fixed beseechingly on the visitor, as if saying, "Spare me!"

"Good-morning Brother Mauer!" cried Jonathan. "Are you feeling better
to-day?" He held out his hand, into which the other placed his
hesitatingly, and would have quickly withdrawn it had not Jonathan held
it fast as he said:

"Let me feel your pulse. You are still very much fatigued, and your
hand is as cold as ice."

"Thank you, Brother Jonathan," said the invalid; "I think perfect rest
is the best remedy. I have borne many heavy burdens, dear Brother,
which have weighed me down intolerably; and now that the Lord has led
me home again, let your pity and sympathy be with me on account of all
I have suffered."

"Certainly, Brother Michael; it cannot be otherwise. Your return has
been a matter of great rejoicing with us all," replied Jonathan. "But
I must give you a prescription, that you may gain your strength more
quickly. Do not talk too much to-day; some time, later on, you must
give us an account of your travels." With these words, he turned to
Carmen with a searching look, as if to divine how far he might trust to
her silence. She purposely avoided his eye, and remained standing at
the window.

"I will make your father well again, if you will be kind to me in
return," he said with emphasis.

Then she was compelled to turn and speak. This man ruled her, in spite
of her dislike.

"If you can do anything for my father, Brother Jonathan, you will
please not consider me in the matter, but do it for God's sake and your
own," she replied calmly.

He drew a chair up to the table, and, seating himself, wrote a
prescription which he handed to Carmen.

"Have that prepared at once, dear Sister," he said, "and give it to
your father according to the directions; it will benefit him very much.
You know, Brother Michael, my remedies are very powerful." A peculiar,
sarcastic expression played around his mouth as he spoke, and Carmen,
whose quick eye perceived it, wondered what he was ridiculing. Was it
her anxiety about her father, or was it the old man's weakness? But it
came and went like a flash, and he resumed his usual manner as he rose
to leave, saying to Mauer: "Adieu, Brother. May the Lord keep you and
give you a speedy recovery!"

"I will have the medicine prepared at once, father," said Carmen,
heaving a sigh of relief as the door closed behind the physician. But
when she looked at the old man, a chill of anguish struck through her