\"Itisacommonenoughstoryinthiscountry。Thelittlebabywasfivemonthsold，singularlybrightandattractive。McIntyrehimselfwasquitefoolishaboutit;and，indeed，thewholecongregationwerequiteworkedupoverit。Tooksuddenlyill，somemysterioustrouble;
nodoctorwithinfortymiles;beforehearrivedthebabywasgone。
Theyweredreadfullycutupaboutit。\"
\"I——Inevernoticed，\"saidShock，withasenseofshame。\"Iwasn’tthinking。\"
TherewasnodemonstrationofsympathyonthepartofhispeoplewhenShockreturnedtohiswork。Onebyonetheycameupaftertheeveningservicetoshakehandswithhimandthentoleavehimalone。
Butthatnight，whenallhadgoneexceptIke，whowashoveringaboutdownstairswithincallofShock，——who，wassittingupstairsaloneintheroomwhich，inthefulnessofhisjoy，hehadsetapartforhismother，——avoicewasheardaskingcautiously\"Ishein？\"
\"Yes，butIguesshe’sprettytired，\"repliedIkedoubtfully。
\"I’dliketoseehimaminute，\"repliedthevoice，withasuddenhuskiness。
\"Oh！It’syou，isit？\"saidIke。\"Well，comein。Yes，comerightupstairs。\"AndCarrollcameheavilyupthestairswithPatsyinhisarms。
\"Why，Carroll，thisisawfullygoodofyou！\"exclaimedShock，goingtomeethim。
\"It’sthelittlelad，\"saidCarroll。\"It’sPatsy，he’sbreakin’theheartavhim，an’hewantstoseeyou，and，yourriverince，it’smeself——Iwantto——\"Thevoicebrokedowncompletely。
\"Comein，comein！\"criedShock，histearsflowingfast。\"Come，Patsy，doyouwanttoseeme？Comeon，oldchap，Iwantyou，too。\"
HetookthelittlecrippleinhisarmsandheldhimtightwhilehistearsfelluponPatsy’sfaceandhands。
\"Isitforyourmother？\"whisperedPatsyinanawestrucktone。
\"Yes，yes，Patsydear，\"saidShock，whowasfastlosingcontrolofhimself，thelongpent—upgriefbreakingthroughallbarriersofself—control。\"She’sgonefromme，Patsylad。\"
\"But，\"saidthelittleboy，liftinguphisbeautifulfaceinwonder。
\"Sure，isn’tshewidJesusHimselfandtheblessedangels？\"
\"Oh，yes，Patsy，myboy！sheis，andit’snotrighttogrievetoomuch，butIcannothelpit，\"saidShock，regainingcontrolofhimself。\"ButIamgladyoucameintotellme，andwe’llalltrytobegoodmensothatsomedaywe’llallgothere，too。\"
Foralongtimetheysatlookingoutonthemoon—litlakeandthedistanthills，Shocktellingthelittleladheheldinhisarmsofthebeautifulcountrytowhichhismotherhadgone。
ThatnightwasthebeginningofbetterthingsforthebigIrishman。
Therevengehehadcherishedforsomanymonthspassedoutofhisheart，andamonghisclosestfriendsandhiswarmestcompanionsShockcouldcountfromthattimeforthTimCarroll。
XVII
BETTY’SLASTWORDS
Thereisacertainstimulusingriefwhichlendsunrealstrengthtoendure，butNaturewillbeavengedinaphysicalandemotionalreaction，allthemoreterriblethatitisunexpected。Thenthefullweightofthesorrowpressesupontheheartalreadyexhausted，andthesenseoflossbecomesthemorepainfulbecauseitcanbefairlyestimated，andtheemptyplacecanbemoretrulymeasuredbecauseitisseeninitsrelationtotheordinarylife。
