not to blame for what she did not intend and could notforesee; more than all, if she could only have known that her worstfears about Dennis were not to be realized, and that he was nowrecovering, she might at once have entered on a new and happier life. But there was no such friend, no such knowledge, and her wounded spiritwas thrown back upon itself. 

At last, robed as she had been for the evening, she fell asleepfrom sheer exhaustion and grief--for grief induces sleep. 

The gems that shone in her dishevelled hair; that rose and fell as atlong intervals her bosom heaved with convulsive sobs, like the fitfulgusts of a storm that is dying away; the costly fabrics she wore--madesad mockery in their contrast with the pale, tear-stained, sufferingface. The hardest heart might have pitied her--yes, even the whollyambitious heart of her father, incensed as he was that a plebeianstranger of this land should have caused such distress. 

When Christine awoke, her pride awoke also. With bitterness of spiritshe recalled the events of the past evening. But a new phase of feelingnow began to manifest itself. 

After her passionate outburst she was much calmer. In this respect theunimpeded flow of feeling had done her good, and, as intimated, ifkindness and sympathy could now have added their gentle ministrations, she might have been the better for it all her life. But, left toherself, she again yielded to the sway of her old and worst traits. Chief among these was pride; and under the influence of this passionand the acute suffering of her unsoothed, unguided spirit, she beganto rebel in impotent anger. She grew hard, cynical, and reckless. Herfather's lack of sympathy and consideration alienated her heart evenfrom him. Left literally alone in the world, her naturally reservednature shut itself up more closely than ever. Even her only friend, Susie Winthrop, drifted away. One other, who might have been--But shecould think of him only with a shudder now. All the rest seemedindifferent, or censorious, or, worse still, to be using her, likeMrs. Von Brakhiem and even her own father, as a stepping-stone to theirpersonal ambition. Christine could not see that she was to blame forthis isolation. She did not understand that cold, selfish natures, like her own and her father's, could not surround themselves with warm, generous friends. She saw only the fact. But with flashing eyes sheresolved that her heart's secrets should not be pried into ahair-breadth further; that she would be used only so far as she chose. She would, in short, "face out" the events of the past evening simplyand solely on the ground that she had not been well, and permit noquestions to be asked. 

Cold and self-possessed, she came down to a late breakfast. Mrs. VonBrakhiem, and others who had been introduced, joined her, but nothingcould penetrate through the nice polished armor of her courteousreserve. Her father looked at her keenly, but she coolly returned hisgaze. 

When alone with her soon afterward, he turned and said, sharply, "Whatdoes all this mean?"

She looked around as if some one else were near. 

"Were you addressing me?" she asked, coldly. 

"Yes, of course I am, " said her father, impatiently. 

"From your tone and manner, I supposed you must be speaking to someone else. "

"Nonsense! I was speaking to you. What does all this mean?"

She turned on him an indescribable look, and after a moment said ina slow, meaning tone, "Have you not heard my explanation, sir?"

Such was her manner, he felt he could as easily strike her as sayanother word. 

Muttering an oath, he turned on his heel and left her to herself. 

The next morning her father bade her "Good-by. " In parting he said, meaningly, "Christine, beware!"

Again she turned upon him that peculiar look, and replied in a low, firm tone: "That recommendation applies to you, also. Let us bothbeware, lest we repent at leisure. "

The wily man, skilled in character, was now thoroughly convinced thatin his daughter he was dealing with a nature very different from hiswife's--that he was now confronted by a spirit as proud and imperiousas his own. He clearly saw that force, threatening, sternness wouldnot answer in this case, and that if he carried his points it must bethrough skill and cunning. By some means he must ever gain her consentand co-operation. 

His manner changed. Instinctively she divined the cause; and hers didnot. Therefore father and daughter parted as father and daughter oughtnever to part. 

After his departure she was to remain at West Point till the seasonclosed, and then accompany Mrs. Von Brakhiem to New York, where shewas to make as long a visit as she chose;--and she chose to make along one. In the scenery, and the society of the officers at WestPoint, and the excitements of the metropolis, she found more to occupyher thoughts than she could have done at Chicago. She went deliberatelyto work to kill time and snatch from it such fleeting pleasures as shemight. 

They stayed in the country till the pomp and glory of October beganto illumine the mountains, and then (to Christine's regret) went tothe city. There she entered into every amusement and dissipation thather tastes permitted, and found much pleasure in frequent visits tothe Central Park, although it seemed tame and artificial after thewild grandeur of the mountains. It was well that her nature was sohigh-toned that she found enjoyment in only what was refined orintellectual. Had it been otherwise she might soon have taken, in hermorbid, reckless state, a path to swift and remediless ruin, as manya poor creature all at war with happiness and truth has done. And thusin a giddy whirl of excitement (Mrs. Von Brakhiem's normal condition)the days and weeks passed, till at last, thoroughly satiated and jaded, she concluded to return home, for the sake of change and quiet, ifnothing else. Mrs. Von Brakhiem parted with her regretfully. Wherewould she find such another ally in her determined struggle to betalked about and envied a little more than some other pushing, jostlingvotaries of fashion?

In languor or sleep Christine made the journey, and in the dusk of awinter's day her father drove her to their beautiful home, which fromassociation was now almost hateful to her. Still she was too weary tothink or suffer much. They met each other very politely, and theirintercourse assumed at once its wonted character of high-bred courtesy, though perhaps it was a little more void of manifested sympathy andaffection than before. 

Several days elapsed in languid apathy, the natural reaction of pastexcitement; then an event occurred which most thoroughly aroused her. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

AN APPARITION

Mr. Ludolph had hoped to hear on his return that Dennis was dead. Thatwould end all difficulties. Mr. Schwartz did not know;--he was not atlast accounts. Ernst was summoned. With a bright, hopeful face hestated that his mother had just received a letter saying Dennis wasa little better. He was much surprised at his employer's heavy frown. 

"He will live, " mused Mr. Ludolph; "and now shall I permit him toreturn to my employ, or discharge him?"

His brow contracted in lines of thought that suggested shrewdness, cunning, nothing manly, and warily he judged. 

"If I do not take him, he will go to Mr. French with certainty. He hadbetter return, for then both he and Christine will be more thoroughlyunder my surveillance. 

"Curses on Christine's waywardness! There may be no resisting her, andmy best chance will be in managing him. This I could not do if he werein the store of my rival;" and so for unconscious Dennis thisimportant question was decided. 

At last, as we have said, his delirium ceased, and the quiet light ofreason came into his eyes. He looked at his mother and smiled, but wastoo weak even to reach out his hand. 

The doctor, coming in soon after, declared danger past, and that alldepended now on good nursing. Little fear of his wanting that!

"Ah, mine Gott be praised! mine Gott be praised!" exclaimed Mr. Bruder, who had to leave the room to prevent an explosion of his grateful, happy feelings that might have proved too rude a tempest for Dennisin his weak state. He was next seen striding across the fields to aneighboring grove, ejaculating as he went. When he returned his eyesshone with a great peace and joy, and he had evidently been with Himwho had cast out the demon from his heart. 

Day after day Dennis rallied. Unlike poor Christine, he had beneathhim the two strongest levers, love and prayer, and steadily they liftedhim up to health and strength and comparative peace. At last he wasable to sit up and walk about feebly, and Mr. Bruder returned rejoicingto his family. As he wrung Dennis's hand at parting, he said, in rathera hoarse voice: "If any von tell me Gott is not goot and heareth notprayer, den I tell him he von grand heathen. Oh! but we vill velcomeyou soon. Ve vill haf de grandest supper, de grandest songs, degrandest--" but just here Mr. Bruder thought it prudent to pull hisbig fur cap over his eyes, and make a rush for the stage. 

As if by tacit understanding, Christine's name had not been mentionedduring Dennis's recovery. But one evening, after the little girls hadbeen put to bed, and the lamp shaded, he sat in the dimly lighted room, looking fixedly for a long time at the glowing embers. His mother wasmoving quietly about, putting away the tea-things, clearing up afterthe children's play; but as she worked she furtively watched him. Atlast coming to his side she pushed back the hair that seemed so darkin contrast with the thin, white face and said, gently, "You arethinking of Miss Ludolph, Dennis. "

He had some blood yet, for that was not the glow of the fire thatsuffused his cheek; but he only answered, quietly, "Yes, mother. "

Do you think you can forget her?"

"I don't know. "

"Prayer is a mighty thing, my son. "

"But perhaps it is not God's will that I should ever win her, " saidDennis, despondently. 

"Then surely it is not yours, my child. "

"No, mother, " said Dennis, with bowed head and low tone, "but yet Iam human and weak. "

"You would still wish that it were His will?"

"Yes; I could not help it. "

"But you would submit?"

"Yes, with His help I would, " firmly. 

"That is sufficient, my boy; I have such confidence in God that I knowthis matter will result in a way to secure you the greatest happinessin the end. "

But after a little time he sighed, wearily, "Yet how hard it is towait till the great plan is worked out!"

Solemnly she quoted-"God will render to every man according to hisdeeds. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for gloryand honor and immortality, eternal life. "

Braced by the stirring words of inspiration, strengthened by hismother's faith, he looked up after a moment and said, earnestly, "Atany rate I will try to be a _man in your sense of the word_, and that issaying a great deal. "

She beamed at him through her spectacles over her knitting-needles;and he thought, as he gazed fondly at her, that in spite of her quaint, old-fashioned garb, and homely occupation, she appeared more truly asaint than any painted on cathedral windows. 

He soon noticed that his mother had grown feeble, and he determinedto take her with him on his return, believing that, by his care, andthe wise use of tonics, he could restore her to her wonted strength. His increased salary now justified the step. 

Early in November his physician said he might return to business ifhe would be prudent. He gladly availed himself of the permission, forhe longed to be employed again. 

The clerks all welcomed him warmly, for his good-nature had disarmedjealousy at his rapid rise. But in the greeting of Mr. Ludolph hemissed something of the cordiality he expected. 

"Perhaps she has told him, " thought he; and at once his own mannerbecame tinged with a certain coldness and dignity. He determined thatboth father and daughter should think of him only with respect. 

At the Bruders' the millennium came with Dennis. Metaphorically thefatted calf was killed; their plain little room was trimmed withevergreens, and when he entered he was greeted by such a jubilant, triumphant chorus of welcomes as almost took away his breath. Whatlittle he had left was suddenly squeezed out of him; for Mrs. Bruden, dropping her frying-pan and dish-cloth, rushed upon him, exclaiming, "Ah! mine fren! mine fren! De goot Gott be praised;" and she gave himan embrace that made his bones ache. 

Mr. Bruder stalked about the room repeating with explosive energy, like minute-guns, "Praise Gott! Praise Gott!" Ernst, his great eyesdimmed with happy tears, clung to Dennis's hand, as if he would makesure, by sense of touch as well as sight, that he had regained hisbeloved teacher. The little Bruders were equally jubilant, though fromrather mixed motives. Dennis's arrival was very well, but they couldnot keep their round eyes long off the preparations for such a supperas never before had blessed their brief career. 

"Truly, " thought Dennis, as he looked around upon the happy family, and contrasted its appearance with that which it had presented whenhe first saw it, "my small investment of kindness and effort in thiscase has returned large interest. I think it pays to do good. "

The evening was one of almost unmingled happiness, even to his sore, disappointed heart, and passed into memory as among the sunniest placesof his life. 

He found a pleasant little cottage over on the West side, part of whichhe rented for his mother and sisters. 

With Mr. Ludolph's permission he went after them, and installed themin it. Thus he had what he had needed all along--a home, a resting-placefor body and soul, under the watchful eye of love. 

About this time Dr. Arten met him, stared a moment, then clapped himon the back in his hearty way, saying, "Well, well, young man! youhave cause to be thankful, and not to the doctors, either. "

"I think I am, " said Dennis, smiling. 

Suddenly the doctor looked grave, and asked in a stern voice, "Are youa heathen, or a good Christian?"

"I hope not the former, " replied Dennis, a little startled. 

"Then don't go and commit suicide again. Don't you know flesh and bloodcan only stand so much? When an intelligent young fellow like you goesbeyond that, he is committing suicide. Bless your soul, my ambitiousfriend, the ten commandments ain't all the law of God. His laws arealso written all over this long body of yours, and you came near payinga pretty penalty for breaking them. You won't get off the second time. "

"You are right, doctor; I now see that I acted very wrongly. "

"'Bring forth fruits meet for repentance. ' I am rich enough to givesound advice, " said the brusque old physician, passing on. 

"Stop a moment, doctor, " cried Dennis, "I want you to see my mother. "

"What is the matter with her? She been breaking the commandments, too?"

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Dennis. "She is not a bit of a heathen. "

"I am not so sure about that. I know many eminent saints in the churchwho will eat lobster salad for supper, and then send for the doctorand minister before morning. There is a precious twaddle about'mysterious Providence. ' Providence isn't half so mysterious as peoplemake out. The doctor is expected to look serious and sympathetic, andcall their law-breaking and its penalty by some outlandish Latin namethat no one can understand. I give 'em the square truth, and tell 'emthey've been breaking the commandments. "

Dennis could not forbear smiling at the doctor's rough handling ofhumbug, even in one of its most respectable guises. Then, rememberinghis mother, he added, gravely: "I am truly anxious about my mother, she has grown so feeble. I want, and yet dread, the truth. "

The bantering manner of the good old doctor changed at once, and hesaid, kindly, "I'll come, my boy, within a few days, though I am nearlyrun off my feet. "

He went off, muttering, "Why don't the people send for some of theyoungsters that sit kicking up their heels in their offices all day?"

Dennis soon fell into the routine of work and rapidly grew stronger. But his face had acquired a gravity, a something in expression thatonly experience gives, which made him appear older by ten years. Alltrace of the boy had gone, and his countenance was now that of theman, and of one who had suffered. 

As soon as he recovered sufficient strength to act with decision, heindignantly tried to banish Christine's image from his memory. But hefound this impossible. Though at times his eyes would flash, in viewof her treatment, they would soon grow gentle and tender, and he foundhimself excusing and extenuating, by the most special pleadings, thatwhich he had justly condemned. 

One evening his mother startled him out of a long revery, in which hehad almost vindicated Christine, by saying, "A very pleasant smile hasbeen gradually dawning on your face, my son. "

"Mother, " replied he, hesitatingly, "perhaps I have judged Miss Ludolphharshly. "

"Your love, not your reason, has evidently been pleading for her. "

"Well, mother, I suppose you are right. "

"So I suppose the Divine love pleads for the weak and sinful, " saidMrs. Fleet, dreamily. 

"That is a very pleasant thought, mother, for sometimes it seems thatmy love could make black white. "

"That the Divine love has done, but at infinite cost to itself. "

"Oh that my love at any cost to itself could lead her into the newlife of the believer!" said Dennis, in a low, earnest tone. 

"Your love is like the Divine in being unselfish, but remember thevital differences and take heed. God _can_ change the nature of theimperfect creature that He loves. You cannot. His love is infinitein its strength and patience. You are human. The proud, selfish, unbelieving Miss Ludolph (pardon mother's plain words) could not makeyou happy. To the degree that you were loyal to God, you would beunhappy, and I should surely dread such a union. The whole tone ofyour moral character would have to be greatly lowered to permit evenpeace. "

"But, mother, " said Dennis, almost impatiently, "in view of myunconquerable love, it is nearly the same as if I were married to hernow. "

"No, my son, I think not. I know your pretty theory on this subject, but it seems more pretty than true. Marriage makes a vital difference. It is the closest union that we can voluntarily form on earth, and isthe emblem of the spiritual oneness of the believer's soul with Christ. We may be led through circumstances, as you have been, to love onewith whom we should not form such a union. Indeed, in the true andmystic meaning of the rite, you could not marry Christine Ludolph. TheBible declares that man and wife shall be one. Unless she changes, unless you change (and that God forbid), this could not be. You wouldbe divided, separated in the deepest essentials of your life here, andin every respect hereafter. Again, while God loves every sinful manand woman, He does not take them to His heart till they cry out to Himfor strength to abandon the destroying evil He hates. There areno unchanged, unrenewed hearts in heaven. "

"Oh, mother, how inexorable is your logic!" said Dennis, breathingheavily. 

"Truth in the end is ever more merciful than falsehood, " she answered, gently. 

After a little, he said, with a heavy sigh, "Mother, you are right, and I am very weak and foolish. "

She looked at him with unutterable tenderness. She could not crush outall hope, and so whispered, as before: "Prayer is mighty, my child. It is not wrong for you to love. It is your duty, as well as privilege, to pray for her. Trust your Heavenly Father, do His will, and He willsolve this question in the very best way. "

Dennis turned to his mother in sudden and passionate earnestness, andsaid: "Your prayers are mighty, mother, I truly believe. Oh, prayfor her--for my sake as well as hers. Looking from the human side, I amhopeless. It is only God's almighty power that can make us, as yousay, truly one. I fear that now she is only a heartless, fashionablegirl. Yet, if she is only this, I do not see how I came to love heras I do. But my trust now is in your prayers to God. "

"And in your own also: the great Father loves you, too, my son. If Hechooses that the dross in her character should be burned away, andyour two lives fused, there are in His providence just the fiery trials, just the circumstances that will bring it about. " (Was she unconsciouslyuttering a prophecy?) "The crucible of affliction, the test of somegreat emergency, will often develop a seemingly weak and frivolousgirl into noble life, where there is real gold of latent worth to beacted on. "

"Christine Ludolph is anything but weak and frivolous, " said he. "Hercharacter is strong, and I think most decided in its present bent. Butas you say, if the Divine Alchemist wills it, He can change even thedross to gold, and turn unbelief to faith. "

Hope, Christine! There is light coming, though as yet you cannot seeit. There are angels of mercy flying toward you, though you cannothear the rustle of their wings. The dark curtain of death and despaircan never shut down upon a life linked to heaven by such true, strongprayer. And yet the logical results of wrong-doing will work themselvesout, sin must be punished and faith sorely tried. 

Dennis heard incidentally that Christine was absent on a visit to NewYork, but he knew nothing of the time of her return. 

He now bent himself steadily and resolutely to the mastering of hisbusiness, and under Mr. Bruder's direction resumed his art studies, though now in such moderation as Dr. Arten would commend. 

He also entered on an artistic effort that would tax his powers andgenius to the very utmost, of which more anon. 

By the time Christine returned, he was quite himself again, thoughmuch paler and thinner than when he first entered the store. 

After Christine had been at home nearly a week, her father, to rouseher out of her listlessness, said one morning: "We have recentlyreceived quite a remarkable painting from Europe. You will find it inthe upper show-room, and had better come down to-day to see it, forit may be sold soon. I think you would like to copy one or two figuresin it. "

The lassitude from her New York dissipation was passing away, and heractive nature beginning to assert itself again. She started up andsaid, "Wait five minutes and I will get sketching materials and godown with you. "

By reason of her interdict, made at West Point, so earnestly, andindeed fiercely, and confirmed by her manner, her father had nevermentioned the name of Dennis Fleet. The very fact that no one hadspoken of him since that dreadful day when tidings came in on everyside that he could not live was confirmation in her mind that he wasdead. 

She dreaded going to the store, especially for the first time, foreverything would irresistibly remind her of him whom she could notthink of now without a pang. But as the ordeal must come, why, thesooner it was over the better. So a few moments later her hand was onher father's arm, and they were on their way to the Art Building asin happier days. 

Mr. Ludolph went to his office, and Christine, looking neither to theright nor to the left, ascended to the upper show-room, and at oncesought to engage every faculty in making the sketch her father hadsuggested. Since Dennis was not, as she believed, either on the earthor elsewhere, she tried to take up life again as it had been beforehe came, and to act as if he had never been. 

Hopeless task! In that familiar place, where they had begun therearrangement of the store, everything spoke of him. She saw his glowingcheeks; again his dark, eager eyes followed her every movement andinterpreted her wishes even before she could speak. Some of the pictureson the walls his hands had handled, and in her strong fancy his litheform seemed moving the ladder to take them down again, while she, withheart and mind at rest, looked with growing curiosity and interest onher humble helper. 

What changes had occurred within a short half-year! She shuddered atthe thought that one who was then so instinct with life and happinesscould now be dust and nothingness, and she the cause. 

Association and conscience were again too powerful. She was becomingnervous and full of a strange unrest, so she concluded to finish hersketch at another time. As she was gathering up her materials she heardsome one enter the room. 

She was in such a morbid, unstrung state that the least thing startledher. But imagine if you can her wonder and terror as she saw DennisFleet--the dead and buried, as she fully believed--enter, carrying apicture as of old, and looking as of old, save that he was paler andthinner. Was it an apparition? or, as she had read, had she dwelt solong on this trouble that her mind and imagination were becomingdisordered and able to place their wild creations before her asrealities?

Her sketching materials fell clattering to the floor, and after onesharp exclamation of alarm she stood as if transfixed, with partedlips and dilated eyes, panting like a frightened bird. 

If a sculptor had wished to portray the form and attitude of onestartled by the supernatural, never could he have found a more fittingmodel than Christine at this moment. 

As she had been seated a little on one side Dennis had not seen herat first; but, on recognizing her so unexpectedly, he was scarcelyless startled than she, and the valuable picture he was carrying nearlymet sudden destruction. But he had no such reason as Christine for thecontinuance of his surprise, and, at once recovering himself, he setthe picture against the wall. 

This made the illusion still more strange and terrible to Christine. There was the dead before her, doing just as she had beenimagining--just what he had done at her bidding months before. 

Dennis was greatly puzzled by her look of alarm and distress. Then hethought that perhaps she feared he would break out in bitter and angryinvectives again, and he advanced toward her to assure her of thecontrary. 

Slowly and instinctively she retreated and put up her hands with adeprecatory gesture. 

"She cannot endure the sight of me, " thought he, but at once he said, with dignified courtesy: "Miss Ludolph, you have nothing to fear fromme, that you should regard me in that manner. You need not shrink asif from contagion. We can treat each other as courteous strangers, atleast. "

"I--I--I--thought you were dead!" she gasped, in a loud whisper. 

Dennis's cheek grew paler than it had been in all his sickness, andthen as suddenly became dark with anger. His eyes were terrible intheir indignation as he advanced a few paces almost fiercely. Shetrembled violently and shrunk further away. 

"You thought I was dead?" he asked, sternly. 

"Ye-e-s, " in the same unnatural whisper. 

"What!" he exclaimed, in short and bitter emphasis, "do you mean tosay that you never cared even to ask whether I lived or died in mylong, weary illness?--that you were so supremely indifferent to myfate that you could not articulate one sentence of inquiry? Surelythis is the very sublimity of heartlessness; this is to be callousbeyond one's power of imagination. It seems to me that I would feelas much interest as that in any human being I had once known. If evena dog had licked my hand in good-will, and afterward I had seen it, wounded or sick, creep off into covert, the next time I passed thatway I would step aside to see whether the poor creature had lived ordied. But after all the wealth of affection that I lavished upon you, after toiling and almost dying in my vain effort to touch your marbleheart, you have not even the humanity to ask if I am above ground!"

The illusion had now passed from Christine's mind, and with it heralarm. The true state of the case was rapidly dawning upon her, andshe was about to speak eagerly; but in his strong indignation hecontinued, impetuously: "You thought I was dead! The wish probably wasfather to the thought. My presumption deserved no better fate. Butpermit me to tell you, though all unbidden, I did not die. With God'sblessing I expect to live to a good old age, and intend that but fewyears shall pass before my name is as well known and honored as theancient one of Ludolph;" and he turned on his heel and strode from theroom. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

IF HE KNEW!

For a little time after Dennis's angry tread died away, Christine satalmost paralyzed by surprise and deeper emotion. Her mind, thoughusually clear and rapid in its action, was too confused to realize thetruth. Suddenly she sprang up, gathered together her sketchingmaterials, and drawing a thick veil over her face sped through thestore, through the streets, to the refuge of her own room. She mustbe alone. 

Hastily throwing aside her wrappings, she began to walk up and downin her excitement. Her listlessness was gone now in very truth, andher eye and cheek glowed as never before. As if it had become the greatvivifying principle of her own life, she kept repeating continuallyin a low, ecstatic tone, "He lives! he lives! he is not dead; his bloodis not upon my conscience!"

At last she sat down in her luxurious chair before the window to thinkit all over--to commune with herself--often the habit of the reservedand solitary. From the disjointed sentences she let fall, from thereflection of her excited face in yonder glass, we gather quitecorrectly the workings of her mind. Her first words were, "Thank heaven!thank something or other, I have not blotted out that true, stronggenius. "

Again--"What untold wretchedness I might have saved myself if I hadonly asked the question, in a casual way, 'How is Mr. Fleet?' ChristineLudolph, with all your pride and imagined superiority, you can be veryfoolish. 

"How he hates and despises me now! little wonder!"

"But if he knew!"

"Knew what? Why could you not ask after him, as after any other sickman? You have had a score or so of offers, and did not trouble yourselfas to the fate of the lovelorn swains. Seems to me your conscience hasbeen very tender in this case. And the fact that he misjudges you, thinks you callous, heartless, and is angry, troubles you beyondmeasure. "

"When before were you so sensitive to the opinion of clerks andtrades-people, or even the proudest suitors for your hand? But in thiscase you must cry out, in a tone of sentimental agony, 'Oh, if he onlyknew I'"

"Knew what?"

Her face in yonder mirror has a strange, introverted expression, asif she were scanning her own soul. Her brow contracts with thought andperplexity. 

Gradually a warm, beautiful light steals into her face, transformingit as from the scowl of a winter morning into a dawn of June; her eyesbecome gentle and tender. A rich color comes out upon her cheeks, spreads up her temples, mantles her brow, and pours a crimson torrentdown her snowy neck. Suddenly she drops her burning face into herhands, and hides a vision one would gladly look longer upon. But see, even her little ears have become as red as coral. 

The bleakest landscape in the world brightens into something likebeauty when the sun shines upon it. So love, the richer, sweeter lightof the soul, make the plainest face almost beautiful; but when itchanged Christine Ludolph's faultless, yet too cold and classical, features into those of a loving woman's, it suggested a beauty scarcelyhuman. 

A moment later there came a faint whisper: "I fear--I almost fear Ilove him. " Then she lifted a startled, frightened face and lookedtimidly around as if, in truth, walls had ears. 

Reassured by the consciousness of solitude, her head dropped on herwrist and her revery went forward. Her eyes became dreamy, and ahalf-smile played upon her lips as she recalled proof after proof ofhis affection, for she knew the cruel words of the last interview werethe result of misunderstanding. 

