ething to say to you--something to
confess. I have to ask your pardon."

In two strides John had reached the door, but he came back without
opening it.

"Why, my poor lad, what have you done to me?"

"When you let me out of the house to go in search of my sister----"

"That was long ago; we'll not talk of it now, brother."

"But I can not die in peace without telling you. You remember that I had
something to say to her?"

"Yes."

"It was a threat. I was going to tell her that unless she gave up her way
of life I should find the man who had been the cause of it and follow him
up and kill him."

"It was only a temptation of the devil, brother, and it is past; and
now----"

"Don't you see what I was going to do? I was going to bring trouble and
disgrace upon you also as my comrade and accomplice. That's what a man
comes to when Satan----"

"But God willed it otherwise, brother; let us say no more about it."

"You forgive me, then?"

"Forgive? It is I who ought to ask for your forgiveness, and perhaps if I
told you everything----"

"There is something else. Listen! The Almighty is calling me; I have no
time to lose."

"But you are so cold, brother! Lie on the bed, and I'll cover you with
the bedclothes. Oh, never fear; they sha'n't separate us again. If the
Father were at home--he is so good and tender-hearted--but no matter.
There, there!"

"You will despise and hate me--you who are so holy and brave, and have
given up everything and conquered the world, and even triumphed over love
itself!"

"Don't say that, brother."

"It's true, isn't it? Everybody knows what a holy life you live."

"Hush!"

"But I have never lived the religious life at all, and I only came to it
as a refuge from the law and the gallows; and if the Father hadn't----"

"Another time, brother."

"Yes, the story I told the police was true, and I had really----"

"Hush, brother, hush! I won't hear you. What you are saying is for God's
ear only, and, whatever you have done, God will judge your soul in mercy.
We have only to ask him----"

"Quick, then; the last sands are running out!" and he strove to rise and
kneel.

"Lie still, brother: God will accept the humiliation of your soul."

"No, no, let me up; let me kneel beside you. The prayer for the
dying--say it with me, Brother Storm; let us say it together. 'O Lord,
save----'"

_"'O Lord, save thy servant,

"'Which putteth his trust in thee.

"'Send him help from thy