rd on the midnight
tide." Snorro understood the message. When the store was closed he
made a bundle of Jan's few clothes; he had washed and mended them
all. With them he put the only sovereign he possessed, and his own
dearly-loved copy of the Gospels. He thought, "for my sake he may open
them, and then what a comfort they will be sure to give him."

It was in Snorro's arms Jan was carried on board at the very last
moment. Lord Lynne had given him a berth in the cabin, and he spoke
very kindly to Snorro. "I have heard," he said, "that there is great
love between you two. Keep your heart easy, my good fellow; I will see
that no harm comes to your friend." And the grateful look on Snorro's
face so touched him that he followed him to the deck and reiterated
the promise.

It was at the last a silent and rapid parting. Snorro could not speak.
He laid Jan in his berth, and covered him as tenderly as a mother
would cover her sick infant. Then he kissed him, and walked away. Dr.
Balloch, who watched the scene, felt the deep pathos and affection
that had no visible expression but in Snorro's troubled eyes and
dropped head; and Lord Lynne pressed his hand as a last assurance that
he would remember his promise concerning Jan's welfare. Then the
anchor was lifted, and the yacht on the tide-top went dancing
southward before the breeze.

At the manse door the minister said, "God be thy consolation, Snorro!
Is there any thing I, his servant, can do for thee?"

"Yes, thou can let me see that picture again."

"Of the Crucified?"

"That is what I need."

"Come then."

He took a candle from Hamish and led him into the study. In the dim
light, the pallid, outstretched figure and the divine uplifted face
had a sad and awful reality. Even upon the cultivated mind and heart,
fine pictures have a profound effect; on this simple soul, who never
before had seen any thing to aid his imagination of Christ's love, the
effect was far more potent. Snorro stood before it a few minutes full
of a holy love and reverence, then, innocently as a child might have
done, he lifted up his face and kissed the pierced feet.

Dr. Balloch was strangely moved and troubled. He walked to the window
with a prayer on his lips, but almost immediately returned, and
touching Snorro, said--

"Take the picture with thee, Snorro. It is thine. Thou hast bought it
with that kiss."

"But thou art weeping!"

"Because I can not love as thou dost. Take what I have