SoitwaswithShock。Thefirstsharpstabofgriefwasover，andnowhecarriedwithhimthelongacheofawoundthatwouldnothealformanyaday。Hismotherhadfilledalargepartofhislife。Asfarbackintochildhoodashismemorycouldgo，thereshestoodbetweenhimandthegreatworld，hissuredefenceagainstallevil，hisrefugeinallsorrow;andashegrewintomanhoodshemadeforherselfalargerandlargerplaceinhisthoughtandinhislife。HewellknewhowshehadtoiledanddeniedherselfcomfortsandenduredhardshipsthathemightgainthatheightofeveryScottishmother’sambitionforherson，acollegeeducation，andhegaveherfullrewardintheloveofhisheartandthethoughtfuldevotionofhislife。Allhisinterestsandoccupations，hisstudies，hismissionworkintheWard，histriumphsonthefootballfield，allhesharedwithher，anduntilthelastyearnoonehadeverchallengedherplaceofsupremacyinhisheart。Hisfuturewasbuiltabouthismother。Shewastosharehiswork，herhomewastobeinhismanse，shewastobethecentreaboutwhichhislifewouldswing;andsincecomingtotheWesthehadbuiltupinimaginationanewlifestructure，inwhichhismotherhadherownancientplace。Inthisnewandfascinatingworkofexploring，organising，andupbuildinghefeltsure，too，ofhismother’seagersympathyandherwiseunderstanding。
Ithadbeenthehappiestofallhisfanciesthathismothershouldpresideoverthenewhome，theopeningofwhichhadbeenattendedwithsuchprideandjoy。Shewouldbetheretolivewithhimeveryday，watchinghimgooutandwaitingforhimtocomein。
Nowallthatwasgone。Ashismindranalongitsaccustomedgrooveseveryturnofthoughtsmotehimwithapangsharpandsudden。Shewasnolongerapartoftheplan。Allhadtobetakendown，thepartsreadjusted，thestructurerebuilt。HebegantounderstandtheConvener’swords，\"Thisisahardcountry。\"Itdemandedaman’slifeinallthefull，deepmeaningoftheword;hiswork，ofcourseofbodyandbrain，buthisheartaswell，andhisheart’streasures。
InthemidstofhisdepressionandbewildermentIkebroughthimaletterwhichhadlaintwoweeksattheFort，andwhosedatewasnowsomefourweeksold。ItwasfromBrownandranthus:
MyDearOldChap:
Idonotknowhowtobeginthisletter。Theterriblysuddenandawfulcalamitythathasovertakenushasparalysedmymind，andI
canhardlythinkstraight。Onethingthatstandsoutbeforeme，wipingoutalmosteveryotherthought，isthatourdearBettyisnomore。Youcannotimagineit，Iknow，forthoughIsawherinhercoffin，sosweetandlovely，butoh！sostill，Icannotgetmyselftobelieveit。Thecircumstancesconcerningherdeath，too，wereawfullysad，sosadthatitsimplygoesbeyondanywordsIhavetodescribethem。Iwilltrytobecoherent;but，thoughIshallgiveyouanaccountofwhathappened，Icannotbegintoconveytheimpressionuponmymind。Well，letmetry。
YouknowMrs。FairbankshasbeenopposedallalongtoTheDon’sattentionstoBetty，andhastriedherbesttoblockhim。Afteryouleft，theoppositiongrewmoredetermined。Why，forthelifeofme，Icannotsay。ShehadapparentlymadeuphermindthatTheDonmustquit。Sheworkedeverykindofscheme，butitwasnogood。Thatpluckylittlegirl，inherownbright，jollyway，withoutcomingtoanopenbreak，wouldnotgivebackaninch，andTheDonkeptcomingtothehousejustbecauseBettyinsisted。Hewouldhavequitlongbefore，poorchap。Youknowhowproudheis。
Well，Mrs。Fairbankssettoworktogainherpurpose。ShesomehowgotwindofthekindoflifeTheDonlivedinthiscityyearsago。
