It was to be my duty to sacrifice myself for them. Antony saw
me; he thought I should be of service to him. My father thought
Antony's business would provide for the younger boys. I was told to
accept him, and I did. That is all about my life, Elizabeth, I had
my dream of love, and of being loved like all other girls, but--"
"But Antony was kind to you?"
"Yes; he was never unkind. He troubled me very little. But I was very
lonely. Poor Antony! I can remember and understand now; he also had
many sorrows. It was in those days I first began to pray, Elizabeth.
I found that God never got tired of hearing me complain; mother
scarcely listened--she had so much to interest her--but God always
listened."
"Poor Evelyn!"
"So I am watching quietly
Every day;
Whenever the sun shines brightly,
I rise, and say,
'Surely it is the shining of His face!'
I think he will come to-night, Elizabeth."
"You have no fear now?"
"It has gone. Last night I dreamed of passing through a dreary river,
and as I stumbled, blind and weak in the water, Christ Jesus stretched
out his hand--a gentle, pierced hand, and immediately I was on the
shore, and there was a great light whose glory awoke me. When the river
is to cross, 'the hand' will be there."
She spoke little afterward. About midnight there was a short struggle,
and then a sudden solemn peace.
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