Page:From the West to the West.djvu/133

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gaze at mother, whose raiment was as sheer as the finest gauze. It was all edged with luminous lace; and the sheen on her hair was like spun gold, glistening in the sunshine."

"Didn't she say anything, Jean?"

This man, who had all his life refused to listen to any story which could not be verified by physical law, had lost himself in the strange recital. Jean looked as one transfigured. She resumed her story.

"Mother said: ' You must go back to your duties, Jean.' Her arms were about my neck, and her shining draperies floated around us like a mist with the sun shining on it. ' You have a long and weary road before you, Jean,' she said, speaking silently, but in words that could be felt. * The experiences you will encounter willall be good for your development, my dear,' she added, still inaudibly. * The time will come when you will realize, no matter what befalls you, that every lesson in life is necessary for your development. You are in the arms of the Infinite One, whose kingdom is within you, and who doeth all things well. Go back to your dear father, Jean. Tell him I am not dead. Tell Mary, Marjorie, Harry, and all the rest—' Just then I felt a sudden sensation, as of floating downward, toward the earth.

"A cow lowed as I stirred myself in the wagon, and I remembered that you had tied Flossie to a wheel to keep her from straying from camp. Bells tinkled on the hillsides, the wind whistled in the trees, and I sat up, wide awake. I heard you moaning, daddie, and my heart went out to you with a longing that I cannot describe. I could not rest till I had told you all. What do you suppose it means?"

"I can only say, like one of old, ' Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.' Leave me now, daughter. You are weary and must sleep."