THE RECOGNITION.
Arthur and Lina had taken up their quarters at a quiet hotel at Axe. A message from the former to the vicar had brought Mr. Eardley instantly to see them. With hearty joy and fervent thanksgiving, Henry wrung the thin hand of his friend.
“The accounts of you had been so alarming that I had hardly ventured to hope to see your face again in this world!” cried the vicar.
“The voyage did me much good; and the sight of dear familiar faces will do me much more,” said Arthur. “I long to be again amongst my old pupils at Wildwaste, and to meet with honest Holdich once more. Do you still hold your little week-day services in that honey-suckle-mantled cottage, which is connected in my mind with some of its pleasant recollections?”
“I hold one there this evening,” replied Mr. Eardley.
“Then we will go to it,” cried Arthur Madden; “it will so remind us of auld lang syne. Nay, no remonstrance, Lina,” he added gaily, as he read an objection in the face of his anxious young nurse; “it will not tire me, it will not give me a chill; it will make me feel ten years younger to find myself amongst my poor friends again: and I should like our first meeting to be in that place, where we used to worship together. I will ring and order an open carriage to be here early enough to give us half an hour for greetings before the service begins; at least, if it be not inconvenient for you to start so soon,” said Arthur, addressing himself to the vicar, “for you must come with us in the carriage, and tell us on the way the thousand things which I wish to hear of Wildwaste and its people.”
There is nothing so healthful as happiness. The keen enjoyment which Arthur felt in returning to the place where he had first laboured for God, where he had first realized what a blessed thing it is to win souls for Christ, was as a powerful tonic to his enfeebled constitution. Never had his eye looked brighter, or his voice sounded more cheerful, than during that drive from Axe, as he recognized familiar landmarks, and questioned his friend, Mr. Eardley, as to the fortunes of those whom he had known before quitting England.
“I remember that Wildwaste is not in your parish. Has it the same aged minister still?”
“Yes; but I hear that Mr. Bull is about to resign his cure. He is now unable to perform even the shortest service.”