A HUMAN FACE.

Evening Star, Issue 12767, 21 March 1906, Page 2

A HUMAN FACE.

By'-Silas E. Hocking (Anther of 'The Flaming Sword,"Pioneers,' of Man,' 'God's Qntcaat,'- * The Tempter's Power,' eta) CHAPTER -XXIII. OUT OF THK SHADOW. ; ■ Marcella's request that she-might hi allowed to see JL)r Priestley wins met by a direct negative. " He is too ill, madam, to see anyone." " But, I think he would see me if he knew I was here." "I do not think so. Since yesterday,, I am told, be has taken no notice of anyone." "Do you know if the doctors entertain any hope of l£s recovery?'' " I believe none. His case has been regarded with the gravest doubts from, the first.' " Has ho seen none of Iris friends during his illness?" " A few during the first week. But none lately." " Still, that is no reason why he .should net see me " "No one sees him now but the doctors and nurses." "Is anyone with turn a', lie prefc«-nt lime r" "I believe Br Blandford is with him." "Then will you take my card to Dr Blandford and say I wish to"see him?" "You know Dr BlaudfxvT:" Marcella drew herself i.p proudly, and her eyes flashec in a ir- ►•iic-nt The matron s-a-w her misr.ake, .and hastened to repair it. " Of course, if you know Dr Blandford " she be^an. Bat Marcella ait her short instantly. " Whether I know Dr Blandford or not 'is not the question. Will you leo him know that I wish to see him?" " Well, of course. I have no doubt when he is ait liberty he will see yon," and she walked rather 'sulkily away.' MarcelU sat down on a not" very comfortable chair and waited. " I wonder if it is true," she reflected, " that women a* a class are less obliging than men. I am saie any man would have treated me at least with courtesy.'* For a long timo no one cma* near her. On the opposite' side of die wall of ihe room a large timepiece ticked drowsily. Ouisddo the City roared in a solemn and t-übducd fashion. Within, scarc&fv a sound was heard. t Every few minutes Marcella heaved a u-Tig sigh and looked eagerly toward the door. It was only by a tremendous effort fcrcrt, she cotdd fit still. Her nerves were at the highest points of tension. Her heart was throbbing at fever speed. No one knew what it had cost her to get so far. She knew how liable to misconstruction vnw her action. The Mrs Grundvs of her circle would life up their Lands in strong disapproval. But she had got beyond all that; she hud dono Frank Priestley, a wrong, and she could not, let him die without telling him that she had made a mistake, and asking Iris forgiveness. She looked up at length with a start ■s a gentleman entered quickly holding her card between his finger and thumb. His manner was brusque and unceremonious. Marcella wondered what the matron had «nd to him. On cak-hing sight o£ Marcella's face however, his own cheeks flushed in an in*fcvnt, and his whole manner changed. He had been informed that a woman—(and a very pertinacious one at ib&b—•wanted to see him; but the tone in which the message was conveyed impressed him very much more than the message itself. He did ncjt> hurry to' the waiting-room. Ho had liking for elderly spinsters with a mess-age or a mission, and he quite expected to be confronted with one such. When, however, /Marcella stood before firm in almost perfect, beauty, he felt absolutely speedhloss. $0 lovely a face he landed he had never seen "before. Hot cheeks were tinged with exquisite color, her magnificent eyes v were eager and sparkling, her lips were parted, revealing two rows of pearly teeth. . " I—l beg your pardon," ho said, glanc.ing at her card again. "I fear I entered the room with unseemly haste." " I am sorry to trespass upon vour time," She replied, with forced calmness. " I" camo, hoping I might bo allowed to Pee Dr Priestley." "Yes?'* he questioned, a puzzled look stealing into his eyes. "Wo are quite old friends," she went on, witih heightened color, "though we have no seen each other for a long time now. But when I heard that he was ill, and not likely to recover, I could not resist the desire to come and see him." "He has seen no one for a good many days now," he answered. "So I understand. But if there is no hope of his recovery, it cannot harm him to see an old friend." . " No," he said reflectively, " it mishit " Then ho checked himself and left the sentence unfinished. "I understand he is quite conscious'" she said, after a pause. "Oh, yes; but he is suffering now from extreme weakness and exhaustion. I fear hc^ would not be/able to talk to you " "You will lei/ me see him, then?* and an eager look cwne into her eyes "Well, yes;/I think you mav," he said slowly. "Bu£ I will go and prepare him for your comihg.'' And he hurried quickly out ot the rpom. n Frank w$ lying with dosed eyes, and a . ? ?"Z*? eaCB u P° n Ks fo ce. He had got beyond the region of care and fret The world was behind him now, and before* tan tho unseen land with its untold mvstenes. J Tho door opened silently, and Dr BlandFord came up to his bedside, but Frank aid nc/t open his eyes. t&'nei 6 " T ° U ad6ep? " Dr qTOS . The tired eyes opened slowly, and a gen ile smile stole over bis face. x.l' W A ll i I ant ?