CHAPTER XVII.

BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM.

"There are souls that seem to dwell Above this earth, so rich a spell Floats round their steps, where'er they move, From hopes fulfilled and mutual love."

FIVE years have passed since the Christmas eve we have written about in our last chapters. Once more summer sunshine was flooding the world, lighting up the dark pines near the Grove and playing among the many-coloured flowers in the garden there. It lighted up, as well, the gloomy cottages in the hamlet near, where Prissy Warner had for long carried on her blessed work of helping many of its dwellers into the kingdom.

A number of women with babies in their arms, and little ones just beginning to walk playing beside them, stood at the doors, enjoying the warmth of the lovely summer day. They were in earnest conversation; and from the remarks that fell now from one, now from another, it was evident that some event of importance to them was to take place that day.

"I be glad Mr. Austin and his bride are getting such a shiny day to come back. And to think that they start so soon again to foreign lands! But it's a grand missionary Mr. Austin'll make, that he will. He's a real Christian, so homely and kind."

"And his bride!" said a woman coming forward. "Have ye no word for her, the pretty young creature? I do say Miss Gabrielle that was is a sweet leddy, and a good; and only to think of her agoing to these heathen places, where she'll meet wi' all kinds of danger. Oh, she's a pretty one!"

"Oh yes," chimed in other voices, "that she be; and may she prove a good wife."

"But it'll be a sad day," said another voice, "for our leddy, Miss Warner, when her brother leaves, though she says she be's well pleased he is agoing to spend his life in tellin' the heathen 'bout Jesus. But she'll miss him sorely. The Lord bless her for all she's done for us and ours."

"Oh, she is a leddy, that she be," said many of them.

"It's a puzzle," said one, "how she has been let stay Miss Warner so long, though some do say there's summat between her and young Mr. Lascelles."

"Maybe, maybe there is, but we're in no hurry to have her taken from us, even by him. And how would the old gentleman and the young uns do without her? Though Miss Ruth is growing up a likely girl. But there, the carriage will be passing, and we'll lose the sight of the young couple as they pass to the Grove."

"But ye know," put in one or two voices, "we'll see them at the meetin' to-morrow night to bid them farewell and God-speed."

Yes, many besides the women whose conversation we have related wondered that Prissy was Miss Warner still. But so it was; and a happy, useful, Christ-like life she spent, nobly fulfilling her woman's mission as a helper and comforter. Her father clung to her with increasing tenderness, and turned to her as a help in his favourite pursuits. She still acted as amanuensis, though by God's blessing on the skill of a famous oculist, the sight of one of his eyes had been restored. And Claude and Ruth looked to her for help and sympathy in everything.

Father and daughter stood together a moment ere starting for the station, where they were going to welcome back Austin and his pretty bride Gabrielle from their marriage trip. They were coming to spend ten days at the Grove ere starting as missionaries to China.

"Prissy," said Dr. Warner, "it is a joyful thing now to me to think God has put it into Austin's heart to consecrate all his talents to his cause, and go as his ambassador to tell the good news of Christ crucified and risen again to the heathen. God grant he may be greatly used in gathering in souls to the kingdom of God."

"I am sure he will be so used," said Prissy with emotion. "Austin's desire since he was a boy has been to help on the kingdom of God; and he began to do so early, both in his own home and amongst his schoolfellows, and in later years he did so at college. So long ere he was ordained of men to preach the gospel, he had done so, wherever he had been, by life and word, and already many call him blessed."

"Yes, my daughter, I have long felt it is a mockery for any one to pray the words, 'Thy kingdom come,' and yet do nothing to help it on just where they live. Lewis and Archie have learned that lesson also, don't you think?"

"Yes, indeed," replied Prissy, "I am sure they have. Lewis writes that Austin taught him that lesson long ago, though it was our dear mother who first spoke to him about it. And Archie—O father, I am glad about him. His letters are so earnest and good, and he takes such just views of life and its responsibilities. I am sure he will make a noble Christian architect."

Ere Dr. Warner could reply, the door opened, and Ruth, a sweet-looking girl, entered, bearing a basket filled with violets in her hand.

"Prissy," she said, "I am taking these to give to Gabrielle as she steps out of the train, she does so love flowers, la petite Francaise! Though, I daresay, little Jean will be beforehand with me. Still there are no violets so sweet, I am sure, as ours are."

Prissy smiled, but said, "So be it, Ruth. But now let us be off; violets and all, in case the travellers arrive ere we do. I believe Claude is at the station already."

Father and daughters set off together, walking across the common, now richly carpeted with summer flowers.

"Ruth," said her father, playfully, "it would be more in keeping with your name if instead of violets, you bore a sheaf of corn in your hand."

"Not yet, father," she said, a quiet grave look crossing her face as she spoke. "But one day I do hope to carry a large sheaf and lay it down at the Master's feet, like the 'little soul-gatherer' of whom I read lately. That is my ambition, father, that the 'woman's work' I desire to do."

Prissy glanced at her with tears of joy in her eyes. Never before had Ruth so openly spoken of her life's aim.

In answer, her father laid his hand on Ruth's shoulder, saying, "The Lord give thee the desire of thy heart, my child."

With almost child-like glee, Ruth handed her basket of violets to Gabrielle as she stepped with her husband from the train to the spot where her own father, mother, and little Jean stood with Dr. Warner, Prissy, and Claude, ready to bid them welcome.

As they drove to the Grove, the bells pealed out. And when Austin and his bride were ensconced in his father's house, he stood up and prayed the Lord's Prayer.

As he uttered the petition so precious to the hearts of more than one of the assembled group:

"Thy kingdom come—"

It seemed caught up and echoed again and again over "hill and dale" by the silvery bells.