"THE HAND OF GOD."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10735, 5 April 1913, Page 2

"THE HAND OF GOD."

(By G.S.L.)

[All Rights Reserved,]

It was a chilly afternoon, on New Tear's Eve, when Evelyn Denham stepped on to the little station platform it Bramwell, and after a cheery word \t the eld stationmaster set off at a irisk walk for Stanford House. It was .nit a few minute's' walk, and she was glad her aunt had not sent a carriage co meet her. She had come up to spend :ho last few days of her annual holiday, precious days for a nurse in a London hospital. Her mother had died long ago, before she could remember. It was in India, aud her father, Captain John Denham, had sent her Home to the care of his sister. Aunt Celia had been very kind in a way, but when her father was killed on the frontier the entailed estate had reverted to a distant relative, and, feeling her dependent position, she had gone into a London hospital to train as a nurse. As she walked along she was thinking of old times, when Stanford House iiad been her only home, and she brightened at the thought that Laux would be there to-night. What* fun they used to have when they were children! Then he had gone to college and 'Varsity. Ho had won his. laurels at Guy's, and already had taken his place as one of the most daring young surgeons in London. But there professional etiquette had been u. bar between them. Still it is certain that there was something like mutual admiration, if not more. Lanx was her "short" for Lancaster—Lancaster John Stanford.

With glowing cheeks and curly hair a little blown, about, she arrived at Stanford House. She did not wait to be shown in. It would be a surprise for Aunt Celia, a3 she had not expected her till a later train. She paused in the hall to remove her coat and gloves. Aunt Celia's voice rang sharply from the drawing-room. " You understand me, Lancaster. 1 do not wish it."

"But, mateY, you must admit " "Don't be a fool, sir! Why, the girl hasn't a penny."

Evelyn felt in an awkward position. She could not stay there and listen to the conversation. She could not very ..ell run away, so, smiling brightly, she walked straight into the room. "Here I am, Aunt Celia. I got away earlier than I expected. Good evening, Doctor Stanford." " Now then, Evelyn, don't you dare I It's got to be ' Laux ' and nothing else. Why, it's quite like old times to have you here."

Like girl and boy chums again, they chatted together, with many a hearty laugh, till Lady Stanford bore her oh to dress for dinner.

Lady Stanford came down resplendent in a diamond necklace of exceptional beauty. Her worst fault was vanity;. but perhaps that is pardonable in the proud possessor of a necklace valued at ten thousand. Her late husband, colonel in her brother's regiment, had brought it home from India many years ago, when Evelyn came. Though she did her best to be gay and entertaining, it was a sad New Year's Eve for Evelyn. What she had unwillingly heard of her aunt's conversation that afternoon had brought her face to face with the truth.

Yes. she was indeed fond of Lanx! But she would never be a hindrance to him. She loved him too well for that. And what was her sacrifice to his success!

It was a glorious evening, and they strolled together through the garden, talking of the days of long ago. Suddenly he stopped and clasped her in his arms. "Evelyn, I have something to tell you. You know—you know that I love you !"

It was a sacrifice that only love could make. No! she must never hinder him—a penniless girl. " No, Lanx ! No! _ We must be good friends, but that is all. Come, let us go inside. It is growing coldA week later Lady Stanford received the following letter : "Dear Aunt Celia,—You know I have often told you that I am getting tired of life in a London hospital. The strain has been rather too much for me lately. Dr Brandon wishes me to have a thorough change, and has recommended a sea voyage. Kittv Adams is sailing for Australia in a week, and I think it is just my opportunity to have a companion. Don't worry about it, dear. A trained nurse is" never stumped for work, you know. And they say there are splendid openings in Sydney and Melbourne. May I run up to Bramwell next Tuesday, to see vou before' I cro?—Your affectionate niece, Evelyn Denham." Perhaps, after all, her aunt was right; but she could not bear to remain in London, where she constantly heard the name of Doctor Stanford. Besides, it would be easier for him.

