Then his face became pale, and
it seemed to me that a light actually shone from it. As I told you, he
is just a boy, and as I looked on him then, I thought of the boy
prophet, and what my father has told me so often about him. Well, when
the fellow got through with his abuse, and jumped from the table as if
we were dismissed, my companion arose and in a voice wonderfully gentle
yet vibrant with power, said:

"'Yes, we will go, but not before I tell you this: You know not what you
say, therefore, you are forgiven, as far as I am concerned. My parents
were driven from this state. All they had was destroyed by mobs. My
mother died on the plains and her body lies there to this day. All that
mortal man can suffer and live my people have suffered, and all for the
sake of the truth, the gospel that I have brought to you this day, and
which you so scornfully reject. And now I tell you in the name of the
Lord, some day you will receive this gospel--but not until you have paid
for it, and paid for it dearly. Like the merchantman in the parable,
_all that you have_ will you pay for this Pearl of Great Price! Good
day, sir.'

"We both left him standing somewhat dazed, but I tell you--"

The letter dropped to Thomas Strong's knee, as he looked up and out at
the closing day. He arose, went to the glass door which opened on to the
little porch, stepped out into the air that he might breathe easier.
What he saw was not Old Thunder Mountain, or the wide extent of the
Flat, dim now in the twilight, but a vine-enclosed porch and the pale,
peculiar face of a boy telling him the words he had just read. * * * *
There had been other boy prophets besides the first great one; and yes,
oh Great God, one old, broken man had paid the price.

The vines on the upper porch of Piney Ridge Cottage now also formed a
cover, and in their shadow Thomas Strong kneeled and prayed as he had
never prayed before.

An hour later, Julia, wondering what their guest was doing in his room
so long without a light, called to him softly at the foot of the stairs.

"Yes," he replied, as if he did not realize for the moment who was
calling, "I'm coming--I'm coming now."

CHAPTER XXII.

The first Sunday in the month was Fast Day at Piney Ridge the same as in
all wards of the Church. The Bishop had some visiting to do that morning
so he did not get to Sunday School; but he returned about eleven o'clock
and found the horses hitched to the white-top buggy r