M. Harding Kelly

“ Under the old oak tree a girl sat, her head buried in her hands in an abandonment of grief: it was Ellice Medhurst, no longer the little child who had in earlier years fled to the woods to soothe her childish griefs, but a tall girl of fifteen, merging into womanhood. Near her stood a young man looking down upon her with rather a puzzled countenance, a slight frown wrinkling his forehead. ”

“ Spring had long since awakened the sleeping trees, rich life-giving sap had risen, and the sun coaxed them into opening their eyes to the new season. The orchard upon which Margaret was now gazing showed her a wealth of promise, as the gleam of fruit clusters shining through the green foliage caught her eye.
The outlook on the opposite side of the station, which she could just see through another window, was the exact counterpart of that near to where she was sitting, and presented a view prosaic enough, which needed some conjuring of the mind to suggest any ideas of romance. ”

“ It was a perfect afternoon, and Margaret's heart felt lighter as they followed the mossy path which led through the forest to the avenue. Bob's manner showed a subtle change:
"Please let me carry that for you, Miss Woodford," he said shyly, holding out his hand for the tea-basket.
"It's awfully heavy," remarked his small sister, in a loud whisper.
He brushed the remark aside with a look which said plainly, "You shut up."
Margaret accepted the offer with a smile of thanks as she gave up the burden.
"It's very nice to have a gentleman to help one," she said quietly. ”

“ Bob, His message to you at this moment seems to me to be some words I read in His Book this morning: 'Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.' The Holy Spirit, Who filled the heart and life of the Saviour, can come upon you, and make you brave and strong. Ask Him now."
Pressing the boy's hand, Margaret moved a little away, and as she gazed upwards to the blue sky gleaming through the branches overhead, she lifted up a silent petition to the great Friend of all mankind. Her own burden lightened as she laid that of another pilgrim at the feet of Christ. ”

“ And in the dawn of the morning the watchers saw only the hush of death's release for the master; "God's finger touched him, and he slept."
Margaret did not break down; the sorrow seemed too much to bear, too much to understand at first. She felt numb with grief; her cold apathy disturbed the kind nurse, who stayed until the funeral should be over.
"I wish she would cry," she remarked to the doctor; "this terrible calm is unnatural, and a fearful strain."
"Yes—yes—poor child, the reaction will, I am afraid, be all the greater," he answered sympathetically; "but youth is bound to recover." ”

“ And this message of love and mercy Margaret carried in different ways to all the inmates of Oaklands, even into the seclusion of Mrs. Medhurst's life.
It was not an easy matter to approach the latter, but, finding her one day in an abandonment of grief, Margaret knelt down by her side, and with real sympathy just drew her towards the secret of eternal rest.
Mrs. Medhurst had listened to all she said and had not been offended, and from that day onwards it became a little added work to spend half an hour, or sometimes an hour, in reading and talking to her employer of the things she loved. ”

“ In spite of weariness, human frailty, and, sometimes, lack of faith, Margaret's ministry for the King Whom she loved was a real one. She was conscious of unworthiness, and had a sensitive dread of being considered one who talked religion, and posed as a religious person. She knew only too well that she herself was among the sinners who have all fallen short of the glory of God; but she believed in the greatness of the Saviour's redeeming power, and His willingness to accept as His servants all who turn in repentance to Him. ”

“ Margaret wondered; but she knew how to leave all results with God.
The tea was a merry one—once only Ellice tried to be disobedient. To her utter surprise Bob said sharply: "Shut up, and do what you are told, and don't worry Miss Woodford."
Sheer astonishment held Ellice silent. It looked as if her best supporter was quite going over to the enemy!
From her bedroom window Mrs. Medhurst watched the trio, when they started out to the woods, with an air of surprise.
"Do look, Gordon!" she exclaimed; "Miss Woodford has gone down the drive with Ellice, and Bob has actually gone with them." ”

“ Would it ever end? she wondered, and the remembrance of that dark, lonely drive, with night settling down around her, never quite faded from her mind, although she little knew then the fears and doubts that were to await her later.
By dint of inquiry at a solitary cottage, which was passed at the top of the hill, they discovered the whereabouts of Oaklands Farm.
In the gloom Margaret could not see what her future home was like, the darkness being increased by the thick trees which surrounded it, only leaving just room for the cab to draw up before the front door. ”

“ Ellice Medhurst was full of mystery and excitement as she dragged Bob towards the staircase, anxious to escape observation, leading him to the seclusion of the schoolroom, where they could talk undisturbedly of the new inmate of Oaklands, who had arrived there since Bob's last week-end at home.
"Oh, I say, I do detest her," said Ellice, as she sprang on to the table, placing her feet upon a chair and her face in her hands supported by her arms, her elbows resting upon her knees.
"She looks pretty decent," remarked Bob; "she is a sight better than the one who has just gone. ”

“ Beyond her clothes she had brought one or two personal treasures: the bit of the old cedar-tree; a water-colour drawing of the Abbey House, which she promptly hung up upon the wall, where an unused nail remained driven in. Her ivory toilet ware, with her name "Margaret" traced in gold across the backs of the brushes and mirror, and a beautiful dressing-case of the same lovely ware, which contained a family heirloom in the shape of a ruby necklace, the stones of which flashed their fire in the sun's rays, as now she lifted the lid. ”

“ He says, 'Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, purity.' Six things, you see, in which Timothy could prove his Christianity; six things God wanted of him; six things God expects of us if we are His soldiers and servants. It's no use our saying we love Him, unless we prove it to Him by our lives. I want you two, Bob and Ellice, to think about that for yourselves. Will you love the Lord Jesus Christ?—will you have Him for your King? ”

