THE OPENED DOOR.
The sweet bells of Aneholm Church were cheerily ringing. The sunshine
shed a quiet gladness over the smooth meadows, and even the moist, dark
evergreens of the distant woods glittered in the clear light.
Within the church, garlands of birch leaves hung here and there on the
white walls and festooned the carved pulpit. Green wreaths crowned the
golden angels that supported, each with one lifted hand, the sculptured
altar-piece; while in the other, outstretched, they loosely held wild
flowers, as if ready to strew them in the paths of the pilgrims bound
heavenward. The still marble figures that had so long sat watchers
beside the effigies on the great monuments of the honoured dead wore
now on their brows blue circlets of corn-flowers, as if to tell for
to-day of glad resurrection rather than of the dark tomb.
Tiny floral processions seemed passing in long lines along the tops of
the simple wooden seats for the congregation; for the sconces that had
held the lights for many a service on a winter morning or evening were
now filled with bouquets, placed there by the children who had the day
before been confirmed in the quiet sanctuary. The flowers, like the
children, were from the rich man's garden or from the woods and
meadows--here choice roses or glowing verbenas, there buttercups and
daisies.
To-day the newly confirmed, "the children of the Lord's Supper," were
to "come forward" for the first time to the holy communion.
The colonel generally walked to church with Alma and Frans, but this
morning the carriage had been ordered for him. A friend was to be with
him who was not strong enough to go on foot to the service. The
doctor, who was carefully watching over Pietro, had said that it would
not be at all dangerous for him to have his desire gratified--to take
the holy communion at the sacred altar. His days were plainly
numbered; it but remained to make his decline as full as possible of
joy and peace.
The poor old fellow was pleased to wear his fresh homely suit and the
broad-brimmed hat that reminded him so pleasantly of home. The
congregation were already assembled when the two entered--Pietro
leaning heavily on the arm of the colonel, who gently led him to the
corner of the pew that had been comfortably prepared for him.
The preliminary service over, the children recently confirmed went
forward first to the communion, circling the chancel in solemn
stillness, while the prayers of the congregation went up for the young
disciples. Then came the elders to the holy table. Old Pelle and
Pietro knelt side by side, the latter staying himself by one hand on
the colonel's shoulder, as if he had been a brother. The Italian knew
nothing of the pride and stiffness of the early days of his friend.
The colonel was but to him the loving guide who had led him to the
heavenly kingdom. Their paths were soon to separate. Pietro was to be
summoned upward; the colonel was to linger and labour, and perhaps
suffer before he entered into rest.
The future lay uncertain before the dwellers at Ekero and the golden
house, but they had nought to fear. They had opened the guest-chamber
of their hearts to the heavenly Visitant, and they would henceforward
be blessed by his continual presence.
And Nono, who had so early admitted the sacred Friend? He did not see
his father on earth, but he had the glad hope of meeting him in the
true home above. Nono was to "make beautiful things," and had the
beautiful life of all who follow Him who is the spring and source of
beauty and purity and love.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and
open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with me."
"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him,
and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
"Be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come
in."
THE END.
The 'Royal' Libraries
Of Reward Books in Uniform Bindings.
Containing a Selection of Messrs. Nelson and Sons' Popular Copyright
Tales and Standard Books by the best Authors.
T. NELSON AND SONS, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
The 'Royal' Two Shilling Library.
Chronicles of the Schönberg-Cotta Family. By Mrs. RUNDLE CHARLES.
The Spanish Brothers. By DEBORAH ALCOCK.
Leonie; or, Light out of Darkness. By ANNIE LUCAS.
Isabel's Secret; or, A Sister's Love. By the Author of "The Story of a
Happy Little Girl."
Ivanhoe. By Sir WALTER SCOTT.
The Triple Alliance. By HAROLD AVERY.
The Uncharted Island. By SKELTON KUPPORD.
In Palace and Faubourg. By C. J. G.
Maud Melville's Marriage. By EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN.
Kenilworth. By Sir WALTER SCOTT.
The 'Royal' Eighteenpenny Library.
The Young Rajah. By W. H. G. KINGSTON.
Boris the Bear-Hunter. By FRED. WHISHAW.
Afar in the Forest. By W. H. G. KINGSTON.
