Page:Love's trilogy.djvu/379

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'GOD'S PEACE'
369

'GOD'S PEACE' S69

one. But my heart beats in pity and sympathy with their pain. I pray that the Almighty God will give her and them His peace. Amen.'

Alone with the clergyman I walk behind Greta's soffin through the graveyard. I notice how Spring lias started spreading his beauty over death. I see the flames of Spring, and in my ears still echo the ilergyman's words about God's peace. My soul cries out in torture : ' You lying priest, lying like the Spring on the graves. All the blossoms of the world cannot hide that hideousness of Death that she, my beloved, is given to the worms. All the priests of the world cannot conjure from the grave that God's peace which is buried there with her for ill eternity.'

The cofEn is lowered into the grave. The cere- mony of casting the earth is over. The clergyman presses my hand — and — I am left alone.

But I do not feel quite lonely until I, cold and shivering through sitting for a long time in the sharp, spring air, walk back to Rough-Hill, which Qow does not even shelter Greta's cold clay.

So lonely, oh, so lonely !

APRIL.

I FLED to this place seeking loneliness. I XL found it. Had Greta not crossed my path I feel sure the loneliness would not have frightened ne, for then I should not have known the loss vhich now pursues me like an outlaw. My loneliness makes me an outlaw, Where shall 3a