Some two hours later the Captain was taking his usual evening walk upon
the deck, when Lucilla and Evelyn joined him.
"We feel like taking a little stroll, father, and hope you will not
object to our company," remarked Evelyn, as they reached his side.
"I could not, with truth, say it was unpleasant to me, daughter," he
returned, with a smile, and passing a hand caressingly over her hair,
as she stood close at his side. "The fact is, I am very glad of the
companionship of you both."
"And we are both thankful to hear you say it, I am sure," returned
Lucilla, in a sprightly tone, and with a bright, loving look up into
his eyes. "I'd be heart-broken if I thought my father didn't love me
enough to care to have me near him."
"And I should be much distressed if I had reason to believe my daughter
didn't care to be near me. If Grace were as strong and healthy as you
are, it would double the pleasure to have her with us. She has gone to
her stateroom, I suppose."
"Yes, papa, and most of the others have retired to their rooms, too.
Dr. Harold and Chester are playing a game of chess, and so will hardly
miss Eva and me."
"Perhaps not; so we will take our promenade undisturbed by anxiety
about them," laughed the Captain, offering an arm to each.
It was a beautiful evening; the moon was shining in a clear sky and
making a silvery pathway upon the waters.
"Where do you suppose Max is now, father?" asked Evelyn, with a slight
sigh.
"Probably in Washington; though it is possible he may have received his
orders and gone aboard his vessel."
"And doubtless he is thinking of you, Eva, as you are of him," said
Lucilla, speaking in low, tender tones.
"No doubt of it," said their father, "for he is very fond of his sweet,
young wife. As we all are, daughter dear," he added, softly patting the
small, white hand resting upon his arm.
"Dear father," she said, with emotion, "it is so kind in you to give me
the fatherly affection I have so missed and longed for in years past."
"And daughterly affection from you is an adequate return," he said
pleasantly. "I expect to enjoy that in all this winter's wanderings by
sea and land."
"Wanderings which I am very glad to be allowed to share," she said; and
then they talked of the various places they expected to visit while on
this winter trip.
At length Evelyn, saying it was high time for her to join Grace in the
stateroom they shared together, said good-night and returned to the
cabin, but Lucilla delayed her departure a little longer--it was so
pleasant to have her father all to herself for a bit of private chat
before retiring for the night.
They paced the deck silently for a few moments, then she said: "Father,
I have thought a good deal of that talk we had in our Bible lesson
some time ago, about the second coming of Christ. Do you think it--his
coming--is very near?"
"It may be, daughter. The signs of the times seem to indicate its
approach. Jesus said, 'Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels of heaven, but My Father only.' He has given us signs, however,
by which we may know that it is near; and judging by them we may, I
think, know that it is not very far off now."
"Then, papa, doesn't it seem as if we ought to be busied with religious
duties all the time?"
"I think whatever duties the Lord gives us in His Providence may, in
some sense, be called religious duties--for me, for instance, the care
of wife, children and dependents. We are to go on with household and
family duties, those to the poor and needy in our neighborhood; also
to take such part as we can in the work of the church at home and for
foreign missions, and so forth; all this, remembering his command,
'Occupy till I come,' and endeavoring to be ready to meet him with joy
when he comes."
"And isn't it a very important part trying to win souls to Christ?"
"It is, indeed, and 'he that winneth souls is wise.' Leading a truly
Christlike life may often win them to join us in being his disciples,
even though we refrain from any word of exhortation; though there are
times when we should not refrain from giving that also."
"As you did to me, father," she said, with a loving look up into his
face. "Oh, I shall try to be a winner of souls. The Bible makes the
way clear, again and again, in a very few words. You know it tells us
Jesus said to Nicodemus, 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.'"
"Yes; and Peter said to Cornelius and his kinsmen and friends, after
telling them of Jesus, 'To Him give all the prophets witness, that
through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission
of sins.' And Paul and Silas, when asked by the jailor, 'Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?' replied, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved.' Salvation is God's free gift, without money
and without price. One must believe in His divinity, His ability and
willingness to save, taking salvation at His hands as a free, unmerited
gift. But now, dear child," he added, taking her in his arms, with a
fond caress, "it is time for you and that not very strong husband of
yours to be seeking your nest for the night. 'The Lord bless thee, and
keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious
unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee
peace.'" he added in solemn tones, laying a hand tenderly upon her head
as he spoke.
"Thank you, dear father," she said, in tones half tremulous with
emotion, "I do so love that blessing from your lips. And Chester and I
both think I have the best father in the world."
"It is pleasant to have you think that," he returned, with a smile
and another caress, "but no doubt there are many fathers in the world
quite as good, kind and affectionate as yours; perhaps if my daughters
were less affectionate and obedient than they are, they might find
their father more stern and severe. Now, good-night--and may you have
peaceful sleep undisturbed by troubled dreams."