° u to r01If « yourself a bit A lady is coming to see you." The eyes opened a little wider TiwT bCaUtiM U P° n m y "onl. I thmk I never saw a lovelier." ■Frank's eyes were wide open now " She cays she is an old friend of' yours and wants to see yoa particularly. Her name is -; —" J feeb?v arCdlil, DaCre '" FraDk whls P "Yes, that's her name. May she come "Yes." Dr Blandford retired at once, and Frank claw! his eves again and strained his ears to listen. He heard her footfalls lono- before she reached the door, hen-rd the rustl* of her dress, and just tho faintest shade ol cotor stole slowly into his wasted cheeks He waited till sho was standing by his. Ijcdsido before he opened his eyes He knew when the doctor dosed the door and they were alone together. It seemed as br ?u Z* "W? blow across his bed-; he felt her presence throush every fibre of his being. He opened his eyes at length, slowly and wearily, and eaw her perfect face bending over him "Marcella," he- whispered, and he raised feebly his tired hand. She grasped it in a moment, but did not speak. But he saw her eyes fill and overflow her cheeks. _For several moments no sound broke ttie silence. She held his wnsted hand in a strong warm clasp. Then she fought back ber emotion and spoke: " I have come to ask vour forgiveness for the wicked things I said to you— " "Don't, don't, Marcella." he interrupted with energy. " I have nothing to forgive " "Nothing?" she questioned.' "And I Imputed unworthy motives, and forgot to be grateful when you 6aved my life? Let me ease my heart by telling you how sorrv I am." He looked at her wonderingly, but did not reply. "I could not lot yoa die without tefling you," she went on with a fresh rush.lot tears to her eves.' "We had been'friendsand I parted from you in anger, and with «nmity in my hefrt." . "Yen had reason to be angry with me, afarcelJa," he said fwatlj.; "but that is

* "I thought I had reason," she replied,' "and yet events have proved that you were right." '&£Bs : " Let us htf in a vrtnspcr. " Forget it/ all. WluYareJ friends > "T 6hQ:;Bajd "but I could not rest wil&out.;tiediing you 'how sbrry^'fdt." -He smileds a,; siowy: gentle • 'smiley and' poiht-ed to a chair. "Will you not sit' there, Marcella," he said, "and let me look at you?" I She seated herself at once, and the light from tho window revealed all the glory of .her face. "For a long ;time neither of .them spoke., Frank looked at her i with wistful-and hungrv eyes;- , ,■■■ "You are very bea.ut.ifui, Marcella," he whiispercd at length. " God must be good to make a human face so fair; and yet it was not for your face tliat I loved you." She gave a sudden gasp, but did not reply. " ioii will not be angry with me, Marcella," he went on hi the same low whisper. "It cannot matter t« you now. I am so far down in tho land of shadows that nothing can matter mudi. Yet it does me good to look upon your face." "But yon will get better," she said impulsively. "You must get better." He closed his eyes slowly and smiled. "Why should I get.better?" he said wistfully. " I have given up everything. Why should I go back to fight the old battles ovcx again " "Given up everything?" .she questioned "_ Everything," ho answered. "My last desire was to see you. Now that has been granted to me. It was good of you to come." '" I did not know you wanted to see me." "When all other desires had faded that still lingered with me. You see, I loved you, Marcella. I think my love for you lias been tho purest thing in my life. It was rooted deepest, and so it lasted longest." Sue readied out her hands to him in an appealing gesture, but he did not seem to heed. "In the land out yonder," he said; with closed eyes, "I shall watch and wait." "No, no; you must not leave me," sho said chokingly; "you mus get better, for my sake." " For your sake ?'' he questioned, and he cpi-mxl his eyes and looked at her. Sho came nearer and took both his hands in hers and held tliem tightly. "I cannot let you go," she said, with a great sob. " Mtircdlo, I* 7 and there was a note of wonder in his voice. "Oh, Frank, do you not understand?" And sho knelt down on the floor and hid her faco in the bedclothes and sobbed. He reached out his hand and laid it gently on her shining hair. Ho hardly knew whether he was awake or dreaming. ''Marcella," he whispered at length, "will you be very sorry when I am gone?" 