Beulah - Page 341/348

"Yes."

"Better than teaching school and writing learned articles?"

"Rather better, I believe, sir."

"Beulah!"

"Well, sir."

"You have changed in many things since we parted, nearly six years

ago!"

"Yes; I thank God, I am changed. My infidelity was a source of many

sorrows; but the clouds have passed from my mind; I have found the

truth in Holy Writ." Now she raised her head, and looked at him very

earnestly.

"Child, does your faith make you happy?"

"Yes; the universe could not purchase it," she answered solemnly.

There was a brief silence. He put both hands on her shoulders, and,

stooping down, kissed her brow.

"And you prayed for me, Beulah?"

"Yes; evening and morning. Prayed that you might be shielded from

all dangers and brought safely home. And there was one other thing

which I prayed for not less fervently than for your return: that God

would melt your hard, bitter heart, and give you a knowledge of the

truth of the Christian religion. Oh, sir, I thought sometimes that

possibly you might die in a far-off land, and then I should see you

no more, in time or eternity! and oh, the thought nearly drove me

wild! My guardian, my all, let me not have prayed in vain." She

clasped his hand in hers, and looked up pleadingly into the loved

face; and, for the first time in her life, she saw tears glistening

in the burning eyes. He said nothing, however; took her face in his

hands, and scanned it earnestly, as if reading all that had passed

during his long absence. Presently he asked: "So you would not marry Lindsay and go to Congress. Why not?"

"Who told you anything about him?"

"No matter. Why did not you marry him?"

"Because I did not love him."

"He is a noble-hearted, generous man."

"Yes, very; I do not know his superior."

"What!"

"I mean what I say," said she firmly.

He smiled, one of his genial, irresistible smiles; and she smiled

also, despite herself. "Give me your hand, Beulah?"

She did so very quietly.

"There--is it mine?"

"Yes, sir; if you want it."

"And may I claim it as soon as I choose?"

"Yes, sir."

She had never seen him look as he did then. His face kindled, as if

in a broad flash of light; the eyes dazzled her, and she turned her

face away, as he drew her once more to his bosom, and exclaimed: "At last, then, after years of sorrow, and pain, and bitterness, I

shall be happy in my own home; shall have a wife, a companion, who

loves me for myself alone. Ah, Beulah, my idol; I will make you

happy!"