But suddenly she darted from her seat and began pacing the room in thestrongest perturbation. 

"Mocked again!" she cried; "the same cruel fate! my old miserableexperience in a new aspect! With everything within my reach, save theone thing I want, I possess the means of all kinds of happiness exceptthat which makes me happy. In every possible way I am pledged to acareer and future in which he can take no part. Though my heart isfull of the strangest, sweetest chaos, and I do not truly understandmyself, yet I am satisfied that this is not a school-girl's fancy. Butmy father would regard it as the old farce repeated. Already he suspectsand frowns upon the matter. I should have to break with him utterlyand forever. I should have to give up all my ambitious plans andtowering hopes of life abroad. A plain Mrs. In this city of shops isa poor substitute for a countess's coronet and a villa on the Rhine. "

Her cheek flushed, and her lip curled. 

"That indeed would be the very extravagance of romance, and how couldI, least of all, who so long have scoffed at such things, explain myaction? These mushroom shopkeepers, who were all nobodies the otherday, elevate their eyebrows when a merchant's daughter marries herfather's clerk. But when would the wonder cease if a German lady ofrank followed suit?

"Then again my word, my honor, every sacred pledge I could give, forbidssuch folly. 

"Would to heaven I had never seen him, for this unfortunate fancy ofmine must be crushed in its inception; strangled before it comes tomaster me as it has mastered him. "

After a long and weary sigh she continued: "Well, everything isfavorable for a complete and final break between us. He believes meheartless and wicked to the last degree. I cannot undeceive him withoutshowing more than he should know. I have only to avoid him, to saynothing, and we drift apart. 

"If we could only have been friends he might have helped me so much!but that now is clearly impossible--yes, for both of us. 

"Truly one of these American poets was right:

"'For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these--Itmight have been. '

"But thanks to the immortal gods, as the pious heathen used to say, his blood is not on my hands, and this has taken a mountain off myheart. Thus relieved I can perhaps forget all the miserable business. Fate forbids that I, as it has forbidden that many another high-bornwoman, should marry where she might have loved. "

If Christine's heart was wronged, her pride was highly gratified bythis conclusion. Here was a new and strong resemblance between herselfand the great. In mind she recalled the titled unfortunates who had"loved where they could not marry, " and with the air and feeling ofa martyr to ancestral grandeur she pensively added her name to thelist. 

With her conscience freed from its burden of remorse, with theknowledge, so sweet to every woman, that she might accept this happinessif she would, in spite of her airs of martyrdom, the world had changedgreatly for the better, and with the natural buoyancy of youth shereacted into quite a cheerful and hopeful state. 

Her father noticed this on his return to dinner in the evening, andsought to learn its cause. He asked, "How did you make out with yoursketch?"

"I made a beginning, " she answered, with some little color rising toher cheek. 

"Perhaps you were interrupted?"

"Why did you not tell me that Mr. Fleet had recovered?" she asked, abruptly. 

"Why, did you think he was dead?"

"Yes. "

Mr. Ludolph indulged in a hearty laugh (he knew the power of ridicule). 

"Well, that is excellent!" he said. "You thought the callow youth haddied on account of your hardness of heart; and this explains yourrather peculiar moods and tenses of late. Let me assure you that aYankee never dies from such a cause. "

Mr. Ludolph determined if possible to break down her reserve and letin the garish light, which he knew to be most fatal to all romanticfancies, that ever thrive best in the twilight of secrecy. But she wason the alert now, and in relief of mind had regained her poise and thepower to mask her feeling. So she said in a tone tinged with coldindifference, "You may be right, but I had good reason to believe tothe contrary, and, as I am not altogether without a conscience, youmight have saved much pain by merely mentioning the fact of hisrecovery. "

"But you had adjured me with frightful solemnity never to mention hisname again, " said her father, still laughing. 

Christine colored and bit her lip. She had forgotten for the momentthis awkward fact. 

"I was nervous, sick, and not myself that day, and every one I metcould speak of nothing but Mr. Fleet. "

"Well, really, " he said, "in the long list of the victims that youhave wounded if not slain, I never supposed my clerk and quondamman-of-all-work would prove so serious a case. "

"A truce to your bantering, father! Mr. Fleet is humble only in station, not in character, not in ability. You know I have never been verytender with the 'victims, ' as you designate them, of the Mellen stamp;but Mr. Fleet is a man, in the best sense of the word, and one thatI have wronged. Now that the folly is past I may as well explain toyou some things that have appeared strange. I think I can truly saythat I have given those gentlemen who have honored, or rather annoyedme, by their unwished-for regard, very little encouragement. Therefore, I was not responsible for any follies they might commit. But forartistic reasons I did encourage Mr. Fleet's infatuation. You rememberhow I failed in making a copy of that picture. In my determination tosucceed, I hit upon the rather novel expedient of inspiring and copyingthe genuine thing. You know my imitative power is better than myimagination, and I thought that by often witnessing the expression offeeling and passion, I might learn to portray it without thedisagreeable necessity of passing through any such experiences myself. But the experiment, as you know, did not work well. These livingsubjects are hard to manage, and, as I have said, I am troubled by aconscience. "

Mr. Ludolph's eyes sparkled, and a look of genuine admiration lightedup his features. 

"Brava!" he cried; "your plan was worthy of you and of your ancestry. It was a real stroke of genius. You were too tender-hearted, otherwiseit would have been perfect. What are the lives of a dozen such youngfellows compared with the development and perfection of such a womanas you bid fair to be?"

Christine had displayed in this transaction just the qualities thather father most admired. But even she was shocked at his callousness, and lifted a somewhat startled face to his. 

"Your estimate of human life is rather low, " she said. 

"Not at all. Is not one perfect plant better than a dozen imperfectones? The gardener often pulls up the crowding and inferior ones tothrow them about the roots of the strongest, that in their death anddecay they may nourish it to the highest development. The applicationof this principle is evident. They secure most in this world who havethe skill and power to grasp most. "

"But how about the rights of others? Conscious men and women are notplants. "

"Let them be on their guard then. Every one is for himself in thisworld. That can be plainly seen through the thin disguises that sometry to assume. After all, half the people we meet are little betterthan summer weeds. "

Christine almost shuddered to think that the one bound to her by closestties cherished such sentiments toward the world, and probably, to acertain extent, toward herself, but she only said, quietly: "I canhardly subscribe to your philosophy as yet, though I fear I act uponit too often. Still it does not apply to Mr. Fleet. He is gifted inno ordinary degree, and doubtless will stand high here in his own landin time. And now, as explanation has been made, with your permissionwe will drop this subject out of our conversation as before. "

"Well, " said Mr. Ludolph to himself, between sips of his favorite Rhinewine, "I have gained much light on the subject to-night, and I mustconfess that, even with my rather wide experience, the whole thing isa decided novelty. If Christine were only less troubled with conscience, over-fastidiousness, or whatever it is--if she were more moderate inher ambition as an artist, and could be satisfied with power andadmiration, as other women are--what a star she might become in thefashionable world of Europe! But, for some reason, I never feel sureof her. Her spirit is so wilful and obstinate, and she seems so fullof vague longing after an ideal, impossible world, that I live inconstant dread that she may be led into some folly fatal to my ambition. This Fleet is a most dangerous fellow. I wish I were well rid of him;still, matters are not so bad as I feared--that is, if she told me thewhole truth, which I am inclined to doubt. But I had better keep himin my employ during the few months we still remain in this land, asI can watch over him, and guard against his influence better than ifhe were beyond my control. But no more promotion or encouragement doeshe get from me. "

Janette, Christine's French maid, passed the open door. The thoughtstruck Mr. Ludolph that he might secure an ally in her. 

The unscrupulous creature was summoned, and agreed for no very largesum to become a spy upon Christine, and report anything looking towardfriendly relations with Dennis Fleet. 

"The game is still in my hands, " said the wary man. "I will yet steermy richly-freighted argosy up the Rhine. Here's to Christine, the belleof the German court!" and he filled a slender Venetian glass to thebrim, drained it, and then retired. 

Christine, on reaching her room, muttered to herself: "He now knowsall that I mean he ever shall. We are one in our ambition, if nothingelse, and therefore our relations must be to a certain degreeconfidential and amicable. And now forget you have a conscience, forgetyou have a heart, and, above all things, forget that you have everseen or known Dennis Fleet. "

Thus the influence of a false education, a proud, selfish, ambitiouslife, decided her choice. She plunged as resolutely into the whirl offashionable gayety about her as she had in the dissipations of NewYork, determined to forget the past, and kill the time that mustintervene before she could sail away to her brilliant future in Germany. 

But she gradually learned that, if conscience had robbed her of peacebefore, something else disturbed her now, and rendered her effortsfutile. She found that there was a principle at work in her heartstronger even than her resolute will. In spite of her purpose to thecontrary, she caught herself continually thinking of Dennis, andindulging in strange, delicious reveries in regard to him. 

At last she ceased to shun the store as she had done at first, but withincreasing frequency found some necessity for going there. 

After the interview in the show-room, Dennis was driven to the bitterconclusion that Christine was utterly heartless, and cared not a jotfor him. His impression was confirmed by the fact that she shunned thestore, and that he soon heard of her as a belle and leader in theultra-fashionable world. He, too, bitterly lamented that he had everseen her, and was struggling with all the power of his will to forgether. He fiercely resolved that, since she wished him dead, she shouldbecome dead to him. 

Almost immediately after his return he had discovered that the twoemblematical pictures had been removed from the loft over the store. He remembered that he had spoken of them to Christine, and from Ernsthe gathered that she herself had taken them away. It was possible, hebelieved, that she had made them the subject of ridicule. At best shemust have destroyed them in order to blot out all trace of adisagreeable episode. Whatever may have been their fate, they had, ashe thought, failed in their purpose, and were worthless to him, andhe was far too proud to make inquiries. 

As the weeks passed on, he apparently succeeded better than she. Therewas nothing in her character, as she then appeared, that appealed toanything gentle or generous. She seemed so proud, so strong and resolutein her choice of evil, so devoid of the true womanly nature, as he hadlearned to reverence it in his mother, that he could not pity, muchless respect her, and even his love could scarcely survive under suchcircumstances. 

When she began coming to the store again, though his heart beat thickand fast at her presence, he turned his back and seemed not to seeher, or made some errand to a remote part of the building. At firstshe thought this might be accident, but she soon found it a resolutepurpose to ignore her very existence. By reason of a trait peculiarto Christine, this was only the more stimulating. She craved all themore that which was seemingly denied. 

Accustomed to every gratification, to see all yield to her wishes, andespecially to find gentlemen almost powerless to resist her beauty, she came to regard this one stern, averted face as infinitely moreattractive than all the rest in the world. 

"That he so steadily avoids me proves that he is anything butindifferent, " she said to herself one day. 

She condemned her visits to the store, and often reproached herselfwith folly in going; but a secret powerful magnetism drew her thitherin spite of herself. 

Dennis, too, soon noticed that she came often, and the fact awakeneda faint hope within him. He learned that his love was not dead, butonly chilled and chained by circumstances and his own strong will. True, apart from the fact of her coming, she gave him no encouragement. She was as distant and seemingly oblivious of his existence as he ofhers, but love can gather hope from a marvellously little thing. 

But one day Christine detected her father watching her movements withthe keenest scrutiny, and after that she came more and more rarely. The hope that for a moment had tinged the darkness surrounding Dennisdied away like the meteor's transient light. 

He went into society very little after his illness, and shunned largecompanies. He preferred to spend his evenings with his mother and instudy. The Winthrops were gone, having removed to their old home inBoston, and he had not formed very intimate acquaintances elsewhere. Moreover, his limited circle, though of the best and most refined, wasnot one in which Christine often appeared. 

But one evening his cheek paled and his heart fluttered as he saw herentering the parlors of a lady by whom he had been invited to meet afew friends. For some little time he studiously avoided her, but atlast his hostess, with well-meant zeal, formally presented him. 

They bowed very politely and very coldly. The lady surmised thatChristine did not care about the acquaintance of her father's clerk, and so brought them no more together. But Christine was pained byDennis's icy manner, and saw that she was thoroughly misunderstood. When asked to sing, she chose a rather significant ditty:

 "Ripple, sparkle, rapid stream, Let your dancing wavelets gleam Quiveringly and bright; Children think the surface glow Reaches to the depth below, Hidden from the light. 

 "Human faces often seem Like the sparkle of the stream, In the social glare; Some assert, in wisdom's guise, (Look they not with children's eyes?) All is surface there. "

As she rose from the piano her glance met his with something likemeaning in it, he imagined. He started, flushed, and his face becamefull of eager questioning. But her father was on the watch also, and, placing his daughter's hand within his arm, he led her into the frontparlor, and soon after they pleaded another engagement and vanishedaltogether. 

No chance for explanation came, and soon a new and all-absorbing anxietyfilled Dennis's heart, and the shadow of the greatest sorrow that hehad yet experienced daily drew nearer. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

THE GATES OPEN

At Dennis's request, Dr. Arten called and carefully inquired into Mrs. Fleet's symptoms. Her son stood anxiously by awaiting the result ofthe examination. At last the physician said, cheerily: "There is noimmediate occasion for alarm here. I am sorry to say that your mother'slungs are far from strong, but they may carry her through manycomfortable years yet. I will prescribe tonics, and you may hope forthe best. But mark this well, she must avoid exposure. A severe coldmight be most serious in its consequences. "

How easy to say, "Do not take cold!" How many whose lives were at stakehave sought to obey the warning, but all in vain! Under Dr. Arten'stonics, Mrs. Fleet grew stronger, and Dennis rejoiced over theimprovement. But, in one of the sudden changes attendant on the breakingup of winter, the dreaded cold was taken, and it soon developed intoacute pneumonia. 

For a few days she was very ill, and Dennis never left her side. Inthe intervals of pain and fever she would smile at him and whisper:"The harbor is near. This rough weather cannot last much longer. "

"Mother, do not leave us; we cannot spare you, " ever pleaded her son. 

Contrary to her expectations, however, she rallied, but continued ina very feeble state. Dennis was able to resume his duties in the store, and he hoped and tried to believe that the warm spring and summer dayssoon to come would renew his mother's strength. But every day she grewfeebler, and Dr. Arten shook his head. 

The Bruders were very kind, and it was astonishing how much Mrs. Bruder, though burdened with her large family, found time to do. If Mrs. Fleethad been her own mother she could not have bestowed upon her moreloving solicitude. Mr. Bruder was devotion itself. He removed his easelto an attic-room in Mrs. Fleet's house; and every hour of Dennis'sabsence heard him say: "Vat I do for you now? I feel no goot unlessI do someding. "

Some little time after Mrs. Fleet was taken sick a mystery arose. Themost exquisite flowers and fruits were left at the house from time totime, marked in a bold, manly hand, "For Mrs. Fleet. " But all effortsto discover their source failed. 

The reader will guess that Christine was the donor, and Dennis hopedit--though, he admitted to himself, with little reason. 

Mrs. Fleet had not much pain. She seemed gently wafted as by an ebbingtide away from time and earth, Kindly but firmly she sought to prepareDennis's mind for the change soon to take place. At first he could notendure its mention, but she said, earnestly: "My son, I am not dying. I am just entering on the true, real, eternal life--a life which isas much beyond this poor feeble existence as the sun is brighter thana glow-worm. I shall soon clasp my dear husband to my heart again, and, oh, ecstasy! I shall soon in reality see the Saviour whom I nowsee almost continually in vision. "

Then again she would turn toward her earthly treasures with unutterableyearning and tenderness. 

"Oh, that I could gather you up in my arms and take you all with me!"she would often exclaim. Many times during the day she would call thelittle girls from their play and kiss their wondering faces. 

One evening Dennis came home and found a vase of flowers with a greenbackground of mint at his mother's bedside. Their delicate fragrancegreeted him as soon as he entered. As he sat by her side holding herhand, he said, softly: "Mother, are not these sprays of mint ratherunusual in a bouquet? Has the plant any special meaning? I have noticedit before mingled with these mysterious flowers. "

She smiled and answered, "When I was a girl its language was, 'Let usbe friends again. '"

"Do you think--can it be possible that _she_ sends them?" said he, in alow, hesitating tone. 

"Prayer is mighty, my son. "

"And have you been praying for her all this time, mother?"

"Yes, and will continue to do so to the last. "

"Oh, mother! I have lost hope. My heart has been full of bitternesstoward her, and I have felt that God was against it all. "

"God is not against her learning to know Him, which is life. Jesus hasloved her all the time, and she has wronged Him more than she has you. "

Dennis bowed his head on his mother's hand, and she felt hot tearsfall upon it. At last he murmured: "You are indeed going to heavensoon, dear mother, for your language is not of earth. When will sucha spirit dwell within me?"

"Again remember your mother's words, " she answered, gently; "prayeris mighty. "

"Mother, " said he, with a sudden earnestness, "do you think you canpray for us in heaven?"

"I know of no reason to the contrary. "

"Then I know you will, and the belief will ever be a source of hopeand strength. "

Mrs. Fleet was now passing through the land of Beulah. To her strongspiritual vision, the glories of the other shore seemed present, andat times she thought that she really heard music; again it would seemas if her Saviour had entered the plain little room, as He did thehumble home at Bethany. 

Her thoughts ran much on Christine. One day she wrote, feebly:

"Would Miss Ludolph be willing to come and see a dying woman? ETHEL FLEET. "

Mr. Bruder carried it, but most unfortunately Christine was out, sothat her maid, ever on the alert to earn the price of her treachery, received it. It was slightly sealed. She opened it, and saw from itscontents that it must be given to Mr. Ludolph. He with a frown committedit to the flames. 

"I have written to her, " she whispered to her son in the evening, "andthink she will come to see me. "

Dennis was sleepless that night, through his hope and eager expectation. The following day, and the next passed, and she came not. 

"I was right, " exclaimed he, bitterly. "She is utterly heartless. Itwas not she who sent the flowers. Who that is human would have refusedsuch a request! Waste no more thought upon her, for she is unworthy, and it is all in vain. " "No!" said Mrs. Fleet in sudden energy. "Itis not in vain. Have I not prayed again and again? and shall I doubtGod?"

"Your faith is stronger than mine, " he answered, in deep despondency. 

"God's time is not always ours, " she answered, gently. 

But an angry fire lurked in Dennis's eyes, and he muttered to himselfas he went to his room: "She has snapped the last slender cord thatbound me to her. I could endure almost anything myself, but that sheshould refuse to visit my dying mother proves her a monster, with allher beauty. "

As he was leaving the house in the morning, his mother whispered, gently, "Who was it that said, 'Father, forgive them, they know not whatthey do?'"

"Ah, but she does know, " said he, bitterly. "I can forgive nearlyeverything against myself, but not slights to you. "

"The time will come when you will forgive everything, my son. "

"Not till there is acknowledgment and sorrow for the wrong, " answeredhe, sternly. Then with a sudden burst of tenderness he added: "Good-by, darling mother. I will try to do anything you wish, even though it isimpossible;" but his love, through Janette's treachery, suffered thedeepest wound it had yet received. 

Christine of her own accord had almost decided to call upon Mrs. Fleet, but before she could carry out her purpose while hastily comingdownstairs one day, she sprained her ankle, and was confined to herroom some little time. 

She sent Janette with orders for the flowers, who, at once surmisingtheir destination, said to the florist that she was Miss Ludolph'sconfidential maid, and would carry them to those for whom they weredesigned. He, thinking it "all right, " gave them to her, and she tookthem to a Frenchman in the same trade whom she knew, and sold them athalf-price, giving him a significant sign to ask no questions. To thesame market she brought the fruit; so from that time they ceased asmysteriously as they had appeared at Mrs. Fleet's bedside. 

But Dennis was so anxious, and his mother was now failing so rapidly, that he scarcely noted this fact. The warm spring days seemed ratherto enervate than to strengthen her. He longed to stay with herconstantly, but his daily labor was necessary to secure the comfortsneedful to an invalid. Every morning he bade her a most tender adieu, and during the day often sent Ernst to inquire how she was. 

One evening Christine ventured to send Janette on the same errand andimpatiently awaited her return. At last she came, appearing as ifflushed and angry. 

"Whom did you see?" asked Christine, eagerly. 

"I saw Mr. Fleet himself. "

"Well, what did he say?"

"He bite his lip, frown, and say, 'Zere is no answer, ' and turn on hisheel into ze house. "

It was now Christine's turn to be angry. "What!" she exclaimed, "doeshis Bible teach him to forget and forgive nothing? Can it be that he, like the rest of them, believes and acts on only such parts as are tohis mood?"

"I don't know nothing about him, " said the maid, "only I don't wantto go zere again. "

"You need not, " was the brief reply. 

After a long, bitter revery, she sighed: "Ah, well, thus we driftapart. But it is just as well, for apart we must ever be. "

One morning early in May Mrs. Fleet was very weak, and Dennis left herwith painful misgivings. During the morning he sent Ernst to see howshe was, and he soon returned, with wild face, crying, "Come homequick!"

Breaking abruptly from his startled customer, Dennis soon reached hismother's side. Mr. And Mrs. Bruder were sobbing at the foot of thebed, and the girls were pleading piteously on either side--"Oh, mother!please don't go away!"

"Hush!" said Dennis, solemnly. Awed by his manner, all becamecomparatively silent. He bent over the bed, and said, "Mother, you areleaving us. "

The voice of her beloved son rallied the dying woman's wandering mind. After a moment she recognized him, smiled faintly, and whispered: "Yes, I think I am--kiss me--good-by. Bring--the children. Jesus--takecare--my little--lambs. Good-by--true--honest friends--meet me--heaven. Dennis--these children--your charge--bring them home--to me. Pray for_her_. I don't know--why--she seems very--near to me. Farewell--mygood--true--son--mother's blessing--God's blessing--ever rest--on you. "

Her eyes closed, and she fell into a gentle sleep. 

"She vake no more in dis vorld, " said Mrs. Bruder, in an awed tone. 

Mr. Bruder, unable to control his feelings any longer, hurried fromthe room. His wife, with streaming eyes, silently dressed the littlegirls, and took them home with her, crying piteously all the way formamma. 

Pale, tearless, motionless, Dennis sat, hour after hour holding hismother's hand. He noted that her pulse grew more and more feeble. Atlast the sun in setting broke through the clouds that had obscured itall day, and filled the room with a sudden glory. 

To Dennis's great surprise, his mother's eyes opened wide, with thestrange, far-off look they ever had when she was picturing to herselfthe unknown world. 

Her lips moved. He bent over her and caught the words: "Hark! hear!--Itnever was so sweet before. See the angels--thronging toward me--theynever came so near before. "

Then a smile of joy and welcome lighted up her wan features, and shewhispered, "Oh, Dennis, husband--are we once more united?"

Suddenly there was a look of ecstasy such as her son had never seenon any human face, and she cried almost aloud, "Jesus--my Saviour!"and received, as it were, directly into His arms, she passed fromearth. 

We touch briefly on the scenes that followed. Dennis took the body ofhis mother to her old home, and buried it under the wide-spreading elmin the village churchyard, where as a happy child and blooming maidenshe had often sat between the services. It was his purpose to removethe remains of his father and place them by her side as soon as hecould afford it. 

His little sisters accompanied him east, and he found a home for themwith a sister of his mother, who was a good, kind, Christian lady. Dennis's salary was not large, but sufficient to insure that his sisterswould be no burden to his aunt, who was in rather straitenedcircumstances. He also arranged that the small annuity should be paidfor their benefit. 

It was hard parting from his sisters, whose little hearts seemedbreaking at what appeared to them to be a new bereavement. 

"How can I leave them!" he exclaimed, with tears falling fast from hiseyes. 

"They are children, " said his aunt, soothingly, "and will forget theirtroubles in a few days. "

And so it proved; but Dennis, with a sore heart, and feeling verylonely, returned to Chicago. 

When at last Christine got out again, she learned from Ernst at thestore that Dennis's mother had died, and that he had taken the remainsand his sisters east. In his sorrow he seemed doubly interesting toher. 

"How I wish it were in my power to cheer and comfort him!" she sighed, "and yet I fear my ability to do this is less than that of any oneelse. In very truth he seems to despise and hate me now. The barriersbetween us grow stronger and higher every day. How different it allmight have been if--. But what is the use of these wretched 'ifs'?What is the use of resisting this blind, remorseless fate that bringshappiness to one and crushes another?"

Wearily and despondingly she rode back to the elegant home in whichshe found so little enjoyment. 

Whom should she met there but Mrs. Von Brakhiem from New York, boundwestward with a gay party on a trip to the Rocky Mountains andCalifornia? They had stopped to spend a few days in Chicago, and weredetermined to take Christine on with them. Her father strongly secondedthe plan. Though Christine surmised his motive, she did not care toresist. Since she would soon be separated from Dennis forever, theless she saw of him the less would be the pain. Moreover, her sore andheavy heart welcomed any change that would cause forgetfulness; andso it was speedily arranged. 

Mrs. Von Brakhiem and her party quite took possession of the Ludolphmansion, and often made it echo with gayety. 

On the evening of the day that Dennis buried his mother, Ernst went overat Mr. Ludolph's request to carry a message. He found the housethe scene of a fashionable revel. There were music and dancing in theparlors, and from the dining-room the clink of glasses and loud pealsof laughter proved that this was not Christine's ideal of anentertainment as she had portrayed it to her father on a formeroccasion. In truth, she had little to do with the affair; it was quiteimpromptu, and Mr. Ludolph and Mrs. Von Brakhiem were responsible forit. 

But Ernst could not know this, and to him it seemed shocking. Thesimple funeral service taking place on that day in the distant NewEngland village had never been absent from his thoughts a moment. Sinceearly morning he had gone about with his little face composed tofunereal gravity. 

His simple, warm-hearted parents felt that they could only show properrespect for the occasion by the deepest gloom. Their rooms were arrangedin stiff and formal manner, with crape here and there. All unnecessarywork ceased, and the children, forbidden to play, were dressed inmourning as far as possible, and made to sit in solemn and dreadfulstate all day. It would not have surprised Ernst if the whole city hadgone into mourning. Therefore the revelry at the Ludolph mansion seemedto him heartless and awful beyond measure, and nearly the first thingshe told Dennis on the latter's return was that they had had "a greatdancing and drinking party, the night of the funeral, at Mr. Ludolph's. "Then, trying to find some explanation for what seemed to him such astrange and wicked thing, he suggested, "Perhaps they meant it for awake. "

Poor little Ernst's ideas of the world, outside of his home, had beengathered from a very low neighborhood. 

He also handed Dennis a letter that Mr. Ludolph requested should begiven him on his return. It read as follows:

 "CHICAGO, May 6, 1871. 

