ship could only continue," his hungering heart had said to itself frequently. "But no, I have no right to expect it," his mind would add. During the last few miles they had been talking over the plans for the new building. You could not have told, had you heard them, which was the more interested. Richard went over especially the lines of ministry which he had in mind for the women and with a woman's quick discernment Ethel gave many valuable suggestions. Mr. Warren lived in a beautiful home in the suburbs and they were to stop there when the coachman would drive Richard to the mission. "I had forgotten to tell you," said she all at once, "that since you left, papa and mamma have planned for me to go to Europe next spring after the new mission is opened. Papa has to go at that time and I am to remain with friends from New York and study and travel a year, when mamma is coming over for a few months and bring me home. It is a delightful trip, but it sometimes seems to me that for one who has had the privileges of education which I have that it is a long time to do nothing for others." Her statement came to Richard as a blow after the day of companionship which they had together. "What-will-become-of the poor girls?" he said with difficulty. "There—will—be— no one to cheer-them." She saw in the starlight that Richard's face was pale and his lips set tightly. "Are you sick?" she asked anxiously. She had spoken hardly knowing what she said. "Ethel," it was the first time that he had ever called her that, and he seemed to put into it all the pent up love of his heart, "I meant-what-will-become-of-me?" She had not expected it and was paler than the moonlight. Before either could speak a friend walking by the roadside exclaimed, "Well, well, I thought at first the wood of Birnam was on its way to Dunsinane and that my time was come. I am glad for a ride anyhow, for I have walked four miles." They took him in and told him of their trip among the leaves and nuts. Soon Mr. Warren's was reached and the coachman was driving the two men down town. |