241

XXV ST. CUTHBERT'S SECOND CALL 258

XXVI LOVE'S SINGING SACRIFICE 276

XXVII THE HIDDEN CRUCIFIX 290

XXVIII THE HEATHERY HILLS 300

XXIX "AND ALL BUT HE DEPARTED" 311

XXX LOVE'S VICTORY OVER SIN 323

XXXI LOVE'S TRIUMPH OVER ALL 330

_ST. CUTHBERT'S_

I

_The TURN of The TIDE_

"If you don't get the call you needn't come back here," said my wife to
me as I stood upon the door-sill, bag in hand, and my hard-bought ticket
in my pocket.

"Well, dear one, I would be sure of it if they could only see the
perquisite that goes along with me."

"You must be more serious, Tom, if you expect great calls; but come
inside a minute till I say good-bye. When you brought me first to Canada
we had half a dozen good-byes to every one farewell. Good-bye again, and
if they don't call you they will deserve what they lose."

Thus spoke my wife, and thus was I despatched on the mission that was
big with moment.

It was a wondrous hour that brought to us the invitation which I was now
proceeding to accept. Not that we were unhappy because our salary was
small; we had not lived by bread alone, and our souls were well
content. But my wife had delirious visions, which she affirmed were sane
and reasonable, of her husband's coming yet into his own, and indulged
every now and then in savage and delicious little declarations of the
great misfit, which misfit was in my being the minister of a little
church which afforded a little salary and provoked a little fame.

Her other days had been spent in luxury and amid the refinement and the
pleasures which money only can provide. And when, our wedding day
drawing near apace, I sent her my budget letter, bitterly revealing
impecunious facts at which I had before but darkly hinted, and warning
her of all the sacrifice which lay beyond, she replied with vehement
repudiation of any fears, and in that hour made me rich.

"Cheese and kisses," wrote she, "are considered good fare in my South
land for all who have other resources in their hearts." And I mentally
averred that half of that would be enough for me.

And so we went ahead--oh, progressive step! And we were never poor
again.

But there came a more heroic hour. It was hard, so hard to do, but the
pressure rendered concealment quite impossible, for the note I had
endorsed was handed in for suit. So I told her one t