At the sunset hour, word passed throughout the village that Mark Clifton had just died, and that before his death he had been married to Carla Earle. The clergyman who attended the dying man wrote to his parents, telling them of their son's marriage and death, and of his farewell messages to them. He added: "Your son died a repentant man." CHAPTER XXII THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE On her return from Murphy Ranch, Esther began to assist in the care of Kenneth Hastings. As yet, he had not recognized her. Sometimes, as she sat by him, tears would gather and roll down her cheeks. One day, Kenneth opened his eyes and asked: "Who are you? What are you doing here?" "I am Esther," she answered, "taking care of you." "No, you're not," he said, wildly. "Get out of here!" She stepped back where he could not see her. He rambled on. "Some one shot!" He tried to rise. But Sister Mercy, entering, quieted him, and he lay back, muttering. Occasionally, Esther caught the words "Esther," "gulf," "doubt." About an hour later, he awakened, quiet. She sat where she could watch his face, and learn her great lesson. "Are you an angel?" he asked, with unrecognizing eyes. She took one of his hands in hers, and rested her cheek against it. His hand grew wet with her tears. "Are you a soul in bliss?" he asked, softly. "I knew an angel when I was on earth. But a gulf yawned between us, a gulf, a gulf!" Then he seemed oblivious of the presence of anyone, and muttered: "I have lost my way--lost my way,--lost." At last he slept again. And Esther Bright, kneeling by his bedside, with one of his hands clasped in hers, prayed. Still he slept on. When he awakened, John Clayton stood looking down upon him. Kenneth looked around, puzzled. "Well, John! Where am I?" "Here in my home. Are you feeling better, Kenneth?" "Better? What do you mean?" "You've been very sick, and delirious. But now you'll recover." "What was the matter?" "An Indian blackguard shot you through the shoulder. Septic conditions set in, and you had a high fever. Keep still there," he said, as he prevented his friend from moving. "Queer, John," said Kenneth, after a moment's pause. "I can't recall anything that has happened recently but a drive with Miss Bright just before she went away. But I can't speak of that--" And Esther Bright, resting on the couch in the living room, heard every word. A long silence followed. "John," said Kenneth in a low voice, "tell her sometime for me, that I have lived a clean, honorable life. You know I have gone to the saloons here sometimes, largely because other human beings were there. You know I gambled a little to kill time. So deucedly lonely! Tell her I wasn't bad at heart." He started to say more, but suddenly stopped. And Esther, hearing in spite of herself, searched her own heart.