"I have been compelled to supply your place in your absence: thereforeyour services will be no longer needed at this store. Inclosed youwill find a check for the small balance still due you, AUGUST LUDOLPH. "

Dennis's brow grew very dark, and in bitter soliloquy he said, halfaloud, as he strode up and down his little room in great agitation:"And so it all ends! The girl at whose side my mother would have watchedin the most dangerous and loathsome of diseases; the woman of ice whomI sought to melt and render human by as warm, true love as ever manlavished on one who rewarded his affection--this beautiful monsterwill not even visit my mother when dying; she holds a revel on the dayof the funeral; and now, through her influence no doubt, I am robbedof the chance of winning honest bread. She cannot even endure the sightof the man who once told her the unvarnished truth. Poor as you deemme, Christine Ludolph, with God's help not many years shall pass beforeit will be condescension on my part to recognize you. "

He would not even go to the store again. The Bruders, having heardwhat had occurred, took Ernst away also; but Dennis soon found him abetter situation elsewhere. 

The day on which Dennis returned, Christine was speeding in a palace-cartoward the Rocky Mountains, outwardly gay, determined to enjoy herselfand carry out her reckless purpose to get the most possible out oflife, cost what it might. 

If she had been a shallow girl, thoughtless and vain, with only mindenough to take in the events of the passing moment, she might havebought many fleeting pleasures with her abundant wealth. But this shewas not, with all her faults, and wherever she went, in the midst ofgayest scenes, and in the presence of the grandest and most inspiringscenery, thought and memory, like two spectres that no spell could lay, haunted her and robbed her of peace and any approach to happiness. Though possessing the means of gratifying every whim, though restrainedby no scruples from doing what she chose, she felt that all aroundwere getting more from life than she. 

During her absence she experienced a sudden and severe attack ofillness. Her friends were much alarmed about her, and she far moreabout herself. All her old terror returned. In one respect she waslike her mother; she had no physical courage, but shrank withinexpressible dread from danger, pain, and death. Again the blacknessof darkness gathered round her, and not one in the gay pleasure partycould say a word to comfort her. 

She recovered, and soon regained her usual health, but herself-confidence was more thoroughly shaken. She felt like one in alittle cockle-shell boat out upon a shoreless ocean. While thetreacherous sea remained calm, all might be well, but she knew thata storm would soon arise, and that she must go down, beyond remedy. Again she had been taught how suddenly, how unexpectedly, that stormmight rise. 

Dennis resolved at once to enter on the career of an artist. He soldto Mr. French, at a moderate price, some paintings and sketches he hadmade. He rented a small room that became his studio, sleeping-apartment--in brief, his home, and then went to work with allthe ordinary incentives to success intensified by his purpose to reacha social height that would compel Christine to look upward if theiracquaintance were renewed. 

Disappointment in love is one of the severest tests of character inman or woman. Some sink into weak sentimentality, and mope and languish;some become listless, apathetic, and float down the current of existencelike driftwood. Men are often harsh and cynical, and rail at the sexto which their mothers and sisters belong. Sometimes a man inflictsa wellnigh fatal wound and leaves his victim to cure it as best shemay. From that time forth she may be like the wronged Indian, who slaysas many white men as he can. Not a few, on finding they cannot enterthe beautiful paradise of happy love, plunge into imbruting vice, anddrown not only their disappointment but themselves in dissipation. Their course is like that of some who deem that the best way to curea wound or end a disease is to kill the patient as soon as possible. If women have true metal in them (and they usually have) they becomeunselfishly devoted to others, and by gentle, self-denying ways seekto impart to those about them the happiness denied to themselves. 

But with all manly young men the instinct of Dennis is perhaps themost common. They will rise, shine, and dazzle the eyes that oncelooked scornfully or indifferently at them. 

As he worked patiently at his noble calling this smaller ambition wasgradually lost in the nobler, broader one, to be a true artist and agood man. 

During his illness some gentlemen of large wealth and liberality, whowished to stimulate and develop the native artistic talent of theircity, offered a prize of two thousand dollars for the finest picturepainted during the year, the artist also having the privilege of sellinghis work. 

On his return after his illness Dennis heard of this, and determinedto be one of the competitors. He applied to Mr. Cornell, who had thematter in charge, for permission to enter the lists, which thatgentleman granted rather doubtfully. He had known Dennis only as acritic, not as an artist. But having gained his point, Dennis wentearnestly to work on the emblematic painting he had resolved upon, andwith what success the following chapters will show. 

His mother's sickness and death, of course, put a complete shop to hisartistic labors for a time, but when entering on his new career, hegave himself wholly to this effort. 

The time for exhibition and decision was fixed--Saturday morning October7, 1871. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

SUSIE WINTHROP APPEARS AGAIN

Our story passes rapidly over the scenes and events of the summer andfall of '71. Another heavy blow fell upon Dennis in the loss of hisold friend and instructor, Mr. Bruder. 

By prayer and effort, his own and others, he was saved morally andspiritually, but he had been greatly shattered by past excess. He wasattacked by typhoid fever, and after a few days' illness died. Recoveryfrom this disease depends largely upon strength and purity ofconstitution. But every one of the innumerable glasses of liquor thatpoor Bruder had swallowed had helped to rob him of these, and so therewas no power to resist. 

Under her husband's improved finances, Mrs. Bruder had removed tocomfortable lodgings in Harrison Street, and these she determined tokeep if possible, dreading for the sake of her children the influencesofa crowded tenement house. Dennis stood by her, a stanch and helpfulfriend; Ernst was earning a good little sum weekly, and by her needleand washtub the patient woman continued the hard battle of life withfair prospects of success. 

Dennis's studio was on the south side, at the top of a tall buildingoverlooking the lake. Even before the early summer sun rose above theshining waves he was at his easel, and so accomplished what is a fairday's work before many of his profession had left their beds. Thoughhe worked hard and long, he still worked judiciously. Bent uponaccomplishing what was almost impossible within the limited timeremaining, he determined that, with all his labor, Dr. Arten shouldnever charge him with suicidal tendencies again. Therefore he trainedhimself mentally and morally for his struggle as the athlete trainshimself physically. 

He believed in the truth, too little recognized among brain-workers, that men can develop themselves into splendid mental conditions, whereinthey can accomplish almost double their ordinary amount of labor. 

The year allotted to the competitors for the prize to be given inOctober was all too short for such a work as he had attempted, andthrough his own, his mother's, and Mr. Bruder's illness, he had losta third of the time, but in the careful and skilful manner indicatedhe was trying to make it up. He had a long conversation with shrewdold Dr. Arten, who began to take a decided interest in him. He alsoread several books on hygiene. Thus he worked under the guidance ofreason, science, Christian principle, instead of mere impulse, as istoo often the case with genius. 

In the absorption of his task he withdrew utterly from society, and, with the exception of his mission class, Christian worship on theSabbath, and attendance on a little prayer-meeting in a neglectedquarter during the week, he permitted no other demands upon his timeand thoughts. 

His pictures had sold for sufficient to provide for his sisters andenable him to live, with close economy, till after the prize was given, and then, if he did not gain it (of which he was not at all sure), hispainting would sell for enough to meet future needs. 

And so we leave him for a time earnestly at work. He was like a shipthat had been driven hither and thither, tempest-tossed and in danger. At last, under a clear sky and in smooth water, it finds its truebearings, and steadily pursues its homeward voyage. 

The Christine whom he had first learned to love in happyunconsciousness, while they arranged the store together, became aglorified, artistic ideal. The Christine whom he had learned to knowas false and heartless was now to him a strange, fascinating, unwomanlycreature, beautiful only as the Sirens were beautiful, that he mightwreck himself body and soul before her unpitying eyes. He sought tobanish all thought of her. 

Christine returned about midsummer. She was compelled to note, as sheneared her native city, that of all the objects it contained DennisFleet was uppermost in her thoughts. She longed to go to the store andsee him once more, even though it should be only at a distance, withnot even the shadow of recognition between them. She condemned it allas folly, and worse than vain, but that made no difference to herheart, which would have its way. 

Almost trembling with excitement she entered the Art Building the nextday, and glanced around with a timidity that was in marked contrastto her usual cold and critical regard. But, as the reader knows, DennisFleet was not to be seen. From time to time she went again, but neitherhe nor Ernst appeared. She feared that for some reason he had gone, and determined to learn the truth. Throwing off the strange timidityand restraint that ever embarrassed her where he was concerned, shesaid to Mr. Schwartz one day: "I don't like the way that picture ishung. Where is Mr. Fleet? I believe he has charge of that department. "

"Why, bless you! Miss Ludolph, " replied Mr. Schwartz, with a look ofsurprise, "Mr. Ludolph discharged him over two months ago. "

"Discharged him! what for?"

"For being away too much, I heard, " said old Schwartz, with a shrugindicating that that might be the reason and might not. 

Christine came to the store but rarely thereafter, for it had lost itschief element of interest. That evening she said to her father, "Youhave discharged Mr. Fleet?"

"Yes, " was the brief answer. 

"May I ask the reason?"

"He was away too much. "

"That is not the real reason, " she said, turning suddenly upon him. "Father, what is the use of treating me as a child? What is the useof trying to lock things up and keep them from me? I intend to go toGermany with you this fall, and that is sufficient. "

With a courtly smile Mr. Ludolph replied, "And I have lived long enough, my daughter, to know that what people _intend_, and what they _do_ aretwo very different things. "

She flushed angrily and said: "It was most unjust to discharge him asyou did. Do you not remember that he offered his mother's services asnurse when I was dreading the smallpox?"

"You are astonishingly grateful in this case, " said her father, witha meaning that Christine understood too well; "but, if you will readthe records of the Ludolph race, you will find that its representativeshave often been compelled to do things somewhat arbitrarily. Since youhave been gone, I have received letters announcing the death of mybrother and his wife. I am now Baron Ludolph!"

But Christine was too angry and too deeply wounded to note thisinformation, which at one time would have elated her beyond measure. She coldly said, "It is a pity that noblemen are compelled to aughtbut noble deeds"; and, with this parting arrow, she left him. 

Even her father winced, and then with a heavy frown said, "It is wellthat this Yankee youth has vanished; still, the utmost vigilance isrequired. "

Again he saw the treacherous maid and promised increased reward if shewould be watchful, and inform him of every movement of Christine. 

In the unobtrusive ways that her sensitive pride permitted, Christinetried to find out what had become of Dennis, but vainly. She offeredher maid a large reward if she would discover him, but she had beenpromised a larger sum not to find him, and so did not. The impressionwas given that he had left the city, and Christine feared, with asickening dread, that she would never see him again. But one eveningMr. Cornell stated a fact in a casual way that startled both Mr. AndMiss Ludolph. 

He was calling at their house, and they were discussing the comingexhibition of the pictures which would compete for the prize. 

"By the way, your former clerk and porter is among the competitors;at least he entered the lists last spring, but I have lost sight ofhim since. I imagine he has given it up, and betaken himself to tasksmore within the range of his ability. "

The eyes of father and daughter met, but she turned to Mr. Cornell, and said, coolly, though with a face somewhat flushed, "And has Chicagoso much artistic talent that a real genius has no chance here?"

"I was not aware that Mr. Fleet was a genius, " answered Mr. Cornell. 

"I think that he will satisfy you on that point, and that you willhear from him before the exhibition takes place. "

Mr. Ludolph hastily changed the subject, but he had forebodings as tothe future. 

Christine went to her room, and thought for a long time; suddenly shearose, exclaiming, "He told me his story once on canvas; I will nowtell him mine. "

She at once stretched the canvas on a frame for a small picture, andplaced it on an easel, that she might commence with dawn of day. 

During the following weeks she worked scarcely less earnestly andpatiently than Dennis. The door was locked when she painted, and beforeshe left the studio the picture was hidden. 

She meant to send it anonymously, so that not even her father shouldknow its authorship. She hoped that Dennis would recognize it. 

When she was in the street her eyes began to have an eager, wistfullook, as if she was seeking some one. She often went to galleries, andother resorts of artists, but in vain, for she never met him, thoughat times the distance between them was less than between Evangelineand her lover, when she heard the dip of his oar in her dream. Thoughshe knew that if she met him she would probably give not one encouragingglance, yet the instinct of her heart was just as strong. 

Mr. Ludolph told the maid that she must find out what Christine waspainting, and she tried to that degree that she wakened suspicion. 

On one occasion Christine turned suddenly on her, and said: "What doyou mean? If I find you false--if I have even good reason to suspectyou--I will turn you into the street, though it be at midnight!"

And the maid learned, as did Mr. Ludolph, that she was not dealingwith a child. 

During Monday, October 2, Dennis was employed all the long day ingiving the finishing touches to his picture. It was not worked up asfinely as he could have wished; time did not permit this. But he hadbrought out his thought vividly, and his drawings were full of power. On the following Saturday the prize would be given. 

In the evening he walked out for air and exercise. As he was passingone of the large hotels, he heard his name called. Turning, he saw onthe steps, radiant with welcome, his old friend, Susie Winthrop. Herhand was on the arm of a tall gentleman, who seemed to have eyes for heronly. But in her old impulsive way she ran down the steps, andgave Dennis a grasp of the hand that did his lonely heart good. Then, leading him to the scholarly-looking gentleman, who was gazing throughhis glasses in mild surprise, she said: "Professor Leonard, my husband, Mr. Fleet. This is the Dennis Fleet I have told you about so often. "

"Oh-h, " said the professor, in prolonged accents, while a genial lightshone through his gold spectacles. "Mr. Fleet, we are old acquaintances, though we have never met before. If I were a jealous man, you are theonly one I should fear. "

"And we mean to make you wofully jealous to-night, for I intend tohave Mr. Fleet dine with us and spend the evening. Wo, I will take noexcuse, no denial. This infatuated man will do whatever I bid him, andhe is a sort of Greek athlete. If you do not come right along I shallcommand him to lay violent hands on you and drag you ignominiously in. "

Dennis was only too glad to accept, but merely wished to make a bettertoilet. 

"I have just come from my studio, " he said. 

"And you wish to go and divest yourself of all artistic flavor andbecome commonplace. Do you imagine I will permit it? No! so march inas my captive. Who ever heard of disputing the will of a bride? Thisman" (pointing up to the tall professor) "never dreams of it. "

Dennis learned that she was on her wedding trip, and saw that she washappily married, and proud of her professor, as he of her. 

With feminine tact she drew his story from him, and yet it was but ameagre, partial story, like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out, for he tried to be wholly silent on his love and disappointment. Butin no respect did he deceive Mrs. Leonard. Her husband went away fora little time. In his absence she asked, abruptly, "Have you seen MissLudolph lately?"

"No!" said Dennis, with a tell-tale flush. Seeing her look of sympathy, and knowing her to be such a true friend, the impulsive young man gavehis confidence almost before he knew it. She was just the one to inspiretrust, and he was very lonely, having had no one to whom he could speakhis deeper feelings since his mother died. 

"Miss Ludolph wronged me in a way that a man finds it hard to forgetor forgive, " he said, in a low, bitter tone; "but I should have triedto do both had she not treated my mother most inhumanly;" and he toldhis story over again with Hamlet in. 

Mrs. Leonard listened with breathless interest, and then said: "Sheis a strange girl, and that plan of making you her unconscious modelis just like her, though it was both cruel and wicked. And yet Mr. Fleet, with shame for my sex I admit it, how many would have flirtedwith you to the same degree from mere vanity and love of excitement!I have seen Miss Ludolph, and I cannot understand her. We are no longerthe friends we once were, but I cannot think her utterly heartless. She is bent upon becoming a great artist at any cost, and I sometimesthink she would sacrifice herself as readily as any one else for thispurpose. She looks to me as if she had suffered, and she has lost muchof her old haughty, cold manner, save when something calls it out. Even in the drawing-room she was abstracted, as if her thoughts werefar away. You are a man of honor, and it is due that you should knowthe following facts. Indeed I do not think that they are a secret anylonger, and at any rate they will soon be known. If Mr. Ludolph werein Germany he would be a noble. It is his intention to go there thisfall, and take his wealth and Christine with him, and assert hisancestral titles and position. Christine could not marry in this landwithout incurring her father's curse, and I think she has no dispositionto do that--her ambition is fully in accord with his. "

"Yes, " said Dennis, bitterly, "and where other women have hearts, shehas ambition only. "

The professor returned and the subject was dropped. 

Dennis said, on taking his leave: "I did not expect to show any onemy picture till it was placed on exhibition with the others, but, ifyou care to see it, you may to-morrow. Perhaps you can make somesuggestions that will help me. "

They eagerly accepted the invitation, and came the following morning. Dennis watched them with much solicitude. When once they understoodhis thought, their delight and admiration knew no bounds. The professorturned and stared at him as if he were an entirely different personfrom the unpretending youth who had been introduced on the precedingevening. 

"If you do not get the prize, " he said, sententiously, "you have agreat deal of artistic talent in Chicago. "

"'A Daniel come to judgment!'" cried his wife. 

CHAPTER XL

SUGGESTIVE PICTURES AND A PRIZE

At last the day of the exhibition dawned. Dennis had sent his picture, directed to Mr. Cornell, with his own name in an envelope nailed toits back. No one was to know who the artists were till after thedecision was given. Christine had sent hers also, but no name whateverwas in the envelope attached to it. 

At an early hour, the doors were thrown open for all who chose to come. The committee of critics had ample time given them for their decision, and at one o'clock this was to be announced. 

Although Dennis went rather early, he found that Christine was therebefore him. She stood with Professor and Mrs. Leonard, Mr. Cornell, and her father, before his picture, fie could only see her side face, and she was glancing from the printed explanation in the catalogue tothe painting. Mrs. Leonard was also at her side, seeing to it that nopoint was unnoted. Christine's manner betrayed intense interest andexcitement, and with cause, for again Dennis had spoken to her deepestsoul in the language she best loved and understood. 

As before, she saw two emblematic pictures within one frame merelyseparated by a plain band of gold. 

The first presented a chateau of almost palatial proportions, heavy, ornate, but stiff and quite devoid of beauty. It appeared to be theabode of wealth and ancestral greatness. 

Everything about the place indicated lavish expenditure. The walks andtrees were straight and formal, the flowers that bloomed here andthere, large and gaudy. A parrot hung in a gilded cage against a columnof the piazza. No wild songsters fluttered in the trees, or were onthe wing. Hills shut the place in and gave it a narrow, restrictedappearance, and the sky overhead was hard and brazen. On the lawn stooda graceful mountain ash, and beneath it were two figures. The firstwas that of a man, and evidently the master of the place. His appearanceand manner chiefly indicated pride, haughtiness, and also sensuality. He had broken a spray from the ash-tree, and with a condescending airwas in the act of handing it to a lady, in the portraiture of whomDennis had truly displayed great skill. She was very beautiful, andyet there was nothing good or noble in her face. Her proud featuresshowed mingled shame and reluctance to receive the gift in the mannerit was bestowed, and yet she was receiving it. The significance of themountain ash is "Grandeur. " The whole scene was the portrayal, in thebeautiful language of art, of a worldly, ambitious marriage, where theman seeks mere beauty, and the woman wealth and position, love havingno existence. 

It possessed an eloquence that Christine could not resist, and shefairly loathed the alliance she knew her father would expect her tomake after their arrival in Germany, though once she had looked forwardto it with eagerness as the stepping-stone to her highest ambition. 

The second picture was a beautiful contrast. Instead of the brazenglare of the first, the air was full of glimmering lights and shades, and the sky of a deep transparent blue. Far up a mountain side, on anoverhanging cliff, grew the same graceful ash-tree, but its brancheswere entwined with vines of the passion-flower that hung around inslender streamers. On a jutting rock, with precarious footing, stooda young man reaching up to grasp a branch, his glance bold and hopeful, and his whole manner full of daring and power. He had evidently hada hard climb to reach his present position; his hat was gone; his dresswas light and simple and adapted to the severest effort. 

But the chief figure in this picture also was that of a young girl whostood near, her right hand clasping his left, and steadying andsustaining him in his perilous footing. The wind was in her goldenhair, and swept to one side her light, airy costume. Her pure, nobleface was lilted up toward _him_, rather than toward the spray he soughtto grasp, and an eager, happy light shone from her eyes. She hadevidently climbed _with_ him to their present vantage-point, and now herlittle hand secured and strengthened him as he sought to grasp, for her, success and prosperity joined with unselfish love. The gracefulwind-flowers tossed their delicate blossoms around their feet, and abovethem an eagle wheeled in its majestic flight. 

Below and opposite them on a breezy hillside stood a modern villa, astasteful in its architecture as the former had been stiff and heavy. A fountain played upon the lawn, and behind it a cascade broke intosilver spray and mist. High above this beautiful earthly home, in theclear, pure air rose a palace-like structure in shadowy, golden outline, indicating that after the dwelling-place of time came the grander, theperfect mansion above. 

Christine looked till her eyes were blinded with tears, and then droppedher veil. In the features of the lady in each case she had not failedto trace a faint likeness, sufficient to make it clear to herself. Shesaid in a low, plaintive tone, with quivering lips, "Mr. Fleet paintedthat picture. "

"Yes, " said Mrs. Leonard, looking at her with no little wonder andperplexity. 

By a great effort Christine recovered herself and said, "You know howdeeply fine paintings always affect me. "

Dennis of course knew nothing of Christine's feelings. He could onlysee that his picture had produced a profound effect on her, and thatshe had eyes for nothing else. But he overheard Mr. Cornell say, "Itis indeed a remarkable painting"

"Do you know its author?" asked Mr. Ludolph, with a heavy frown. 

"No, I do not. It is still a mystery"

"Will it take the prize, do you think?"

"I am not at liberty to give an opinion as yet, " replied Mr. Cornell, with a smile. "There is another picture here, almost if not quite asfine, though much smaller and simpler;" and he took Mr. Ludolph offto show him that. 

Dennis was now recognized by Mrs. Leonard and her husband, who cameforward and greeted him cordially, and they started on a tour of thegallery together. Though his heart beat fast, he completely ignoredChristine's presence, and responded coldly to Mr. Ludolph's slight bow. 

Christine, on being aware of his presence, furtively devoured him withher eyes. The refining influences of his life were evident in his faceand bearing, and she realized her ideal of what a man ought to be. Eagerly she watched till he should discover her painting where it hungopposite his own, and at last she was amply rewarded for all her toil. He stopped suddenly and stood as if spellbound. 

The picture was very simple, and few accessories entered into it. Upona barren rock of an island stood a woman gazing far out at sea, wherein the distance a ship was sailing _away_. Though every part had beenworked up with exquisite finish, the whole force and power of thepainting lay in the expression of the woman's face, which was anindescribable mingling of longing and despair. Here also Christine hadtraced a faint resemblance to herself, though the woman was middle-agedand haggard, with famine in her cheeks. 

As Dennis looked and wondered, the thought flashed into his mind, "Could_she_ have painted that?" He turned suddenly toward her and wasconvinced that she had done so; for she was looking at him withsomething of the same expression, or at least he fancied so. She blusheddeeply and turned hastily away. He was greatly agitated, but in view ofthe eyes that were upon him controlled himself and remained outwardlycalm. 

Mr. Ludolph also was convinced that his daughter had painted thepicture, and he frowned more heavily than before. He turned a darklook on her, and found her regarding Dennis in a manner that causedhim to grind his teeth with rage. But he could only sit down and watchthe course of events. 

The people were now thronging in. The gentlemen who made up the prize, with their committee of award, of which Mr. Cornell was chairman, werealso present. Most critically they examined each picture till at lasttheir choice narrowed down to the two paintings above described. Butit soon became evident that their choice would fall upon the largerone, and Dennis saw that he was to be the victor. To his surpriseChristine seemed utterly indifferent as to the result of their decision. He could not know that the prize had no place in her thoughts when shepainted her picture. She had found her reward in its effect on him. 

At one o'clock Mr. Cornell came forward and said: "Ladies and gentlemen, and especially do I address that group of liberal citizens who are sogenerously seeking to encourage art in our great and prosperous city, it gives me pleasure to inform you that your munificence has broughtforth rich fruit, for here are many paintings that would do credit toany gallery. We hesitated a little time between two very superiorpictures, but at last we have decided that the larger one is worthyof the prize. The smaller picture is one of great merit; its treatmentis unusually fine, though the subject is not new. 

"The two emblematic pictures in some parts show crude and hasty work;indeed some minor parts are quite unfinished. The artist evidently hasnot had sufficient time. But the leading features are well wroughtout, and the power and originality of the entire effort so impress usthat, as I have said, we render our decision in its favor. That allmay know our verdict to be fair, we state on our honor that we do notknow by whom a single painting present was executed. Dr. Arten, as thelargest contributor toward the prize, you are appointed to bestow it. On the back of the picture you will find an envelope containing thename of the artist, whom we all shall delight to honor. "

Amid breathless expectation, Dr. Arten stepped forward, took down theenvelope, and read in a loud, trumpet-voice--

"DENNIS FLEET. "

CHAPTER XLI

FIRE! FIRE!

"Will Dennis Fleet come forward?" cried Dr. Arten. Very pale, andtrembling with excitement, Dennis stepped out before them all. 

"Take heart, my young friend; I am not about to read yourdeath-warrant, " said the doctor, cheerily. "Permit me to present youwith this check for two thousand dollars, and express to you what isof more value to the true artist, our esteem and appreciation of yourmerit. May your brush ever continue to be employed in the presentationof such noble, elevating thoughts. "

And the good doctor, quite overcome by this unusual flight of eloquence, blew his nose vigorously and wiped from his spectacles the moisturewith which his own eyes had bedewed them. 

Dennis responded with a low bow, and was about to retire; but his fewfriends, and indeed all who knew him, pressed forward with theircongratulations. 

Foremost among these were the professor and his wife. Tears of delightfairly shone in Mrs. Leonard's eyes as she shook his hand again andagain. Many others also trooped up for an introduction, till he wasquite bewildered by strange names, and compliments that seemed strangerstill. 

Suddenly a low, well-known voice at his side sent a thrill to his heartand a rush of crimson to his face. 

"Will Mr. Fleet deign to receive my congratulations also?"

He turned and met the deep blue eyes of Christine Ludolph lifted timidlyto his. But at once the association that had long been uppermost inregard to her--the memory of her supposed treatment of hismother--flashed across him, and he replied, with cold and almost statelycourtesy, "The least praise or notice from Miss Ludolph would be amost unexpected favor. "

She thought from his manner that he might as well have said"unwelcome favor, " and with a sad, disappointed look she turned away. 