On Angels' Wings. By Hon. Mrs. GREENE.
For the Queen's Sake. By E. EVERETT-GREEN.
Winning the Victory. By E. EVERETT-GREEN.
One Summer by the Sea. By J. M. CALLWELL.
Esther's Charge. By EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN.
Dulcie's Little Brother. By E. EVERETT-GREEN.
Salome. By Mrs. EMMA MARSHALL.
The 'Royal' Shilling Library.
The Coral Island. By R. M. BALLANTYNE.
The Gorilla Hunters. By R. M. BALLANTYNE.
Ungava. By R. M. BALLANTYNE.
The Grey House on the Hill; or, Trust in God and Do the Right. By the
Hon. Mrs. GREENE.
Sir Aylmer's Heir. By EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN.
At the Black Rocks. By EDWARD A. RAND.
Soldiers of the Queen. By HAROLD AVERY.
The Golden House. By the Author of "The Swedish Twins."
The Robber Baron of Bedford Castle. By A. J. FOSTER and E. E. CUTHELL.
Mark Marksen's Secret. By JESSIE ARMSTRONG.
Tales of Adventure.
THREE BOOKS BY ELIZA F. POLLARD.
A Daughter of France. A Tale of the Early Settlement of Acadia. With
Six Illustrations by W. RAINEY, R.I.
An interesting story of the adventures of Charles de la Tour and his
companions in Acadia. Jacqueline, De la Tour's wife, is a noble
character. Her heroic defence of the fort in her husband's absence,
and the base trick by which her charge way betrayed, are recounted in
chapters of compelling interest.
The Last of the Cliffords. Illustrated by WAL PAGET.
My Lady Marcia. A Story of the French Revolution. With Five
Illustrations by WAL PAGET.
In Savage Africa; or, The Adventures of Frank Baldwin from the Gold
Coast to Zanzibar. By VERNEY LOVETT CAMERON, C.B., D.C.L., Commander
Royal Navy; Author of "Jack Hooper," etc. With Thirty-two
Illustrations.
"From the deft and prolific pen of Commander Lovett Cameron.... In the
course of a stirring narrative, of the kind in which boys most delight,
he succeeds in conveying much real knowledge about Africa, its
features, and its peoples."--Scotsman.
Jack Hooper. His Adventures at Sea and in South Africa. By VERNEY
LOVETT CAMERON, C.B., D.C.L. With Twenty-three Full-page Illustrations.
Every Inch a Sailor. By GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N., Author of "As We
Sweep through the Deep," etc. Illus.
"Between the reader, ourselves, and the binnacle, there isn't a living
writer--unless it be Clark Russell, and he appeals more to the
adult--who can hold a candle, or shall we say a starboard light, to
Gordon Stables as a narrator of sea stories for boys. This one is
worthy of the high traditions of the author."--Literary World.
Held to Ransom. A Story of Spanish Brigands. By F. B. FORESTER,
Author of "The Spanish Cousin," "A Settler's Story," etc. Illustrated
by ARCHIBALD WEBB.
Jack Ralston. A Tale of Life in the Far North-East of Canada. By
HAMPDEN BURNHAM, M.A., Author of "Canadians in the Imperial Service."
With Coloured Illustrations by WALTER GRIEVE.
Kilgorman. A Story of Ireland in 1798. By TALBOT BAINES REED, Author
of "The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's," etc. Illustrated by JOHN
WILLIAMSON. With Portrait, and an "In Memoriam" Sketch of the Author
by JOHN SIME.
With Pack and Rifle in the Far South-West. Adventures in New Mexico,
Arizona, and Central America. By ACHILLES DAUNT, Author of "Frank
Redcliffe," "The Three Trappers," etc. With Thirty Illustrations.
"Red Rose" Library of Choice Books.
A carefully-selected List of Copyright Works. Specially suitable for
Gift-book, Lending Library, and P.S.A. Purposes.
Aiming Higher; or, Perseverance and Faithfulness Triumphant. By the
Rev. T. P. WILSON, M.A.
The Better Way. A Tale of Temperance Toil. By WILLIAM J. LACEY.
By Uphill Paths; or, Waiting and Winning. By E. VAN SOMMER.
