Part 43 (2/2)

He took a look at Ruth's face, which was clearly to be seen in the moonlight, and immediately recognised it.

”Great Loard!” he cried, ”'tes our dead lady's face, 'tes our dead lady, and the devil have got her.”

With a cry which showed how real were both his fear and belief, he rushed away from us.

I did not stop him: I did not think it necessary; soon the truth must come out, and then all his fears would be allayed.

Never shall I forget the journey from the village church to the home of the Mortons. My joy was so great that I did not feel Ruth's weight at all, and when she asked me anxiously, yet lovingly, if she wearied me, I only pressed her more closely to my heart, while she only nestled more contentedly. And small wonder? Had I not brought her back from the dead, and had she not found herself free from the terrible chain that bound her, free to speak to the man she loved?

Nearer and nearer we came to her home, the home which all thought she had left for ever. We came within a few yards of the front entrance, when a great dog came bounding up with a furious growl. I wondered how I should get rid of him; but Ruth spoke only one word, and he did not know how to express his joy; he walked by our side and licked the shroud she wore.

I seized the great bell, the bell I had rung that morning. Soon its clanging voice echoed through the hall, and soon after we heard the sound of voices, and footsteps echoed along the corridors.

A minute later we heard the bolts shoot back from the door at which we stood.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE SHADOW OF EVIL'S REWARD

Avenge not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord. . . .

Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.

--_The Epistle to the Romans._

When the door opened, I saw two men-servants, each bearing a candle, each looking as frightened as men could well look. One I recognised as the man to whom I had spoken in the morning, the other was evidently an under-servant.

Each stared at me and at the burden I bore in amazement. The one recognised me, the other evidently wondered who I was.

”May I ask what you want,” said the old servant, ”and why you arouse the house at this time of the night?”

”Show me a room where your mistress can rest,” I said.

”My mistress?” said the man. ”Great G.o.d, who are you?”

As he said this he took a look at Ruth's face, and then with a shriek of fear he rushed away from us.

”Come back,” I said, ”there is nothing of which you need be afraid.”

”Afraid!” he gasped, ”that is the dead body of my mistress.”

”Your mistress is not dead,” I said; ”she is alive; show me a room where I may rest her, and she will speak to you.”

Tremblingly he led the way to a room, where I laid her down, and then, at my command, he went away to get food and drink for her.

Soon after the other servants appeared. The shriek of horror given by the man when he caught sight of Ruth's face had aroused the household.

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