I loved in the old days, that I may have you in my mind when
I sleep beneath the altar, if God will have one so unworthy to sleep
there." And the Baron told him all things, struggling with his tears.

Then said Brother Lawrence: "The hour is come; call my brethren and
let me go; He calleth me."

Then the monks came in and made the cross of ashes, and did the rites
of death; and Brother Lawrence smiled with closed eyes, but opened
them once again upon his brother, who stood to see the end. And
presently Brother Lawrence sighed like a weary child and died.

Many years have passed since that day; the Baron is a grey-haired man
and has his grandchildren about him; and he has done worthily, knowing
that life is lent him for this end. And every year he rides with a
man-at-arms or two to stand beside the grave of Christopher, and to
renew the vow which he made when his brother died.

THE TEMPLE OF DEATH

It was late in the afternoon of a dark and rainy day when Paullinus
left the little village where he had found shelter for the night. The
village lay in a great forest country in the heart of Gaul. The
scattered folk that inhabited it were mostly heathens, and very
strange and secret rites were still celebrated in lonely sanctuaries.
Christian teachers, of whom Paullinus was one, travelled alone or in
little companies along the great high roads, turning aside to visit
the woodland hamlets, and labouring patiently to make the good news of
the Word known.

They were mostly unmolested, for they travelled under the powerful
name of Romans, and in many places they were kindly received.
Paullinus had been for months slowly faring from village to village,
without any fixed plan of journeying, but asking his way from place to
place, as the Spirit led him. He was a young man, a very faithful
Christian, and with a love of adventure and travel which stood him in
good stead. He carried a little money, but he had seldom need to use
it, for the people were simple and hospitable; he did not try to hold
assemblies, for he believed that the Gospel must spread like leaven
from quiet heart to quiet heart. Indeed he did not purpose to proclaim
the Word, but rather to prepare the way for those that should come
after. He was of a strong habit, spare and upright; when he was alone
he walked swiftly, looking very eagerly about him. He loved the aspect
of the earth, the green branching trees, the wild creatures of