BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM.
"There are souls that seem to dwell
Above this earth, so rich a spell
Floats round their steps, where'er they move,
From hopes fulfilled and mutual love."
FIVE years have passed since the Christmas eve we have written about
in our last chapters. Once more summer sunshine was flooding the
world, lighting up the dark pines near the Grove and playing among the
many-coloured flowers in the garden there. It lighted up, as well, the
gloomy cottages in the hamlet near, where Prissy Warner had for long
carried on her blessed work of helping many of its dwellers into the
kingdom.
A number of women with babies in their arms, and little ones just
beginning to walk playing beside them, stood at the doors, enjoying the
warmth of the lovely summer day. They were in earnest conversation;
and from the remarks that fell now from one, now from another, it was
evident that some event of importance to them was to take place that
day.
"I be glad Mr. Austin and his bride are getting such a shiny day to
come back. And to think that they start so soon again to foreign lands!
But it's a grand missionary Mr. Austin'll make, that he will. He's a
real Christian, so homely and kind."
"And his bride!" said a woman coming forward. "Have ye no word for her,
the pretty young creature? I do say Miss Gabrielle that was is a sweet
leddy, and a good; and only to think of her agoing to these heathen
places, where she'll meet wi' all kinds of danger. Oh, she's a pretty
one!"
"Oh yes," chimed in other voices, "that she be; and may she prove a
good wife."
"But it'll be a sad day," said another voice, "for our leddy, Miss
Warner, when her brother leaves, though she says she be's well pleased
he is agoing to spend his life in tellin' the heathen 'bout Jesus. But
she'll miss him sorely. The Lord bless her for all she's done for us
and ours."
"Oh, she is a leddy, that she be," said many of them.
"It's a puzzle," said one, "how she has been let stay Miss Warner so
long, though some do say there's summat between her and young Mr.
Lascelles."
"Maybe, maybe there is, but we're in no hurry to have her taken from
us, even by him. And how would the old gentleman and the young uns do
without her? Though Miss Ruth is growing up a likely girl. But there,
the carriage will be passing, and we'll lose the sight of the young
couple as they pass to the Grove."
"But ye know," put in one or two voices, "we'll see them at the meetin'
to-morrow night to bid them farewell and God-speed."
Yes, many besides the women whose conversation we have related wondered
that Prissy was Miss Warner still. But so it was; and a happy, useful,
Christ-like life she spent, nobly fulfilling her woman's mission
as a helper and comforter. Her father clung to her with increasing
tenderness, and turned to her as a help in his favourite pursuits. She
still acted as amanuensis, though by God's blessing on the skill of a
famous oculist, the sight of one of his eyes had been restored. And
Claude and Ruth looked to her for help and sympathy in everything.
Father and daughter stood together a moment ere starting for the
station, where they were going to welcome back Austin and his pretty
bride Gabrielle from their marriage trip. They were coming to spend ten
days at the Grove ere starting as missionaries to China.
"Prissy," said Dr. Warner, "it is a joyful thing now to me to think
God has put it into Austin's heart to consecrate all his talents to
his cause, and go as his ambassador to tell the good news of Christ
crucified and risen again to the heathen. God grant he may be greatly
used in gathering in souls to the kingdom of God."
"I am sure he will be so used," said Prissy with emotion. "Austin's
desire since he was a boy has been to help on the kingdom of God;
and he began to do so early, both in his own home and amongst his
schoolfellows, and in later years he did so at college. So long ere he
was ordained of men to preach the gospel, he had done so, wherever he
had been, by life and word, and already many call him blessed."
"Yes, my daughter, I have long felt it is a mockery for any one to pray
the words, 'Thy kingdom come,' and yet do nothing to help it on just
where they live. Lewis and Archie have learned that lesson also, don't
you think?"
"Yes, indeed," replied Prissy, "I am sure they have. Lewis writes
that Austin taught him that lesson long ago, though it was our dear
mother who first spoke to him about it. And Archie—O father, I am glad
about him. His letters are so earnest and good, and he takes such just
views of life and its responsibilities. I am sure he will make a noble
Christian architect."
Ere Dr. Warner could reply, the door opened, and Ruth, a sweet-looking
girl, entered, bearing a basket filled with violets in her hand.
"Prissy," she said, "I am taking these to give to Gabrielle as she
steps out of the train, she does so love flowers, la petite Francaise!
Though, I daresay, little Jean will be beforehand with me. Still there
are no violets so sweet, I am sure, as ours are."
Prissy smiled, but said, "So be it, Ruth. But now let us be off;
violets and all, in case the travellers arrive ere we do. I believe
Claude is at the station already."
Father and daughters set off together, walking across the common, now
richly carpeted with summer flowers.
"Ruth," said her father, playfully, "it would be more in keeping with
your name if instead of violets, you bore a sheaf of corn in your hand."
"Not yet, father," she said, a quiet grave look crossing her face as
she spoke. "But one day I do hope to carry a large sheaf and lay it
down at the Master's feet, like the 'little soul-gatherer' of whom I
read lately. That is my ambition, father, that the 'woman's work' I
desire to do."
Prissy glanced at her with tears of joy in her eyes. Never before had
Ruth so openly spoken of her life's aim.
In answer, her father laid his hand on Ruth's shoulder, saying, "The
Lord give thee the desire of thy heart, my child."
With almost child-like glee, Ruth handed her basket of violets to
Gabrielle as she stepped with her husband from the train to the spot
where her own father, mother, and little Jean stood with Dr. Warner,
Prissy, and Claude, ready to bid them welcome.
As they drove to the Grove, the bells pealed out. And when Austin and
his bride were ensconced in his father's house, he stood up and prayed
the Lord's Prayer.
As he uttered the petition so precious to the hearts of more than one
of the assembled group:
"Thy kingdom come—"
It seemed caught up and echoed again and again over "hill and dale" by
the silvery bells.