Evelyn stood alone at the stern of the Orontes, watching the cliffs of England fade in the evening light. Away across the Atlantic sea and sky met in a golden haze, fading to a softer green, flecked with pink and grey. Low in the western sky shone a star like a light from heaven, and peace seemed to dwell on the waters. Soon she became aware that someone was speaking to her, a big, bluff fellow, with a kind, but firm, expression, a face sympathetic, but with a determination that would move mountains.

" Are you travelling alone? I think it is well to look for company on the first night out. There is something in the sadness of the sea that creeps into one's heart, if you sit alone watching it rolling restlessly. It's much jollier to walk round the deck and keep time to the thud of the engines." There « \p soirn»rHn>7 nbruit hie merry laugh th.'-t bani-hrd sadness and seemed to make friendship easy. Her companion had other friends to talk to, aiui Evolvn was glad of hi s company. They were soon talking eagerly. He was a missionary, it seemed—a medical —on his way back to China after a short furlough. Robert Forfb, Dr Forth, or Bob, whichever you like.' Keen in his work, he spoke to her of the mission, of the greater need for Christian workers since the revolution in China, of the opportunity for 5 those who were to mould the future life of a great nation. He spoke simplv, from his heart, with no other thought than of beguiling for them both that evening of farewell _ But Evelyn was fired with the inspiration. Bravely she had overcome her sorrow, and determined that it must not spoil her life. Tossed on a stormy sea that night, Evelyn dreamed, and : her dream seemed like a revelation. She dreamt she was sinking in deep waters. They had nearly closed over her, when lo!'someone strong and big had taken her hand and lifted her ud out of that sea of sorrow. Then she heard n voice. It was one that she seemed to know. "Evelvn." it said: " Evelvn. It is the hard of God. 'He shall hear thee up, and shall give His ansrels charge over thee.' " And she dreamt that she saw a woman, terror-stricken and distracted : and she took her in her arms and comforted her. Tt was the face of a Chinese; and Evelyn knew that she loved her. She awoke and looked at her friend. She was sleeping, and had not spoken. There was no sound save the throb of engines and the swish-slap of the sea. No one aboard, not even Bob Forth, guessed anything of the anguish th vouch which bright little Miss Denham was passing during that first week. She entered whole-heartedly into the games on deck, played and sang, and amused everyone. Neurotic women and grumpy old men began to forget their nerves.

And then, one evening, when Dr Forth wps walking her round the deck, she stoned him short with an impetuous . " Doctor, I want to speak to you!" "Go ahead, then." was the lan chins response. " I was under the impression that von had speaking to me for about an hour." "Oh. do be serious!" she exclaimed. " T hardlv know what to say; but the other night when vou tried to cheer rre un—and succeeded, too—you told me about your mission. I hnve thought of it very seriously. I feel t-hnt has called me. Will vou cac n t><- me for service in the hospital nfc Canton?"

They turned a corner to the windward side of the vessel. Suddenly they were in a hurricane that almost drove them back to the rails.' Awnings flapped, and the salt spray dashed on deck. But, once in step again, they faced the racing wind and* spray with a thrill of exhilaration.

"Do vou know," gasped Evelyn a little out of breath." " that's just how I've felt this last week. At first I seemed overwhelmed with all sorts of doubts. But now I have decided, 1 am ju-t keen to get there." Kitty Adams was annoyed. She said ehe was throwing away her chances. Wasn't there work enough among her own people, without bothering about Chinamen P But Evelyn was quiet. She had made up her mind

"Look here, Stanford," said Doctoi Brandon, "you ought to knock ott operating for a- while, i'ou are getting run down and nervy. The constat strain of surgical work must tell on a j cuug man. By the way, have you hearu how Nurse Uenhaaii is getting oa.