Even in the excitement and triumph of the moment, Dennis was oppressedby the thought that he had not spoken as wisely as he might. Almostabruptly he broke away and escaped to the solitude of his own room. 

He did not think about his success. The prize lay forgotten in hispocketbook. He sat in his arm-chair and stared apparently at vacancy, but in reality at the picture that he was sure Christine had painted. He went over and over again with the nicest scrutiny all her actionsin the gallery, and now reproached himself bitterly for the repellinganswer he had given when she spoke to him. He tried to regain his oldanger and hardness in view of her wrongs to him and his, but couldnot. The tell-tale picture, and traces of sorrow and suffering in herface in accord with it, had disarmed him. He said to himself, and halfbelieved, that he was letting his imagination run away with his reason, but could not help it. At last he seized his hat and hastened to thehotel where Mrs. Leonard was staying. She at once launched out intoa eulogistic strain descriptive of her enjoyment of the affair. 

"I never was so proud of Chicago, " she exclaimed. "It is the greatestcity in the world. Only the other day her streets were prairies. Ibelieve my husband expected to find buffalo and Indians just outsidethe town. But see! already, by its liberality and attention to art, it begins to vie with some of our oldest cities. But what is the matter?You look so worried. "

"Oh, nothing, " said Dennis, coming out of his troubled, abstractedmanner. 

With her quick intuition, Mrs. Leonard at once divined his thoughts, and said soon after, when her husband's back was turned: "All I cansay is, that she was deeply, most deeply affected by your picture, butshe said nothing to me, more than to express her admiration. My friend, you had better forget her. They sail for Europe very soon; and, besides, she is not worthy of you. "

"I only wish I could forget her, and am angry with myself but I cannot, "he replied, and soon after said "good-night. "

Wandering aimlessly through the streets, he almost unconsciously madehis way to the north side, where the Ludolph mansion was situated. Thena strong impulse to Go to it came over him, and for the first timesince the far-off day when, stunned and wounded by his bitterdisappointment, he had gone away apparently to die, he found himselfat the familiar place. The gas was burning in Mr. Ludolph's library. He went around on the side street (for the house was on a corner), anda light shone from what he knew to be Christine's studio. Sheundoubtedly was there. Even such proximity excited him strangely, andin his morbid state he felt that he could almost kiss the feeble raysthat shimmered out into the darkened street. In his secret soul heutterly condemned his folly, but promised himself that he would beweak no longer after that one night. The excitements of the day hadthrown him off his balance. 

Suddenly he heard, sweet and clear, though softened by distance andintervening obstacles, the same weird, pathetic ballad that had somoved him when Christine sang it at Le Grand Hotel, on the eveningafter he had pointed out the fatal defect in her picture. At shortintervals, kindred and plaintive songs followed. 

"There is nothing exultant or hopeful about those strains, " he saidto himself. "For some reason she is not happy. Oh, that I might haveone frank conversation with her and find out the whole truth! But itseems that I might just as well ask for a near look at yonder starthat glimmers so distantly. For some reason I cannot believe her soutterly heartless as she has seemed; and then mother has prayed. Canit all end as a miserable dream?"

Late at night the music ceased, and the room was darkened. 

Little dreamed Christine that her plaintive minstrelsy had fallen onso sympathetic an ear, and that the man who seemingly had repelled herslightest acquaintance had shivered long hours in the cold, dark street. 

So the divine Friend waits and watches, while we, in ignorance andunbelief, pay no heed. Stranger far, He waits and watches when we know, but yet, unrelenting, ignore His presence. 

With heavy steps, Dennis wearily plodded homeward. He was oppressedby that deep despondency which follows great fatigue and excitement. 

In the southwest he saw a brilliant light. He heard the alarm-bells, and knew there was a fire, but to have aroused him that night itmust have come scorchingly close. He reached his dark little room, threwhimself dressed on the couch, and slept till nearly noon of the nextday. 

When he awoke, and realized how the first hours of the Sabbath hadpassed, he started up much vexed with himself, and after a briefretrospect said: "Such excitements as those of yesterday are littlebetter than a debauch, and I must shun them hereafter. God has blessedand succeeded me, and it is but a poor return I am making. However myunfortunate attachment may end, nothing is gained by moping around inthe hours of night. Henceforth let there be an end of such folly. "

He made a careful toilet and sat down to his Sabbath-school lesson. 

To his delight he again met Mrs. Leonard, who came to visit herold mission class. She smiled most approvingly, and quoted, "He that isfaithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. "

He went home with her, and in the evening they all went to churchtogether. 

He cried unto the Lord for strength and help, and almost lostconsciousness of the service in his earnest prayer for true manhoodand courage to go forward to what he feared would be a sad and lonelylife. And the answer came; for a sense of power and readiness to doGod's will, and withal a strange hopefulness, inspired him. Trustingin the Divine strength, he felt that he could meet his future now, whatever it might be. 

Again the alarm-bells were ringing, and there was a light on thesouthwest. 

"There seems to be a fire over there in the direction of my poor Germanfriend's house. You remember Mrs. Bruder. I will go and call on them, I think. At any rate I should call, for it is owing to her husbandthat I won the prize;" and they parted at the church-door. 

Christine had left the picture-gallery soon after Dennis's abruptdeparture. Her gay friends had tried in vain to rally her, and ratherwondered at her manner, but said, "She is so full of moods of late, you can never know what to expect. "

Her father, with a few indifferent words, left her for his place ofbusiness. His hope still was to prevent her meeting Dennis, and tokeep up the estrangement that existed. 

Christine went home and spent the long hours in bitter revery, whichat last she summed up by saying, "I have stamped out his love by myfolly, and now his words, 'I despise you, ' express the whole wretchedtruth. " Then clenching her little hands she added, with livid lips anda look of scorn: "Since I can never help him (and therefore no one)win earthly greatness, I will never be the humble recipient of it fromanother. Since his second picture cannot be true of my experience, neither shall the first. "

And she was one to keep such a resolve. The evening was spent, as weknow, in singing alone in her studio, this being her favorite, indeedher only way, of giving expression to her feelings. Very late shesought her bed to find but little sleep. 

The day of rest brought no rest to her, suggested no hope, no sacredprivilege of seeking Divine help to bear up under life's burdens. Toher it was a relic of superstition, at which she chafed as interferingwith the usual routine of affairs. She awoke with a headache, and along miserable day she found it. Sabbath night she determined to havesleep, and therefore took an opiate and retired early. 

Mr. Ludolph sat in his library trying to construct some plan by whichChristine could be sent to Germany at once. 

When Dennis reached the neighborhood of the fire he found it muchlarger than he supposed, and when he entered Harrison Street, nearMrs. Bruder's home, he discovered that only prompt action could savethe family. The streets were fast becoming choked with fugitives andteams, and the confusion threatened to develop into panic and widespread danger. The fire was but a block away when he rushed upstairsto the floor which the Bruders occupied. From the way in which blazingbrands were flying he knew that there were was not a moment to spare. 

He found Mrs. Bruder startled, anxious, but in no way comprehendingthe situation. 

"Quick!" cried Dennis. "Wake and dress the children--pack up what youcan lay your hands on and carry--you have no time to do anything more. "

"Ah! mine Gott! vat you mean?"

"Do as I say--there's no time to explain. Here, Ernst, help me;" andDennis snatched up one child and commenced dressing it before it couldfairly wake. Ernst took up another and followed his example. Mrs. Bruder, recovering from her bewilderment, hastily gathered a few thingstogether, saying in the meantime, "Surely you don't dink our home burnup?"

"Yes, my poor friend, in five minutes more we must all be out of thisbuilding. "

"Oh, den come dis minute! Let me save de schilder;" and, throwing ablanket around the youngest, the frightened woman rushed downstairs, followed by Ernst and his little brother, while Dennis hastened withthe last child and the bundle. 

Their escape was none too prompt, for the blazing embers were fallingto such a degree in the direct line of the fire as to render thatposition very perilous. But though their progress was necessarily slow, from the condition of the streets, the breadth of the fire was notgreat at this spot, and they soon reached a point to the west andwindward that was safe. Putting the family in charge of Ernst, andtelling them to continue westward, Dennis rushed back, feeling thatmany lives depend upon stout hands and brave hearts that night. Moreoverhe was in that state of mind which made him court rather than shundanger. 

He had hardly left his humble friends before Mrs. Bruder stopped, puther hand on her heart and cried: "Oh, Ernst! Oh, Gott forgive me! dotI should forget him--your fader's picture. I must go back. "

"Oh, moder, no! you are more to us than the picture" The woman's eyeswere wild and excited, and she cried, vehemently: "Dot picture savedmine Berthold life--yes, more, more, him brought back his artist soul. Vithout him ve vould all be vorse dan dead. I can no live vidout him. Stay here"; and with the speed of the wind the devoted wife rushedback to the burning street, up the stairs, already crackling andblazing, to where the lovely landscape smiled peacefully in the dreadfulglare, with its last rich glow of beauty. She tore it from itsfastenings, pressed her lips fervently against it, regained the street, but with dress on fire. She staggered forward a few steps in the hotstifling air and smoke, and then fell upon her burden. Spreading herarms over it, to protect it even in death, the mother's heart went outin agony toward her children. 

"Ah, merciful Gott! take care of dem, " she sighed, and the prayer andthe spirit that breathed it went up to heaven together. 

CHAPTER XLII

BARON LUDOLPH LEARNS THE TRUTH

With eyes ablaze with excitement, Dennis plunged into the region justbefore the main line of fire, knowing that there the danger would begreatest. None realized the rapidity of its advance. At the door ofa tenement-house he found a pale, thin, half-clad woman tugging at asewing-machine. 

"Madam, " cried Dennis, "you have no time to waste over that burden ifyou wish to escape. "

"What is the use of escaping without it?" she answered, sullenly. "Itis the only way I have of making a living. "

"Give it to me then, and follow as fast as you can. " Shouldering whatmeant to the poor creature shelter, clothing, and bread, he led theway to the southeast, out of the line of fire. It was a long, hardstruggle, but they got through safely. 

"How can I ever pay you?" cried the grateful woman. 

But he did not stay to answer, and now determined to make his way tothe west and windward of the fire, as he could then judge better ofthe chances of its spreading. He thought it safer to go around and backof the flames, as they now seemed much wider, and nearer the southbranch of the Chicago River. 

He found that he could cross the burned district a little to thesouthwest, for the small wooden houses were swept so utterly away thatthere were no heated, blazing ruins to contend with. He also saw thathe could do better by making quite a wide circuit, as he thus avoidedstreets choked by fugitives. Beaching a point near the river on thewest side of the fire, he climbed a high pile of lumber, and thendiscovered to his horror that the fire had caught in several placeson the south side, and that the nearest bridges were burning. 

To those not familiar with the topography of the city, it should bestated that it is separated by the Chicago River, a slow, narrow stream, into three main divisions, known as the south, the north, and the westside. 

By a triumph of engineering, the former mouth of this river at thelake is now its source, the main stream being turned back upon itself, and dividing into two branches at a point a little over half a milefrom the lake, one flowing to the southwest into the Illinois, and theother from the northwest into the main stream. 

The south division includes all the territory bounded on the east by thelake, on the north by the main river and on the west by the southbranch. The north division includes the area bounded on the east bythe lake, on the south by the main river, and on the west by the northbranch, while the west division embraces all that part of the citywest of the two branches. The fire originated in De Koven Street, thesoutheastern part of the west side, and it was carried steadily to thenorth and east by an increasing gale. The south side, with all itsmagnificent buildings, was soon directly in the line of the fire. 

When Dennis saw that the flames had crossed the south branch, and wereburning furiously beyond, he knew that the best part of the city wasthreatened with destruction. He hastened to the Washington Streettunnel, where he found a vast throng, carrying all sorts of burdens, rushing either way. He plunged in with the rest, and soon found himselfhustled hither and thither by a surging mass of humanity. A littlepiping voice that seemed under his feet cried: "O mamma! mamma! Whereare you? I'm gettin' lost. "

"Here I am, my child, " answered a voice some steps in advance andDennis saw a lady carrying another child; but the rushing tide wouldnot let her wait--all, in the place where they were wedged, beingcarried right along. Stooping down, he put the little girl on hisshoulder where she could see her mother, and so they pressed on. Suddenly, in the very midst of the tunnel, the gas ceased, by reasonof the destruction of the works, and utter darkness filled the place. 

There was a loud cry of consternation, and then a momentary and dreadfulsilence, which would have been the preface of a fatal panic, had notDennis cried out, in a ringing voice, "All keep to the right!"

This cry was taken up and repeated on every hand, and side by side, to right and left, the two living streams of humanity, with steadytramp! tramp! rushed past each other. 

When they emerged into the glare of the south side Dennis gave thechild to its mother and said, "Madam, your only chance is to escapein that direction, " pointing northwest. 

He then tried to make his way to the hotel where Professor and Mrs. Leonard were staying, but it was in the midst of an unapproachable seaof fire. If they had not escaped some little time before, they hadalready perished. He then tried to make his way to the windward towardhis own room. His two thousand dollars and all his possessions werethere, and the instinct of self-preservation caused him to think itwas time to look after his own. But progress was now very difficult. The streets were choked by drays, carriages, furniture, trunks, andevery degree and condition of humanity. Besides, his steps were oftenstayed by thrilling scenes and the need of a helping hand. In orderto make his way faster he took a street nearer the fire, from whichthe people had mostly been driven. As he was hurrying along with hishat drawn over his eyes to avoid the sparks that were driven aboutlike fiery hail, he suddenly heard a piercing shriek. Looking up hesaw the figure of a woman at the third story window of a fine mansionthat was already burning, though not so rapidly as those in the directline of the fire. He with a number of others stopped at the sound. 

"Who will volunteer with me to save that woman?" cried he. 

"Wal, stranger, you can reckon on this old stager for one, " answereda familiar voice. 

Dennis turned and recognized his old friend, the Good Samaritan. 

"Why, Cronk, " he cried, "don't you know me? Don't you remember theyoung man you saved from starving by suggesting the snow-shovelbusiness?"

"Hello! my young colt. How are you? give us yer hand. But come, don'tlet's stop to talk about snow in this hell of a place with that youngfilly whinnying up there. "

"Right!" cried Dennis. "Let us find a ladder and rope; quick--"

At a paint-shop around the corner a ladder was found that reached tothe second story, and some one procured a rope. 

"A thousand dollars, " cried another familiar voice, "to the man whosaves that woman!"

Looking round, Dennis saw the burly form of Mr. Brown, the brewer, hisfeatures distorted by agony and fear; then glancing up he discoveredin the red glare upon her face that the woman was no other than hisdaughter. She had come to spend the night with a friend, and, beinga sound sleeper, had not escaped with the family. 

"Who wants yer thousand dollars?" replied Bill Cronk's gruff voice. "D'ye s'pose we'd hang out here over the bottomless pit for any suchtrifle as that? We want to save the gal. "

Before Cronk had ended his characteristic speech, Dennis was half-wayup the ladder. He entered the second story, only to be driven back byfire and smoke. 

"A pole of some kind!" he cried. 

The thills of a broken-down buggy supplied this, but the flames hadalready reached Miss Brown. Being a girl of a good deal of nerve andphysical courage, however, she tore off her outer clothing with herown hands. Dennis now passed her the rope on the end of the buggy-thilland told her to fasten it to something in the room that would supporther weight, and lower herself to the second story. She fastened it, but did not seem to know how to lower herself. Dennis tried the rope, found it would sustain his weight; then, bringing into use an artlearned in his college gymnasium, he over-handed rapidly till he stoodat Miss Brown's side. Drawing up the rope he fastened her to it andlowered her to the ladder, where Bill Cronk caught her, and in a momentmore she was in her father's arms, who at once shielded her fromexposure with his overcoat. Dennis followed the rope down, and hadhardly got away before the building fell in. 

"Is not this Mr. Fleet?" asked Miss Brown. 

"Yes. "

"How can we ever repay you?"

"By learning to respect honest men, even though they are not rich, Miss Brown. "

"Did you know who it was when you saved me?"

"Yes. "

"Mr. Fleet, I sincerely ask your pardon. "

But before Dennis could reply they were compelled to fly for theirlives. 

Mr. Brown shouted as he ran, "Call at the house or place of businessof Thomas Brown, and the money will be ready. "

But Thomas Brown would have found it hard work to rake a thousanddollars out of the ashes of either place the following day. The richesin which he trusted had taken wings. 

Cronk and Dennis kept together for a short distance, and the lattersaw that his friend had been drinking. Their steps led them near alarge liquor-store which a party of men and boys were sacking. One ofthese, half intoxicated, handed Bill a bottle of whiskey, but as thedrover was lifting it to his lips Dennis struck it to the ground. Cronkwas in a rage instantly. 

"What the ---- did you do that for?" he growled. 

"I would do that and more too to save your life. If you get drunkto-night you are a lost man, " answered Dennis, earnestly. 

"Who's a-goin' ter get drunk, I'd like ter know? You feel yer oats toomuch to-night. No man or horse can kick over the traces with me;" andhe went off in the unreasoning anger of a half-drunken man. But hecarried all his generous impulses with him, for a few minutes after, seeing a man lying in a most dangerous position, he ran up and shookhim, crying, "I say, stranger, get up, or yer ribs will soon beroasted. "

"Lemme 'lone, " was the maudlin answer. "I've had drink 'nuff. 'Tain'tmornin' yet. "

"Hi, there!" cried a warning voice, and Cronk started back just intime to escape a blazing wall that fell across the street. The stupefiedman he had sought to arouse was hopelessly buried. Cronk, having gotout of danger, stood and scratched his head, his favorite way ofassisting reflection. 

"That's just what that young critter Fleet meant. What a cussed olemule I was to kick up so! Ten chances to one but it will happen to meafore mornin'. Look here, Bill Cronk, you jist p'int out of this fieryfurnace. You know yer failin', and there's too long and black a scoreagin you in t'other world for you to go to-night;" and Bill made a beeline for the west side. 

Struggling off to windward through the choked streets for a littledistance, Dennis ascended the side stairs of a tall building, in orderto get more accurately the bearings of the fire. He now for the firsttime realized its magnitude, and was appalled. It appeared as if thewhole south side must go. At certain points the very heavens seemedon fire. The sparks filled the air like flakes of fiery snow, and greatblazing fragments of roofs, and boards from lumber yards, sailed overhis head, with the ill-omened glare of meteors. The rush and roar ofthe wind and flames were like the thunder of Niagara, and to this awfulmonotone accompaniment was added a Babel of sounds--shrieks, and shoutsof human voices, the sharp crash of falling buildings, and ever andanon heavy detonations, as the fire reached explosive material. As helooked down into the white upturned faces in the thronged streets, itseemed to him as if the people might be gathering for the last greatday. Above all the uproar, the court-house bell could be heard, withits heavy, solemn clangor, no longer ringing alarm, but the city'sknell. 

But he saw that if he reached his own little room in time to saveanything he must hasten. His course lay near the Art Building, theplace so thronged with associations to him. An irresistible impulsedrew him to it. It was evident that it must soon go, for an immensebuilding to the southwest, on the same block, was burning, and thewalls were already swaying. 

Suddenly a man rushed past him, and Mr. Ludolph put his pass key inthe side door. 

"Mr. Ludolph, it is not safe to enter, " said Dennis. 

"What are you doing here with your ill-omened face?" retorted his oldemployer, turning toward him a countenance terrible in its expression. As we have seen, anything that threatened Mr. Ludolph's interests, even that which most men bow before, as sickness and disaster, onlyawakened his anger; and his face was black with passion and distortedwith rage. 

The door yielded, and he passed in. 

"Come back, quick, Mr. Ludolph, or you are lost!" cried Dennis at thedoor. 

"I will get certain papers, though the heavens fall!" yelled back theinfuriated man, with an oath. 

Dennis heard an awful rushing sound in the air. He drew his hat overhis face as he ran, crouching. Hot bricks rained around him, butfortunately he escaped. 

When he turned to look, the Art Building was a crushed and blazingruin. Sweet girlish faces that had smiled upon him from the walls, beautiful classical faces that had inspired his artist soul, sternRoman faces, that had made the past seem real, the human faces of godsand goddesses that made mythology seem not wholly a myth, and the whitemarble faces of the statuary, that ever reminded him of Christine, were now all blackened and defaced forever. But not of these he thought, as he shudderingly covered his eyes with his hands to shut out thevision; but of that terrible face that in the darkness had yelleddefiance to Heaven. 

CHAPTER XLIII

"CHRISTINE, AWAKE! FOR YOUR LIFE!"

Dennis was too much stunned and bewildered to do more than instinctivelywork his way to the windward as the only point of safety, but the firewas now becoming so broad in its sweep that to do this was difficult. The awful event he had witnessed seemed partially to paralyze him; forhe knew that the oath, hot as the scorching flames, was scarcely utteredbefore Mr. Ludolph's lips were closed forever. He and his ambitiousdream perished in a moment, and he was summoned to the other world tolearn what his proud reason scoffed at in this. 

For a block or more Dennis was passively borne alone by the rushingmob. Suddenly a voice seemed to shout almost in his ear, "The northside is burning!" and he started as from a dream. The thought ofChristine flashed upon him, perishing perhaps in the flames. Heremembered that now she had no protector, and that he for the momenthad forgotten her; though in truth he had never imagined that she couldbe imperilled by the burning of the north side. 

In an agony of fear and anxiety he put forth every effort of which hewas capable, and tore through the crowd as if mad. There was no wayof getting across the river now save by the La Salle Street tunnel. Into this dark passage he plunged with multitudes of others. It wasindeed as near Pandemonium as any earthly condition could be. Drivenforward by the swiftly pursuing flames, hemmed in on every side, ashrieking, frenzied, terror-stricken throng rushed into the blackcavern. Every moral grade was represented there. Those who led abandonedlives were plainly recognizable, their guilty consciences findingexpression in their livid faces. These jostled the refined and delicatelady, who, in the awful democracy of the hour, brushed against thiefand harlot. Little children wailed for their lost parents, and manywere trampled underfoot. Parents cried for their children, womenshrieked for their husbands, some praying, many cursing with oaths ashot as the flames that crackled near. Multitudes were in no othercostumes than those in which they had sprung from their beds. Altogetherit was a strange, incongruous, writhing mass of humanity, such as theworld had never looked upon, pouring into what might seem, in itshorrors, the mouth of hell. 

As Dennis entered the utter darkness, a confused roar smote his earthat might have appalled the stoutest heart, but he was now obliviousto everything save Christine's danger. With set teeth he put hisshoulder against the living mass and pushed with the strongest tillhe emerged into the glare of the north side. Here, escaping somewhatfrom the throng, he made his way rapidly to the Ludolph mansion, whichto his joy he found was still considerably to the windward of the fire. But he saw that from the southwest another line of flame was bearingdown upon it. 

The front door was locked, and the house utterly dark. He rang thebell furiously, but there was no response. He walked around under thewindow and shouted, but the place remained as dark and silent as atomb. He pounded on the door, but its massive thickness scarcelyadmitted of a reverberation. 

"They must have escaped, " he said; "but, merciful heaven! there mustbe no uncertainty in this case. What shall I do?"

The windows of the lower story were all strongly guarded and hopeless, but one opening on the balcony of Christine's studio seemed practicableif it could be reached. A half-grown elm swayed its graceful branchesover the balcony, and Dennis knew the tough and fibrous nature of thistree. In the New England woods of his early home he had learned toclimb for nuts like a squirrel, and so with no great difficulty hemounted the trunk and dropped from an overhanging branch to the pointhe sought. The window was down at the top, but the lower sash wasfastened. He could see the catch by the light of the fire. He brokethe pane of glass nearest it, hoping that the crash might awakenChristine, if she were still there. But after the clatter died awaythere was no sound. He then noisily raised the sash and stepped in. 

What a rush of memories came over him as he looked around the familiarplace! There was the spot on which he had stood and asked for the lovethat he had valued more than life. There stood the easel on which, through Christine's gifted touch, his painted face had pleaded withscarcely less eloquence, till he blotted it out with his own hand. Inmemory of it all his heart again failed him, and he sighed, "She willnever love me. "

But there was no time for sentiment. He called loudly: "Miss Ludolph, awake! awake! for your life!"

There was no answer. "She must be gone, " he said. The front room, facing toward the west, he knew to be her sleeping-apartment. Goingthrough the passage, he knocked loudly, and called again; but in thesilence that followed he heard his own watch tick, and his heart beat. He pushed the door open with the feeling of one profaning a shrine, and looked timidly in. Even in that thrilling hour of peril and anxiety, his eye was enraptured by the beauty of the room. Not only was itfurnished with the utmost luxuriance, but everything spoke of a quaintand cultured taste, from the curious marble clock and bronze on themantel, even to the pattern of the Turkey carpet on which the glareof the fire, as it glinted through the shutters, played faintly. Oneof the most marked features, however, was an exquisite life-size statueof Diana at the foot of the bed, grasping her bow with one hand, andin the act of seizing an arrow with the other, as if aroused toself-defence. When Dennis first saw it, he was so startled by itslifelike attitude that he stepped back into the passage. But, with allthe beauty of the room, it was utterly pagan; not a single thingsuggested Christian faith or a knowledge of the true God. With theexception of its modern air, it might just as well have been theresting-place of a Greek or Roman maiden of rank. 

Reassured, he timidly advanced again, and then for the first time, between the two marble statuettes holding back the curtains of thebed, saw Christine, but looking more white and deathlike than themarble itself. 

She lay with her face toward him. Her hair of gold, unconfined, streamedover the pillow; one fair round arm, from which her night-robe hadslipped back, was clasped around her head, and a flickering ray oflight, finding access at the window, played upon her face and neckwith the strangest and most weird effect. 

So deep was her slumber that she seemed dead, and Dennis, in hisoverwrought state, thought that she was. For a moment his heart stoodstill, and his tongue was paralyzed. A distant explosion aroused him. Approaching softly he said, in an awed whisper (he seemed powerlessto speak louder), "Miss Ludolph!--Christine!"

But the light of the coming fire played and flickered over the still, white face, that never before had seemed so strangely beautiful. 

"Miss Ludolph!--Oh, Christine, awake!" cried Dennis, louder. 

To his wonder and unbounded perplexity, he saw the hitherto motionlesslips wreathe themselves into a lovely smile, but otherwise there wasno response, and the ghostly light played and flickered on, dancingon temple, brow, and snowy throat, and clasping the white arm in wavycirclets of gold. It was all so weird and strange that he was growingsuperstitious, and losing faith in his own senses. He could not knowthat she was under the influence of an opiate, and that his voice ofall others could, like a faint echo, find access to her mind so deeplysunk in lethargy. 

