"You will forgive him," Douglas added, as Joe paused for lack of suitable words to express his wrath.
"Forgive him! Why should I forgive a man who has ruined my lass?"
"Because you are so bidden by the Great Master."
Joe looked quickly up into his companion's face, and his body somewhat relaxed.
"But did he ever suffer like this?" he questioned.
"Surely you know what he endured."
"Ay, ay, I have read it all. But look, I could bear all that easier than this. I could stand to have my body torn to pieces bit by bit rather than see my darling child, my baby, injured. Was His suffering anything like mine?"
"'God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son,'" Douglas quoted. "Have you forgotten what He said?"
Joe made no reply. A great struggle was going on in his heart between right and wrong, and Douglas pitied him. Just then the sound of some one hurrying across the field diverted their attention. In a moment Empty had leaped the fence and stopped suddenly before them. He was startled to see the two men standing there, and peered intently into their faces.
"Gee!" he exclaimed. "Ye nearly jolted me to slivers."