“ The boy's voice was husky as he said these words, then he turned over and lay face downwards on the ground.
"If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," said Margaret. "You see, He has promised, and He never fails us, though we often disappoint Him—ask Him for yourself"; and with this Margaret went to join Ellice, just pleading silently in her own heart that the Holy Spirit of God would plant and water the seed she had tried to sow, and cause it to spring up into everlasting life. ”

“ She had an affectionate nature really, and it cost her something to steel her heart so persistently against this certainly interesting looking girl who had come to teach her. If Ellice had spoken the truth, she could have owned what she would not admit to herself, that she was longing to make friends, and to get a chance of hearing more stories; but having vaunted the fact to James and Betsy that she never meant to have a governess, the cost to her pride prevented her from giving in. ”

“ A slight movement indicated Ellice was listening.
"There is something else he cares about; he wants you to grow up sweet and gentle, and to get over these selfish ways—do you know, trying to please and help others always makes people happier than trying to please themselves. You do it, and see. It just makes people love you. Then there is one other thing I want to say; you are very fond of flowers. I know you look at the garden when you go out, and bury your face in the sweetness of the lavender bed, and smell the fragrance of the roses. ”

“ He doesn't forget us, either, for He waters us with the rain which we suck up into our roots, and drink into our leaves, through the tiny mouths with which we breathe the beautiful forest breezes, and by the warm yellow sun the great God sends the colour flushing into all our veins, and into all the outer skin of the bark that covers us. ”

“ I'm Miss Woodford, and you—you are my pupil Ellice, aren't you?" said the new governess, with a smile.
"Yes. I wonder what your other name is?"
"It's Margaret."
"Oh, that's rather nice; it's nothing like mine. Isn't it stupid I can't call you by it? Mamma said I was to say Miss Woodford when I spoke to you."
"Yes, of course, because you are a lady, you see, and ladies always behave politely—they can't help it." ”

“ OAKLANDS
"Oh, I wish the train would be quick," said a small child, addressing an old man-servant who stood rather anxiously guarding her, as she stamped impatiently up and down upon the platform. "What makes it so long, James? I want to see her—because I shall know directly if she's nice; if she isn't, I'll be naughty every day, and make her just as unhappy as ever I can, and then she'll go away like all the others have. I told daddy so this morning." ”

“ What's the honour of keeping smiling only when things are pleasant? Come on—get over it. I'm off; it's nearly time they arrived."
There was silence for a moment, and Bob stood fidgeting by his sister, then in half-disgusted tones he said:
"I can't wait any longer for you; if you won't come—you won't." And with a quick stride he turned and made his way down the avenue towards home.
For a few minutes longer the struggle for victory went on in Ellice Medhurst's heart, then suddenly she jumped up with the muttered words, "I'll try; Bob must be right." ”

“ Slowly great tears welled up into Margaret Woodford's eyes, as she saw and heard the true nature of the secret of Oaklands, and understood.
The quiet man stood out in heroic light, and yet to him how small a matter the punishment inflicted by the law to the daily dread—the covering of the old fault—and the daily, hourly strain to prevent a further fall. ”

“ He wants our best. Ellice, shall we both make up our minds to try to give Him that always, to fight against our tempers, our selfishness; to do even the dry lessons as well as we can, to please Him? I have to try too—all the grown-up people who love Him have to fight this battle with self. It is difficult sometimes, and we often fail, but God has promised to give us His Holy Spirit, to enable us to be brave and strong to do good, if we ask Him."
Margaret paused a moment as she gently stroked the child's bowed head with her hand. ”

“ Yet here it was in all its hideousness, displayed to Margaret Woodford—the one outside element who had been received into a stricken house.
For a moment emotion held her silent, and then, with quick steps, she moved across the room, and sank down by Mrs. Medhurst's couch.
"Don't—don't cry—you poor—poor woman! You have restored my property," she said gently—the tears rolling unbidden down her sweet face. "Dear Mrs. Medhurst, how you must have suffered—and to think you thought I would ever say anything. ”

“ Medhurst—I cannot understand," answered Margaret.
"No, Miss Woodford—of course you cannot. I will explain: My wife has made a similar mistake before, and I have served some months in a world behind the scenes. You must understand," he continued, almost fiercely, "I am ready to serve again." Then, turning towards Mrs. Medhurst, he said, "Hush—hush, Lucille; you will be ill if you excite yourself so." ”

“ At last Margaret could bear the suspense no longer, and persisted in knocking at the door until he responded to her entreaties to come in.
"There is something very wrong with the master to-day," said old John, the man-servant, as he addressed his fellow-servants. "Something very wrong," and he shook his head dolorously as he spoke.
"Yes—that there is, and no mistake," answered cook, "and as for Miss Margaret, she looks as white as a sheet; just because the master wouldn't come in to lunch she must needs go without." ”

“ All things—and for you—and in His word to us He sends you this message—this morning: 'Study to show yourself a workman approved of God.' He has done so much for us, dear—He has given us every good thing we possess. He came to this earth to die for us—to win our love and our allegiance, and He asks us to show our gratitude by making a life-study of how to prove our love to Him, as good workmen. ”

“ Those who seek always find, if they seek with all their hearts—and oh, Mr. Medhurst, in all the big troubles of life, as well as the small ones, that peace is always a reality to us when we trust; we only get faithless when we look down at the difficulties, instead of up to Him Who never fails. ”