Shesetenquiriesonfootandgotholdofthefactsprettywell。Youknowallaboutit，soIneednottellyou。Poorchap，hehadhisblackspots，sureenough。ShefurthermoregotLloydsomehowtocorroborateherfacts。JusthowmuchhelookedupforherIdon’tknow，butItellyouIhavequitLloyd。Heisablankedcad。IknowIshouldnotwritethis，andyouwillhatetoreadit，butitisthetruth。Hisconductduringthewholebusinesshasbeendamnable！
damnable！damnable！IgnashmyteethasIwrite。
Whenshehadeverythingreadyshesprunghermine。Itwasinherownhouseoneevening，whenLloyd，TheDon，andIwerethere，andtheFairbanks’newminister，Hooper，ayoungTrinityman，whohasbeenaclosefriendofTheDon’s，Idon’tknowhowlong，butsomeyearsatleast。Afinefellow。Godblesshim，sayI，againandagain。
TheDonandBettyhadbeengoingitprettystrongthatevening，ratherunnecessarilyso，Ithink;andMrs。Fairbanksgotmoreandmoreworkedup，untilsheseemedtoloseherhead。AsTheDonwassayinggoodnightshespokeupandsaidinthathaughtywayofhers，\"Mr。Balfour，thetimehascomewhenwemustsaygood—bye，andI
mustaskyoutodiscontinueyourvisitstothishouse，andyourintimacywithmydaughter。\"
Well，weallsatup，Icantellyou。TheDonwentwhite，andred，andwhiteagain。Bettywalkedoverandstoodbyhisside，hereyesallblazing。
\"Mamma，\"shecried，\"whatareyousayingagainstthemanIlove！Doyoumeanto——\"
\"Betty，\"saidhermotherinherhaughtiestandcoldestandcalmestvoice，\"beforeyougoanyfurther，listentome。Idonotchoosethatmydaughter，pureandunsullied，shouldgiveherselftoaroueandalibertine。\"
TheDontookasteptowardherandsaid:\"Mrs。Fairbanks，someonehasmisledyou。Whatyousayisfalse，absolutelyandutterlyfalse。\"Bettyglancedproudlyupintohisface。
\"False！\"criedMrs。Fairbanks。\"Then，Mr。Balfour，youforcemetoask，didyounotliveforsomemonthswithawomanonJarvisStreet？
Wereyounotaconstantvisitorathousesofillreputeformonthsinthiscity？\"
PoorDon！Icanseehimyet。Hisfacegrewlivid，hiseyesstaring，ashestoodtherewithoutaword。
\"Don，\"criedBetty，\"tellheritisfalse！\"andsheliftedherlittleheadproudly。\"Tellheritisfalse，andIdon’tcarewhosaysitistrue。\"StillTheDonstoodspeechless。
\"Alas！mypoorchild，\"saidMrs。Fairbanks，\"hecouldnotsayso。I
havetheproofinmyhand。\"Andshepulledaletteroutofherpocket。\"Itistrue，andmuchmore——tootrue。Mr。Lloydhereknowsthistobetrue。Isitnotso，Mr。Lloyd？Ifthisisnottrue，speak。\"ThepooroldDonturnedhiseyesimploringlytowardLloyd，likeamanhangingonhislasthope，butLloyd，thebeast！mumbledandstutteredsomethingorother。Bettyrantohim，caughthimbythearmandshookhim。\"Speakout！\"shesaid。\"Sayitisallalie！\"
TheLloydsaidinathickkindofvoice，\"Icannotsayso。\"
BettyturnedbacktoTheDon，andmayGodkeepmefromeverseeingafacelikehersagain。\"Sayitisn’ttrue！\"shesaid，puttingherhandonhisarm;andashestoodstill，whiteandspeechless，shegaveakindofcryoffear，andhorror，andIdon’tknowwhatelse。
\"Oh，Don，canthisbetrue——and——youkissedme！\"
ThenTheDonpulledhimselftogether，turnedtoMrs。Fairbanks，andbegantospeak，thewordspouringoutinaperfecttorrent。\"Mrs。
