"

"Have you ever heard the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?"
asked Mantel, trembling at the name and at his own temerity in
pronouncing it.

It was a strange situation into which this young skeptic had been forced
by the logic of circumstances. As the old beggar felt the ethical
necessity of another life, the young gambler felt the ethical necessity
of the crucifixion. It seemed to him that if the redemption of this
hate-smitten man hung on the capacity of his own heart to empty itself
of its bitterness, there was about as much hope as of a serpent
expelling the poison from its fangs! He had never before seen a man
under the absolute and unresisted power of one of the basal passions,
and neither he nor any one else has ever understood life until he has
witnessed that fearful spectacle. A summer breeze conveys no more idea
of a tornado, nor a burning chimney of a volcano, than ordinary vices
convey of that fearful ruin which any elemental passion works when
permitted to devastate a soul, unrestrained. The sight filled Mantel
with terror, and he felt himself compelled by some invincible necessity
to plead with the man in the name of the Saviour of the world. Long and
earnestly he besought him to forgive as Christ forgave; but all in vain!
So long had he brooded over his wrongs that his mind had either become
hopelessly impotent or else irretrievably hardened. The conversation had
so angered and exhausted the invalid that he presently crawled over to
his bed, threw himself upon it and sank almost instantly into a deep
sleep.

With a heavy heart, Mantel left him and hurried home to report the
interview to David. He found him just returning from his work, and
conveyed his message by the gloom of his countenance.

"Has anything, gone wrong?" David inquired, anxiously, as they entered
their room.

Casting himself heavily into a seat and answering abstractedly, Mantel
replied, "Each new day of life renders it more inexplicable. A man no
sooner forms a theory than he is compelled to abandon it. I fear it is a
labyrinth from which we shall none of us escape."

"Do not speak in parables," David exclaimed, impatiently, "If anything
is the matter, tell me at once. Do not leave me in suspense. I cannot
endure it. Is he worse? Is he dying?"

"He is both, and more," Mantel answered, still unable to escape from the
gloom which enveloped him.

"More? What more? Speak out. I cannot bear these indirections."

"I have