ss and death, is only a false
idea of good. It is a misinterpretation, made in the thought-activity
which constitutes what we call the human consciousness. And that is
the opposite--the suppositional opposite--of the mind that is God.
Evil, then, becomes a supposition and a lie. Just what Jesus said it
was!"

"But, Padre--I don't see why you don't act as if you really believed
all that!"

"Fear--only fear! It has not yet been eradicated from my thought," he
answered slowly.

"But, Padre, what will drive it out?"

"Love, child--love only, for 'perfect love casteth out fear.'"

"Oh, then, Padre dear, I will just love it all out of you, every bit!"
she exclaimed, clasping her arms about him again and burying her face
in his shoulder.

"Ah, little one," he said sadly, "I must love more. I must love my
fellow-men and good more than myself and evil. If I didn't love myself
so much, I would have no fear. If I loved God as you do, dearest
child, I would never come under fear's heavy shadow."

"You _do_ love everybody--you have got to, for you are God's child.
And now," she added, getting down and drawing him toward the door,
"let us go out of this smelly old church. I want you to come home.
We've got to have our lessons, you know."

"But--child, the people will not let me come near them--nor you
either, now," he said, holding back. "They think we may give them the
disease."

She looked up at him with a tender, wistful smile. Then she shook her
head. "Padre dear, I love you," she said, "but you make me lots of
trouble. But--we are going to love all the fear away, and--" stamping
her little bare foot--"we are going to get the right answer to your
problem, too!"

The priest took her hand, and together they passed out into the
dazzling sunlight.

On the brow of the hill stood Rosendo, talking excitedly, and with
much vehement gesticulation, to Dona Maria, who remained a safe
distance from him. The latter and her good consort exclaimed in horror
when they saw Carmen with the priest.

_"Caramba!"_ cried Rosendo, darting toward them. "I could kill you for
this, Padre! _Hombre!_ How came the child here, and with you? _Dios
mio!_ Have you no heart, but that, when you know you may die, you
would take her with you?" He swung his long arms menacingly before the
priest, and his face worked with passion.

The girl ran between the two men. "Padre Rosendo!" she cried, seizing
one of his hands in both of her own. "I came of m