Fairbanks，youmustlistentome。Whatyousaywastrueofmeeightyearsago。Icamehereamereboy。Ifellinwithabadlot——Ihadplentyofmoney，andIconfessIwentbad。Thatwaseightyearsago。
ThenImetyourdaughters，andcameintoyourhome。FromthattimeI
haveneverdoneadishonourablething，mylifehasbeenclean。EversinceItouchedyourdaughter’shandmyhandshavenevertouchedanythingunclean。ThefirstdayIsawher，eightyearsago，Ilovedher，andsincethenIhavebeentrueinheartandinlifetoher。
FormyshamefulpastGodknowsIhaverepentedbitterly，bitterly，andhavesoughtforgiveness;andnomanlivesinthistown，oranyother，whocanpointtoanythingofwhichIamashamedtospeakhere。\"
PoorBetty！Shelookedfromonetotheotherinafrightenedkindofway，andwhenTheDonhadfinishedhisconfessionshegaveacrythelikeofwhichIneverheard，\"Oh，mother，takemeaway！\"Ihaveheardofheartsbeingbroken。Ithinkherswasbrokenthen。
Itellyouwewereallinawhirl。TheDonfellonhiskneesbesideher，takingholdofherskirts。\"Oh，Betty，won’tyouforgiveme？
Godhavemercyonme！Won’tyouforgiveme？IhavedonemanythingsofwhichIamashamed，butIhaveneverbeenuntruetoyouinthoughtorindeed。Never，never，sohelpmeGod！\"Heclutchedthehemofherdress，kissingitoverandoveragain。Itwasaghastlysight，Icantellyou。Bettyshrankfromhim，drawingherskirtsaway。\"Comeaway，mydaughter，\"saidMrs。Fairbanks。\"Thereisnothingmoretobesaid。\"
AssheturnedawayupspakelittleHooper。Godblesshim，thelittlefive—footer，everyinchcleargrit。\"Mrs。Fairbanks，oneminute。
PardonmeifIsayaword。Iamthisyoungman’sfriend，andIamyourminister。Ihaveknownthismanforsixyears。Ihaveknownhimintimately。Ibelievehecarriesaclean，pureheart，andhehaslivedahard—working，honourablelife。Ifhehassinned，hehasrepented，andGodhasforgivenhim。Shouldnotyou？\"
Mrs。Fairbanksturnedimpatientlyonhim。\"Mr。Hooper，forgivenessisonething，andfriendshipanother。\"
\"No，thankGod！\"criedthelittlechap。\"No，forgivenessisnotonethingandfriendshipanother。Forgivenessmeansfriendship，andwelcome，andlove，withGodandwithman。\"Icouldhavehuggedthelittlemanwherehestood。
ThenMrs。Fairbanksseemedtoloseherhead，andsheblazedoutinaperfectfury。\"Doyoumeandeliberatelytosaythatthisman，\"
pointingtoTheDon，whowasstillonhisknees，withhisfaceinhishands，\"thatthismanshouldbereceivedintomyhouse？\"
\"Mrs。Fairbanks，\"saidHooper，\"istherenotaplacefortherepentantandabsolved，evenwiththesaintsofGod？\"
Mrs。Fairbankslostherselfcompletely。\"Mr。Hooper，\"shecried，\"thisisoutrageous。Itellyou，forgivenornot，repentantornot;
neverwillhe，orsuchashe，entermydoorsortouchmydaughter’shand。NeverwhileIlive。\"
ThenHooperdrewhimselfup。Heseemedtomesixfeettall。Heliftedhishand，andspokewiththekindofsolemnitythatyouexpecttocomefromthealtar。\"Thenlistentome，Mrs。Fairbanks。
Yousayyouwouldnotreceivehimorsuchashimintoyourhouse。
Youinvitemeoftentoyourhome，andhereIconstantlymeetmenwhoareknowninsocietyasrakesandroues。Youknowit，andallsocietywomenknowit，too。Ifyoucaredtotakehalfthetroubleyouhavetakeninthiscase，youcouldfindoutallthefacts。Youareawomanofsociety，andyouknowwellwhatIsayistrue。Ihaveseenyouinthisroomplaceyourdaughterinthearmsofamanyouknewtobeadrunkard，andmusthavesuspectedwasalibertine。
