d. The
stillness that followed was deathlike. Then one of the oldest men in
the room rose, and in a prayer of great power prayed for the absent man
and thanked God for His guiding strength. The prayer was followed by
others, and then one and another of the members, who had not been on
really good terms with Mr. Hardy, arose and confessed and asked
forgiveness. The hearts of the people were greatly moved. Mr. Jones,
contrary to his usual habit, asked, as the meeting drew to a close, if
there were any present who wanted to begin that Christian life at the
core, of which Mr. Hardy spoke.

"I see a number here not professing Christians. Are there any who
would like to say that they want to become Christians, and will try to
live the Christ-life every day?"

In the pause that followed, James Caxton, who had been sitting in the
back seat, felt as if some power within and without him were forcing
him to his feet. He grasped his chair as if to hold himself down; but
the Holy Spirit whispered to him, "Son, this will be the beginning of a
new life to thee."

So James Caxton arose and said he wanted to be a Christian; and from
that moment he dated his strong, consecrated life--a life that bids
fair to become famous in the world some day. His action was the
beginning of a new life in that church and community; but we cannot
dwell on that in the course of this history. O Robert Hardy! the good
God is blessing thee in this thy week of trial! For was it not thy
word that first started this young, manly soul to consider what he owed
to Jesus the Christ?

To come back to Robert. He had written the note, beginning it just a
little after the bell ceased ringing, and as he finished, James had
come over to see if he could be of any service. The church was near
by, and Mr. Hardy asked him to take the note over. He went over to the
church, with the result described. He did not come back at once, and
Mr. Hardy watched on with Alice. Will slept irregularly, being
troubled with his dreams of the accident. Mrs. Hardy awoke and begged
her husband to lie down and get a little rest. He did so, but was
aroused about ten o'clock by the doctor coming in. He had just
finished a visit near by; he saw the light and was anxious, as the case
was an extraordinary one, to see Clara. He examined her face very
keenly, and then sat down by the bed for an instant. After giving
certain medicines he found that he was in need of another ar