But a louder and nearer explosion, like a warning voice, made himwholly desperate; and he roughly seized her hand, determining to dispelthe illusion, and learn the truth at once. 

Christine's blue eyes opened wide with a bewildered stare; a look ofthe wildest terror came into them, and she started up and shrieked, "Father! father!"

Then turning toward the as yet unknown invader, she cried, piteously:"Oh, spare my life! Take everything; I will give you anything you ask, only spare my life. "

She evidently thought herself addressing a ruthless robber. 

Dennis retreated toward the door the moment she awakened; and thissomewhat reassured her. 

In the firm, quiet tone that always calms excitement he replied, "Ionly ask you to give me your confidence, Miss Ludolph, and to joinwith me, Dennis Fleet, in my effort to save your life. "

"Dennis Fleet! Dennis Fleet! save my life! Oh, ye gods, what does itall mean?" and she passed her hand in bewilderment across her brow, as if to brush away the wild fancies of a dream. 

"Miss Ludolph, as you love your life arouse yourself and escape! Thecity is burning!"

"I don't believe it!" she cried, in an agony of terror and anger. "Leave the room! How dare you! You are not Dennis Fleet; he is a whiteman, and you are black! You are an impostor! Leave quick, or my fatherwill come and take your life! Father! father!"

Dennis without a word stepped to the window, tore aside the curtain, threw open the shutters, and the fire filled the room with the glareof noonday. At that moment an explosion occurred which shook the veryearth. Everything rattled, and a beautiful porcelain vase fellcrashing to the floor. 

Christine shrieked and covered her face with her hands. 

Dennis approached the bedside, and said in a gentle, firm tone thatshe knew to be his: "Miss Ludolph, I _am_ Mr. Fleet. My face isblackened through smoke and dust, as is every one's out in the streetsto-night. You know something of me, and I think you know nothingdishonorable. Can you not trust me? Indeed you must; your life dependsupon it!"

"Oh, pardon me, Mr. Fleet!" she cried, eagerly. "I am not worthy ofthis, but now that I know you, I do trust you from the depth of mysoul!"

"Prove it then by doing just as I bid you, " he replied, in a voice sofirm and prompt that it seemed almost stern. Retreating to the door, he continued: "I give you just five minutes in which to make yourtoilet and gather a light bundle of your choicest valuables. Dress inwoollen throughout, and dress warmly. I will see that the servants arearoused. Your father is on the south side, and cannot reach you. Youmust trust in God and what I can do for you. "

"I must trust to you _alone_, " she said. "Please send my maid to me. "

Mr. Ludolph had sipped his wine during the evening, and his servantshad sipped, in no dainty way, something stronger, and therefore hadnot awakened readily. But the uproar in the streets had aroused them, and Dennis found them scuttling down the upper stairs in a half-cladstate, each bearing a large bundle, which had been made up withoutregard to _meum_ and _tuum_. 

"Och, murther! is the world burning up?" cried the cook. 

"Be still, ye howlin' fool, " said the cool and travelled maid. "It'sonly von big fire!"

"Go to your mistress and help her, quick!" cried Dennis. 

"Go to my meestress! I go to de street and save my life. "

"Oh, Janette!" cried Christine. "Come and help me!"

"I am meeserable zat I cannot. I must bid mademoiselle quick adieu, "said the heartless creature, still keeping up the veneer of Frenchpoliteness. 

Dennis looked through the upper rooms and was satisfied that they wereempty. Suddenly a piercing shriek from Christine sent him flying toher room. As he ran he heard her cry, "Oh, Mr. Fleet! come! help!"

To go back a little (for on that awful night events marched as rapidlyas the flames, and the experience of years was crowded into hours, andthat of hours into moments), Christine had sought as best she couldto obey Dennis's directions, but she was sadly helpless, having beentrained to a foolish dependence on her maid. She had accomplished butlittle when she heard a heavy step in the room. Looking up, she sawa strange man regarding her with an evil eye. 

"What do you want?" she faltered. 

"You, for one thing, and all you have got, for another, " was the brutalreply. 

"Leave this room!" she cried, in a voice she vainly tried to renderfirm. 

"Not just yet, " he answered, with a satanic grin. She sought to escapeby him with the loud cry that Dennis heard, but the ruffian plantedhis big grimy hand in the delicate frill of her night-robe where itclasped her throat, and with a coarse laugh said: "Not so fast, mydainty!"

Trembling and half fainting (for she had no physical courage), shecried for Dennis, and never did knightly heart respond with more braveand loving throb to the cry of helpless woman than his. He came withalmost the impetus of a thunderbolt, and the man, startled, lookedaround, and catching a glimpse of Dennis's blazing eyes, dropped hishold on Christine, and shrank and cowered from the blow he could notavert. Before his hand could instinctively reach the pistol it sought, there was a thud, and he fell like a log to the floor. Then, springingupon him, Dennis took away his weapons, and, seizing him by the collarof his coat, dragged him backward downstairs and thrust him into thestreet. Pointing his own pistol at him, he said, "If you trouble usagain, I will shoot you like a dog!"

The villain slunk off, and finding some kindred spirits sacking aliquor-store not far off, he joined the orgy, seeking to drown hisrage in rum, and he succeeded so effectually that he lay in the guttersoon after. The escaping multitude trampled over him, and soon thefire blotted out his miserable existence, as it did that of so manywho rendered themselves powerless by drink. 

When Dennis returned he found Christine panting helplessly on a chair. 

"Oh, dress! dress!" he cried. "We have not a moment to spare. "

The sparks and cinders were falling about the house, a perfect stormof fire. The roof was already blazing, and smoke was pouring down thestairs. 

At his suggestion she had at first laid out a heavy woollen dress andScotch plaid shawl. She nervously sought to put on the dress, but hertrembling fingers could not fasten it over her wildly throbbing bosom. Dennis saw that in the terrible emergency he must act the part of abrother or husband, and springing forward he assisted her with thedexterity he had learned in childhood. 

Just then a blazing piece of roof, borne on the wings of the gale, crashed through the window, and in a moment the apartment, that hadseemed like a beautiful casket for a still more exquisite jewel, wasin flames. 

Hastily wrapping Christine in the blanket shawl, he snatched her, crying and wringing her hands, into the street. 

Holding his hand she ran two or three blocks with all the speed herwild terror prompted; then her strength began to fail, and she pantinglycried that she could run no longer. But this rapid rush carried themout of immediate peril, and brought them into the flying throng pressingtheir way northward and westward. Wedged into the multitude they couldonly move on with it in the desperate struggle forward. But fire wasfalling about them like a meteoric shower. 

Suddenly Christine uttered a sharp cry of pain. She had stepped on aburning cinder, and then realized for the first time, in her excitement, that her feet were bare. 

"Oh, what shall I do?" she cried piteously, limping and leaning heavilyon Dennis's arm. 

"Indeed, Miss Ludolph, from my heart I pity you. "

"Can you save me? Oh, do you think you can save me?" she moaned, inan agony of fear. 

"Yes, I feel sure I can. At any rate I shall not leave you;" and takingher a little out of the jostling crowd he kneeled and bound up theburned foot with his handkerchief. A little further on they came toa shoe-store with doors open and owners gone. Almost carrying Christineinto it, for her other foot was cut and bleeding, he snatched down apair of boy's stout gaiters, and wiping with another handkerchief theblood and dust from her tender little feet, he made the handkerchiefsanswer for stockings, and drew the shoes on over them. 

In the brief moment so occupied, Christine said, with tears in hereyes: "Mr. Fleet, how kind you are! How little I deserve all this!"

He looked up with a happy smile, and she little knew that her few wordsamply repaid him. 

There was a crash in the direction of the fire. With a cry of fear, Christine put out her hands and clung to him. 

"Oh, we shall perish! Are you not afraid?"

"I tremble for you, Miss Ludolph. "

"Not for yourself?"

"No! why should I? I am safe. Heaven and mother are just beyond thistempest. "

"I would give worlds for your belief. ""Come, quick!" cried he, and they joined the fugitives, and for ahalf-hour pressed forward as fast as was possible through the chokedstreets, Dennis merely saying an encouraging word now and then. Suddenlyshe felt herself carried to one side, and falling to the ground withhim. In a moment he lifted her up, and she saw with sickening terroran infuriated dray-horse plunging through the crowd, striking downmen, women, and children. 

"Are you hurt?" he asked, gently, passing his arm around her and helpingher forward, that they might not lose a single step. 

"Awful! Awful!" she said, in a low, shuddering tone. 

The dreadful scenes and the danger were beginning to overpower her. 

A little further on they reached an avenue to the northwest throughwhich Dennis hoped to escape. But they could make but little headwaythrough the dense masses of drays, carriages, and human beings, andat last everything came to a deadlock. Their only hope was to standin their place till the living mass moved on again. 

Strange, grotesque, and sad beyond measure were the scenes by whichthey were surrounded. By the side of the aristocratic Christine, nowBaroness Ludolph, stood a stout Irishwoman, hugging a grunting, squealing pig to her breast. A little in advance a hook-nosed spinstercarried in a cage a hook nosed parrot that kept discordantly crying, "Polly want a cracker. " At Dennis's left a delicate lady of the highestsocial standing clasped to her bare bosom a babe that slept aspeacefully as in the luxurious nursery at home. At her side was alittle girl carrying as tenderly a large wax doll. A diamond necklacesparkled like a circlet of fire around the lady's neck. Her husbandhad gone to the south side, and she had had but time to snatch thisand her children. A crowd of obscene and profane rowdies stood justbehind them, and with brutal jest and coarse laughter they passedaround a whiskey-bottle. One of these roughs caught a glimpse of thediamond necklace, and was putting forth his blackened hand to graspit, when Dennis pointed the captured pistol at him and said, "This islaw now!"

The fellow slunk back. 

Just before them was a dray with a corpse half covered with a blanket. The family sat around crying and wringing their hands, and the driverstood in his seat, cursing and gesticulating for those in advance tomove on. Some moments passed, but there was no progress. Dennis becamevery anxious, for the fire was rapidly approaching, and the sparkswere falling like hail. Every few moments some woman's dress was ablaze, or some one was struck by the flying brands, and shrieks for help wereheard on every side. Christine, being clad in woollen, escaped thisperil in part. She stood at Dennis's side trembling like a leaf, withher hands over her face to shut out the terrible sights. 

At last the driver, fearing for his life, jumped off his dray and leftall to their fate. But a figure took his place that thrilled Dennis'sheart with horror. 

There on the high seat stood Susie Winthrop--rather Mrs. Leonard. Thelight of insanity glowed in her eyes; her long hair swept away to thenorth, and turning toward the fiery tempest she bent forward as iflooking for some one. But after a moment she sadly shook her head, asif she had sought in vain. Suddenly she reached out her white armstoward the fire, and sang, clear and sweet above the horrid din:

 "O burning flakes of fiery snow, Bury me too, bury me deep; My lover sleeps thy banks below; Fall on me, that I may sleep!"

At this moment a blazing brand fell upon the horses' heads; theystartled forward, and the crazed lady fell over on the corpse below. The animals being thoroughly terrified turned sharp around on thesidewalk, and tore their way right toward the fire, trampling downthose in their track, and so vanished with their strangely assortedload. 

Dennis, fearing to stay any longer where he was, determined to followin their wake and find a street leading to the north less choked, eventhough it might be nearer the fire, and so with his trembling companionhe pressed forward again. 

Two blocks below he found one comparatively clear, but in terribleproximity to the conflagration. Indeed, the houses were burning oneach side, but the street seemed clear of flame. He thought that byswiftly running they could get through. But Christine's strength wasfast failing her, and just as they reached the middle of the block atall brick building fell across the street before them! Thus theironly path of escape was blocked by a blazing mass of ruins that itwould have been death to cross. 

They seemed hemmed in on every side, and Dennis groaned in agony. 

Christine looked for a moment at the impassable fiery barrier, thenat Dennis, in whose face and manner she read unutterable sympathy forherself, and the truth flashed upon her. 

With a piercing shriek she fainted dead away in his arms. 

CHAPTER XLIV

ON THE BEACH

In the situation of supreme peril described in the last chapter, Dennisstood a second helpless and hopeless. Christine rested a heavy burdenin his arms, happily unconscious. Breathing an agonized prayer toheaven, he looked around for any possibility of escape. Just then anexpress-wagon was driven furiously toward them, its driver seeking hisway out by the same path that Dennis had chosen. As he reached themthe man saw the hopeless obstruction, and wheeled his horses. As hedid so, quick as thought, Dennis threw Christine into the bottom ofthe wagon, and, clinging to it, climbed into it himself. He turnedher face downward from the fire, and, covering his own, he crouchedbeside her, trusting all now to God. 

The driver urged his horses toward the lake, believing that his onlychance. They tore away through the blazing streets. The poor man wassoon swept from his seat and perished, but his horses rushed madly ontill they plunged into the lake. 

At the sound of water Dennis lifted his head and gave a cry of joy. It seemed that the hand of God had snatched them from death. Gentlyhe lifted Christine out upon the sands and commenced bathing her facefrom the water that broke in spray at his feet. She soon revived andlooked around. In a voice full of awe and wonder she whispered, "Ah!there is another world and another life, after all. "

"Indeed there is, Miss Ludolph, " said Dennis, supporting her on hisarm and bending over her, "but, thanks to a merciful Providence, youare still in this one. "

"How is it?" she said, with a bewildered air. "I do not understand. The last I remember, we were surrounded by fire, you were despairing, and it seemed that I died. "

"You fainted, Miss Ludolph. But God as by a miracle brought us out ofthe furnace, and for the present we are safe. " After she hadsufficiently rallied from her excessive exhaustion and terror, he toldher how they escaped. 

"I see no God in it all, " she said; "only a most fortunate opportunity, of which you, with great nerve and presence of mind, availed yourself. To you alone, again and again this dreadful night, I owe my life. "

"God uses us as His instruments to do His will. The light will cometo you by and by, and you will learn a better wisdom. "

"In this awful conflagration the light has come. On every side I seeas in letters of fire, 'There is no God. ' If it were otherwise thesescenes would be impossible. And any being permitting or causing theevils and crimes this dreadful night has witnessed, I shall fear andhate beyond the power of language to express. "

She uttered these words sitting on the sands with multitudes of others, her face (from which Dennis had washed the dust and smoke) looking inthe glare so wan and white that he feared, with a sickening dread, that through exposure, terror, or some of the many dangers by whichthey were surrounded, she might pass into the future world with allher unbelief and spiritual darkness. He yearned over her with asolicitude and pity that he could not express. She seemed sonear--indeed he could feel her form tremble, as she kneeled besideher, and supported her by his arm--and yet, in view of her faithlessstate, how widely were they separated! Should any one of the manyperils about them quench the little candle of her life, which even nowflickered faintly, where in the wide universe could he hope to meether again? God can no doubt console His children and make up to themevery loss, but the passionate heart, with its intense human love, clings to its idol none the less. Dennis saw that the fire wouldprobably hem them in on the beach for the remainder of the night andthe following day. He determined therefore in every way possible tobeguile the weary, perilous hours, and, if she would permit it, tolead her thoughts heavenward. Hence arose from time to timeconversations, to which, with joy, he found Christine no longer averse. Indeed, she often introduced them. 

Chafing her hands, he said in accents of the deepest sympathy, "HowI pity you, Miss Ludolph! It must indeed be terrible to possess yourthoughtful mind, to realize these scenes so keenly, and yet have nofaith in a Divine Friend. I cannot explain to you the mystery ofevil--why it came, or why it exists. Who can? I am but one of God'slittle children, and only know with certainty that my Heavenly Fatherloves and will take care of me. "

"How do you know it?" she asked, eagerly. 

"In several ways. Mainly because I feel it. "

"It all seems so vague and unreal, " she sighed, dreamily. "There isnothing certain, assured. There is no test by which I can at once knowthe truth. "

"That does not prevent the truth from existing. That some are blindis no proof that color does not exist. "

"But how can you be sure there is a God? You never saw Him. "

"I do not see the heat that scorches us, but I feel it, and know itexists. "

"But I feel the heat the same as yourself, and I have no consciousnessof a Divine Being. "

"That does not take away my consciousness that He is my Saviour andFriend. As yet you are spiritually dead. If you were physically dead, you would not feel the heat of this fire. "

"Oh, it is all mystery--darkness, " she cried, piteously. 

The sun had now risen quite above the waters of the lake, but seenthrough the lurid smoke which swept over its face, it seemed like oneof the great red cinders that were continually sailing over theirheads. In the frightful glare, the transition from night to day hadscarcely been noted. The long, narrow beach was occupied by thousandsof fugitives, who were hemmed in on every side. On the south was theriver, skirted with fire, while opposite, on the west, the heat wasalmost intolerable; on the east were the cold waves of the lake, andon the north a burning pier that they could not cross. Their only hopewas to cling to that narrow line where fire and water mingled, andwith one element to fight the other. Here again was seen the minglingof all classes which the streets and every place of refuge witnessed. Judges, physicians, statesmen, clergymen, bankers, were jostled byroughs and thieves. The laborer sat on the sand with his family, sideby side with the millionaire and his household. The poor debauchedwoman of the town moaned and shivered in her scant clothing, at a slightremove from the most refined Christian lady. In the unparalleleddisaster, all social distinctions were lost, levelled like the beachon which the fugitives cowered. From some groups was heard the voiceof prayer; from others, bitter wailings and passionate cries for lostmembers of the family; others had saved quantities of vile whiskey, if nothing else, and made the scene more ghastly by orgies that seemednot of earth. Added to the liquor were the mad excitement andrecklessness which often seize the depraved classes on such occasions. They committed excesses that cannot be mentioned-these drunken, howling, fighting wretches. Obscene epithets and words fell around like blows. And yet all were so occupied with their own misfortunes, sufferings, and danger, as scarcely to heed their neighbors, unless these becamevery violent. 

Upon this heterogeneous mass of humanity the fire rained down almostas we imagine it to have fallen upon the doomed cities of the plain, and the hot breath of the flames scorched the exposed cheek and crispedeven eyebrows and hair. Sparks, flakes, cinders, pieces of roof, andfiery pebbles seemed to fill the air, and often cries and shrieksannounced that furniture and bedding which had been dragged thither, and even the clothing of women and children, were burning. Added toall the other terrors of the scene was the presence of large numbersof horses and cattle, snorting and plunging in their fright and pain. 

But the sound that smote Dennis's heart with the deepest commiserationwas the continuous wail of helpless little children, many of themutterly separated from parents and friends, and in the very agony offear. 

He greatly dreaded the effect of these upon Christine, knowing how, in the luxurious past, she had been shielded from every roughexperience. But she at length rallied into something like composure. Her constitution was elastic and full of vitality, and after escapingfrom immediate danger she again began to hope. Moreover, to a degreethat even she could not understand, his presence was a source ofstrength and courage, and her heart clung to him with desperateearnestness, believing him the sole barrier against immediate death, and (what she dreaded scarcely less) a lonely, wretched existence, should her life be spared. 

Though he never lost sight of her for a moment, and kept continuallywetting her hair and person, he found time to render assistance toothers, and, by carrying his hat full of water here and there, extinguished many a dangerous spark. He also, again and again, snatchedup little children from under the trampling hoofs of frightened horses. 

As she watched him, so self-forgetful and fearless, she realized moreand more vividly that he was sustained and animated by some mightyprinciple that she knew nothing of, and could not understand. Theimpression grew upon her that he was right and she wrong. Though itall remained in mystery and doubt, she could not resist the logic oftrue Christian action. 

But as the day advanced the flames grew hotter, and their breath morewithering. About noon Dennis noticed that some shanties on the sandnear them were in danger of catching fire and perilling all in thatvicinity. Therefore he said, "Miss Ludolph, stay here where I leaveyou for a little time, so that I may know just where to find you. "

"Oh, do not leave me!" she pleaded: "I have no one in the wide worldto help me except you. "

"I shall not be beyond call. You see those shanties there; if possiblewe must keep them from burning, or the fire will come too near forsafety. " Then, starting forward, he cried, "Who will volunteer to keepthe fire back? All must see that if those buildings burn we shall bein danger. "

Several men stepped forward, and with hats and anything that wouldhold water they began to wet the old rookeries. But the fiery stormswooped steadily down on them, and their efforts were as futile as ifthey had tried to beat back the wind. Suddenly a mass of flameleaped upon the buildings, and in a moment they were all ablaze. 

"Into the lake, quick!" cried Dennis, and all rushed for the coolwaters. 

Lifting Christine from the sand, and passing his arm around hertrembling, shivering form, he plunged through the breakers, and thecrowd pressed after him. Indeed they pushed him so far out in the coldwaves that he nearly lost his footing, and for a few moments Christinelost hers altogether, and added her cries to those of theterror-stricken multitude. But pushing in a little nearer the shore, he held her firmly and said with the confidence that again inspiredhope: "Courage, Miss Ludolph. With God's help I will save you yet. "

Even as she clung to him in the water, she looked into his face. Hewas regarding her so kindly, so pitifully, that a great and generousimpulse, the richest, ripest fruit of her human love, throbbed at herheart, and faltered from her lips--"Mr. Fleet, I am not worthy ofthis risk on your part. If you will leave me you can save your ownlife, and your life is worth so much more than mine!"

True and deep must have been the affection that could lead ChristineLudolph to say such words to any human being. There was a time when, in her creed, all the world existed but to minister to her. But shewas not sorry to see the look of pained surprise which came intoDennis's face and to hear him say, very sadly: "Miss Ludolph, I didnot imagine that you could think me capable of that. I had the goodfortune to rescue Miss Brown last night, at greater peril than this, and do you think I would leave you?"

"You are a true knight, Mr. Fleet, " she said, humbly, "and the needor danger of every defenceless woman is alike a sacred claim upon you. "

Dennis was about to intimate that, though this was true in knightlycreed, still among all the women in the world there might be apreference, when a score of horses, driven before the fire, and goadedby the burning cinders, rushed down the beach, into the water, rightamong the human fugitives. 

Again went up the cry of agony and terror. Some were no doubt strickendown not to rise again. In the melee Dennis pushed out into deeperwater, where the frantic animals could not plunge upon him. A childfloated near, and he snatched it up. As soon as the poor brutes becamequiet, clasping Christine with his right arm and holding up the childwith the other, he waded into shallow water. 

The peril was now perhaps at its height, and all were obliged to wettheir heads, to keep even their hair from singeing. Those on the beachthrew water on each other without cessation. Many a choice bit ofproperty--it might be a piano, or an express-wagon loaded with therichest furs and driven to the beach as a place of fancied security--nowcaught fire, and added to the heat and consternation. 

When this hour of extreme danger had passed, standing with the coldbillows of the lake breaking round him, and the billows of fire stillrolling overhead, Dennis began to sing in his loud, clear voice:

 "Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly, While the billows near me roll, While the tempest still is high. "

Voice after voice joined in, some loud and strong, but others weak andtrembling--the pitiful cry of poor terror-stricken women to the onlyOne who it seemed could help them in their bitter extremity. Neverbefore were those beautiful words sung in such accents of clinging, touching faith. Its sweet cadence was heard above the roar of theflames and the breakers. 

Christine could only cling weeping to Dennis. 

When the hymn ceased, in harshest discord the voice of a half-drunkenman grated on their ears. 

"An' what in bloody blazes does yer Jasus burn us all up for, I'd liketo know. Sure an' he's no right to send us to hell before our time. "

"Oh, hush! hush!" cried a dozen voices, shocked and pained. 

"Divil a bit will I hush, sure; an' haven't I as good a right to haveme say as that singin' parson!"

"You are an Irishman, are you not?" said Dennis, now venturing out ofthe water. 

"Yis! what have ye got to say agin it?" asked the man, belligerent atonce. 

"Did you ever know an Irishman refuse to do what a lady asked of him?"

"Faith no, and I niver will. "

"Then this lady, who is sick and suffering, asks you to please keepstill, and I will be still also; so that's fair. "

The Irishman scratched his head a moment, and said in a quieter tone, "Since ye spake so civil and dacent, I'll do as ye sez; and here's tothe leddy's health;" and he finished a bottle of whiskey, which hesoon laid him out on the beach. 

"Thank you! Thank you!" said grateful voices on every side. 

Dennis found the mother of the child and gave it to her; and thencausing Christine to sit down near the water, where he could easilythrow it on her, he stood at her side, vigilant and almost tender inhis solicitude. Her tears were falling very fast, and he presentlystooped down and said, gently, "Miss Ludolph, I think the worst of thedanger is over. "

"Oh, Mr. Fleet!" she whispered, "dreadful as it may seem to you, thewords of that drunken brute there are nearer the language of my heartthan those of your sweet hymn. How can a good God permit such creaturesand evils to exist?"

"Again I must say to you, " said Dennis, "that I cannot explain themystery of evil. But I know this, God is superior to it; He will atlast triumph over it. The Bible reveals Him to us as able and as seekingto deliver all who will trust Him and work with Him, and those whoventure out upon His promises find them true. Miss Ludolph, this isnot merely a matter of theory, argument, and belief. It is more trulya matter of experience. The Bible invites, 'Oh, taste and see that theLord is good. ' I have tasted and know He is. I have trusted Him foryears, and He never failed me. "

"You certainly have been sustained throughout this dreadful scene bya principle that I cannot understand, but I would give all the worldto possess it. "

"You may possess it, Miss Ludolph. "

"How? how?" she asked, eagerly. 

"Do you wish to believe as I do?"

"Yes, indeed; and yet my heart rebels against a God who permits, evenif He does not cause, all this evil. "

"Does it rebel against a Being who from first to last tries to savemen from evil?"

"Tries! tries! what an expression to apply to a God! Why does He notdo it in every case?"

"Because multitudes will not let Him. "

"Oh, that is worse still! Surely, Mr. Fleet, you let your reason havenothing to do with your faith. How can a poor and weak being likemyself prevent an Almighty one from doing what He pleases?"