Thesemenhavetheentreetoeverygoodfamilyinthecity，andthoughtheircharacterisknown，theyarereceivedeverywhere。Theyhavewealthandfamilyconnection。Donotattempttodenyit，Mrs。
Fairbanks。Iknowsociety，andyouknowitwell。Ifyoustrikeoffthenamesofthosemenwhoselives，nothavebeeninthepast，butareto—dayuncleanandunworthy，youwillhavetomakeaverylargeblankinyourdancinglist。\"Thenthelittlefellow’svoicebrokerightdown。\"ForgivemeifIhavespokenharshly。Ibeseechyou，hearme。Youaredoingagreatwrongtomyfriend，acruelwrong。I
pledgeyoumynameandhonourheisagoodman，andheisworthyofyourdaughter。Godhascoveredhissin:whyhaveyoudaredtouncoverit？\"Andthen，inthetonethatheusesinreadinghisprayers，hewenton，\"InthenameoftheSaviourofthesinfulandlost，Iaskyou，Ientreatyou，receivehim。\"
Youwouldthinkthatwouldhavemeltedtheheartofashe—devil，letaloneawoman，butthatwomanstoodthere，cold，white，andunmoved。
\"Isthatall，Mr。Hooper？\"shesaid。\"Thenmyansweris——never！Andasforyou，hiseloquentadvocate，Ineverwishtoseeyouagain。
Come，Betty。\"
AstheybegantomoveoffTheDon，whowasstillonhisknees，lookedupandreachedouthishandstowardthepoorgirlwithacrythatstabbedmyheartthroughandthrough。\"Iwantyourforgiveness，Betty，onlyyourforgiveness。\"Shepaused，tookasteptowardshim，thenputtingherhandsoverherfaceshestoodstill，shuddering。
Hermothercaughtheranddrewheraway。
TheDonroseslowly。Heseemedstupefied。HeturnedtowardHooper，andsaidinahoarsekindofwhisper:\"She’sgone！Oh，God，Ihavelosther！\"Hefelthiswayouttothehalllikeablindman。Helenputoutherhandtostophim，buthewenton，nevernoticing。Shefollowedhimtothehall，weepingbitterly，andcrying，\"Comeback，Don，comeback！\"
Withoutwaitingtogetcoatorhat，herushedout。\"Goandgethim，\"
Helencriedtous，andwefollowedhimasfastaswecould。WhenI
gotouthehadreachedthegate，andwasfumblingatthecatch。
\"Holdon，Don，whereareyougoing？\"Icried。\"Tohell！tohell！tohell！\"Mydearchap，thatcryofhismademebelieveinhell;for，iflostspiritscrywhenthedevilsgetholdofthem，theywillcrylikethat。Itwasthemostunearthly，horriblesoundIhaveeverheard，andmayGodsavemefromhearingthelikeagain。
NextdayItriedtoseeBetty，butitwasnouse，shewouldseenoone。AndsoonafterIheardshewasill，typhoidfever。Ithadbeenworkingonherforsometime。Therewasalmostnohopefromtheveryfirst。Shebecamedeliriousatonce，andinherravingkeptcallingonTheDonforforgiveness。Yourmotherwasagreathelptothem，relievingthenurse。Theyallseemedtodependuponher。Ofcourse，Iwasinandouteveryday，andbroughtreportstoTheDon，whohauntedourhousedayandnight。Ineversawafellowsufferlikethat。Heslepthardlyany，atenothingatall，butwanderedaboutthetown，spendingmostofhistimeatHooper’swhenhewasnotwithus。
AfterthedeliriumpassedBettyaskedforme。WhenIsawherlookingsowhiteandthin——youwouldthinkyoucouldseethroughherhands——
Itellyouitbrokemeallup。Shebeckonedmetoher，andwhenI
