Beulah - Page 339/348

She could not weep; her eyes were dry, and there was an

intolerable weight on her heart. Just before her stood the Niobe,

rigid and woeful; she put her hands over her eyes, and drooped her

face on the melodeon. Gloom and despair crouched at her side, their

gaunt hands tugging at the anchor of hope. The wind rose and howled

round the corners of the house; how fierce it might be on trackless

seas, driving lonely barks down to ruin and strewing the main with

ghastly upturned faces! She shuddered and groaned. It was a dark

hour of trial, and she struggled desperately with the phantoms that

clustered about her. Then there came other sounds: Charon's shrill,

frantic bark and whine of delight. For years she had not heard that

peculiar bark, and started up in wonder. On the threshold stood a

tall form, with a straw hat drawn down over the features; but

Charon's paws were on the shoulders and his whine of delight ceased

not. He fell down at his master's feet and caressed them. Beulah

looked an instant, and sprang into the doorway, holding out her

arms, with a wild, joyful cry.

"Come at last! Oh, thank God! Come at last!" Her face was radiant,

her eyes burned, her glowing lips parted.

Leaning against the door, with his arms crossed over his broad

chest, Dr. Hartwell stood, silently regarding her. She came close to

him, and her extended arms trembled; still he did not move, did not

speak.

"Oh, I knew you would come; and, thank God, now you are here. Come

home at last!"

She looked up at him so eagerly; but he said nothing. She stood an

instant irresolute, then threw her arms around his neck and laid her

head on his bosom, clinging closely to him. He did not return the

embrace, but looked down at the beaming face and sighed; then he put

his hand softly on her head, and smoothed the rippling hair. A

brilliant smile broke over her features, as she felt the remembered

touch of his fingers on her forehead, and she repeated in the low

tones of deep gladness: "I knew you would come; oh, sir, I knew you would come back to me!"

"How did you know it, child?" he said, for the first time.

Her heart leaped wildly at the sound of the loved voice she had so

longed to hear, and she answered tremblingly: "Because for weary years I have prayed for your return. Oh, only God

knows how fervently I prayed! and he has heard me."