Chris Willoughby; or, Against the Current. By FLORENCE E. BURCH.
Crooked Places. A Family Chronicle. By EDWARD GARRETT.
Dorothy Arden. A Story of England and France Two Hundred Years Ago.
By J. M. CALLWELL.
Edith Raymond, and the Story of Huldah Brent's Will. A Tale. By S. S.
ROBBINS.
Fighting the Good Fight; or, The Successful Influence of Well-Doing.
By E. EVERETT-GREEN.
Frank Oldfield; or, Lost and Found. By the Rev. T. P. WILSON, M.A.
The Golden Woof. A Story of Two Girls' Lives. By Mrs. I. SITWELL.
Lionel Franklin's Victory. By E. VAN SOMMER.
Little Miss Wardlaw. The Story of an Unselfish Life. By L. M. GRAY.
The Lost Ring. A Romance of Scottish History in the Days of King James
and Andrew Melville.
Molly's Heroine. By "FLEUR DE LYS."
The Naresborough Victory. By the Rev. T. KEYWORTH.
Nellie O'Neil; or, Our Summer Time. By AGNES C. MAITLAND.
No Cross no Crown. A Tale of the Scottish Reformation. By the Author
of "The Spanish Brothers."
Owen's Hobby; or, Strength and Weakness. A Tale. By ELMER BURLEIGH.
Pincherton Farm. By E. A. B. D.
Premiums Paid to Experience. Incidents in my Business Life. By EDWARD
GARRETT.
Right at Last; or, Family Fortunes. A Tale. By EDWARD GARRETT, Author
of "Occupations of a Retired Life."
Stepping Heavenward. A Tale of Home Life. By Mrs. PRENTISS.
The "Coronet" Series.
Suitable for Sunday School and Presentation Purposes.
Almost a Hero; or, School Days at Ashcombe. By ROBERT RICHARDSON.
Anna Lee. The Maiden--the Wife--the Mother. By T. S. ARTHUR.
Aunt Sally. By CONSTANCE MILMAN.
Esther Reid. By PANSY.
The Flower of the Family. A Tale of Domestic Life. By Mrs. PRENTISS.
Gladys or Gwenyth? The Story of a Mistake. By E. EVERETT-GREEN.
The Hermit of Livry. A Story of the Sixteenth Century at the Dawn of
the Reformation. By M. R. H.
The Mystery of Alton Grange. By E. EVERETT-GREEN.
A New Graft on the Family Tree. By PANSY.
Not Thrown Away, but Given; or, The Story of Marion's Hero. By Mrs. F.
S. REANEY, Author of "Our Daughters," etc.
Out in the World. By PANSY.
Rose and Thorn. A Story for the Young. By KATHARINE LEE BATES.
Shenac. The Story of a Highland Family in Canada.
Through the Gates. By ANNIE TUCKER.
Workers Together; or, An Endless Chain. By PANSY.
Favourite Books for the Nursery.
Favourite Bible Stories for the Young. FIRST SERIES.
_Containing_:--The Story of Joseph--The Story of Moses--The Story of
Ruth--The Story of David--The Story of Daniel--The Life of Our Lord.
Favourite Bible Stories for the Young. SECOND SERIES.
_Containing_:--Story of the Flood--Rebekah at the Well--Jacob's
Dream--Stories from the Life of Moses--Elijah and Elisha--Samuel--David
and Jonathan, etc.
Favourite Book of Beasts, Birds, and Fishes.
Favourite Stories about Animals. Intended to Show the Reasoning Powers
which they Possess.
Favourite Rhymes for the Nursery.
The Favourite Book of Fables. _Containing_:--The Cock and the
Jewel--The Wolf and the Lamb--The Fox and the Lion--Hercules and the
Carter--The Fox and the Goat--The Stag in the Ox-stall--The Vain
Jackdaw, etc.
Favourite Stories for the Nursery. _Containing_:--Ali Baba and the
Forty Thieves--Hop o' my Thumb, and the Seven League Boots--Children in
the Wood--Tom Thumb--Little Red Riding Hood, etc.
Favourite Tales for the Nursery.
Riddles and Rhymes.
T. NELSON AND SONS, London, Edinburgh, and New York.