'i v ' " You must not go," she cried, raising her streaming faco to his. "Oh, Frank, Frank, let us both pray very hard that God will spare you." "If I had known you cared," he whispered, as if speaking to himself, " if I had only known " " But surely it is not too late," she cried, and she seized his hands again as if she would vitalise him with some of her own energy. " How strong you are," he whispered, and ho closed his eves slowly and smiled. She was still holding his hands when the door opsned and Dr Blandford entered. Marcella showed no embarrassment, cut quietly released his hands. " You will come again ?" ho whispered. "To-morrow," she answered, and passed out info the corridor. _ Dr Blandford forbore to ask any questions, but he fancied he was clever enough to see how matters stood. By the following day it seemed clear that Marcella had supplied just the tonic that Frank needed. At last he bad something to live for, something worth fighting death for, something that woke into life all the will power he possessed. Whether he would win or lose in the battle was still a doubtful question. Marcella came every day. Her presence was more than welcome. Her very hopefulness gave hope to Frank. Ho began to take interest again in his own symptoms. The- desire for life asserted itself once more; the tonic of requited love gave vigor to his hearL And yet the doubtful scale remained doubtful for many days. Now it seemed to incline in one direction, and now in another. But youUh and hope and love were all on his side, and in the end they co-nqt-ered. Tt was a triumphant day for Marcela when the doctor pronounced him out of danger. Frank knew Tvibhout beinotold. " I owo my life to you, Marcella," he j said, a glad smile lighting up his faco. I -And for answer sho bent over and kissed him. "You held my hands when I was slipping over the precipice," he went on; " but for you J should have died." " I could not spare yoa, Frank," she said with brimming eyes; " and God meant you to stay. You have more work to do in the world yet." " And you will stand by my side and encourage me, darling?" " Oh, Frank, I shall be the proudest woman in the world if I can help you in any way." "lam afraid you have made a poor bargain, sweetheart," he said playfully. "I am but a wreck at best. "You will soon be as well and strong a3 ever," she answered, fondly, "and remember that for the future I shall keep guard over you." "My life shall be given to you, darling. To yon first, and then to God and my work." " No, no, Frank. To God first, for He has given us to each other. Then,by serving His creatures you will serve Him." ' So they talked to each other as the tide of his life crept slowly back. Talked as lovers will talk, and imagined that no two people were ever so happy before. Talked of the future and made a thousand plans for home, and work, and happy intercourse. Talked of tho past, and discussed the dreams they had cherished, and the mistakes they "had made; talked of the present, and declared that no two people in the world were half so happy as they; and while they talked, life greatened for them both. CHAPTER XXIY. " WE LOSE TO GAIN." Frank Priestley was recuperating at the hope of a friend in Hampstead, Stephen Winslow had come up to spend an hour or two with him. The day was beautifully fine, and the window at which they sat commanded a fine view of the surrounding country. Frank was«expecting Marcella tvery moment, and was hoping that Stephen would remain long enough to see her. They tad almost exhausted their topics of conversation, but Frank managed to reintroduce one or two of the more interesting He must keep Stephen, if possible, till Marcdla came. Ho was in a triumphant mood. He had won the noblest and the most beautiful woman he had ever known, and Stephen was still under the impression that her beauty was entirely a thing of the past. ■ ' ' ■ ■ s Stephen made a movement as if to go, and Frank arrested him by saying: "I am not sure, Winslow, you acted wisdy in saying nothing to the police about that affair of yours." "Well, I have Bornetiraes doubted myself," Stephen answered, settling himself into his chair again. "You see, the story seems rather an absurd one. I simply allowed myseli to be chloroformed, and when I was unconscious the fellow turned on all the gas-jets and the gas stove; and went out and closed the door." ~ ( "It wes-lucky'" for you that .Grace Mayne happened to pass by. But what could the man's motive be?" '■'.-.'."•,. "That is the puzzle, and that makes mystory appear ail the more absurd. v;Sp I have kept quiet, hoping that sooner or later something will come to light." " Is there anyone who would have an interest in your death?" -!' I've thought of that - There was>only. T»or Sam, and: he w»S\oufc".of'• tto oonptry. Yet I coriiSesar his tragic end las raised all sorts of questions in my mind. To begin with, I do not understand where he got the tr>" -go >to-' v Mdnte'Carlo? And he must 'have been possessed of a greet iasL Ft«n inquiries I bare mode

