s the spirit. If a man does not fill his soul--swept free of past
evil by repentance--with that which is actively good, the repentance is
of little avail."

"Yes, yes, I can readily understand that, for it has a parallel in
bodily illness," answered Donald, somewhat impatiently. "We all know
that, when the sick physical being is freed of its disease, it is left
weak and an easy prey for new troubles. We can bring back to it the
strength to resist by giving nerve-and tissue-building food and tonics,
but how is the spirit to be ..."

"How persistently the earth-man kicks against the pricks," cried Mr.
Talmadge. "Child, your friend will not lift his eyes from the maze of
doubt. You pledged yourself to help him. Help him now."

Her face suddenly glowing with light, Rose turned to Donald eagerly, and
said without hesitation, "Oh, Doctor Mac, don't you see? The answer is
so clear, so simple that even I know it. The dear God spirit is
everywhere, just waiting for you to call it to your aid. Please pray to
Him to give you new strength so that you may not be weak again, and I
will pray, too."

"Yes," supplemented the minister, "'Whence cometh my help? My help
cometh even from the Lord, which hath made heaven and earth.'"

Donald was strongly moved at the eager interest in him which these two
displayed. Shifting uncomfortably he replied, "I need His help, I know;
but ... but I guess I have forgotten how to pray for it."

"Open your heart with sincerity, and He will enter and bestow the
strength you need in order to take up your task anew, and carry on until
your purpose here on earth has been accomplished. That is all that
prayer need be, for He is ever more ready to give than we to receive.
Verbal petitions are vain and empty things; honest communion with Him
_is_ prayer."

He arose, content to say no more, and to leave the sorely troubled
spirit of the stranger to Smiles' tender ministrations. "I am deeply
sorry for you in your distress, Dr. MacDonald, but although there is
small comfort in the remark, I cannot help but feel that what has
happened was ordained to complete your lesson, so that you may leave
these hills with a new understanding and higher purpose in life. Good
night, and God be with you all."

CHAPTER XVII

THE PARTING PLEDGE AND PASSING DAYS

"Doctor Mac," began Smiles timidly, at length. "I'm sorry for what I
said to you this afternoon, and I want to take it back. I guess when
you're angry