ntly from my arms and in a moment the sweet presence had departed. But
the fragrance of love and innocence was left behind and my faltering
answer came at last, though she heard it not:

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

XX

_A FATHER'S CRUCIFIXION_

It is from joy alone that real sorrow can be brewed. Were joy to perish
from the earth human lips would soon forget the bitter taste of anguish.
The only intolerable clouds are those which follow swift upon some rosy
morn, frowning its every sunbeam into darkness, pursuing its fugitive
smiles as the hound pursues the deer. The soul's great sickness is in
joy's relapse.

Into the tide of our daughter's virgin gladness her mother and I were
soon gladly swept. Love and joy are incendiary things and we soon
succumbed to the sweet contagion. Apart altogether from our daughter's
choice, he might well have been our own; for Angus Strachan was strong
of body and vigorous of mind, and pure of soul. He had made swift
strides in his chosen calling, and was now a partner in one of the
manufacturing firms which were New Jedboro's pride. At the door of
industry he had knocked with patient hand, and wealth had answered to
that knock herself. He was a man of influence, ever increasing, in New
Jedboro. In St. Cuthbert's, he was held in high esteem by all, and the
next election, we knew, would call him to the elder's honoured place.
Prepossessing in appearance, manly in bearing, musical in speech,
fragrant in character, Angus might well wake the echoes of even our
Margaret's noble heart.

Wherefore there was joy in St. Cuthbert's manse, and in its three
devoted hearts, beating high with a common hope. Our morning sun shone
radiantly.

But the eclipse came suddenly. It was again the Sabbath evening, and
Margaret again was nestling close, her face bearing more and more the
beauty which love's tuition gives.

"Father," she suddenly began, "I want to ask you something."

"What is it, child?" I said.

"You know that verse in the Bible that says:--'Who did sin, this man or
his parents?' You know the verse. Well father, who did sin? Was it the
man, or was it his parents?"

"What a strange question, child! What on earth has that to do with you?"

"Never mind, father--let us stick to the text," she answered. "You are a
minister and I want you to stick to the text. Tell me who did sin?"

"Well, if the man's blindness was because of sin, since he was born