第57章 Man's Highest Honor.(2)

I only sang of what I wished on Sunday evening.I have little philosophy,and still less of definite belief in regard to the future life.While I am not a theoretic skeptic,all questions of faith are to me so vague and incomprehensible that I am a practical materialist,and live only in the present hour.""But,Mr.Van Berg,"she said,in a low tremulous tone,"can you not understand that some people cannot live in the present hour,try as they may?Oh,how desperately hard I try to do so!Can you not imagine that something in one's past may make a future necessary to save from despair?If I lost my hold on that future I should go mad,"she added in a whisper."How can any materialistic philosophy be true when it fails us and so bitterly disappoints us in our need?""I do not say it is true,"he replied,earnestly."Indeed your words and manner prove to me,as could no labored argument,what a poor superficial thing it is.I feel,with the force of conviction,that it can no more meet your need than could the husks which the swine did eat.""Since you were sincere,I will be also,"she continued in the same low tone,looking away from him into the dark cloudy sky."As the hymn I sung may have suggested to you,I have not got very far beyond mere submission and hope.Something in my own soul as well as in revelation tells me that there is a 'happier shore,'and Iam trying to reach it;but the way,too often,is like that sky,utterly opaque and rayless.""I regret more deeply than you can ever know,Miss Burton,that Ifind nothing in my own knowledge or experience to help you.All I can offer is my honest sympathy,and that you have had from the first;for from the time of our first meeting the impression has been growing upon me that your character had obtained its power and beauty through some deep and sorrowful experience.But while I am unable to give you any help,perhaps I can suggest a pleasant thought from your own illustration.The black clouds yonder which seem to you a true type of the shadows that have fallen across your path,are,after all,but a film in the sky.The sun,and a multitude of other luminous worlds,are shining beyond them in the heavens.I would I had your chances of reaching a 'happier shore.'""That's a pretty sentiment,"she said,shaking her head slowly;"but those luminous worlds are a great way off,with cold and vast reaches of space between them.Besides,a luminous world would not do me one bit of good.I want---"she stopped abruptly with something like a low sob."There,there,"she resumed hastily dashing away a few tears."I have occupied your thoughts too long with my forlorn little self.I did not mean to show this weakness,but have been betrayed into doing os,I think,because you impressed me as being honest,and I thought that perhaps--perhaps your man's reason might have thought of some argument or probably conjecture relating to the subject that,for causes obvious to you,would be naturally interesting to one so alone in the world as I am.""I am sorry indeed that I never used my reason to so good a purpose,"he replied;"and yet,as I said at first,these subjects have ever seemed to me so above and beyond my reason that I have carelessly given them the go-by.My profession has wholly absorbed me since I have been capable of anything worth the name of thought,and the world,toward which your mind is turning,is so large and vague that I cannot even follow you,much less guide."She sighed:"It is indeed 'large and vague.'"Then she added in firm,quiet tones:"Mr.Van Berg,please forget what I have said.

The weak must show their weakness at times in spite of themselves,and your kindness and sincerity have beguiled me into inflicting myself upon you.""You ask that which is impossible,Miss Burton,"he replied earnestly.

"I cannot forget what you have said,nor do I wish to.I need not assure you,however,that I regard your confidence as sacred as if it came from my own sister.Will you also let me say that I never felt so honored before in my life as I have to-night,in the fact that I seemed to your woman's intuition worthy of your trust."They were now turned towards the light that streamed dimly from one of the windows.She looked up at him with a bright,grateful smile,but she apparently saw something in his eager face and manner which checked her smile as suddenly as if he had been an apparition.

she gave him her hand,saying hastily,"Good-night,Mr.Van Berg;I thank you.I--I--do not feel very well,"and she passed swiftly to a side door and disappeared.