Part 4 (2/2)

”Good-by,” he said softly, ”God bless you all”

”Good-by, God bless _you_, sir,” came back in answer; and they saw his face nopath led close by the country graveyard He entered it and knelt by the side of the new-rave Upon the wooden headboard was inscribed the name of her who slept beneath,--”Ruth Grey”

He kissed the cold sod, his tears falling fast upon it

”Forgive me,” he whispered, as if the dull ear of death could hear

”Forgive ive ain he was on his way At the entrance to the wood he saw a figure sitting on a rock beside the path As he drew nearer he observed it was clad in Indian garb, and evidently awaited his co heard of his intended mission, had come forth to meet him?

He hastened his steps When he came nearer, he saw that it was only an Indian woman; a little closer, and to his inexpressible astonishnized his old nurse

”What does this arb, too?”

She rose to her feet with sio with you Was I not your nurse in childhood? Did I not carry you in my arms then, and has not your roof sheltered me since? Can I forsake him who is asto be torn away Your path shall be ether”

It was in vain that Cecil protested, reasoned, argued

”I have spoken,” she said ”I will not turn back from my words while life is left ht pack upon her back and went on into the forest She had made her decision, and he knew she would adhere to it with the inflexible obstinacy of her race

He could only follow her regretfully; and yet he could not but be grateful for her loyalty

[Illustration: ”_I have spoken; I will not turn back froe of the wood he paused and looked back Before him lay the farms and orchards of the Puritans Here and there a flock of sheep was being driven froirl, bucket in hand, was taking her way to theshed From each farmhouse a colulory of the land; it was _home_

For a moment, the scene seemed literally to lay hold of his, all the refineainst the rude contact with barbariso on, as if he hty conflict

”My God!” he cried out, throwing up his ar, everything?”

He felt his resolution giving way; his gray eyes were dark and dilated with exciteers twitched and quivered; before he knehat he was doing, he alking back toward the settleht hiy and decision of his character

”What! shall I turn back froiveand hardy under the power of his indoain he was the Apostle to the Indians

One long last look, and he disappeared in the shadows of the wood, passing forever froue rumors floated back to the colonies froe and wondrous tale of his after-life New England never knew

BOOK II

_THE OPENING OF THE DRAMA_