Christian fiction; Clergy -- Fiction; Jesus Christ -- Influence -- Fiction
Virginia did not know whether her grandmother would leave the house or
not. She had abundant means of her own, was perfectly well and vigorous
and capable of caring for herself. She had sisters and brothers living
in the South and was in the habit of spending several weeks in the year
with them. Virginia was not anxious about her welfare as far as that
went. But the interview had been a painful one. Going over it, as she
did in her room before she went down to tea, she found little cause for
regret. "What would Jesus do?" There was no question in her mind that
she had done the right thing. If she had made a mistake, it was one of
judgment, not of heart.
Chapter Thirteen
WHEN the bell rang for tea she went down and her grandmother did not
appear. She sent a servant to her room who brought back word that
Madam Page was not there. A few minutes later Rollin came in. He
brought word that his grandmother had taken the evening train for
the South. He had been at the station to see some friends off, and
had by chance met his grandmother as he was coming out. She had told
him her reason for going.
Virginia and Rollin comforted each other at the tea table, looking
at each other with earnest, sad faces.
"Rollin," said Virginia, and for the first time, almost, since his
conversion she realized what a wonderful thing her brother's changed
life meant to her, "do you blame me? Am I wrong?"
"No, dear, I cannot believe you are. This is very painful for us.
But if you think this poor creature owes her safety and salvation to
your personal care, it was the only thing for you to do. O Virginia,
to think that we have all these years enjoyed our beautiful home and
all these luxuries selfishly, forgetful of the multitudes like this
woman! Surely Jesus in our places would do what you have done."
And so Rollin comforted Virginia and counseled with her that
evening. And of all the wonderful changes that she henceforth was to
know on account of her great pledge, nothing affected her so
powerfully as the thought of Rollin's change of life. Truly, this
man in Christ was a new creature. Old things were passed away.
Behold, all things in him had become new.
Dr. West came that evening at Virginia's summons and did everything
necessary for the outcast. She had drunk herself almost into
delirium. The best that could be done for her now was quiet nursing
and careful watching and personal love. So, in a beautiful room,
with a picture of Christ walking by the sea hanging on the wall,
where her bewildered eyes caught daily something more of its hidden
meaning, Loreen lay, tossed she hardly knew how into this haven, and
Virginia crept nearer the Master than she had ever been, as her
heart went out towards this wreck which had thus been flung torn and
beaten at her feet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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