Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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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.

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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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100 THE CHINIES There was so much to be done and to be thought of, plans to be made-her own funeral plans. After the first shock was over she faced the grim monster with a calm courage which she had not known she possessed. It was like being a spectator at one's own death and burial. She had attended so many living deaths, she knew what hers would be. When a leper was found living in Popayan, he was immediately ostracized by the town authorities, but before he went his friends were summoned and his funeral service was held. He was laid in the coffin while the service was being performed and, at the close, a spadeful of earth was thrown in upon the body, to show that all was over. Then. he left and went away forever, dead to his friends, dead to 'his community. The horror of these funeral services had never lessened with her, so she made up her mind to go at once, not to wait until the disease became apparent, but to go now, while she was yet strong. But what word should she send home? This was the day she was to have written that she would return. Could it be possible that she had intended to go home? How strange the words sounded now. .Home-that was the dream and this was the awakening. She sent for the nearest doctor and bade him write the last words she wished sent to her friends. They were only a sentence or two and addressed to Raynor Waldo : Grace Armstrong has died. Tell her family. It was her dying wish that you should receive this message. Her body lies buried here, at her re- quest. Signed, From a Friend. That was all, but it would save their knowing the hideous truth and keep them from coming to search for her. That evening, just as the sun was setting again, a young girl came out upon the veranda and stood looking out over the mountains. Her hands were clasped together and her face turned upward to the slowly darkening sky. Great tears filled her eyes and dropped down upon her hands. It was the first time she had cried since the awful truth had come to her. Father, she whispered, help me, and if it be thy will, may the end be soon. I am going away to return no more. I am a leper. Oh Father, help me. She slowly ascended the steps, taking only a few of her personal belongings with her. The rest would be sent later by the faithful peon. I know the people love me and they will do everything they can for me. I shall