"I am stronger than you, Miss Ludolph, and yet I could not have savedyou to-night unless you had first trusted me, and then done everythingin your power to further my efforts. "

"But your power is human and limited, and you say God is all-powerful. "

"Yes, but it is His plan and purpose never to save us against our will. He has made us in His own image and endowed us with reason, conscience, and a will to choose between good and evil. He appeals to these noblefaculties from first to last. He has given us hearts, and seeks towin them by revealing His love to us. More than all, His Spirit, present in the world, uses every form of truth in persuading and makingus willing to become His true children. So you see that neither on theone hand does God gather us up like drift-wood nor does He on the otherdrag us at His chariot wheels, unwilling captives, as did those who, at various times, have sought to overrun the world by force. God seeksto conquer the world by the might of the truth, by the might of love. "

Christine was hanging with the most eager interest on his words. Suddenly his eyes, which had expressed such a kindly and almost tenderinterest in her, blazed with indignation, and he darted up the beach. Turning around she saw, at some little distance, a young woman mostscantily clad, clinging desperately to a bundle which a large, coarseman was trying to wrench from her. The wretch, finding that he couldnot loosen her hold, struck her in the face with such force that shefell stunned upon the ground, and the bundle flew out of her hand. He eagerly snatched it up, believing it to contain jewelry. Beforehe could escape he was confronted by an unexpected enemy. But Denniswas in a passion, and withal weak and exhausted, while his adversarywas cool, and an adept in the pugilistic art. The two men foughtsavagely, and Christine, forgetting herself in her instinctive desireto help Dennis, was rushing to his side, crying, "If there is a manhere worthy of the name, let him strike for the right!" but before sheand others could reach the combatants the thief had planted his fiston Dennis's temple. Though the latter partially parried the blow, itfell with such force as to extend him senseless on the earth. Thevillain, with a shout of derision, snatched up the bundle and dashedoff apparently toward the fire. There was but a feeble attempt madeto follow him. Few understood the case, and indeed scenes of violenceand terror had become so common that the majority had grown apathetic, save in respect to their personal well-being. 

Christine lifted the pale face, down which the blood was trickling, into her lap, and cried, in a tone of indescribable anguish, "Oh, heis dead! he is dead!"

"Oh, no, miss; he is not dead, I guess, " said a good-natured voicenear. "Let me bring a hatful of water from the lake, and that'll bringhim to. "

And so it did. Dennis opened his eyes, put his hand to his head, andthen looked around. But when he saw Christine bending over him withtearful eyes, and realized how tenderly she had pillowed his achinghead, he started up with a deep flush of pleasure, and said: "Do notbe alarmed, Miss Ludolph; I was only stunned for a moment. Where isthe thief?"

"Oh, they let him escape, " said Christine, indignantly. 

"Shame!" cried Dennis, regaining his feet rather unsteadily. 

"Wal, stranger, a good many wrongs to-night must go unrighted. "

The poor girl who had been robbed sat on the sands swaying backing andforth, wringing her hands, and crying that she had lost everything. 

"Well, my poor friend, that is about the case with the most of us. Wemay be thankful that we have our lives. Here is my coat, " for hershoulders and neck were bare; "and if you will come down to the lakethis lady, " pointing to Christine, "will bathe the place where thebrute struck you. "

"Shall I not give up my shawl to some of these poor creatures?" askedChristine. 

"No, Miss Ludolph, I do not know how long we may be kept here; but Ifear we shall suffer as much from cold as from heat, and your lifemight depend upon keeping warm. "

"I will do whatever you bid me, " she said, looking gratefully at him. 

"That is the way to feel and act toward God, " he said, gently. 

But with sudden impetuosity she answered: "I cannot see what He hasjust permitted to happen before my eyes. Right has not triumphed, butthe foulest wrong. "

"You do not see the end, Miss Ludolph. "

"But I must judge from what I see. "

After she had bathed the poor girl's face, comforted and reassuredher, Dennis took up the conversation again and found Christine eagerto listen. Pausing every few moments to throw water over his companion, he said: "Faith is beyond reason, beyond knowledge, though not contraryto them. You are judging as we do not judge about the commonestaffairs--from a few isolated, mysterious facts, instead of carefullylooking the subject all over. You pass by what is plain and wellunderstood to what is obscure, and from that point seek to understandChristianity. Every science has its obscure points and mysteries, butwho begins with those to learn the science? Can you ignore the factthat millions of highly intelligent people, with every motive to knowthe truth, have satisfied themselves as to the reality of our faith?Our Bible system of truth may contain much that is obscure, even asthe starry vault has distances that no eye or telescope can penetrate, and as this little earth has mysteries that science cannot solve, butthere is enough known and understood to satisfy us perfectly. Let meassure you, Miss Ludolph, that Christianity rests on broad truths, andis sustained by arguments that no candid mind can resist after patientlyconsidering them. "

She shook her head, silenced perhaps, but not satisfied. 

CHAPTER XLV

"PRAYER IS MIGHTY"--CHRISTINE A CHRISTIAN

The day was now declining, and the fire in that part of the cityopposite them had so spent itself that they were beginning to have alittle respite from immediate danger. The fiery storm of sparks andcinders was falling mostly to the northward. 

Dennis now ventured to sit down almost for the first time, for he waswearied beyond endurance. The tremendous danger and excitements, andthe consciousness of peril to the one most dear to him, had kept himalert long after he ought to have had rest, but overtaxed nature nowasserted its rights, and the moment the sharp spur of danger was removedhe was overpowered by sleep. 

Christine spoke to him as he sat near, but even to her (a thing hecould not have imagined possible) he returned an incoherent reply. 

"My poor friend, you do indeed need rest, " said she, in kindest accents. 

He heard her voice like a sweet and distant harmony in a dream, swayeda moment, and would have fallen over in utter unconsciousness on thesands, had she not glided to his side and caught his head upon her lap. 

In the heavy stupor that follows the utmost exhaustion, Dennis slepthour after hour. The rest of the day was a perfect blank to him. ButChristine, partially covering and shading his face with the edge ofher shawl, bent over him as patient in watching as he had been bravein her deliverance. It was beautiful to see the features once so coldand haughty, now sweet with more than womanly tenderness. There uponthat desolate beach, cold, hungry, homeless, shelterless, she washappier than she had been for months. But she trembled as she thoughtof the future; everything was so uncertain. She seemed involved in alabyrinth of dangers and difficulties from which she could see noescape. She knew that both store and home had gone, and probably most, if not all, of her father's fortune. She felt that these losses mightgreatly modify his plans, and really hoped that they would lead himto remain in this country. She felt almost sure that he would not goback to Germany a poor man, and to remain in America was to give hera chance of happiness, and happiness now meant life with him over whomshe bent. For a long time she had felt that she could give up all theworld for him, but now existence would scarcely be endurable withouthim. In proportion to the slowness with which her love had been kindledwas its intensity--the steady, concentrated passion of a strong, resolute nature, for the first time fully aroused. All indecisionpassed from her mind, and she was ready to respond whenever he shouldspeak; but woman's silence sealed her lips, and more than maidendelicacy masked her heart. While she bent over him with an expressionthat, had he opened his eyes, might have caused him to imagine for amoment that his sleep had been death, and he had wakened in heaven, yet he must needs awake to find that the look and manner of earth hadreturned. Her sensitive pride made her guarded even in expressing hergratitude, and she purposed to slip his head off upon her shawl wheneverhe showed signs of awakening, so that he might believe that the earthonly had been his resting-place. 

But now in his unconsciousness, and unnoted by all around, indeed morecompletely isolated by the universal misery and apathy about her thanshe could have been in her own home, with a delicious sense of security, she bent her eyes upon him, and toyed daintily with the curling lockson his brow. Whatever the future might be, nothing should rob her ofthe strange, unexpected happiness of this opportunity to be near him, purchased at such cost. 

As she sat there and saw the fire rush and roar away to the northward, and the sun decline over the ruins of her earthly fortune, she thoughtmore deeply and earnestly of life than ever before. The long, heavysleep induced by the opiate had now taken away all sense of drowsiness, and never had her mind been clearer. In the light of the terribleconflagration many things stood out with a distinctness that impressedher as nothing had ever done before. Wealth and rank had shrivelledto their true proportions, and she said, half aloud:--

"That which can vanish in a night in flame and smoke cannot belong tous, is not a part of us. All that has come out of the crucible of thisfire is my character, myself. It is the same with Mr. Fleet; butcomparing his character with mine, how much richer he is! What if thereis a future life, and we enter into it with no other possession thanour character? and that which is called soul or spirit is driven forthfrom earth and the body as we have just been from our wealth and homes?I can no longer coolly and contemptuously ignore as superstition whathe believes. He is not superstitious, but calm, fearless, and seeminglyassured of something that as yet I cannot understand. One would thinkthat there must be reality in his belief, for it sustains him andothers in the greatest of trials. The hymn he sang was like a magnetintroduced among steel filings mingled with this sand. The mere earthcannot move, but the steel is instinct with life. So, while many ofus could not respond, others seemed inspired at the name of Jesus withnew hope and courage, and cried to the Nazarene as if He could hearthem. Why don't people cry for help to other good men who lived in thedim past, and whose lives and deeds are half myth and half truth? whyto this one man only? for educated Catholics no longer pray to thesaints. "

Then her thoughts reverted to Mr. Ludolph. 

"Poor father!" said she; "how will he endure these changes? We havenot felt and acted toward each other as we ought. He is now probablyanxious beyond measure, fearing that I perished in my sleep, and soI should have done, had it not been for this more than friend that Ihave so wronged. Oh, that I could make amends! I wonder--oh, I wonderif he has any spark of love left for me? He seems kind, even tender, but he is so to every one--he saved Miss Brown--"

But here a most violent interruption took place. Christine, in thecomplete absorption of her thoughts, had not noticed that a group ofrough men and women near by, who had been drinking all day, had nowbecome intoxicated and violent. They were pushing and staggering, howling and fighting, in reckless disregard of the comfort of others, and before she knew it she was in the midst of a drunken brawl. Onerough fellow struck against her, and another trod on Dennis, who startedup with a cry of pain. In a moment he comprehended the situation, and, snatching up Christine and the shawl, he pushed his way out of themelee with his right arm, the wretches striking at him and one anotheraimlessly in their fury; while both men and women used language thatwas worse than their blows. After a brief struggle, Dennis and Christineextricated themselves, and made their way northward up the beach tillthey found a place where the people seemed quiet. 

Dennis's sudden awakening had revealed to him that his head had beenpillowed, and it seemed such a kind and thoughtful act on Christine'spart that he could scarcely believe it; at the same time he was fullof shame and self-reproach that by his sleep he had left her unguarded, and he said: "Miss Ludolph, I hope you will pardon you recreant knight, who slept while you were in danger; but really I could not help it. "

"It is I who must ask pardon, " replied Christine, warmly. "After yoursuperhuman exertions, your very life depended on rest. But I made awretched watcher--indeed I have lost confidence in myself every way. To tell the truth, Mr. Fleet, I was lost in thought, and with yourpermission I would like to ask you further about two things you saidthis morning. You asserted that you knew God loved you, and thatChristianity was sustained by arguments that no candid mind couldresist. What are those arguments? and how can you know such a comfortingthing as the love of God?"

His eyes lighted up in his intense delight that she should againvoluntarily recur to this subject, and he hoped that God was leadingher to a knowledge of Him, and that he, in answer to his own and hismother's prayers, might be partially instrumental in bringing thelight. Therefore he said, earnestly: "Miss Ludolph, this is scarcelythe time and place to go over the evidences of Christianity. When inhappy security I hope you may do this at your leisure, and am sure youwill be convinced, for I believe that you honestly wish the truth. Butthere is no need that you should wait and look forward into theuncertain future for this priceless knowledge. The father will notkeep his child waiting who tries to find him. God is not far from anyone of us. When our Lord was on earth, He never repulsed those whosought Him in sincerity, and He is the true manifestation of God. 

"Moreover, " he continued, reverently, "God is now on earth as trulyas when Christ walked the waves of Galilee, or stood with thelife-giving word upon His lips at the grave of His friend Lazarus. Themighty Spirit of God now dwells among men to persuade, help, and leadthem into all truth, and I believe He is guiding you. This DivineSpirit can act as directly on your mind as did Christ's healing handwhen He touched blind eyes and they saw, and palsied bodies and theysprung into joyous activity. "

Under his eager, earnest words, Christine's eyes also lighted up withhope, but after a moment her face became very sad, and she said, wearily, "Mystery! mystery! you are speaking a language that I do notunderstand. "

"Can you not understand this: 'For God so loved the world, that Hegave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should notperish, but have everlasting life'? and that the Bible tells us thatHis Son did, in very truth, die that we might live?"

"Yes, yes, I know that the Bible seems to teach all that, but theremust be some mistake about it. Why should an all-powerful God takesuch a costly, indirect way of accomplishing His purpose when a wordwould suffice?"

"We will not discuss God's reasons; I think they are beyond us. Butimagining the Bible story to be true, even though you do not believeit, is not the love of God revealed to us through His son, JesusChrist?"

"Yes, it is the very extravagance of disinterested love, So much sothat my reason revolts at it. It is contrary to all my ideas of Deityand power. "

"Pardon me, Miss Ludolph, for saying it, but I think your ideas ofDeity are borrowed more from mythology and human greatness than fromthe Bible. Let your reason stand aside a moment; this is not contraryto it, but beyond it. Imagining the Bible story true, can you not wishit true? If the man who died on Calvary out of love for you I and forus all is also God, would you fear to trust yourself to Him? Couldyou distrust One who loved you well enough to die for you?"

"No! no, indeed! if I only could believe it, no! But how can I everbe sure it is true? I am sure of nothing. I am not sure there is aGod. I am not sure the Bible is more than human in its character. Ifeel as if my feet stood out upon those shifting waves, and as if therewere nothing certain or stable. "

"But in part you know the truth, Miss Ludolph, though you do not believeit, and I believe that the God of whom we have spoken _can directlyreveal Himself to you_ and make His truth as real to you as it is tome. "

"Mr. Fleet, " cried Christine, "if I could believe as you do, I shouldbe the happiest of the happy, for I should feel that, however much Isuffered in this brief life, in the existence beyond I should be morethan compensated;" and covering her tearful face with her hands shemoaned, as if it were wrung from her, "I have suffered so much, andthere seemed no remedy!"

Dennis's feelings were also deeply touched, and the dew of sympathygathered in his own eyes. In the gentlest accents be said, "Oh, thatyou could trust that merciful, mighty One who invites all the heavyladen to come to Him for rest!"

She looked up and saw his sympathy, and was greatly moved. In falteringtones she said: "You feel for me, Mr. Fleet. You do not condemn me inmy blindness and unbelief. I cannot trust Him, because I am not sureHe exists. If there was such a God I would gladly devote my whole beingto Him; but I trust _you_, and will do anything you say. "

"Will you kneel on these sands with me in prayer to Him?" he asked, earnestly. 

She hesitated, trembled, but at last said, "Yes. "

He took her hand as if they were brother and sister, and they kneeledtogether on the desolate beach. The glow of sunset was lost in theredder glow of the fire that smouldered all over the ruins, and stillraged in the northwest, and the smoke and gathering gloom involvedthem in obscurity. 

Though the weary, apathetic fugitives regarded them not, we believethat angelic forms gathered round, and that the heart of the DivineFather yearned toward His children. 

When they rose, after a simple prayer from Dennis, in which he pleadedalmost as a child might with an earthly father, Christine trembledlike a leaf, and was very pale, but her face grew tearless, quiet, andvery sad. Dennis still held her hand in the warm, strong grasp ofsympathy. Gently she withdrew it, and said, in a low, despairing tone:"It is all in vain. There is no answer. Your voice has been lost inthe winds and waves. "

"Wait the King's time, " said he, reverently. 

"You addressed him as Father. Would a good father keep his childwaiting?"

"Yes, sometimes He does; He is also King. "

After a moment she turned to him the saddest face he ever looked upon, and said, gently, again giving him her hand, "Mr. Fleet, you have doneyour best for me, and I thank you all the same. "

He was obliged to turn away to hide his feelings. Silently they againsat down on the beach together. Weariness and something like despairbegan to tell on Christine, and Dennis trembled when he thought of thelong night of exposure before her. He bent his face into his hands andprayed as he had never prayed before. She looked at him wistfully, andknew he was pleading for her; but she now believed it was all in vain. The feeling grew upon her that belief or unbelief was a matter ofeducation and temperament, and that the feelings of which Dennis spokewere but the deceptive emotions of our agitated hearts. To that degreethat the Divine love seemed visionary and hopeless, she longed for himto speak of his own, if in truth it still existed, that she couldunderstand and believe in. If during what remained of life she couldonly drink the sweetness of that, she felt it was the best she couldhope for--and then the blank of nothingness. 

But he prayed on, and with something of his mother's faith seemed atlast, as it were, in the personal presence of Christ. With animportunity that would not be denied, he entreated for her who despairedat his side. 

At last, putting her hand lightly on his arm, she said: "Mr. Fleet, waste no more time on me. From the groans I hear, some poor woman issick or hurt. Perhaps you can do some real good by seeing to her needs. "

He rose quietly, feeling that in some way God would answer, and thathe must patiently wait. 

Going up the beach a short distance he found a German woman lying juston the edge of the water. In answer to his questions, he learned fromher broken English that she was sick and in pain. A sudden thoughtstruck him. In seeking to help another, might not Christine find helpherself, and in the performance of a good deed, might not the Authorof all good reveal Himself? Returning to her, he said: "Miss Ludolph, the poor woman you have heard is sick and alone. She is German, andyou can speak to her and comfort her as only a woman can. "

Christine went at once, though with little confidence in her powers. Indeed it was, perhaps, the first visit of charity and mercy she hadever made. But she would have done anything he asked, and determinedto do her best. She helped the poor creature further up from the water, and then, taking her hands, spoke to her soothingly and gently in hernative tongue. 

"Heaven and all the angels bless your sweet face for taking pity ona poor lone body, and so they will too, " is the free rendering of hergrateful German. 

"Would you please say a little prayer for a lone, sick body?" sheasked, after a little while. 

Christine hesitated a moment, and then thought: "Why not? if it willbe of any comfort to the poor thing. It can do neither of us harm. "

Dennis saw her kneel at the woman's side, lift her white face to heaven, and her lips move. Her attitude was unmistakably that of prayer. Hecould scarcely believe his eyes. 

Her petition was brief and characteristic: "O God--if there is aGod--help this poor creature!"

Then Dennis saw her start up and glance around in a strange, bewilderedmanner. Suddenly she clasped her hands and looked up with an ecstatic, thrilling cry: "There is! there is! God lives and loves me, I feel, I know, and therefore I may hope and live. " Turning to the still ragingflames, she exclaimed: "Burn on with your fiery billows, I do not fearyou now! I am safe, safe forever! Oh, how can I ever love and praiseThee enough!"

Then, springing to Dennis's side, she took both his hands in hers, andsaid: "Mr. Fleet, you have saved my life again and again, and I am, oh, how grateful! but in leading me to this knowledge you have mademe your debtor for evermore. God does live, and I believe now He loveseven me. "

As the glare of the fire fell on her face, he was awed and speechlessat its expression. From its ecstatic joy and purity it seemed that thelight of heaven, instead of her burning home, was illumining it. 

At last he said, brokenly, "Thank God! thank God! my many, many prayersare answered!"

The look of love and gratitude she gave him will only find itscounterpart in heaven, when the saved beam upon those who led them tothe Saviour. The whole of her strong womanly soul, thoroughly aroused, was in her face, and it shone like that of an angel. 

To Dennis, with the force of fulfilled prophecy, recurred his mother'swords, and unconsciously he spoke them aloud: "PRAYER is MIGHTY. "

CHAPTER XLVI

CHRISTINE'S GRAVE

After a moment Christine returned to her charge and said, gently, "Ithink I can take better care of you now. "

The poor woman looked at her in a bewildered way, half fearing she hadlost her senses. But there was that in Christine's tone and manner nowthat went like sunlight and warmth to the heart, and in broadest Germanthe grateful creature was soon blessing her again and again, andChristine felt that she was blessed beyond even her wildest dreams. 

Dennis now felt that she must have food and rest. She appeared, in theghostly light of the distant flames, so pale and spirit-like, that healmost feared she would slip away to heaven at once, and he beganlooking for some one stronger, older, and more suitable, to take herplace. At a little distance further north he at last found a stoutGerman woman sitting with her two children on a large feather bed, thesole relic of her household goods. Dennis acquainted her with the case, and she soon took the matter out of his and Christine's hands in avery satisfactory way. 

To the south and west opportunity of escape was utterly cut off;eastward were the waters of the lake, so that their only chance wasto push northward. After making their way slowly for a short distanceamong the thickly scattered groups and the varied articles that hadbeen dragged to the shore for safety, Dennis thought he heard a familiarvoice. 

"Dr. Arten!" he cried. 

"Hallo! who wants me?" answered the good old physician, bustling upin rather incongruous costume, consisting of a dress coat, white vest, red flannel drawers, and a very soiled pair of slippers. 

"Oh, doctor! the very sight of you inspires hope and courage. "

"Surely a young fellow like you can be in no want of those articles?"

"If he is lacking, " cried Christine, "it must be for the reason thathe has given hope and courage to every one he has met, and so hasrobbed himself. "

"Heigho!" exclaimed the doctor, "you here?"

"Yes, thanks to the heroism of Mr. Fleet. "

"Fleet, is that all you have saved from the fire?" asked the doctor, with a humorous twinkle, pointing to Christine. 

"I am well satisfied, " said Dennis, quietly, but with rising color. 

"I should have perished, had not Mr. Fleet come to my rescue, " continuedChristine, warmly, glad of an opportunity to express a little of hergratitude. 

The doctor turned his genial, humorous eye on her and said: "Don't betoo grateful, Miss Ludolph; he is a young man, and only did his duty. Now if I had been so fortunate you might have been as grateful as youpleased. "

It was Christine's turn to grow rather rosier than even the red firewarranted, but she said, "You would have your joke, doctor, if theworld were burning up. "

"Yes, and after it burned up, " he replied. "What do you think of that, Miss Ludolph, with your German scepticism?"

Tears came in Christine's eyes, and she said, in a low tone, "I amglad to say that I have lost my German scepticism in the fire also. "

"What!" cried the doctor, seizing both her hands in his hearty way. "Will you accept of our Christian superstition?"

"I think I have accepted your glorious Christian truth, and the thoughtmakes me very happy. "

"Well, now I can almost say, Praise God for the fire, though old Dr. Arten must commence again where the youngsters are who kick up theirheels in their office all day. "

With professional instinct he slipped his finger on Christine's pulse, then rummaged in his pocket and soon drew out some powders, and in hisbrusque way made her take one. 

"Oh, how bitter!" she exclaimed. 

"That is the way the ladies treat me, " began the merry bachelor: "notan ounce of gratitude when I save their lives. But let a young fellowlike Fleet come along and get them out of danger by mere brute strength, instead of my delicate, skilful way, and language breaks down with theirthanks. Very well, I shall have compensation--I shall presentmy bill before long. And now, young man, since you have set out torescue my little friend here, you had better carry the matter through, for several reasons which I need not urge. Your best chance is to makeyour way northward, and then continue around the west, where you canfind food and shelter;" and with a hearty grasp of the hand, the brave, genial old man wished them "God speed!"

Dennis told him of the poor German woman, and then pushed on in thedirection indicated. But Christine was growing weak and exhausted. Atlast they reached the Catholic cemetery. It was crowded with fugitivesand the fire to the northwest still cut off all escape, even ifChristine's strength had permitted further exertion. It was nowapproaching midnight, and she said, wearily: "Mr. Fleet, I am verysorry, but I fear I cannot take another step. The powder Dr. Artengave me strengthened me for a time, but its effect is passing away, and I feel almost paralyzed with fatigue. I am not afraid to stay here, or indeed anywhere now. "

"It seems a very hard necessity that you should have to remain in sucha place, Miss Ludolph, but I see no help for it. We are certainly aswell off as thousands of others, and so I suppose ought not tocomplain. "

"I feel as if I could never complain again, Mr. Fleet. I only hope myfather is as safe and as well as we are. I cannot tell you how my heartgoes out toward him now that I see everything in a different light. I have not been a true daughter, and I do long to make amends. Hesurely has escaped, don't you think?"

"Mr. Ludolph was possessed of unusual sagacity and prudence, " saidDennis, evasively. "What any man could do, he could. And now, Miss Ludolph, I will try to find you a resting-place. There are suchcrowds here that I think we had better go nearer that side, where earlyin the evening the fire drove people away. "

The cemetery had not been used of late years, and many of the bodieshad been removed. This caused excavations here and there, and one ofthese from which the gathered leaves and grass had been burned, Dennisthought might answer for Christine's couch, as in the hollow of thisvacant and nearly filled grave she would be quite sheltered from thewind, and the sand was still warm from the effects of the fire. To hissurprise she made no objection. 

"I am so weary that I can rest anywhere, " she said, "and a grave isnot to me what it was once. "

He arranged her shawl so that it might be mattress, pillow, andcovering, and wrapped her up. 

"And how will you endure the long, cold hours, my friend?" she asked, looking up most sympathetically. 

"Thanks to your kindness, I had such a good sleep this afternoon thatI feel strong and rested, " he replied, with a smile. 

"I fear you say so to put my mind at rest;" but even as she spoke hereyes closed and she went to sleep like a tired and trusting child. Aswith Dennis a few hours before, the limit of nature's endurance hadbeen reached, and the wealthy, high-born Miss Ludolph, who on Sabbathnight had slept in the midst of artistic elegance and luxury, now, onMonday night, rested in a vacant grave under the open andstorm-gathering sky. Soon--to be accurate, at two o'clock on the morningof Tuesday--rain began to fall. But, with all the discomfort it brought, never had rain been more welcome. 

Christine shivered in her sleep, and Dennis looked around vainly forsome additional covering. The thronging fugitives were all in a similarplight, and their only course was simply to endure till some path ofescape opened. 

The night was indeed a long one to him. At first excitement andhappiness kept him awake and unconscious of time and discomfort. Buthe soon felt how weary and hungry he was, for he had eaten nothingsince his slight supper on Sabbath evening. The heat of the fireperceptibly lessened as the rain began falling, and without his coatDennis was soon chilled to the bone. On every side he heard moans ofdiscomfort, and he knew that he had far more reason to endure patientlythan many near him. He tried to keep himself warm by walking around, but at last he grew too weary for that, and sat, a patient, coweringwatcher, at the head of Christine's weird couch, listening sadly attimes to the pitiful crying of little children and the sighs and groansof older sufferers. 

At last the light of welcome day streaked the eastern horizon, andChristine opened her eyes in a bewildered way, but, on seeing himswaying backward and forward with half-closed eyes, sprang up and said, "And have you sat and watched there all the long night?"

"I hope you feel rested and better, Miss Ludolph, " he replied, startledfrom drowsiness by her voice. 

"It has been raining, too. I fear you are wet through. Oh, how muchyou must have suffered on my account!"

