They reached it at the Murchisons'
gate, and there they paused, as briefly as possible,
since pause was torture, and he told her what he could
not tell her before.
"I have accepted the charge of the White Water Mission
Station in Alberta," he said. "I, too, learned very soon
after I left you what was possible and what was not. I
go as soon as--things can be set in order here. Good-bye,
my dear love, and may God help us both."
She looked at him with a pitiful effort at a steady lip.
"I must try to believe it," she said. "And afterward,
when it comes true for you, remember this--I was ashamed."
Then he saw her pass into her father's house, and he took
the road to his duty and Dr Drummond's.
His extremity was very great. Through it lines came to
him from the beautiful archaic inheritance of his Church.
He strode along hearing them again and again in the dying
storm.
So, I do stretch my hands
To Thee my help alone;
Thou only understands
All my complaint and moan.
He listened to the prayer on the wind, which seemed to
offer it for him, listened and was gravely touched. But
he himself was far from the throes of supplication. He
was looking for the forces of his soul; and by the time
he reached Dr Drummond's door we may suppose that he had
found them.
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