This eBook was produced by Joel Erickson <joel@oneporpoise.com>, Charles Franks <charlz@lvcablemodem.com>, and Juliet Sutherland PAULA THE WALDENSIAN by Eva Lecomte _Adapted and translated from the Spanish Version by W. M. Strong_ PREFACE I Hope and trust that the young people who read this book will have as much joy in the reading of it as I have had in its writing. Paula's Saviour wishes to be your Saviour too. Paula was by no means perfect, but she did love God with all her heart and her neighbor as herself. This simple country girl, young and strong, yet so tender-hearted and forgetful of self, appears to me sometimes like one of the clear brooks of my beloved land, pure and fresh, slipping noiselessly between flowered banks of forget-me-nots. It was by love that she "conquered"--as we shall see! If some day you should come to my country, do not forget that I would have great joy in seeing any of those who have read this book. I live in the little town of Villar at the bottom of the valley, where on every side there are hills and mountains as far as the eye can reach. To me it is the loveliest country in the world and I am sure that Paula thought so too. And so good-bye, dear young reader! I must not keep you any longer, for I am sure you have a great desire to know about Paula; and anyway, I suppose you will have done what I would have done at your age, namely, read the story first, and left my poor preface to the last--for which I have already pardoned you! And now, may God bless you, Paula dear, as you walk among these my young friends who read about you! My prayer is that you may shed over them the same sweet ray of celestial light that you have already shed over others. EVA LECOMTE. Villar-Pellice, France. Translator's note: "Paula" was originally written in French and translated from thence into Spanish; and the present translator having discovered this literary and spiritual jewel, felt that it should be given also to the young people of the English-speaking world, not only that they might know Paula herself, but that, through her, they might become more intimately acquainted with Paula's Saviour and accept Him as their own Redeemer and Lord. W. M. STRONG. Coihueco, Chile, South America, 1940. CONTENTS PART ONE 1. AN UNEXPECTED LETTER 2. MEMORIES 3. PAULA ARRIVES 4. PAULA'S TREASURES 5. LOUIS' WATCH 6. IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS 7. CATALINA'S ILLNESS 8. THE FIVE-FRANC PIECE 9. A LITTLE GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN 10. IN THE COUNTRY 11. THE CAT MOTHER 12. A TREASURE RESTORED 13. THE SCHOOL-TEACHER AND HER BROTHER PART TWO 1. SOME YEARS LATER 2. THE BRETON 3. SAVED! 4. THE YOUNG SCHOOL-MISTRESS 5. THE NIGHT-SCHOOL 6. THE HOUSE OF GOD 7. IN HIS PRESENCE PART ONE CHAPTER ONE AN UNEXPECTED LETTER