An Unwilling Guest (Romance Classic). Grace Livingston Hill

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СКАЧАТЬ land of wondrous beauty, where I did not expect to see a familiar face, I have met another human being to whom, indeed, I have spoken but once before, but with whom I have been conversing for nearly three hours. I was taking my second view of the old ruin before going away; and as I stood looking at the moss-grown turrets and imagining the old days back when knights and ladies walked and talked there and looked off across the lake to the blue mountains in the distance, it reminded me of Browning's poem, 'Love Among the Ruins.' I repeated a verse aloud as I stood alone in a grassy meadow that stretched away to a bit of ruin standing by itself:

      "Now the single little turret that remains

       On the plains,

       By the caper overrooted, by the gourd

       Overscored,

       While the patching houseleek's head of blossom

       Through the chinks,

       Marks the basement where a tower in ancient time

       Sprang sublime,

       And a burning ring, all round, the chariots traced

       As they raced,

       And the monarch and his minions and his dames

       Viewed the games.”

      "Just then I noticed the heavy blackness that was swiftly overspreading the sky. I watched it grow dark all about the ruin till the gray turrets and the purply green-gray clouds blended and there were turrets and towers in the sky everywhere. Vivid flashes of lightning set forth this mighty spectacle. I withdrew to the shelter of a covered archway, and the rain began to pour down. I had not been under cover more than a minute before I heard the flutter of garments and looking out I saw—Evelyn Rutherford, Dick Rutherford's beautiful sister. The last time we met was in New York. How strange that she should be here! We talked about many things, for there was nothing for us to do but remain under cover until the rain ceased. I do not think three hours ever went with greater swiftness. She is a fine conversationalist—or—no, is she? Perhaps she is a fine listener, for I can remember hearing my own voice most of the time, now that I think of it. But if I can judge by her face we certainly enjoyed the time together. We peopled the old rooms and corridors with knights and ladies robed in rich satins, stiff with gold broidery. I repeated Browning's poem again, for it kept running in my head all day. She liked it, I think. At least her eyes seemed to say so, and her comments were well-made and to the point. She showed a keen appreciation of the poem's literary beauties, which was more than I expected from one in her position in society. But then! It was but for an afternoon. What am I? And what is she? We are as from two worlds. It may be we shall never meet again. There are other poems of Browning's which might appropriately be quoted just here, but I am too weary to-night to hunt them up, and besides, I do not care to have the charm of the day lifted just yet. I never quite believed in their sentiments either, and always revolted at the idea that two beings who seemed to be affinities should meet and enjoy each other and then be thrown apart and care no more, but I don't know but I understand better now how the necessities of life compel one to adopt such a philosophy. But somehow this adventure has unfitted me for the ordinary. It is well I am going back to work soon.

      "I am reading the life of Moody. I have been making it a rule lately to do a little religious reading every day, aside from the Bible, to keep in touch with things most vital. I wonder I have never read this before. It is not a great book as books go, but it is the story of a great life, a life near to God. Last night I read that Moody made it a rule never to be alone with a person five minutes without having by some little word or action left his testimony for Christ, and found out whether his companion was a Christian. I was much impressed by the story of his walking in the rain with a stranger on the street to protect him with his umbrella and before the short walk was over asking the question: 'My friend, do you know Jesus Christ?' I do not think I could always do that way, perhaps; but I might be able to witness in some way if I tried. I could not but marvel what a difference it would make in the world if all Christians would do so. I lay awake thinking it over and resolved, after much thought and prayer, to adopt this rule for myself. I made that resolve only last evening and prayed for the necessary opportunity and courage. Behold, it needed neither courage nor opportunity. Three hours were given me in which to reach a human soul, and one with whom in all likelihood I shall never come in contact again. If I loved Christ, as I had thought, would I not have been anxious at once to do this little for him? I spoke of my father, mother, and sister, but of him whom I love better than all I breathed never a word. I cannot even comfort myself with the thought that there was aught in my conversation that indirectly showed her my purpose in life, not even so much as a hint that I ever attend church. And this because I was so absorbed in other things as to entirely forget. I do not think it would have required much courage.

      "The thing I need to pray for first is watchfulness. My Master's words to his disciples apply to me now, 'Could ye not watch with me one hour?' I have been taking my ease, my pleasure, and never watching for words to say for him. And now the opportunity has passed. Oh, that I might have another! I judge this girl by her words and she does not seem to be a Christian. Does she judge me in the same way? I deserve it. Twice I have met this soul and missed my opportunity to carry a message for my Lord. I hereby pledge my word, God helping me, that if I am ever thrown in her company again I will do my humble best to show her that it is a sweet thing to have Christ as a Saviour. But so great a privilege is not likely to be awarded me again, seeing I have shown myself unfaithful. But I can and will pray for her. I will make it my daily practice, so help me God, to pray for her soul until I die or know that she belongs to Christ. She is nothing to me, perhaps; but the responsibility of three long hours misspent is upon me and I have been found wanting."

      The young man closed the book which registered his vow almost reverently. He had kept that pledge for a year, and now he sat thoughtfully.

      "Strange," he said, speaking aloud to himself as was his habit when alone, "strange and wonderful that I should have another opportunity given! It is a great privilege for a human soul to be given a third chance, having failed in two through utter thoughtlessness. Why I should feel so about this particular soul I do not know. There are doubtless many others whom I have passed by again and again, and never knew nor thought, but my meeting with this girl was unusual. And then, I believe one cannot pray for another without having a deep interest in that other. I am very happy. Can it be that I am to be allowed to do what I have left undone? It may be all my absurd imagination. I may not have been needed at all; but this I know, that if I live until tomorrow I shall endeavor to find out in some way if this young woman is a Christian,"

      He said the words solemnly as if registering a vow to an unseen witness, and then he knelt in prayer and offered a petition for this stranger beneath his father's roof, that she might know and love Jesus, and that if it were to be his privilege to show her the light that he might be guided by the Spirit.

      Then he lay down with the joy of expectation in his soul.

      CHAPTER VII.

      A STRANGE LOVE STORY

       Table of Contents

      For some reason best known to herself Evelyn Rutherford chose to appear at the breakfast table the next morning.

      She was not expected. Without a word being said, mother and daughter and father too had taken it for granted that their guest would sleep and leave them to breakfast alone with the son and brother.

      But she came in without any apparent hurry just as they were sitting down and the brother, who did not yet understand the state of the case with regard to their guest, hastened to draw out a chair and then looking about СКАЧАТЬ