Part 40 (1/2)

I lare, the thunderous report, the speechless terror of feeling my in the midst of such tremendous convulsions of nature, shocked ainst the rock like athe motionless form of Eloise Stunned, unable to move a muscle, I believed death had overtaken us all; that out froled painfully to arouseparalyzed

At first I could not even see, but light caered toan to understand then what had happened--that deadly bolt had smitten the cliff as by the wrath of God, yet I was spared I still lived, as by a miracle I stared across the chasm and up the steep ascent beyond, still clearly revealed in the lightning flashes It was vacant; not a hues had been

A cry burst froash showed clearly in the cliff face, but where the entrance to the cave had yaas a solid front of rock I staggered with the shock, reeling on the very edge of the path, and barely saveduards me, it was true! Out of the very heavens He had struck, sealing those fiends into a living tohtened child, I bowed my face and sobbed as I prayed for ht or action But at last I was upon ure lay at the very edge of the chas over the brink I drew the inert body back to safety, peering down into the white face of the priest My touch see up into ainst the wall An instant he gazed about wildly, like one suddenly awakened from sound sleep, then hid his face in his hands

”The Puritan--” I questioned--”the man who bore you here--what happened to him?”

He shuddered, and pointed into the black abyss

”'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,'” he quoted solemnly

”He went down?”

He bowed his head silently, his fingers searching for his crucifix I sat staring at him, crushed into helplessness

In a few ers

”The Lord hath preserved us as by fire,” he said in low, sole skies in his chariot, accoels 'T is ours to bless His holy naazed into the rapt, boyish face, and said:

”On rateful”

The troubled countenance brightened with a quick sood,” he murmured; ”He hath spared us that we may continue to honor Him, and do His work The woht lected her so long But before I could advance to where she lay, she sat partially up, her face turned toward us

”Eloise,” I cried, the heart joy apparent in otten”

She held forth her hand, her eyes se,” she answered, the soft voice faltering slightly ”I saw you groping like a blind man, yet could neither move nor speak I lay helpless as if paralyzed Telluponher sweet face

”A lightning bolt s the solid rock Master Cairnes was hurled headlong into the chasm, and our pursuers were swept from the path The very mouth of the cavern has been forever sealed”

”The cavern?” as if stifled, her eyes opening wide ”They--they are buried alive?”

”I doubt if any lived to know,” I answered soberly ”'T is likely those within were crushed to death”

She dropped her face into her hands, sobbing hysterically Unable to speak, I bowed my head until it touched her shoulder The crippled priest crept toward us, forgetful of his own pain in the call of duty

”Daughter,” he said tenderly, stroking her brown hair with his slender fingers, ”to live or die is as Christ wills The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the na these words of promise, 'Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world'”