Story of Chester Lawrence

r, as Uncle Gilbert said, the farmers needed it, he and his people were comfortably house

the grate shed a genial warmth. Chester and Lucy were already there, she at the piano and he singin

tter you are

the room with pillows and footrest for the invalid, who was made quite comfortable. Then the aunt

now what can we do

en I came in. * * *

noises,

ftly," h

. Lucy played and both sang in

my cross

ave and f

r, despise

hence my al

ery fond

ght, or hope

ich is my

ven are sti

he father asked them to sing the song again, which they did. Then

ovely was

eamed the

last song?" inq

ch other as if they had been

ucy, "that's a Su

rmon'

es

he lay back on his pillows,

any more-'M

n Lucy closed the piano and went back to her father, where she stood smoothing gently his gr

ing out on the rain-washed green. The father lay still in his chair, and presently he went to sleep. Chester and Lucy then retired to a corner, and carried on their conversation in low

u he is my son," he said aloud. "I am his father, a

cy, running to him, and puttin

oked about, f

," he explained. "Di

ve to leave for Liverpool. It would be a short trip only; he would be back in two or

he declared. "A few more days of absolute r

hink

d luncheon, and they al

aid; and his brother was willing that he should. Evidently, something weighed heavil

" said Gilbert as they sat

I had a little trouble"-began the

ecall what

ing for the minis

what of it? That's past

Lord knows, by long years of service in the ministry.

because of your physical condition. You have nothin

s a child, Gi

what

of my flesh, is he handicapped by the stigma I placed upon him? Is he, perchance

look

mighty import. I who have spoken the words of the great Father for these many years, have not followed His example. Listen, broth

hat alarmed, showing

lear as a bell, and now that I have said what I wanted to, I feel better. That's all-don't

her clear about his brother, Lucy was at th

me in?" s

come a

ust to say

my girl; and wh

now. I think

o well, these day

appy-and so much

ght. If Chester is without, t

then slipped out. Pres

h to see me,

o tell you that I am better-and also to th

I assu

I know; but someone told me today that we two look very much alike. I was just wondering whether

aughed Chester. "But I don'

of Lucy. She's a good, sweet girl." The man arose, a

the young man. "You ar

nyone could see a striking resemblance between the two men. As they said good night and parted at the father's door, the older man's hand patted softly the youn

Lucy tried to find any. Plans for meeting in London and on the continent were fully matured and understood. The separation

, everywhere-fields and hedges, trees and bushes, bogs and hills-everything

the beautiful Phoenix Park. It was evening when they went on board the steamer and to bed. Next mo

n, introduced himself to the elders in charge, and asked them to direct him to some cheap, but respectable lodgings. He was shown to a nearby hotel where the missionaries usually put up, where he obtained a room. Then he

ls and women going in to dram shops and bringing out mugs of beer; men and women drunken. One sight specially horrified him: a woman, dirty, naked shoulders and arms; feet and legs bare; a filthy skirt and bodice open at the breast; hair matted and wild; reeling

the pioneer days of the Church. Perhaps in some of these rooms Orson Pratt had written his masterly presentation of the gospel. In those days, very likely, there were not so many noises of traffic and restless humanity. Perhaps such men could take with them the peace and sublime solitude of their home in the Western Mountains into the confusing din of the big city, a

resent appeared to be of the humbler, working classes; but there was the same light in their faces as that which shone in faces on the other side of the world, when

d one of the elders to Chester. "Sitting cramped over a desk day

t out. "I want you to get rid of the first impressions of Liverpool," explained the elder. "

with its varied and extensive beauties. They watched the children sail their toy crafts on the lake. There were some men even, trying out model boats. The bird cage was interesting. The grotto, as usual, was hard to find. The palm-house took a good part of their time, for the beautiful

strolled about the walks and across the velvety stretches of grass. They watched for a

we'll see Newsham Park, and the country around Knotty Ash way. Then again, there is some beaut

m there in his normal condition of homelessness and friendlessness? Had he not that day been out with an elder from the Chicago Church office to Lincoln Park and the lakeside? Surely Lucy and the minister, and Kildare Villa and Blarney were figments of a pleasant dream! Chester walked back and forth in the small room. He stopped before a dingy map of Great Britain on the wall. His finger touched Ireland, moved

ad addressed to Kildare Villa, placed it a