The Marriage of Esther

exquisite morning, a fresh breeze played among the palms and shrubs; the blue sea danced and glistened in the sunshine; columns of palest blue smoke rose, curling and twisting, into

As the clanging bell called to breakfast, Murkard made his appearance. He also seemed out of sorts, and nodded to Elli

his morning?" Ellison asked irritably.

hat, old man. I'm trying to fight it down, and if

see it, then. I'm leaving in a

to his feet w

you, Ellison, you could not have given me

n fretting ab

rt of it is, I couldn't bear to see the poor child getting to care for you more and more every day, when I knew that your affection was not the kind to satis

nk so, hono

hink, I'm

been. Since you laughed at me a week ago I've been arguing it over, a

ust go. There is no question about that. I'll put our few traps together after

oming too. I could

y that we're bound up together? My destiny is in your hands. I must never lea

a little more exp

'm not the sort of man who fears ridicule, as a gene

me I shall never laugh again. T

l tell

for some minutes. Then he stopped, and leanin

erent impressions from passing events. I don't say whether my impressions are right or wrong. At any rate, they are there. Directly I set eyes on you, that first night of our meeting, I knew you were my fate. Don't ask me how I knew it. It is sufficient that I did know it. Something inside here seemed to tell me that our lives were bound up together; in fact, that you were th

urkard, think wha

uld be given us. That chance has come. Also the dream told me that my only hope of heaven lay in saving you by laying down my own life. That time has not come yet-but it will come as sure

l me you believe all t

standing before you now. And so will

h a thing be contemplated for a mom

er it turns out as I say. Moreover, something tells me that a

d the door and went out. Ellison

s anything to do with it, I am despicable enough to do anything he might dream! Surely the

where for a month he had been so happy, what would his future be? Turned out to seek employment again, would he drift back into the old vagabond life or not? And if he did, he asked himself, what would i

een able to find it in your heart to f

as she answered, with downcast eyes, "

must not ca

off a blow. She noticed the look

our turn. I am s

be all one long pain now. I am going aw

really-go

rld again and try to win back the self-respect I have lost. But before I go I want to thank you for all you have done

all you go when

robably; out to some station in the far West, where I can

n thus dooming yourself to hopeless m

you before myself, and the only conclusion I can com

may God bless you an

he raised it to his lips. The knowledge that had come to him the previou

bye-go

ing, and was inside the room, to find Esther upon the floor in a dead faint. Raising her in his arms he carried her to a sofa and laid her on it; then, pro

t has ha

You fainted; fortunately I heard you fa

. I am almost a

e quite

ui

he station. The Kanakas had turned out of their hut and were staring in the direction o

oats man?uvred there was evidently something wrong. He waited until it got alongside, and then walked down the jetty to find out what this peculiarity might mean. A l

he matter?

plained the oldest of the men, "and we

re i

Step below and se

elderly man, with gray hair and beard, bearing an unmistakable likeness to Esther, lay

you be?" he a

nth in your employ-your daughter took me on as a carpenter

like a g

nsidered

s there and injured my back. From the numbness of my lower half, I'm almost afraid it's a hopeless c

's not as bad as you say. Perh

tell you, I'm dead

ll I come back, or sha

er than you can help, and break th

ay tru

ats come in, and was on her way to meet her father. She was surprised to see the man to whom she had just said "Good-bye" coming along the path towards her. So

urned, and you hav

Yes, your father has returned, but-well, the

his life. It must be something serious, o

me to come on in advance and let you know, lest you s

h, Mr. Ellison, for Heaven's sake, don't dece

see him for yourself in a minute or two. But had you not better first run bac

d you ar

litter in which to carry the sick man up to the house. This constructed, he was placed upon it, and between them they bore him up the hill. Ellison and Murkard carried h

id, with an attempt at cheerfulness. "You're not

ooked at Ellison in terrified surprise. The two men laid him on the bed, and while she was in another room removed his clothes. It was a difficult

tor immediately. It is useless to attempt to blin

, and bring him

bly lonely now; it is good to k

e question? Would it make you happier if I stayed with you a l

er ears caught the timid littl

Now I will go

way in the direction of the store. Murkard was not surprised at the news. He accompanied him to the beach, and

pen to prevent it. This is

the medico smoking on his veranda, and in less than three minutes had given him a complete summary of the case. They returned to the boat together, and Ellison, after pulling him across, conducted him str

ere no

are an interested party, and as such have a right to know. The man's spine is fatally injured

you think h

not more. If you have any business to consult him upon, I ad

ot told his

ious. I have told him, and

siness of mine, but I must try and help that poor

eless. Still, I shall look over in the cours

wil

s girl to bear her sorrow alone? Or should he take the bull by the horns, ask her father to be allowed to make her his wife, and trust to Providence for the rest? He didn't know, he couldn't tell-both seemed equally impossible. He

"but it doesn't seem a natural sleep. I ca

rest, my most heartfelt sympathy? If you should want any assi

touch thrilled him through and through, and he went into the hut for lunch with a look in his fac

mong the boats, when he saw her coming breathlessly towards hi

"Oh, I don't know how to tell you the agony of fear

ber. The change in the patient's face staggered him. It was ghastly whit

saw you for the first time this morning, I seem to know you thoroughly. My daughter has told me of the kindness you and your friend ha

! I know now tha

heart and soul,

heart and soul,

to prevent you ma

done; but if you will trust her to me I swear before God, as I hope for heaven, that I will do my

leave her save a few hundred pounds, this station, and

k my hands

has sent you to take my place, in her hour of need. If you stand firm by her he will no

came in, and the dying man gave them his blessin

house half an hour later Ell

is he

too late, docto