"Night shows the stars; affliction shows the man."
And true indeed. Affliction showed the true Christian piety of the lovely Marguerite. It brought out all the inherent beauty of her nature, and when on certain days she prayed for those who had been tempted to destroy the happiness of her betrothed it was always thus: "They are only human! God forgive them!"
Apropos of Hubert Tracy's accomplices, we may say they were allowed to go unpunished.
"Marguerite," exclaimed Phillip Lawson, taking the taper fingers within his own. "We are too happy to wish any ill upon a human creature. Let us trust in God, they may yet to see the great wrong they tried to commit upon a fellow being; and may they feel such remorse as will be productive of true penitence."
And the young man did not pray in vain. Messrs. Sharpley & Connors felt much chagrined as they heard through the medium of the press of the prosperity of the young and talented lawyer and often experienced a feeling of uneasiness when they thought how matters might have terminated. And who will not say that at times there arose before them a great tribunal where they must answer for the projected crime.
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY—CONCLUSION.
"Farewell! a word that must be, and hath been—
A sound which makes us linger,—yet—farewell."
—Byron.
"Gracious, Melindy; one would think the half-breeds were a-comin'. For mercy sake come out and hear the rumpus." Moses Spriggins had rushed into the kitchen, his eyes ready to start from their sockets.
Melindy was busy frying pancakes and setting the table for the evening meal.