Stanford winced. "No, 1 haven't heard. 1 don't really know what her piansHvere." " She is a fine nurse," said the medical super., and he meant it. " And now aoout yourself, otantord. I feel sure tnat sometuing is weighing ou your mind. Can 1 help you in any way?". The two sat together in the firelight in the superintendent's study. Lancaster gazed long into the glowing coals. Jb.is face was drawn and paie. At last he turned to his senior. " Yes, 1 know I am making a mess of things- London stifles me, and—well, 1 seem to have lost faith." . Doctor Brandpn looked at him sympathetically- '' boy! lou haven't done that. Why, I don't believe there's a man alive that's a cynic to the bottom of his heart.''

A porter knocked at his door. "Is Doctor Stanford here, sir? There's an urgent message for him." " Look here, Stanford', you're not fit to see another case to-night," began Doctor Brandon; but he stopped when he saw the pained expression on Lancaster's face.

" It is from home," he said hurriedly ;" my mother is seriously ill. I •nust go to her at once." " Order a car, please," he said to the porter, " as quickly as possible." The case was hopeless. For three days Lady Stanford lingered unconscious, and then, in the early morning, she awoke and recognised her son patiently watching by her bedside. "My boy, forgive me! Forgive me!" she cried, extending her arms to him.

He saw that something was haunting her, and thought it was best to let her speak. "Poor Evelyn!" she stammered; " you know how I scorned' her because she was poor. I told her she was ruining your chances of success by letting you care for her." It was a moment of anguish for them both.

" But, Lancaster, there is more!" Her voice grew weaker. "Oh I how can I tell you? The diamonds—they are hers I was vain, and 1 could not give them up. Her father sent them home from India before he left on his last expedition- Oh, Evelyn! Evelyn ! I have been vain, selfish, cruel. Oh, Lancaster, forgive me!" "Mother!" he murmured, as he kissed her tenderly. He could say no more.

For a while she seemed to lose consciousness, but rallied again for a moment

''She is in a missionary hospital at Canton. 1 did not tell you, for I knew that you would go. Go to her now, Lancaster, and ask her to forgive me! Evel'« n ! Evelvn !

Darkness had descended suddenly i'ver the dimial Canton hi die

.'rounds of the mission hospital stood a young Englishman, gazing anxiously at i ruddy glare in the southern skv —a 'mining village. Near by fro'n the street came the scream of some en r aged

•■taitai" belabouring her husband. An unhappy people, indeed! Through the open door he could hear .'no nurse* singing softly that beautiful hymn of sacrifice and praise, " O, Love, 'hat will not let. me go." The sweet fice died away, and a few moments 'iter the nurse came to the door and H'-:iotly called him. "Yes. Nurse Denham. How is Doc- ;>! Forth?" " He asked me to sing to htrvi, and he seems more restful," she answered Vctor Forth had broken down under 'i> constant strain of work. As Evoh-n turned to enter the ward aor ovt. foil on a little burdle of misery •t. the hospital door. A Chinaman has no use for a blind child It is the victim of an evil spirit. And so tlTis poor little blind infant had been deserted. Full of pity, ;-he lifted the ragged •iti".die of humanity and carried it carePi" dv to the observation ward, followed

■ the doetor The next dav 'brought the English ■e;il. Mail day was usually uninterosti"g to F.v.l'n. To-d'.y she wn-s astoni hJ to receive a letter in Lancaster's h'Mid. She tore it open with trembling tm'-crs. and read it eagerly. Lanx. her Lanx. was coming

He would be there within a week Could it be true, "Oh. Lancaster," she cried, "'trindeed, the hand of God that has led us through the darkness."

I>r Brandon sat before his study fire and with him a friend. " It's a jolly shame," said the other, "that a wealthy, brilliant young fellow likr Stanford should go and bury himself out in Canton." " He doesn't think so," said Brandon. " I wi?h vou had known his cousin, Evelyn Denham, one of the finest wt men that has ever passed through this hospital. It did seem hard that she should be takgn so soon after their marriage. A littlfl Chinese waif that she was nursing developed the plague. But for a woman like Evelyn Denham. whosf life has been a continual sacrifice ant) consecration, death is but the begin i>ing of a nobler life. And that is winStanford ha* chosen to remain in China to go on with the uoble work that she began."