ho took expensive rooms on lus arrival, and he played for large stakes from tho very "first. Yet, in ho was always, living from had neveT,<;& five-pound note* to call bw own." he could raise a loan!" t , ' 1. f " Stephen laughed. " Bless «you,* Sam had ootnmg but his own industry "to depend upon, and; that, was by no' means a vcrv valuable asset." .. . . "Do you think ho committed suicide?" " Not he. My own theory is, there was; an attempt to murder and. 10b, him. You: will remember there was- a second body at :^e; ioo(s;;ofi'thia" , 'd£ff;'--'9ot- faryfrom where, Sam's body was foxuid.f : ''JTlie two men fell' •together;vl $ \. ,;• " Then you' think there was "a struff<»le at the top?" 8o "I do. Sam had. a lot of money on him VHow ho came by it I do not know. I would not touch a, penny of it." '.'You haTevgifenvit'to some ch&ritv I understand ?* * "' Stephen nodded. " But Sam's tragic end throws 00 b>lit en you own adventure?" . ° " Well, no. It baa raised a number of questions, that is alb I intend-to keep my eyes open and wait. There is a moral order m the world as well as a physical. Harvest always follows seed-time. " Conduct brings its own punishment or its own reward." "In the long run that is true, no doubt. f nfc " The nest moment there was a knock at the door, which was pushed quickly open. And Marcella—unaware of Stephens presence—entered radiant and beautiful. Stephen rose to his feet instantly, and looked toward the door. Frank watched his face with great interest and not a little amusement. His eyes opened to their widest limits, his lips fell apart, his hands dropped limply to his side, his -whole attitude was one of wonder, almost of consternation. Marcella stopped short in the middle of the room. Then an amused smile stole over her face. For a moment she glanced from Stephen to Frank, and back again to Stephen, and in that moment she was abh> to compare and to contrast the two men as she had never done before. She did not doubt Stephen's goodness and sincerity; but he was not great, dear visioned, heroic, in the sense that Frank •was. He was a man of smaller soul and more limited outlook, while his natural limitations hod been accentuated by his ecdesEistical training. Sacerdotalism is fatal to the highest development. The priest is not a man plus something, but a man minus something. Marcella wondered where once she liad kept her eyes. She felt no embarrassment when she advanced and held ont her hand to her old lover; but she was greatly amused at the look of wonder and incredulity in his eyes. He took her hand timidly* hi his, as if uncertain what to do. "lou did not expect to see me hexe r ' she questioned, with a bright and mischievous smile. , yy "Why—why—no," he rasped, still starinc at her as though he could not- believe ids own eyes. "I am glad to see you are.quite recovered from your recent accident,"she said with the same amused smile lighting up her face. " Oh, yes—thank you right again." He seemed to be answering her while his thoughts were somewhere else, though he ( kept ■his eyes steadily on hex face. ° " I was sorry to hear" of the sad end of your cousin." she said, withdrawing her hand from his. He seemed to come to himself then with a start..' "Yes, it Was yerv painful," he said'slowly, "very painful and very pulling. But will you allow me to congratulate you on looking so ; well. I did not expect " Then he stopped suddenly short, and a hot blush swept over his face. Sho laughed a low, musical laugh, for the memory of their last interview presented itself to her in its most humorous aspect. "Thank youj I was never better in my life," she answered. "Yes, ves— —■" and his eyes swept her face again. "We have all had to pass through the fire in various ways." "And have all found something worth possessing pn the farther side," Frank interposed at this point. "Yes—yes. We lose to gain, if—if we do gain," he said with another swift glance at, Marcella's face. "I have gained, at any rate," Frank said, with a. laugh. "You* are not aware, of course, that Marcella has promised to be my wife?" ""No," he said, witih a gasp, and Ids cbfoks blanched in a. moment. have kept it as a surprise for vou. Yon will congratulate me, I know." Marcella stood aside, blushing and. smiling, but feeling .on the whole rather uncomfortable. Slid felt that it was rather cruel to Stephen, and she disliked giving pain to anyone. - 'Stephen turned his head and looked at her. She was'more beautiful even than before her illness, fcr tha light of a great love illumined her face and sparkled in her eyes. It was only by a mighty effort- that he was. able to master himself. "I hope you will bo very happy, Marcella," he said, with a shake in his voice? then, turning to Frank, he said, almost in a- whisper. "You are a fortunate man. God bless you both," and turning hurriedly, he left the room. Frank went and closed the door, and then came back to Marcella. "Yes, I