Part 22 (1/2)

”Do not think of me a moment, Mr. Hargrove. Go with him and stay with him as long as you can; I would if I could. Hannah will take care of me.”

”My dear, I think of my duty, and that keeps me at home. Dougla.s.s, I will write a short note to Pitcairns, and you must explain matters to him. Elise, it is ten o'clock, and you have not much time.”

He went into the library, and Mrs. Lindsay hurried upstairs to put on her bonnet, calling Hannah to follow and receive, some parting injunctions. Kneeling by the lounge, Mr. Lindsay took one of the girl's hands.

”Regina, I desired and intended to have a long talk with you this afternoon, but could not find you; and now I have no time, except to say good-bye. You will never know how hard it is for me to leave my dear little friend; I did not realize it myself until to-night.”

”Then why will you go away? Can't you stay, and serve G.o.d as well by being a minister in this country? Can't you change your mind?”

She raised herself on her elbow, and tears gushed over her cheeks, as, twining her fingers around his, she looked all the intense loving appeal that words could never have expressed.

Just then his stony Teraph--Duty--smiled very benignantly at the aching heart he laid upon her dreary cold altar.

”Don't tempt me to look back after putting my hand to the plough. I must do my duty, though at bitter cost. Will you promise never to forget your friend Dougla.s.s?”

”How could I ever forget you? Oh, if I could only go with you!”

His fine eyes sparkled, and, drawing her hand across his cheek, he said eagerly:

”Do you really wish it? Think of me, write to me, and love me, and some day, if it please G.o.d to let me come home, you may have an opportunity of going back with me to my work in India. Would you be willing to leave all, and help me among the heathens?”

”All but mother. You come next to my mother. Oh, it is hard that I must be separated from the two I love best!”

For a moment she sobbed aloud.

”You are only a young girl now, but some day you will be a woman, and I hope and believe a very n.o.ble woman. Until then we shall be separated, but when you are grown I shall see you again, if G.o.d spares my life. Peculiar and unfortunate circ.u.mstances surround you; there are trials ahead of you, my darling, and I wish I could s.h.i.+eld you from them, but it seems impossible, and I can only leave you in G.o.d's hands praying continually for you. You say you love me nest to your mother. All I ask is, that you will allow no one else, no new friend, to take my place. When I see you again, years hence, I shall hope to hear you repeat those words, 'next to my mother.' Far away in the midst of Hindustan my thoughts and hopes will travel back and centre in my white dove. Oh, child! my heart is bound to you for ever.”

He drew her head to his shoulder, and held her close, and as in the church when kneeling before the altar she heard whispers which only G.o.d interpreted.

Mrs. Lindsay came back equipped for her journey, and Mr. Hargrove entered at the same moment, but neither spoke. At length, fully aware of their presence, the young missionary raised his head, and, placing his hand under Regina's chin, looked long at the spirituelle beautiful face, as if he wished to photograph every feature on his memory. Without removing his eyes, he said:

”Uncle, take care of her always. She is very dear to me. Keep her just as she is, in soul 'unspotted from the world.'”

Then his lips quivered, and in a tremulous voice he added:

”G.o.d bless you, my darling! My pure lovely dove.”

He kissed her, rose instantly, and left the room.

Mrs. Lindsay came to the lounge, and while the tears rolled over her cheeks she said tenderly:

”My dear child, it seems unkind to desert you in your crippled condition, but I feel a.s.sured Peyton and Hannah will nurse you faithfully; and every moment that I can be with Dougla.s.s seems doubly precious now.”

”Do you think I would keep you even if I could from him? Oh! don't you wish we were going with him to India?”

”Indeed I do, from the depths of my soul. What shall we do without our Bishop?”

Bending over the girl the mother wept unrestrainedly, but Mr.

Hargrove called from the threshold:

”Come, Elise.”