Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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95 THE CHIIVIES nothing else and he will see no one. He entreated some one to get a message to you, and I came myself. But it is dark, and if you do not care to go I will tell him you cannot come? No, I will gladly go. My horse quickly E Let us be off at once. The ride was a dangerous one after dark, but at last the little settlement was reached and Grace hurriedly dismounted. This was the leper village. Here were the outcasts from the neighboring places-the suffering, dying lepers. Here it was that she came day after day, and worked and prayed among them. Tonight she went straight to a little, rude hut and softly opened the door. Lying on a pallet of straw was the dying man. She saw at a glance that he was failing fast. Kneeling by his side she took his head in her lap and gently called his name. ' 'PH Lionel, Lionel, I am here, what can I do for you. she whispered. For a minute there was no answer. His sightless eyes were closed. She bent over him and listened. He was trying to speak: You have come-I knew you would-will you tell me once more the story how I-Ie cleanseth all His children. So, softly and slowly, she told him of the great love her .Redeemer had for the sick, how, when he was here upon the earth, he had laid his hands upon the lepersg and lo, their disease left them at once and they were made clean. She told him of the life awaiting him, of the Christ that had died for him, and when she had ended she bent again over the dying form. What change had taken place? The awful disease that had worked such havoc had ceased its terrible ravages. A new look of peace rested upon his face. She slowly rose and covered the motionless figure with her own wrap, then silently left the hut and mounted her horse. The courier was awaiting her. Together they rode back through the night and neither spoke. f'Death, it was merciful, she thought, it came as a friend and not as a foe. She slowly climbed the stairs to bed. It was almost time for the first grey streaks of dawn to appear from behind the mountains. -

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NINETEEN THREE 97 they are speaking of me, and wondering whether I am happy. Happy? Yes, I have been very happy in the midst of all this sorrow. The night of Mrs. Errington's reception-oh, how far away it seems. Raynor-the way he looked at me-his voice-it all comes over me tonight. Three years! I wonder if I have changed. She. shivered slightly and then rose from the steps. It was dark and the air was cool after the heat of the day. The mountains were black and sombre. She stood gazing into their depths for a moment and then turned to enter the house. CJ Oh, Miss Gracia, here is a letter for you. The mail has just arrived from Bogota! called the peon, and Grace turned eagerly to receive the welcome missive. ff From Raynor! she exclaimed. Ahl it has come like a message of cheer and courage, at a time when I needed it most. She hastily tore open the envelope and read it through. Come home, it said. I have waited three long years, and if you do n't return now I shall come after you. I am in earnest, dear, I shall comef' The letter dropped from her fingers, and she buried her head in her hands and sobbed. He cares, he cares, even now! Oh, I am so happy, so happy. And it shall be as he wishes. I will go. I believe I have accomplished much since I have been here. The doctors have told me I have done more good'than I, myself, can realize, and I know the lepers love me, but I believe I have done my duty and I am going home. Going home -how sweet it sounds. When? In a month? a week? tomorrow? Yes, it shall be tomorrow. I can wait no longer-tomorrow. A step sounded on the veranda. Miss Gracial Miss Gracia! There is a courier here. He would speak with you. Will you admit him? Yes, Francisco, just a moment-there-I am ready, you may bid him enter. The courier, a fine looking Spaniard, entered and bowed respectfully. Miss Gracia, will you come at once to Purifacto? Lionel is dying, and he begs that you will help him to enter into your heaven. I-Ie will talk of

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NINETEEN THREE 99 'fl am tired tonight, she said to herself, and I have been tired for sev- eral days, but I have been working harder than ever before, there is so much to do. But, somehow, tonight I notice it more than usual, there is such an oppressive feeling weighing me down. My whole body aches with fatigue, but, there, tomorrow! Tomorrowl shall write that I shall start in a very few days. The last remaining things must be nnished, and then I shall go. Two or three days at the most. Her eyes closed, but even in her sleep she mur- mured over ind over I am going home- home-home. The morning dawned clear and warm. All nature seemed refreshed after its night's rest. But it was almost noon before Grace awoke. The feeling of fatigue and pain that she had felt the night before was still there. She arose and began to dress. As she did so her glance suddenly fell upon a dark red spot on her arm. With a sickening fear at her heart, she carefully examined it, till the awful truth was forced upon her. She was a leper! ! For a few seconds she stood perfectly still. A block of marble could not have been more motion- less. I-Ier eyes stared straight before her at the opposite wall, her hands clinched at her side, her face deathlike in its pallor. Then she swayed slightly to and fro and dropped to the Hoot beside the bed. Nearly an hour passed before she recovered consciousness. Then her returning senses were bewil- dered and numb from the shock. Where am I? she moaned, and what horrible dream have I had? I thought I was a-no-no-I will not use the awful word. Oh, thank heaven I it is past. The sunlight and the day are here. I am so glad I Why, I can even yet seem to feel the numbness which I felt when I saw that mark upon my arm. But look l I shall convince myself. A It is not there'-it is - I-Ier eyes fell again upon the ugly red mark. She looked at it a long time and then raised her linger and touched it. Yes, it did not change. It was there. She was not dreamingg it was the truth. She was an outcast, too. I-Ier head sank forward upon the bed and her whole body shook with dry, convulsive sobs. Oh, Father I she cried, why did you let it be? Why did you let it come? A leper! Oh-why? Hour after hour she lay in the same position, until her strength was entirely gone, and from sheer exhaustion she slept-but only for a short time.