man! And
when I got tired of him I took the first way that opened to get away
from him! God doesn't forgive things like that! I didn't expect He would
when I did them. But it wasn't fair not to let me live out my life! I'm
too young to die! And I'm afraid! I'm AFRAID!"

"Yes. God forgives all those things! There was a woman once who had been
like that, and Jesus forgave her. He will forgive you if you ask Him.
But He can't forgive you unless you are sorry and really want Him to. He
says, 'Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow;
and though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,' but you
have to be sorry first that you sinned. He can't forgive you if you
aren't sorry."

"Sorry! _Sorry!_" Gila's laugh rang out mirthlessly and echoed in the
high, white room. "Oh, I'm _sorry_, all right! What do you think I am?
Do you think I've been _happy_? Don't you know that I've suffered
torments? Everything has turned to ashes that I've touched! I've gone
everywhere and done everything to try to forget myself, but always there
was that awful Presence chasing me! Standing in my way everywhere I
turned! Driving me! Always driving me toward hell! I've tried drowning
my thoughts with cocktails and dope, but always when it wore off there
would be the Presence of God pursuing me! Do you mean to tell me there
is forgiveness for me with Him?"

Her breath was coming in painful gasps as she screamed out the words as
the nurse leaned over and gave her a quieting draught.

Bonnie, in a low, clear voice, began to repeat Bible verses:

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from _all_
sin!

"As far as the East is from the West, so far hath He removed
our transgressions from us.

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for
mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

"If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Gila listened with wondering, incredulous eyes, like the eyes of a
frightened, naughty child who scarcely understood what was being said
and was in a frenzy of fear.

"Oh, if Paul Courtland were here he would tell me if this is true!" Gila
cried at last.

Instantly, from out the shadow of the doorway, stepped Courtland, and
stood at the foot of the bed where she could see him, looking steadily
at the dying girl for a moment, and then lifting his eyes, as if to