two graves side by side, the old
and the new, step into the farmer's carriage, and drive away; the sexton
locks the gate and goes home, and we are left outside alone.

Then we went back and stood by Nelson's grave.

After a long silence Graeme spoke.

'Connor, he did not grudge his life to me--and I think'--and here the
words came slowly--'I understand now what that means, "Who loved me and
gave Himself for me."'

Then taking off his hat, he said reverently, 'By God's help Nelson's
life shall not end, but shall go on. Yes, old man!' looking down upon
the grave, 'I'm with you'; and lifting up his face to the calm sky, 'God
help me to be true.'

Then he turned and walked briskly away, as one might who had pressing
business, or as soldiers march from a comrade's grave to a merry tune,
not that they have forgotten, but they have still to fight.

And this was the way old man Nelson came home.

CHAPTERS XIV.

GRAEME'S NEW BIRTH

There was more left in that grave than old man Nelson's dead body. It
seemed to me that Graeme left part, at least, of his old self there,
with his dead friend and comrade, in the quiet country churchyard. I
waited long for the old careless, reckless spirit to appear, but he was
never the same again. The change was unmistakable, but hard to define.
He seemed to have resolved his life into a definite purpose. He was
hardly so comfortable a fellow to be with; he made me feel even more
lazy and useless than was my wont; but I respected him more, and liked
him none the less. As a lion he was not a success. He would not roar.
This was disappointing to me, and to his friends and mine, who had been
waiting his return with eager expectation of tales of thrilling and
bloodthirsty adventure.

His first days were spent in making right, or as nearly right as he
could, the break that drove him to the west. His old firm (and I have
had more respect for the humanity of lawyers ever since) behaved really
well. They proved the restoration of their confidence in his integrity
and ability by offering him a place in the firm, which, however, he
would not accept. Then, when he felt clean, as he said, he posted off
home, taking me with him. During the railway journey of four hours he
hardly spoke; but when we had left the town behind, and had fairly
got upon the country road that led toward the home ten miles away, his
speech came to him in a great flow. His spirits ran over. He was like a
boy returning f