bentoverhershewhispered:\"FindTheDonandbringhim。\"Atfirsthermotherrefused，sayingheshouldnevercomewithherconsent。Itwasmightyhard，Itellyou。ButtheafternoonofthesamedayHelencameflyingovertotellusthatthedoctorhadsaidtherewasonlyaveryslightchanceforBetty，andthatifhermotherpersistedinherrefusalhewouldnotberesponsiblefortheconsequences，thathermotherhadyielded，andIwastobringTheDon。Itellyou，I
madetimedowntohisrooms，andbrought，himtothehouse。
Therewasnooneintheroombutthenurseandthedoctorwhenheentered。Shewasexpectingus，andasweenteredsheopenedhereyesandasked，\"Ishehere？\"Thenursebeckonedhimtoapproach，andTheDoncameandkneltatherbed。Hewasverysteadyandquiet。Sheputoutherhandanddrewhimtowardher。Shewasthecalmestofusall。
\"Iwantyoutoforgiveme，Don，\"shesaid，andhervoicewaswonderfullyclear。Poorchap，hewentalltopiecesforaminuteortwoand，holdingherfingers，kissedthemoverandoveragain。\"I
wantyoutoforgiveme，Don，\"shesaidagain。\"IthoughtIwasbetterthanGod。\"Thepoorfellowcouldonlykeepkissingherfingers。\"Mylips，Don，mylips，\"andTheDonkissedheronthelipstwice，murmuringinabrokenvoice，\"Mydarling，mylove，mylove。\"
Thenshelookedupandsmiledthatoldsmileofhers——youremember，sobrightandsomerry？ByJove，itbrokemeallup。Andshesaid:
\"Nowweareallright，aren’twe？\"ThedoctorcameandtouchedTheDon。\"No，doctor，\"shesaid，\"Iamquitequiet。See，Iamgoingtosleep。Iwantyoutostaythere，Don。Good—night。\"
Mrs。FairbanksandHelencamein。HelengaveTheDonherhand，butMrs。Fairbankspaidnoattentiontohim。Bettyopenedhereyes，sawhermotherandsmiled。\"Dearmother，\"shesaid，\"see，there’sDon。\"
Mrs。Fairbankshesitatedslightly，thenreachedoutherhandacrossthebed。\"Thankyou，dearmother，\"Bettysaid。\"Youmustbegoodtohim。\"Thenafteralittlewhileshesaiddreamily，likeatiredchild:\"Godforgivesusall，andwemustforgive。\"ShelethereyesrestonTheDon’sface。\"Good—night，Don，dear，\"shesaid，\"Iamgoingtosleep。\"
Thatwasherlastword，Shock。Justthinkofit——Betty’slastword。
Icannotrealiseitatall。Iwishmystoryendedthere，butitdoesnot。Foratimewesatthere，thedoctorhopingthataturnforthebetterhadcome，butinaboutanhourthenursenoticedachange，andcalledhim。Hecamequickly，feltherpulse，injectedsomethingorotherintoherarm。Sheopenedhereyes。Yourememberhowshewouldopenthoselovelybrowneyesofherswhenanythingsurprisedher。Well，sheopenedthemjustthatway，smiledbrightlyononeandthenanother，lethereyesrestonTheDon，gavealittlesighandclosedthem，andtheyneveropenedagain。\"Sheisgone，\"thedoctorsaid，andweallcrowdednear。\"Yes，sheisgone，\"hesaidagain。
ThenTheDonstoodup，andputtingouthishandtoMrs。Fairbanks，said:\"Mrs。Fairbanks，Iwanttothankyouforallowingmetocome。\"
Butshedrewherselfawayfromhim，refusingtotouchhishand，andmotioninghimoff。
Poorchap！Heturnedbacktothebed，kneeleddown，touchedthesoftbrownhairwithhishands，kissedthefingersagain，andthenwithoutawordwentout。Ifanyonecantellmewhatthatwoman’sheartismadeof，Iwouldliketoknow。
ThedayofthefuneralTheDonbroughtmealittlebunchofliliesofthevalley，saying，\"Itisforher\"IgavethemtoHelen，andI
