Part 61 (2/2)
It turned out that Brown was right, for when the Superintendent wrote a note to Shock asking him formally on behalf of the Committee to address the a.s.sembly on Home Mission night, the last sentence in his letter determined Shock to accept.
”I know what this will cost you,” the Superintendent wrote, ”but the cause is not yours nor mine. It is His. And for His sake I believe you will do this.”
”I knew you would, old chap,” said Brown exultantly. ”If a fellow could get the combination of your conscience he could do what he liked with you.”
”Well, I suppose if they wish me to make an exhibition of myself I should not refuse, and after all, what matter how I speak? I will fail, I know, but I will do my best.”
”Never a fail,” cried Brown. ”Don't preach at them. Tell them yarns.
That's what your chief does. Now you hear me.”
This proved to be good advice, for when the chairman introduced Shock as the Prospector from Loon Lake, Shock simply began, as Brown said, to ”yarn.”
”That is what Perault and Ike called me,” were his first words, and from that moment till the close of his speech he had his audience leaning forward and listening with ears and eyes and heart. He made no attempt at fine speaking, but simply told them of his friends in the West, of the men he had come to love as brothers, and who had come to love him.
As they came down the steps of the Park Church, where the meeting was held, Brown could hardly keep pace with Helen as she danced along beside him.
”Oh, wasn't he splendid!” she cried, ”wasn't he splendid!”
”Splendid?” said Brown. ”There's not a word big enough left.”
”Oh, I am so happy,” sang Helen.
”Why, what's the matter with you?” cried Brown.
”Oh, nothing, nothing,” and she bubbled over with happy laughter until Brown grew gloomy and cross. But Helen deigned him no further explanation of her overflowing joy, and left him, still sullen and somewhat indignant, at her door.
Her radiant face caught her mother's eye as she entered the room.
”Well, my child, you are looking very happy. I have not seen you look so bright for months. You are very beautiful, my daughter,” said her mother, putting her arm around her daughter as Helen stooped to kiss her.
”Oh, mother,” cried Helen, ”I am very happy.”
”Well, darling, it makes me happy to hear you say so. Has--has Mr.
Lloyd spoken to you?”
”Mr. Lloyd?” Helen laughed gleefully. ”No, mother, he knows better than that. Oh, mother, Shock loves me.”
”What! Has he dared to speak-after promising--”
”No, mother, he has not spoken, not with his lips. But I know it, I know it, and oh, I am so glad.”
”What of his plain declaration to me that he had given you up?”
”Oh, I don't care, mother. He has not changed,” cried the happy girl.
”He loves me just the same as ever.”
”And what of the girl Mr. Ambherg told us of?”
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