s and sharp sarcasms he had heard fall from the lips of
Ingersoll, and how he had felt a growing belief that faith in the Bible
was but an evidence of ignorance and the ear-mark of superstition. Then
following that came a contrasting comparison of the peace of mind that
was the widow's and the lack of it that was Uncle Terry's, both of whom
must feel that only a few short years were left them. And again
following the line of comparison, what had he to look forward to when
the end of all things earthly drew near? Truly, as he had thought the
night that poor but devout old soul had clasped her hands and thanked
God for the blessed belief that was her comfort and staff, what availed
the doubt and distrust of atheism? All the epigrams of Ingersoll and the
sneers of Voltaire served only to remove a hope and left nought to take
its place; a hope, the divine solace of which is and will be for all
time a blessed ray of light piercing the dark shadow of the beyond; a
beacon beside which all the cold philosophy of sceptics will at the end
fade away.

Then as Albert looked out to where the waves were breaking upon a ledge,
and back again to this old man, sitting with bowed head beside him, a
sincere regret that it was not in his power to utter one word that would
aid in dispelling the clouds of doubt came to him. "Since I lack in
faith myself," he thought, "all I can say will only increase his doubt.
I wish I had as much faith as the widow, but I have not, and possibly
never shall have." For a long time he sat in silence, living over the
years during which scepticism had been slowly but surely growing upon
him, and then Uncle Terry suddenly looked up at him. It is likely the
old man's keen eyes read at a glance what was in Albert's mind, for he
said: "It don't do no good ter brood over this matter o' believin', Mr.
Page; I've wished I thought different many a time, an' more so now I'm
gittin' near the end o' life, but I can't, an' so thar's no use in
worryin'. Our 'pinions 'bout these matters are a good deal due to our
bringin' up, and the experiences we've met with. Mine connected with
those as has perfessed religion has, to say the least, been unfortnit,
but as I said afore, I wish I believed different."

He paused a few moments, watching the ground swells breaking below them
on the rocks, and then added sadly: "This hopin' ain't allus best fur
some on us either, fur it's hopin' fur some one to cum year after year
that's made T