sawthemafterwardsinthehandsthatlayfoldedacrossherbreast。
Ihavenotseenhimsince，butHoopertellsmehesaidhewasgoingouttoyou。IhopetoHeavenhewillnotgobad。Idon’tthinkhewill。Ofcourse，hefeelsverybitterlyaboutLloydandMrs。
Fairbanks。
Now，thatisallmystory。Itmakesagreatdifferencetoalloursethere，butIwilltellyouwhatIhavetoldnolivingsoul，andthatis，thattheworldwillneverbethesametomeagain。Iamnotmuchgiventosentiment，asyouknow，andnobodyeversuspectedit。
Idonotthinkshedidherself。ButIlovedthatlittlegirlbetterthanmylife，andIwouldhavegivenmysoulforheranyday。
Iknowyouwillfeelthisterribly。HowoftenIhavewishedthatyoucouldhavebeenwithus。ThebestIcoulddowastosendyouthiswretched，incoherentscrawl。Yourfriendasever，BROWN。
P。S。——DoyouknowanythingabouttheBritish—AmericanGoldandSilverMiningCompany，orsomethinglikethat？Thereisachaphere，managerordirector，orsomething。Ambherg，Ithinkhisnameis。Hespeaksasifheknewyou，orknewsomethingaboutyou。HeisagreatfriendoftheFairbanks。Lotsofmoney，andthatsortofthing。I
didnotlikethewayhespokeaboutyou。Ifeltlikegivinghimasmack。Doyouknowhim，oranythingaboutthecompany？
YourmotherhasnotbeenverywellsinceBetty’sdeath。Ithinkshefoundthestrainprettyheavy。Shehascaughtalittlecold，Iamafraid。B。
Brown’sletterdidforShockwhatnothingelsecouldhavedone:itturnedhismindawayfromhimselfandhissorrow。Notthathewasinanydangerofmorbidbroodingoverhisloss，oroffallingintothatlastandmostdeplorableofallhumanweaknesses，self—pity，butgriefturnstheheartinuponitself，andtendstomarthefinebloomofanunselfishspirit。
AshefinishedreadingBrown’sletterShock’sheartwasfilledwithloveandpityforhisfriend。\"Poorfellow！\"hesaid。\"Iwonderwhereheisnow。Hisisahardlotindeed。\"Andashereadtheletteroverandoverhispityforhisfrienddeepened，forherealisedthatinhiscupofsorrowtherehadmingledthegallofremorseandthebitternessofhate。
Inanotherweektwootherletterscame，eachprofoundlyaffectingShockandhislife。OnewasfromHelen，givingafullaccountofhismother’sillnessanddeath，tellinghowbeautifullytheSuperintendenthadtakenpartinthefuneralservice，andpreservingforhersonthoselastpreciousmessagesofloveandgratitude，offaithandhope，whichbecometheimmortaltreasuresofthebereavedheart。AshereadHelen’sletterShockcaughtaglimpseofthegloryofthatdeparting。Heavencameabouthim，andtheeternalthings，thatbyreasonofthenearnessofthematerialworldtoooftenbecomeshadowy，tookonarealitythatneverquitelefthim。Wherehismotherwashenceforthrealthingsmustbe。
TheletterclosedwithafewprecioussentencesofloveandsympathyfromHelen，butintheseShock，readingwithhisheartinhiseyes，andlongingformorethanhecouldrightlyfindinthem，thoughthecoulddetectakindofreserve，areservewhichhecouldnotinterpret，andhelaiddowntheletterwithpainfuluncertainty。Washerlovemorethanshecaredtotell，orwasitlessthansheknewhewoulddesire？
FromHelen’sletterShockturnedtoMrs。Fairbanks’andread:
MyDearMr。Macgregor:
Wealldeeplysympathisewithyouinyourgreatloss，asIknowyouwillwithusinourgrief。Wecanhardlyspeakofityet。Itissonewandsoterriblysuddenthatwehavenotbeenablefullytorealiseit。MygreatcomfortinthisterriblesorrowismydaughterHelen。Mr。Lloyd，too，hasprovedhimselfatruefriend。Indeed，I
donotknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithouthim。Wearemoreandmorecomingtoleanuponhim。YouwillnothaveheardyetthatwehavebeensogreatlyattractedbyMr。Lloyd’spreaching，andinfluencedbyourregardforhimpersonally，thatwehavetakensittingsintheParkChurch。
Helen，Iamgladtosay，isbeginningtotakeaninterestinthechurchanditswork，andastimegoesonIthinkherinterestwillgrow。Ishouldbegladindeedthatitshouldbeso，forourrelationswithMr。Lloydareveryclose;and，infact，Imaytellyouwhatisyetasecret，thathehasintimatedtomehisdesiretomakeHelenhiswife。Helenisveryfavourablydisposedtohim，andallourcircleoffriendswouldrejoiceinthisasanidealmarriage。Mr。Lloydbelongstoherownsetinsociety，isagentlemanofcultureandhighcharacter，andineverywaysuitable。
Asformyself，inmylonelinessIcouldnotendurethethoughtoflosingmyonlydaughter，atall，andhermarriagewouldbeagreatblowtomewereitnotthatherhomeistobesocloseathand。
Thereisonething，however，aboutwhichHelenissensitive。Shecannotridherselfofafeelingthatsheisinamannerboundtoyouonaccountofherfoolishandimpetuouswords，utteredundertheexcitementofyourdeparture;butIamsureyouwouldneverthinkofholdingherbecauseofthosewords，utteredinamomentofgreatfeeling，andIalsofeelsurethatyouwouldnotinanywayinterferewithherhappiness，ordoanythingthatwouldhindertheconsummationofamarriagesoeminentlysuitableineveryway。
Wehearofyouandofyourworkoccasionally。Itmustbeaterriblecountry，andaverydepressinglife。Thelonelinessandisolationmustbewell—nighoverwhelming。Iamsureyouhavealloursympathy。
Isupposeworkofthiskindmustbedone，anditisagoodthingthattherearemenofsuchruggedstrengthandsuchcourageasyouhave，whoseemtobefittedforthiskindofwork。
Now，mydearMr。Macgregor，inyouranswerIthinkthatafewwordsofassurancetoHelenonthepointsIhavesuggestedwouldbegreatlyappreciated，andwoulddomuchtoremovedifficultiesthatnowstandinthewayofherhappinessandmine。
Yoursverysincerely，E。Fairbanks。
ItwasthenthatShockdranktothedregshisfullcupofbittersorrow。ThecontrastssuggestedbyMrs。Fairbanks’letterstoodoutvividlybeforehim。HethoughtofHelen’sbeautifulhome，whereshewassurroundedwithalltheluxuriesofaculturedlife;hethoughtofhercircleoffriends，ofthelifeworktowhich，asLloyd’swife，shewouldbepermittedtotakeup;hethought，too，ofhermother’sclaimuponher。Andthenhelookedaboutuponhisbareroom，withitslogwalls，itsutterabsenceofeverythingthatsuggestedrefinement;hethoughtoftheterribleisolationthatinthesedayshadbecomesodepressingeventohimself;hethoughtofallthelonghoursofwearyyearningforthesightandtouchofallthathehelddear，andforthesakeofthegirltowhomhehadgivenhisheart’sloveinallitsunsulliedpurityandinallitsvirginfreshnesshemadehisdecision。Hetookuphiscross，andthoughhisheartbledhepressedhislipsuponit。