am a fortunate man, darling," h'i whispered, and he kissed her on the brow. "It is I who am fortunate," she answered, with swimming eyes. He led her to a sofa, and sat down by her side, and for a while they looked out across the wide expanse of country without speaking. There are occasions when silence is more eloquent than speech, and this was one of them. Timidly her hand stole into his and rested tnera. They were both thinking of Stephen and of his words, "We lose to gain—if wo do gain." Had Stephen gained, or had he lost? He had been hampered by superstitions, warped by dogmas, deflected from the straight path by the limitations of his training, fettered by ecdesiasticism when he ought to have been free. And now that he was coming into freedom, the marks of tho fetters still remained. We cannot recover in a later period of our life what wo miss in an earlier. Only sometimes Gcd gives other things to compensate. "Stephen will find his true life by-and-by," Frank said, as if thinking akvud. "He has much to unlearn even yet," she answered. "Perhaps we all have, darling," he said, with a smile. "What would you like to unlearn, Frank?" she questioned, looking up into Ids face with a happy smile. " "Nothing of what I have lately learned, sweetheart." "No?" "I have learned tihut Marcella loves me." "Yes?" • "And that knowledge is more to- me than ever\i&ing else on earai." "You will not regret it " " Never, darling. God made you to be nane." "He meant us for each other." And then sUence fell again. '■*'■' ."*", * * -* # Frank never did regret it; neither, did Marcella. Their happiness,, like a river, seemed to gaitiher in strength and volume •as tilte years passed away, and no shadow ever fell to dim the glory of their love! They neither of them saw Stephen again for nearly.,'three years, by winch, time: he wfca thevicaj of an Easit'End parish,,.-and the devoted tarsfeand of Grace Mayno. ' "EVacik. ; and Miai-cella were living in every day his consulting room was crowded witlh suffering people, wteo were eager to consult the young and rising physician. One day efcephen called to consult him—not as a physician, but as a friend. ; .'"l've discovered the man who tried to murder me," he said when they were alone togetlher..' ~;,.*]. You .have?" j • ■^crfes^-Mth';':-iri v 'iine'-'street-by ■ accident. I knew him in a moment, and tracked him dowa. Now I am at a loss

whether to bring him to heel or leave him in tho hands of a just God. What do you advise?" "Who is he?" "A Jew by birth, 1 A money-lender by profession, a vampire by practice." " But why did he want to murder you?" " That I don't know. I can only guess." As' it hstppemed, however, his guoss ..was very near the truth. "It's a plausible theory, at any rate." I*rank said, when Stephen had unburdened has mind, "and you sav. that he lives in -.&& West End?' "He does." And Stephen mentioned his name and address. ■ ~ Frank started. "Why, he's a patient of, nrihe,"; he replied -'-'.j ~-.-13jen,a moment of silence intervened. "You need not worry him, "Frank, said, at length- "He's slowly dying of an, incnraMo disease.". -. ; , "Then I'll .'leave hiim,in the hands of God;". Stephen said, and he rose to go."You must not go yet," Frank interposed quickly. " You must, see Marcella and our little one." "Ah, yes. I would like to see. them. But I,promised Grace not to stay away long."' J.'. She is well, I.hope?" "Yes, very well. She is a great comfort to me and a greaib help also in my work." .!'"..' "And you like your new parish.?"

"As much,,as anyone can like,the East End. One's joy comes through, trying to Toning a htfcle joy into the lives of others. 'One pines c-ometrmes for pleasanter scenes and loss sordid pictures of life, but on the wSbJole we are very happy. Grace is by nainre cheerful, and so I, am with her she is qmiie content. It js a great iihing, Pnesiloy, to be blessed witih a contented spirit." , ! "It is, indeed. But here comes my wife," and Marcelkk beautiful as the morning, glided into tlie room i with ..a .six-inon'tOLs'-old dherub in her arms. •.,•;>■,;'■ .;' Stephen heaved a deep sLglb. > and smiled wistfully.' Fra^;caught up the_ laughing , baby and kissed it.. 11', ~■ - . .:-■...•..!■■ ■[■■■ "It's a' beautiful: ,baby,"' .Stephen.isaid, -and ho touched its soilbvcheek with,Ms long, thin finger-,. '.■■■ - ■■■-.;■■ ,-■<•■ ■:.:_ "Of course, it's laughing,'and he- tossed it into the air and kissed it again and again., . • ■[ "You wall- stay to tea, won't you " Marcella interposed ■at tfhis point. ' But Stephen shook Ins, head.. "I muit get home to Grace," he said; "she'll be expecting me, and I iioVer. like to. disappoinVher." . - . , " Then some day- you must bring her witih I you," Marcella said. "Yes, yes. Thank" you very, much. Some day we will come together." : , . But that day has not dawned' yet.- -'*■•" 1 '''"[The".Eni».]'. ' ' ;;