"I imagine you are as wet as I am, Miss Ludolph. This has been a verydemocratic experience for you. We are all about alike in this strangecamping-ground. "

"No; your kindness made me quite comfortable. Indeed, I never sleptbetter. And you, without any coat or shelter, have watched patientlyhour after hour. "

"Well, you did as much for me yesterday afternoon, so we are quits. "

"I think there is a great difference, " she said. "And remember whata watcher I made; I let those drunken creatures run over you. "

"I don't see how you could have helped it, " said he, laughing. "Thatyou should have cared for me as you did was a favor that I neverexpected, " he added, blushing. 

She blushed too, but made no reply; at the same time she was vexedwith herself that she did not. Dennis, with a lover's blindness, misunderstood her silence, and thought that, as a friend, she was moregrateful than he could wish, but he must speak in no other character. 

Then he remembered that it would be dishonorable to urge his suit underthe circumstances; it would be a source of inexpressible pain to her, with her strong sense of obligation, to put aside expressions of hisdeeper regard, and he resolved to avoid if possible any manifestationsof his feelings. While she was dependent upon him he would act thepart of a brother toward her, and if his human love could never findits consummation, he would bear his loss as patiently as possible. Butin spite of himself a tinge of sadness and restraint came into hismanner, and Christine sighed to herself, "If _he_ only knew, and _I_only knew, just the truth, how much happier we might be!" There was ageneral movement now in the strangely assorted multitude. The fire hadswept everything away so completely on the north side that there werenot hot blazing ruins to prevent crossing. Accordingly men came pouringover, looking for their families. On every side were cries of joy onrecognition of those whom fear and terrible forebodings had buried underthe blackened remains of once happy homes. But mingled with exclamationsof joy were sobs and wails of anguish, as some now realized in thelapsing hours that absent members of the household were lost. 

Christine looked in vain for her father; at last Dennis said: "MissLudolph, do you feel equal to the effort of crossing to the west side?You must be faint with hunger, and there only can we hope for help. "

"Oh, yes! let us go at once, for your sake as well as mine;" for shesaw that his long fasting and great fatigue had made him very haggard. 

They urged their way across the burned district as fast as theirexhausted state would permit, carefully avoiding burning brands thatstill lay in the street. 

"I hope you will have patience with me in my slow progress, " saidChristine, "for I feel as I imagine Rip Van Winkle must have done, after his twenty years' nap. "

"I think you have borne up heroically, Miss Ludolph, " said Dennis, warmly. 

"Oh, no! I am not in the least heroic, but I confess that I am veryhungry. I never knew what hunger was before. Well, I can now appreciatewhat must often be the condition of the poor, and hope not to be soforgetful of them hereafter. "

"I am glad to hear you say that you are hungry, Miss Ludolph, for itproves that with care you will rally after this dreadful exposure, andbe your former self. "

"Ah! Mr. Fleet, I hope I shall never be my old self again. I shudderwhen I think what I was when you awakened me that dreadful night. "

"But I have feared, " said he, ever avoiding any reference to his ownservices, "that, though you might escape the fire, the exposure wouldbe greater than you could endure. I trembled for you last night whenit began to rain, but could find no additional covering. "

"No brother could be kinder or more thoughtful of me, " she said, turningupon him a glad, grateful face. 

"That is it, " thought Dennis. "She hints to me what must be ourrelationship. She is the Baroness Ludolph, and is pledged to a futurethat I cannot share. "

But as he saw her gratitude, he resolved all the more resolutely notto put it to the hard test of refusing his love. A little later heunconsciously sighed wearily, and she looked at him wistfully. 

"Oh, that I _knew_ if he felt toward me as he once did!" she said toherself. 

They now reached the unscathed streets of the west side, which werealready thronged with fugitives as hungry and gaunt as themselves. Mingling with this great strange tide of weak, begrimed, hollow-eyedhumanity, they at last reached Dr. Goodwin's beautiful church. Herealready had begun the noble charity dispensed from that place duringthe days of want and suffering that followed. 

CHAPTER XLVII

SUSIE WINTHROP

Waiting with multitudes of others, Christine and Dennis at last receivedan army biscuit (hardtack in the soldier's vernacular) and a tin-cupof what resembled coffee. To him it was very touching to see how eagerlyshe received this coarse fare, proving that she was indeed almostfamished. Too weak to stand, they sat down near the door on thesidewalk. A kind lady presently came and said, "If you have no place togo you will find it more comfortable in the church. "

They gladly availed themselves of her permission, as the throngedstreet was anything but pleasant. 

"Mr. Fleet, " said Christine, "I am now going to take care of you inreturn for your care last night, " and she led him up to a secludedpart of the church by the organ, arranged some cushions on a seat, andthen continued: "As I have obeyed you, so you must now be equallydocile. Don't you dare move from that place till I call you;" and sheleft him. 

He was indeed wearied beyond expression, and most grateful for a chanceto rest. This refuge and the way it was secured seemed almost a heavenlyexperience, and he thought with deepest longing, "If we could alwaystake care of each other, I should be perhaps too well satisfied withthis earthly life. "

When after a little time Christine returned he was sleeping as heavilyas he had done before upon the beach, but the smile his last thoughtoccasioned still rested on his face. 

For some little time she also sat near and rested, and her eyes soughthis face as if a story were written there that she never could finish. Then she went to make inquiries after her father. But no one to whomshe spoke knew anything about him. 

Bread and other provisions were constantly arriving, but not fastenough to meet the needs of famishing thousands. Though not feelingvery strong she offered her services, and was soon busily engaged. Allpresent were strangers to her, but, when they learned from the inquiriesfor her father that she was Miss Ludolph, she was treated with deferenceand sympathy. But she assumed nothing, and as her strength permitted, during the day, she was ready for any task, even the humblest. Shehanded food around among the hungry, eager applicants, with such asweet and pitying face that she heard many a murmured blessing. Herefforts were all the more appreciated as all saw that she too hadpassed through the fire and had suffered deeply. At last a kind, motherly lady said: "My dear, you look ready to drop. Here, take this, "and she poured out a glass of wine and gave her a sandwich; "now, goand find some quiet nook and rest. It's your duty. "

"I have a friend who has suffered almost everything in saving me. Heis asleep now, but he has had scarcely anything to eat for nearly threedays, and I know he will be very hungry when he wakes. "

"Nothing to eat for three days! Why, you must take him a whole loaf, and this, and this, " cried the good lady, about to provision Dennisfor a month. 

"Oh, no, " said Christine, with a smile, "so much would not be good forhim. If you will give me three or four sandwiches, and let me come forsome coffee when he wakes, it will be sufficient;" and she carriedwhat now seemed treasures to where Dennis was sleeping, and sat downwith a happy look in her face. 

The day had been full of sweet, trustful thoughts. She was consciousof a presence within her heart and all around that she knew was Divine, and in spite of her anxiety about her father and the uncertainty ofthe future, she had a rest and contentment of mind that she had neverexperienced before. Then she felt such a genuine sympathy for thesufferers about her, and found them so grateful when she spoke to themgently and kindly, that she wondered she had never before discoveredthe joy of ministering to others. She was entering a new world, and, though there might be suffering in it, the antidote was ever near, andthe pleasures promised to grow richer, fuller, more satisfying, tillthey developed into the perfect happiness of heaven. But every Christianjoy that was like a sweet surprise--every thrilling hope that pointedto endless progress in all that is best and noblest in life, insteadof the sudden blank and nothingness that threatened but yesterday--and, above all, the animating consciousness of the Divine love which kepther murmuring, "My Saviour, my good, kind Heavenly Father, " all remindedher of him who had been instrumental in bringing about the wondrouschange. Often during the day she would go and look at him, and couldDennis only have opened his eyes at such a moment, and caught herexpression, no words would have been needed to assure him of hishappiness. 

The low afternoon sun shone in gold and crimson on his brow and facethrough the stained windows before he gave signs of waking, and thenshe hurried away to get the coffee hot from the urn. 

She had hardly gone before he arose greatly refreshed and strengthened, but so famished that a roast ox would have seemed but a comfortablemeal. His eye at once caught the sandwiches placed temptingly near. 

"That is Miss Ludolph's work, " he said; "I wonder if she has saved anyfor herself. " He was about to go and geek her when she met him withthe coffee. 

"Go back, " she said; "how dare you disobey orders?"

"I was coming to find you. "

"Well, that is the best excuse you could have made, but I am here; sosit down and drink this coffee and devour these sandwiches. "

"Not unless you share them with me. "

"Insubordinate! See here, " and she took out her more dainty provisionfrom behind a seat and sat down opposite, in such a pretty, companionable way that he in his admiration and pleasure forgot hissandwiches. 

"What is the matter?" she asked. "You are to eat the sandwiches, notme. "

"A very proper hint, Miss Ludolph; one might well be inclined to makethe mistake. "

"Now that is a compliment worthy of the king of the Cannibal Islands. "

"Miss Ludolph, " said Dennis, looking at her earnestly, "you do indeedseem happy. "

A ray of light slanting through a yellow diamond of glass fell witha sudden glory upon her face, and in a tone of almost ecstasy she said:"Oh, I am so glad and grateful, when I realize what might have been, and what is! It seems that I have lost so little in this fire incomparison with what I have gained. And but for you I might have losteverything. How rich this first day of life, real, true life, has been!My Heavenly Father has been so kind to me that I cannot express it. And then to think how I have wronged Him all these years!"

"You have indeed learned the secret of true eternal happiness, MissLudolph. "

"I believe it--I feel sure of it. All trouble, all pain will one daypass away forever; and sometimes I feel as if I must sing for joy. Ido so long to see my father and tell him. I fear he won't believe itat first, but I can pray as you did, and it seems as if my Saviourwould not deny me anything. And now, Mr. Fleet, when you have finishedyour lunch, I am going to ask one more favor, and then will dub youtruest knight that ever served defenceless woman. You will find myfather for me, for I believe you can do anything. "

Even in the shadow where he sat she caught the pained expression ofhis face. 

She started up and grasped his arm. 

"You know something, " she said; then added: "Do not be afraid to findmy father now. When he knows what services you have rendered me, allestrangement, if any existed, will pass away. "

But he averted his face, and she saw tears gathering in his eyes. 

"Mr. Fleet, " she gasped, "do you know anything I do not?"

He could hide the truth no longer. Indeed it was time she should learnit. Turning and taking her trembling hand, he looked at her so sadlyand kindly that she at once knew her father was dead. 

"Oh, my father!" she cried, in a tone of anguish that he could neverforget, "you will never, never know. All day I have been longing toprove to you the truth of Christianity by my loving, patient tenderness, but you have died, and will never know, " she moaned, shudderingly. 

He still held her hand--indeed she clung to his as to something thatmight help sustain her in the dark, bitter hour. 

"Poor, poor father!" she cried; "I never treated him as I ought, andnow he will never know the wealth of love I was hoping to lavish onhim. " Then, looking at Dennis almost reproachfully, she said: "Couldyou not save him? You saved so many others. "

"Indeed I could not, Miss Ludolph; I tried, and nearly lost my lifein the effort. The great hotel behind the store fell and crushed allin a moment. "

She shuddered, but at last whispered, "Why have you kept this so longfrom me?"

"How could I tell you when the blow would have been death? Even nowyou can scarcely bear it. "

"My little beginning of faith is sorely tried. Heavenly Spirit, " shecried, "guide me through this darkness, and let not doubt and unbeliefcloud my mind again. "

"Such prayer will be answered, " said Dennis, in a deep, low tone. 

They sat in the twilight in silence. He still held her hand, and shewas sobbing more gently and quietly. Suddenly she asked, "Is it wrongthus to grieve over the breaking of an earthly tie?"

"No, not if you will say as did your Lord in His agony, 'Oh, my Father, Thy will be done. '"

"I will try, " she said, softly, "but it is hard. "

"He is a merciful and faithful High Priest. For in that He Himselfhath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that aretempted. "

"Do you know that I think my change in feeling makes me grieve all themore deeply? Until to-day I never loved my father as I ought. It isthe curse of unbelief to deaden everything good in the heart. Oh, Ido feel such a great, unspeakable pity for him!"

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them thatfear Him. "

"Is that in the Bible?" she asked. 

"Yes. "

"It is very sweet. He indeed must be my refuge now, for I am alone inthe world. "

"He has said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. ' I have passedthrough this sorrow so recently myself that I can sympathize with youas a fellow-sufferer. "

"True, true, you have, " she answered. "Is that the reason that Christsuffered with us--that we might know He sympathized with us?"

"Yes. "

"How unspeakably comforting is such sympathy, both human and divine!Tell me about your mother. "

"I fear I cannot without being unmanned. She was one of Heaven'sfavorites, and I owe everything to her. I can tell you one thing, though, she prayed for you continually--even with her dying lips, whenmy faith had broken down. "

This touched Christine very deeply. At last she said, "I shall see hersome day. "

"I wish you had seen her, " he continued very sadly, looking as if ata scene far away. 

"You cannot wish it more than I. Indeed I would have called on her, had it not been for an unfortunate accident. "

He looked at her with some surprise, as if not understanding her remark, but said, "She greatly wished to see you before she died. "

"Oh, I wish I had known it!"

"Did you not know it?" he asked, in a startled manner. 

"No, but I felt grateful to her, for I understood that she offered totake care of me in case I had the smallpox. I wanted to visit her verymuch, and at last thought I would venture to do so, but just then Isprained my ankle. I sent my maid to inquire, but fear she didn't domy errand very well, " added Christine, looking down. 

"She never came, Miss Ludolph. " Then he continued, eagerly: "I fearI have done you a great wrong. A little time before my mother died, she wrote you a line saying that she was dying and would like to seeyou. I did not know you could not come--I thought you would not. "

Crimson with shame and humiliation, Christine buried her burning cheeksin her hands and murmured, "I never received it. "

"And did you send the exquisite flowers and fruit?" he asked. "Ah, Isee that you did. I am so glad--so very glad that I was mistaken! Isincerely ask your pardon for my unjust thoughts. "

"It is I who should ask pardon, and for a long time I have earnestlywished that I might find opportunity to do so. My conduct has beensimply monstrous, but of late it has seemed worse than the reality. Everything has been against me. If you only knew--but--" (and her headbowed lower). Then she added, hastily, "My maid has been false, andI must have appeared more heartless than ever. " But, with biter shameand sorrow, she remembered who must have been the inspirer of thetreachery, and, though she never spoke of it again, she feared thatDennis suspected it also. It was one of those painful things that mustbe buried, even as the grave closes over the frail, perishing body. 

Let those who are tempted to a wicked, dishonorable deed remember that, even after they are gone, the knowledge of it may come to those wholoved them, like an incurable wound. 

Dennis's resolution not to speak till Christine should be no longerdependent on him was fast melting away, as he learned that she had notbeen so callous and forgetful as she had seemed. But before he couldadd another word, a wild, sweet, mournful voice was heard singing:

 "O fiery storm, wilt never cease? Thy burning hail falls on my heart; Bury me deep, that I in peace May rest where death no more can part. "

In awed, startled tones they both exclaimed, "SUSIE WINTHROP!"

CHAPTER XLVIII

DOCTOR ARTEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Hastening down into the body of the church, Dennis and Christine foundMrs. Leonard lying on some cushions in a pew. She was scantily clad, her sweet face scorched and blackened, and her beautiful hair almostcrisped away. 

Her husband was bending over her in an agony of mingled grief and joy. She had just been brought in from wandering aimlessly and alone quiteout upon the prairie, singing in a low, plaintive way to herself wordssuggested by the sudden disaster that had temporarily robbed her ofhusband, of reason, and almost of life. 

Dennis afterward learned from Professor Leonard that when first arousedthey had escaped from the hotel, but, not realizing the danger, he hadstepped back a moment at her request to get something she valued verymuch, and they had become separated. 

"And thus at last I find the poor child, " he cried, with a look ofagony. 

Mrs. Leonard did not know any of them, but continued her low, plaintivesinging. 

Dr. Arten, who had found his way to the church as one of the centres, was soon in attendance, his benevolent face becoming the very embodimentof pity. The crowd were pushed back, and with other kind ladiesChristine took charge of her poor unconscious friend, and all was donethat skill and tender love could suggest. At last, under the doctor'sopiates, her low, weird singing ceased, and she slept, her husbandholding her hand. The thronging fugitives were kept a little away, andDr. Arten slept near, to be within call. 

A lady asked Christine to go home with her, but she thanked her andsaid, "No, I would rather remain in the church near my friends. "

Dennis saw that she was greatly wearied. Taking her hand, he said:"Miss Ludolph, it is my turn to take care of you again. See, our friendsare preparing a place there for the ladies to sleep. Please go to restat once, for you do indeed need it. "

"I am very tired, but I know I could not sleep. How strange this lifeis! All day, the world, in spite of what has happened, seemed growingbrighter. Now with the night has come the deeper darkness of sorrow. On every side pain and suffering seem to predominate, and to me therewill ever be so much mystery in events like my father's death and myfriend Susie's experience, that I know it will be hard to maintain achildlike faith. "

"God will help you to trust; you will not be left to struggle alone. Then remember you are His child, and earthly parents do much thatlittle children cannot understand. "

With a faint smile she answered: "I fear I shall be one of thosetroublesome children that are ever asking why. All day it has seemedso easy to be a Christian, but already I learn that there will be timeswhen I shall have to cling to my Saviour, instead of being carriedforward in His arms. Indeed, I almost fear that I shall lose Him inthe darkness. "

"But He will not lose you, " replied Dennis. "Since you are not sleepy, let me tell you a short Bible story. "

"Oh, do, please do, just as if I were a little child. "

"It is in the New Testament. Jesus had sent His disciples in a boatacross the sea of Galilee, while He should go up alone on a mountainto pray. The night came, and with it a storm swept down against thedisciples. The smooth sea was lashed into great foam-crested waveswhich broke over their little ship. They tugged hour after hour atthe oars, but in vain. The night grew darker, the wind more contrary, the waves higher and more threatening, their arms wearied, and theymay have feared that they would perish alone and without remedy in theblack midnight. But we read that 'He saw them toiling in rowing, 'though they knew it not. From the distant mountain side 'He sawthem'--marked every weary stroke of the oar, and every throb of fear. But at last, when they were most ready to welcome Him, when none couldsay, 'We should have rowed through the storm alone, ' He came to themwalking safely on the dark waves that threatened them with death, andsaid, 'Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. ' Then they gladlyreceived Him into the ship, and immediately the rough waves were hushed, and the keel of the boat grated on the beach toward which they hadvainly rowed. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, 'Of a truth thou art the Son of God. '

"Now it was on the evening of that very night that these same discipleshad engaged in a scene of festivity. They had stood in the sunset onthe mountain slope, and seen their Lord feed many thousand. Then allwas peace, safety, and good cheer. Life changed as quickly for themas for you, but did not their Divine Master see them as truly in thestormy night as in the sunlight? Did He leave them to perish?

"He is watching you, Miss Ludolph, for He is ever the same; and beforethis stormy night of your sorrow passes away you will hear His voice, saying, 'Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid. '"

"Already I hear it, " she said, in a low, glad voice, smiling throughher tears. "I can, I do trust Him, and the conflicting winds of doubtand fear are becoming still. Among all these homeless people theremust be many sad, discouraged hearts. You have helped me so much; canyou not say a word or sing something that will help them?"

Dennis thought a moment, and then, in a sweet, clear voice thatpenetrated every part of the large building, sang:

 "Father in Heaven, the night is around us, Terror and danger our portion have been; We cry unto Thee, oh, save and defend us, Comfort the trembling, and pardon our sin. 

 "Hearts that are heavy, look onward and upward; Though wild was the storm that wrecked your loved homes, Faith lifts your sad glances hopefully heavenward, To mansions prepared with glory-crowned domes. 

 "Hearts that are breaking, whose lov'd ones have vanished, Swept down in the seething ocean of fire, E'en now they may rest where pain is all banished, And join their glad songs with the heavenly choir. 

 "Hearts that are groaning with life's weary burden, Who fear to go forward, to sorrow a prey; Jesus invites you--'Oh, come, heavy laden'; Leave sin at His feet, bear mercy away. "

After the first line there was a breathless hush; but, when he closed, low sobbings might be heard from many of the women, and in the dimlight not a few tears shone in the eyes of manhood. Dennis's voice wassympathetic in its character, and he had the power of throwing intoit much feeling. 

Christine was weeping quietly, but her tears now were like the warmspring rain as it falls on the precious seed. At last she said, "Youhave done these people much good. "

"To you belongs all the credit, for it was at your suggestion I sang. "

She shook her head, and then said, "Good-night, my friend, I shallnever forget this day with its mingled experience; but I think, I hope, I shall never doubt God again;" and she went to her rest. 

The light of the next day brought to view many hard realities, andchief among these was the bread question. Dennis was up with the dawn, and by eager inquiries sought to comprehend the situation. Some weregloomy and discouraged, some apathetic, and some determined, courageous, and hopeful; and to this last class he belonged. 

Most thankful that he had come out of the fiery ordeal unscathed, heresolved to contribute his quota toward a new and better Chicago. Young, and sanguine in temperament, he already saw the city rise fromits ashes in statelier proportions and richer prosperity. With a thrillof exultation he heard the report that some Napoleonic business menhad already telegraphed for building material, and were even nowexcavating the hot ruins. 

Christine had hardly joined him as he stood at the door when a gentlemanentered and asked, "Who here are willing and able to work for fairwages?"

"I am at your service, " said Dennis, stepping forward promptly. 

"You are a gentleman, sir, " said the speaker, impressed with the factby Dennis's bearing, though his hat and coat were gone; "I need laborerswho can handle the pick and shovel. "

"I will work for less, then, till I can handle these tools as well asa laborer. There is no reason why I should eat the bread of charitya day longer, especially when so many need it more than I. "

"I said you were a gentleman; I now say you are a man, and that to memeans a great deal more, " said the energetic stranger. "You shall havetwo dollars a day with the rest. "

He turned to Christine and said, almost proudly, "The supper you haveto-night shall be yours also. "

"That is, " she replied, with a smile, "I shall live on your charityinstead of that of some one else. "

His face grew sad at once, but he answered, as he went away, "I couldnot give you charity, Miss Ludolph. "

Christine saw that she had pained him, and was much vexed with herself. But his remark added to the hope and almost belief that she still heldher old place in his heart, and she resolved to make amends in theevening for her unlucky speech. 

With a smile she said to herself: "If he only knew that I would preferthe coarsest, scantiest fare provided by him to the most costly banquet, he would not have gone away with that long face. How rich life wouldbe if I could commence it with him, and we struggle up together! Oh, Heaven, grant, " she sighed, looking earnestly upward, "that throughthese wonderful, terrible changes, I may climb the mountain at hisside, as he so graphically portrayed it in his picture!"

Mrs. Leonard still slept, and her husband in an agony of anxiety watchedat her side. At last, a little before midday, she opened her eyes andsaid, in her natural tone: "Why, John, I must have greatly overslept. Where am I?" and then, as her husband fairly sobbed for joy, she startedup and said, hurriedly: "What is the matter? What has happened?"

"Oh, be calm!" whispered Christine to the professor. "Everything dependson keeping her quiet. " Then she bent over her friend, and said: "Donot be alarmed, Susie; you are now safe and well, and so is yourhusband. But you have been ill, and for his sake and your own you mustkeep quiet. "

She turned inquiringly to her husband, who said, more calmly, "It isall true, and if you can only be careful we can go back to Boston aswell as ever. "

"I will do anything you say, John; but why am I in a church?"

"You were taken sick in the street, and this was the nearest place tobring you. "

"Oh, dear! I have had such strange, dreadful dreams. I am so glad theywere only dreams, and you are here with me;" and she lay quietly holdingher husband's hands and looking contentedly in his face. It was evidentshe was herself again, and much better. 

Dr. Arten soon after came and said, cheerily, "All right! all right!will have you out in a day or two as good as new, and then, MissLudolph, you will see how much more grateful she is to the old doctorthan you were. "

"You must present your bill, " replied Christine, with a smile. 

"May I?" retorted the doctor, wiping his lips. 

"Oh, I don't know about that, " cried Christine; adding, quickly, "whenI welcome you to my own home you may. "

"An old maid's hall, I suppose. "

"It will be an orphan's home, at least, " said Christine, softly andsadly. 

Tears filled the old man's eyes, and putting his arm around her hedrew her to him, saying, as he stroked her drooping head: "Poor child!poor child! I did not know. But you shall never want a protector whilethe old doctor is above ground. As far as possible I will be a fatherto you;" and Christine knew she had found a friend as true and strongas steel, and she buried her face on his shoulder and cried astrustingly as his own child might have done. 

"Oh, Christine!" cried Mrs. Leonard, "I am so sorry for you!"

At the voice of her old friend she at once rallied, and, trying tosmile through her tears, said, "God has been so much better to me thanI deserved that I have only gratitude when I think of myself; but mypoor father--" and again she covered her face and wept. 

"Christine, come here, " said Mrs. Leonard, softly, and she put herarms around the weeping girl. "You spoke of God's being good to you. Have you in truth found and learned to trust Him?"

"Yes, " she replied, eagerly, joy and peace coming out in her face likethe sun shining through clouds and rain. Then with bowed head shewhispered low: "The one I wronged on earth led me to the One I wrongedin heaven, and both have forgiven me. Oh, I am so glad, so happy!"

"Then you have seen Mr. Fleet. "

"Yes, he saved my life again and again, but in teaching me how to findmy Saviour, he has done far more for me. "

"And you will not wrong him any more, will you, Christine? He has lovedyou so long and faithfully. "

In reply she lifted an eager face to her friend and said, "Do you thinkhe can love me still after my treatment of him?"

"Give him a chance to tell you, " said Mrs. Leonard, with ahalf-mischievous smile. "Has he not shown his feelings?"

"He has treated me more as a brother might have done, and yet he isso very respectful and deferential--I hope--but I am not perfectlysure--and then he seems under some restraint. "

Mrs. Leonard said, musingly: "He knows that you are Baroness Ludolph. I told him last week, for I thought he ought to know, and the fact ofyour approaching departure for Europe has been no secret of late. Hethinks you are pledged to a future in which he cannot share; and inyour grateful, dependent condition he would not cause you the pain ofrefusing him. I think that is just where he stands, " she concluded, with a woman's mastery of the science of love, and taking almost asmuch interest in her friend's affair as she had felt in her own. Tomost ladies this subject has a peculiar fascination, and, having settledtheir own matters, they enter with scarcely less zest on the task ofhelping others arrange theirs. Mrs. Leonard rallied faster under theexcitement of this new interest than from the doctor's remedies. 

