Part 44 (2/2)
Shock was thinking of his own dear old mother, separated from him by so many leagues of empty prairie, but so near to him in love and sympathy.
”Does any man think so?” he repeated, ”and do you think your Father in Heaven does not care? Oh! do not think so!” His voice rose in a cry of entreaty. The effect was tremendous.
”G.o.d in Heaven, help me!” cried The Kid to himself with a sob in his voice.
”Me too, boss,” said Ike gravely, putting his hand on the other's knee.
Shock's farewell was as abrupt as his beginning. In a single sentence he informed them that the services would be discontinued at this end of the field. He wished he could have served them better; he knew he had failed; he asked their forgiveness as he had already asked it of his G.o.d; but, though he had failed, he commended them to Him who had never failed any man appealing to Him for help.
There was no hymn, but in a simple, short prayer the service was closed, and before the congregation had recovered from their amazement Shock had pa.s.sed out through the back door.
”Well, I'll be blanked!” said Ike, with a gasp.
”Quit that, Ike,” said The Kid sharply. ”Look here--I am going to quit swearing right now, so help me.”
”All right, boss, I'm with you; put it there.”
Then above the hum of conversation General Brady's voice was heard:
”Gentlemen, it is my opinion that we have lost a great man to-night, a fearless man and a Christian gentleman.”
”That's my entire prognostication, General,” said Ike, with great emphasis.
Meantime Shock had gone searching through the hotels for the doctor, whom he had seen slipping out before the closing prayer. But the doctor was nowhere to be seen, and in despair Shock went to Father Mike. He found that gentleman in a state of enthusiastic excitement. ”My dear fellow, my dear fellow,” he exclaimed, ”that was great!”
”What?” said Shock simply.
”That sermon, man. I would give my hand to preach like that.”
”Preach?” said Shock. ”I didn't preach. Did you see the doctor?”
”Never mind the doctor,” said Father Mike. ”Come in, I want to talk with you; come in.”
”No, I must see the doctor.”
”Well, then, wait; I will go with you.”
Shock hesitated. ”I think I would rather go alone, if you don't mind,”
he said.
”All right, old chap,” said Father Mike, ”I understand. The door's always open and the kettle on.”
”Thank you,” said Shock. ”You know how I appreciate that,” and he went out.
There was a light in Macfarren's office. Shock knocked at the door and went in. He found the doctor and Macfarren seated by a table, upon which were gla.s.ses and a bottle. The doctor was pale, nervous, shaking.
”Sit down, Mr. Macgregor,” said Macfarren, with more cordiality than he had ever shown to Shock before.
”I was just saying to the doctor that that was a fine discourse, a very able discourse, Mr. Macgregor.”
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