She realized dimly
that in this one moment her whole life had changed. She had never
thought of this way out of her embarrassments; she had been
prepared, in fact, for anything except this. Dead! It was
deplorable, for Ed was young. Once the first shock had passed
away, she became conscious of a deep pity for the man, and a
complete forgiveness for the misery he had caused her. After a
time she faced the newsbearer, and in a strained voice inquired:
"How did it happen? Was it--because of me?"
"No, no! Rest your mind on that score. See! I understand your
concern and I share your intimate thoughts. No, it was an
accident, ordained by God. His end was the result of his own
folly, a gunshot wound while he was drunk, I believe. Now you will
understand why I said that I bore tidings both good and evil and
why I, of all people, should be the one to impart them."
Alaire turned questioning eyes upon him, as if to fathom his
meaning, and he answered her with his brilliant smile. Failing to
evoke a response, he went on:
"Ever since I heard of it I have repeated over and over again, 'It
is a miracle; it is the will of God.' Come, then, we know each
other so well that we may speak frankly.
Pages:
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422