After a few moments' thought Christine said, decidedly: "All thatnonsense about the Baroness Ludolph is past forever--burned up in thefire with many things of more value. I have been fed too long on thehusks of human greatness and ambition to want any more of them. Theynever did satisfy me, and in the light and heat of the terrific ordealthrough which I have just passed they shrivelled into utter nothingness. I want something that I cannot lose in a whiff of smoke and flame, andI think I have found it. Henceforth I claim no other character thanthat of a simple Christian girl. " Then bowing her head on her friend'sshoulder she added, in a whisper, "If I could climb to true greatnessby Mr. Fleet's side, as he portrayed it in his picture, it seems tome heaven would begin at once. "

The doctor, who had taken the professor aside, now joined them, andsaid: "Mrs. Leonard, you have only to take reasonable care of yourself, and you will soon recover from this shock and exposure. I wish all mypatients were doing as well. "

She replied with a smile, taking her husband's hand: "Since I havefound my old Greek here, with his learned spectacles, I am quite myself, and I feel as if I were only playing invalid. "

"You may have slept in a church before, " said the doctor, with a twinklein his eye, "and you must do so again. But no one will thunder at youfrom the pulpit this time, so I leave you in peace and security, andto-night will be within call. "

Christine followed him to the lobby of the church, when theirrepressible joker could not forbear saying: "Now let me give you alittle paternal advice. Don't be too grateful to that young Fleet. Heonly did his duty, and of course doesn't deserve any special--"

Christine, with flushing cheeks, interrupted him as if she had notheard: "Doctor, how good and kind you are! Here you are off withoutany rest to look after the sick and suffering, and you seem to bringhealth and hope wherever you go. "

"Yes, yes; but I send my bill in too--mind that. " (Some of his poorerpatients never received any, and he, when twitted of the fact, wouldmutter, roughly, "Business oversight--can't attend to everything. ")

Christine looked for a moment at the face so inspiring in its heartybenevolence, and with an impulse, so unlike the cold, haughty girl ofold, sprang forward, threw her arms around his neck, and gave him akiss which he declared afterward was like a mild stroke of lightning, and said, "And there is the first instalment of what I owe you. "

The old gentleman looked as if he decidedly liked the currency, andwith moistened eyes that he vainly tried to render humorous, he raisedhis finger impressively in parting, and said, "Don't you ever get outof debt to me. "

CHAPTER XLIX

BILL CRONK'S TOAST

After all, it was a long day to Christine. Tears would start from hereyes at the thought of her father, but she realized that the only thingfor her to do was to shroud his memory in a great, forgiving pity, andput it away forever. She could only turn from the mystery of his lifeand death--the mystery of evil--to Him who taketh away the sin of theworld. There was no darkness in that direction. She busied herselfwith Mrs. Leonard, and the distribution of food to others, till sixo'clock, and then she stood near the door to watch till her true knightshould appear in his shirt-sleeves, with a shovel on his shoulder, andan old burned, tattered felt hat on his head, instead of jewelled crestand heron plume. 

Dennis had gone to his work not very hopeful. He knew Christine wouldbe his grateful friend while she lived, and would perhaps even regardhim as a brother, but all this might be and still she be unable torespond to his deeper feelings. Moreover, he knew she was BaronessLudolph, and might be heiress of such titles and estates in Germanyas would require that she should go at once to secure them; and so sheseemed clearly to pass beyond his sphere. 

As he shovelled the hot bricks and cinders hour after hour among otherlaborers, the distance between himself and the Baroness Ludolph seemedto increase; and when, begrimed and weary, he sat down to eat hisdinner of a single sandwich saved from breakfast (for as yet he hadno money), the ruins around him were quite in keeping with his feelings. He thought most regretfully of his two thousand dollars and burnedpicture. The brave, resolute spirit of the morning had deserted him. He did not realize that few men have lived who could be brave andhopeful when weary and hungry, and fewer still, when, in addition, they doubted the favor of the lady of their love. 

The work of the afternoon seemed desperately hard and long, but withdogged persistency Dennis held his own with the others till six, andin common with them received his two dollars. Whether Christine wouldaccept the supper he brought or not, he determined to fulfil his promiseand bring one. Wearily he trudged off to the west side, in order tofind a store. No one who met him would have imagined that this ploddinglaborer was the artist who the week before had won the prize and titleof genius. 

If he had been purchasing a supper for himself, he would doubtlesshave been sensible about it; but one that the Baroness Ludolph mightshare was a different matter. He bought some very rich cake, a can ofpeaches, a box of sardines, some fruit, and then his money gave out!But, with these incongruous and indigestible articles made up into onelarge bundle, he started for the church. He had gone but a little waywhen some one rushed upon him, and little Ernst clasped him round theneck and fairly cried for joy. Sitting on the sidewalk near were theother little Bruders, looking as forlorn and dirty as three motherlesschildren could. Dennis stopped and sat down beside them (for he wastoo tired to stand), while Ernst told his story--how their mother hadleft them, and how she had been found so burned that she was recognizedonly by a ring (which he had) and a bit of the picture preserved underher body. They had been looking ever since to find him, and had sleptwhere they could. 

As Ernst sobbingly told his story the other children cried in dolefulchorus, and Dennis's tears fell fast too, as he realized how his humblefriend had perished. He remembered her kindness to his mother andlittle sisters, and his heart acknowledged the claim of these poorlittle orphans. Prudence whispered, "You cannot afford to burdenyourself with all these children, " and pride added, "What a figure youwill make in presenting yourself before the Baroness Ludolph with allthese children at your heels!" But he put such thoughts resolutelyaside, and spoke like a brother; and when one of the children sobbed, "We so hungry!" out came the Baroness Ludolph's fruit and cake, andnothing remained for Christine but the sardines and peaches, sincethese could not well be opened in the street. The little Bruders havingdevoured what seemed to them the ambrosia of the gods, he took theyoungest in his arms, Ernst following with the others; and so theyslowly made their way to the church where Christine was now anxiouslywaiting, with many surmises and forebodings at Dennis's delay. 

At last, in the dusk, the little group appeared at the church-door, and she exclaimed, "What has kept you so, Mr. Fleet?"

He determined to put the best face on the situation, and indulge inno heroics, so he said, "You could not expect such a body of infantryas this to march rapidly. "

"What!" she exclaimed, "have you brought all the lost children in thecity back with you?"

"No, only those that fell properly to my care;" and in a few words hetold their story. 

"And do you, without a cent in the world, mean to assume the burdenof these four children?" she asked, in accents of surprise. 

He could not see her face, but his heart sank within him, for he thoughtthat to her it would seem quixotic and become another barrier betweenthem; but he answered, firmly: "Yes, till God, who has imposed theburden, removes it, and enables me to place them among friends in agood home. Mrs. Bruder, before she died, wrote to her family in Germany, telling her whole story. Relatives may take the children; if not, someway will be provided. "

"Mr. Fleet, I wonder at you, " was her answer. "Give me that child, andyou bring the others. "

He wondered at her as he saw her take the child and imprint a kiss onthe sleepy, dirty face; and Ernst, who had been eying her askance, crept timidly nearer when he saw the kiss, and whispered, "Perhaps herold outside heart has been burned away. "

They followed to a lobby of the lecture-room, and here she procureda damp towel and proceeded to remove the tear and dust stains from theround and wondering faces of the children. Having restored them tosomething of their original color, she took them away to supper, sayingto Dennis, with a decided nod, "You stay here till I come for you. "

Something in her manner reminded him of the same little autocrat whohad ordered him about when they arranged the store together. She soonreturned with a basin of water and a towel, saying: "See what a luxuryyou secure by obeying orders. Now give an account of yourself, as everylady's knight should on his return. How have you spent the day?"

He could not forbear laughing as he said: "My employment has beenalmost ludicrously incongruous with the title by which you honor me. I have been shovelling brick and mortar with other laborers. "

"All day?"

"All day. "

Her glance became so tender and wistful that he forgot to wash hishands in looking at her, and felt for the moment as if he could shovelrubbish forever, if such could be his reward. 

Seemingly by an effort, she regained her brusque manner, which he didnot know was but the mask she was trying to wear, and said, quickly:"What is the matter? Why don't you wash your face?"

"You told me to give an account of myself, " he retorted, at the sametime showing rising color in his dust-begrimed face. 

"Well, one of your ability can do two things at once. What have yougot in that bundle?"

"You may have forgotten, but I promised to bring you home somethingthat you chose to regard as charity. "

"If I was so ungracious, you ought to have rewarded me by bringing mea broken brick. Will you let me see what you brought?" but withoutwaiting for permission she pounced upon the bundle and dragged out thepeaches and sardines. 

He, having washed and partially wiped his face, was now able to displaymore of his embarrassment, and added, apologetically: "That is not allI had. I also bought some cake and fruit, and then my money gave out. "

"And do you mean to say that you have no money left?"

"Not a penny, " he answered, desperately. 

"But where are the cake and fruit?"

"Well, " he said, laughingly, "I found the little Bruders famishing onthe sidewalk, and they got the best part of your supper. "

"What an escape I have had!" she exclaimed. "Do you think I shouldhave survived the night if I had eaten those strangely assorteddainties, as in honor bound I would have done, since you brought them?"Then with a face of comical severity she turned upon him and said:"Mr. Fleet, you need some one to take care of you. What kind of economydo you call this, sir, especially on the part of one who has burdenedhimself with four helpless children?"

There was a mingling of sense and seriousness in her raillery, whichhe recognized, and he said, with a half-vexed laugh at himself: "Well, really, Miss Ludolph, I suppose that I have not wholly regained mywits since the fire. I throw myself on your mercy. " (The same expressionhe had used once before. She remembered it, and her face changedinstantly. ) Turning hastily away to hide her feelings, she said, ina rather husky voice, "When I was a wicked fool, I told you I had none;but I think I am a little changed now. " Then she added, sharply, "Pleasedon't stand there keeping our friends waiting"; and she led the wayinto the lecture-room, now filled with tables and hungry people. 

Dennis was in a maze, and could scarcely understand her, she was sodifferent from the pensive lady, shrinking from rude contact with theworld, that he had expected to meet. He did not realize that there wasnot a particle of weak sentimentality about her, and that, since nowpride was gone, her energetic spirit would make her as truly a leaderin scenes like these as in those with which she had been familiar. Much less could he understand that she was hiding a heart brimmingover with love to him. 

He followed her, however, with much assumed humility. When in themiddle of the room, who should meet him squarely but Bill Cronk?

"Hello!" he roared, giving Dennis a slap on his back that startledeven the hungry, apathetic people at the tables. 

Dennis was now almost desperate. Glad as he was to see Cronk, he feltthat he was gathering around him a company as incongruous as was thesupper he had brought home. If Yahcob Bunk or even the red-nosedbartender had appeared, to claim him as brother, he would scarcelyhave been surprised. He naturally thought that the Baroness Ludolphmight hesitate before entering such a circle of intimates. But he wasnot guilty of the meanness of cutting a humble friend, even though hesaw the eyes of Christine resting on him. In his embarrassment, however, he held out the washbasin in his confused effort to shake hands, andsaid, heartily, "Why, Cronk, I am glad you came safely out of it. "

"Is this gentleman a friend of yours?" asked Christine, with inimitablegrace. 

"Yes!" said Dennis, firmly, though coloring somewhat. "He once renderedme a great kindness--"

"Well, miss, you bet your money on the right hoss that time, "interrupted Bill. "If I hain't a friend of his'n, I'd like to know whereyou'll find one; though I did kick up like a cussed ole mulewhen he knocked the bottle out of my hand. Like enough if he hadn'tI wouldn't be here. "

"Won't you present me, Mr. Fleet?" said Christine, with an amusedtwinkle in her eye. 

"Mr. Cronk, " said Dennis (who had now reached that state of mind whenone becomes reckless), "this lady is Miss Ludolph, and, I hope I mayventure to add, another friend of mine. "

She at once put out her hand, that seemed like a snowflake in the greathorny paw of the drover, and said, "Indeed, Mr. Cronk, I will permitno one to claim stronger friendship to Mr. Fleet than mine. "

"I can take any friend of Mr. Fleet's to my buzzom at once, " said Bill, speaking figuratively, but Christine instinctively shrank nearer Dennis. In talking with men, Bill used the off-hand vernacular of his calling, but when addressing ladies, he evidently thought that a certain styleof metaphor bordering on sentiment was the proper thing. But Christinesaid, "As a friend of Mr. Fleet's you shall join our party at once";and she led them to the further end of the room, where at a table satDr. Arten, Professor and Mrs. Leonard, Ernst, and the little Bruders, who at the prospect of more eating were wide awake again. After themost hearty greetings they were seated, and she took her place by theside of the little children in order to wait on them. Few moreremarkable groups sat down together, even in that time of chaos anddeprivation. Professor Leonard was without vest or collar, and satwith coat buttoned tight up to his chin to hide the defect. He hadlost his scholarly gold-rimmed spectacles; and a wonderful pair ofgoggles bestrode his nose in their place. Mrs. Leonard was lost in thefolds of an old delaine dress that was a mile too large, and her facelooked as if she had assisted actively in an Irish wake. Dr. Arten didthe honors at the head of the table in his dress coat and vest thathad once been white, though he no longer figured around in red flanneldrawers as he had done on the beach. The little round faces of theBruders seemed as if protruding from animated rag babies, while nothingcould dim the glory of Ernst's great spiritual eyes, as they gratefullyand wistfully followed Dennis's every movement. Cronk was in a verydilapidated and famished state, and endured many and varied torturesin his efforts to be polite while he bolted sandwiches at a rate thatthreatened famine. Christine still wore the woollen dress she had sohastily donned with Dennis's assistance on Sunday night, and the marksof the fire were all over it. Around her neck the sparks had burneda hole here and there, through which her white shoulders gleamed. Whileshe was self-possessed and assiduous in her attention to the littlechildren, there was a glow of excitement in her eyes which perhapsMrs. Leonard understood better than any one else, though the shrewdold doctor was anything but blind. 

Dennis sat next to Christine in shirt-sleeves once white, but now, through dust and smoke, of as many colors as Joseph's coat. He was tooweary to eat much, and there was a weight upon his spirits that hecould not throw off--the inevitable despondency that follows greatfatigue when the mind is not at rest. 

Christine darted away and brought him a huge mug of hot coffee. 

"Really, Miss Ludolph, " he remonstrated, "you should not wait on mein this style. "

"You may well feel honored, sir, " said Mrs. Leonard. "It is not everyman that is waited on by a baroness. "

"The trouble with Christine is that she is too grateful, " put in theold doctor. 

"Now I should say that was scarcely possible in view of--" commencedthe professor, innocently. 

"I really hope Miss Ludolph will do nothing more from gratitude, "interrupted Dennis, in a low tone that showed decided annoyance. 

The doctor and Mrs. Leonard were ready to burst with suppressedamusement, and Cronk, seeing something going on that he did notunderstand, looked curiously around with a sandwich half-way to hisopen mouth, while Ernst, believing from Dennis's tone that he waswronged, turned his great eyes reproachfully from one to another. ButChristine was equal to the occasion. Lifting her head and looking roundwith a free, clear glance she said, "And I say that men who meet thisgreat disaster with courage and fortitude, and hopefully set aboutretrieving it, possess an inherent nobility such as no king or kaisercould bestow, and, were I twenty times a baroness, I should esteem itan honor to wait upon them. "

A round of applause followed this speech, in which Cronk joinedvociferously, and Mrs. Leonard whispered: "Oh, Christine, howbeautifully I learn from your face the difference between dignity andpride! That was your same old proud look, changed and glorified intosomething so much better. "

Dennis also saw her expression, and could not disguise his admiration, but every moment he increasingly felt how desperately hard it wouldbe to give her up, now that she seemed to realize his very ideal ofwomanhood. 

And Cronk, having satisfied the clamors of his appetite, began to befascinated in his rough way with her grace and beauty. Nudging Dennishe asked in a loud whisper heard by all, which nearly caused Dr. Artento choke, "The young filly is a German lady, ain't she?"

Dennis, much embarrassed, nodded assent. 

A happy thought struck Bill. Though impeded by the weight of anindefinite number of sandwiches, he slowly rose and looked solemnlyround on the little group. Dennis trembled, for he feared some dreadfulbull on the part of his rough, though well-meaning friend, but Dr. Arten, in a state of intense enjoyment, cried, "Mr. Cronk has thefloor. "

Lifting a can of coffee containing about a quart, the drover saidimpressively, and with an attempt at great stateliness:

"Beautiful ladies and honorable gentlemen here assembled, I wouldrespectfully ask you to drink to a toast in this harmless beverage:_The United States of Ameriky!_ When the two great elementalraces--the sanguinary Yankee and the phlegmatic German--become one, and, as represented in the blooded team before me" (waving his handmajestically over the heads of Dennis and Christine), "pull in thetraces together, how will the ship of state go forward!" and his facedisappeared behind his huge flagon of coffee in the deepest pledge. Bill thought he had uttered a very profound and elegant sentiment, buthis speech fell like a bombshell in the little company. 

"The very spirit of mischief is abroad to-day, " Dennis groaned. AndChristine, with a face like a peony, snatched up the youngest littleBruder, saying, "It is time these sleepy children were in bed"; butthe doctor and the Leonards went off again and again in uncontrollablefits of laughter, in which Dennis could not refrain from joining, though he wished the unlucky Cronk a thousand miles away. Bill putdown his mug, stared around in a surprised and nonplussed manner, andthen said, in a loud whisper, "I say, Fleet, was there any hitch inwhat I said?"

This set them off again, but Dennis answered good-naturedly, slappinghis friend on the shoulder, "Cronk, you would make a man laugh in theface of fate. "

Bill took this as a compliment, and the strange party, thrown togetherby an event that mingled all classes in the community, broke up andwent their several ways. 

CHAPTER L

EVERY BARRIER BURNED AWAY

Dennis was glad to escape, and went to a side door where he could coolhis hot cheeks in the night air. He fairly dreaded to meet Christineagain, and, even where the wind blew cold upon him, his cheeks grewhotter and hotter, as he remembered what had occurred. He had beenthere but a little time when a light hand fell on his arm, and he wasstartled by her voice--"Mr. Fleet, are you very tired?"

"Not in the least, " he answered, eagerly. 

"You must be: it is wrong for me to think of it. "

"Miss Ludolph, please tell me what I can do for you?"

She looked at him wistfully and said: "This is a time when loss anddisaster burden every heart, and I know it is a duty to try to maintaina cheerful courage, and forget personal troubles. I have tried to-day, and, with God's help, hope in time to succeed. While endeavoring towear in public a cheerful face, I may perhaps now, and to so true afriend as yourself, show more of my real feelings. Is it too far--wouldit take too long, to go to where my father died? His remains could nothave been removed. "

"Alas, Miss Ludolph, " said Dennis, very gently, "there can be no visibleremains. The words of the Prayer Book are literally true in thiscase--'Ashes to ashes. ' But I can take you to the spot, and it isnatural that you should wish to go. Are you equal to the fatigue?"

"I shall not feel it if you go with me, and then we can ride part ofthe way, for I have a little money. " (Dr. Arten had insisted on hertaking some. ) "Wait for me a moment. "

She soon reappeared with her shawl cut in two equal parts. One sheinsisted on folding and putting around him as a Scotsman wears hisplaid. "You will need it in the cool night wind, " she said, and thenshe took his arm in perfect trust, and they started. 

In the cars she gave him her money, and he said, "I will return myfare to-morrow night. "

"What!" she replied, looking a little hurt. "After spending two dollarson me, will you not take five cents in return?"

"But I spent it foolishly. "

"You spent it like a generous man. Surely, Mr. Fleet, you did notunderstand my badinage this evening. If I had not spoken to you inthat strain, I could not have spoken at all. You have been a brotherto me, and we should not stand on these little things. "

"That is it, " thought he again. "She looks upon and trusts me as abrother, and such I must try to be till she departs for her own land;yet if she knew the agony of the effort she would scarcely ask it. "

But as they left the car, he said, "All that you would ask from abrother, please ask from me. "

She put her hand in his, and said, "I now ask your support, sympathy, and prayer, for I feel that I shall need all here. "

Still retaining her hand, he placed it on his arm and guided her mostcarefully around the hot ruins and heaps of rubbish till they came towhere the Art Building had stood. The moon shone brightly down, lightingup with weird and ghostly effect the few walls remaining. They wereutterly alone in the midst of a desolation sevenfold more impressingthan that of the desert. Pointing to the spot where, in the midst of histreasures of art and idolized worldly possessions, Mr. Ludolph hadperished, she said, in a thrilling whisper, "My father's ashes arethere. "

"Yes. "

Her breath came quick and short, and her face was so pale and agonizedthat he trembled for her, but he tightened his grasp on her hand, andhis tears fell with hers. 

"Oh, my father!" she cried, in a tone of unspeakable pathos, "can Inever, never see you again? Can I never tell you of the love of Jesus, and the better and happier life beyond? Oh, how my heart yearns afteryou! God forgive me if this is wrong, but I cannot help it!"

"It is not wrong, " said Dennis, brokenly. "Our Lord himself wept overthose He could not save. "

"It is all that I can do, " she murmured, and, leaning her head on hisshoulder, a tempest of sobs shook her person. 

He supported her tenderly, and said, in accents of the deepest sympathy, "Let every tear fall that will: they will do you good. " At last, asshe became calmer, he added, "Remember that your great Elder Brotherhas called the heavy laden to Him for rest. "

At last she raised her head, turned, and gave one long parting look, and, as Dennis saw her face in the white moonlight, it was the faceof a pitying angel. A low "Farewell!" trembled from her lips, sheleaned heavily on his arm, they turned away, and seemingly the curtainfell between father and child to rise no more. 

"Mr. Fleet, " she said, pleadingly, "are you too tired to take me tomy old home on the north side?"

"Miss Ludolph, I could go to the ends of the earth for you, but youare not equal to this strain upon your feelings. Have mercy onyourself. "

But she said, in a low, dreamy tone: "I wish to take leave to-nightof my old life--the strange, sad past with its mystery of evil; andthen I shall set my face resolutely toward a better life--a bettercountry. So bear with me, my true, kind friend, a little longer. "

"Believe me, my thought was all for you. All sense of fatigue haspassed away. "

Silently they made their way, till they stood where, a few short daysbefore, had been the elegant home that was full of sad and painfulmemories to both. 

"There was my studio, " she said in the same dreamy tone, "where Iindulged in my wild, ambitious dreams, and sought to grasp a littlefading circlet of laurel, while ignoring a heavenly and an immortalcrown. There, " she continued, her pale face becoming crimson, even inthe white moonlight, "I most painfully wronged you, my most generous, forgiving friend, and a noble revenge you took when you saved my lifeand led me to a Saviour. May God reward you; but I humbly ask yourpardon--"

"Please, Miss Ludolph, do not speak of that. I have buried it all. Donot pain yourself by recalling that which I have forgiven and almostforgotten. You are now my ideal of all that is noble and good, and inmy solitary artist life of the future you shall be my gentle yet potentinspiration. "

"Why must your life be solitary in the future?" she asked, in a lowtone. 

He was very pale, and his arm trembled under her hand; at last he said, in a hoarse voice, "Do not ask me. Why should I pain you by tellingyou the truth?"

"Is it the part of a true friend to refuse confidence?" she asked, reproachfully. 

He turned his face away, that she might not see the evidences of thebitter struggle within--the severest he had ever known; but at lasthe spoke in the firm and quiet voice of victory. She had called himbrother, and trusted him as such. She had ventured out alone on asacred mission with him, as she might with a brother. She was dependenton him, and burdened by a feeling of obligation. His high sense ofhonor forbade that he should urge his suit under such circumstances. If she could not accept, how painful beyond words would be the necessityof refusal, and the impression had become almost fixed in his mindthat her regard for him was only sisterly and grateful in its character. 

"Yes, Miss Ludolph, " he said, "my silence is the part of truefriendship--truer than you can ever know. May Heaven's richest blessingsgo with you to your own land, and follow you through a long, happylife. "

"My own land? This is my own land. "

"Do you not intend to go abroad at once, and enter upon your ancestralestates as the Baroness Ludolph?"

"Not if I can earn a livelihood in Chicago, " she answered, most firmly. "Mr. Fleet, all that nonsense has perished as utterly as this my formerhome. It belongs to my old life, of which I have forever taken leaveto-night. My ancestral estate in Germany is but a petty affair, andmortgaged beyond its real worth by my deceased uncle. All I possess, all I value, is in this city. It was my father's ambition, and at onetime my own, to restore the ancient grandeur of the family with thewealth acquired in this land. The plan lost its charms for me longago--I would not have gone if I could have helped it--and now it isimpossible. It has perished in flame and smoke. Mr. Fleet, you seebefore you a simple American girl. I claim and wish to be known in noother character. If nothing remains of my father's fortune I shallteach either music or painting--"

"Oh, Christine!" he interrupted, "forgive me for speaking to you underthe circumstances, but indeed I cannot help it. Is there hope for me?"

She looked at him so earnestly as to remind him of her strange, steadygaze when before he pleaded for her love near that same spot, but herhand trembled in his like a fluttering, frightened bird. In a low, eager tone she said, "And can you still truly love me after all theshameful past?"

"When have I ceased to love you?"

With a little cry of ecstasy, like the note of joy that a weary birdmight utter as it flew to its mate, she put her arm around his neck, buried her face on his shoulder, and said, "No _hope_ for you, Dennis, but perfect _certainty, _ for now EVERY BARRIER IS BURNED AWAY!"

What though the home before them is a deserted ruin? Love is joininghands that shall build a fairer and better one, because filled withthat which only makes a home--love. 

What though all around are only dreary ruins, where the night wind issighing mournfully? Love has transformed that desert place into theparadise of God; and, if such is its power in the wastes of earthlydesolation, what will be its might amid the perfect scenes of heaven?

Our story is finished. 

It only remains to say that Christine stands high at court, but it isa grander one than any of earth. She is allied to a noble, but to onewho has received his patent from no petty sovereign of this world. Shehas lost sight of the transient laurel wreath which she sought to graspat such cost to herself and others, in view of the "crown of glorythat fadeth not away, " and to this already, as an earnest Christian, she has added starry jewels. 

Below is the Ludolph Hall in which sturdy independence led her to beginher married life. But she is climbing the mountain at her husband'sside, and often her hands steady and help him. The ash-tree, twinedwith the passion-flower, is not very far above them, and the villa, beautiful within and without, is no vain dream of the future. But evenin happy youth their eyes of faith see in airy, golden outline theirheavenly home awaiting them.