Out in the World CHAPTER 35.
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The day following was bright and balmy; the air soft and warm. Madeline felt its influence, and as the morning advanced towards noon, had her chair drawn to the open window, the sash of which came down to the floor. At one o'clock, Mr. Jansen was to go by in an open carriage.
Mr. Lawrence was to call for him; and it was arranged that he Mr. Lawrence, should leave the carriage at the entrance of the block, and join it again as soon as it turned the corner of the next cross street.
On calling for Mr. Jansen at the time agreed upon, Mr. Lawrence found him alone, his wife having gone out on her daily round of visits. He did not look so pale as on the day before. Ardor of feeling gave quicker and stronger pulsations to his heart, and actually touched his cheeks with color.
"Do you feel strong enough?" asked Mr. Lawrence, as he took the hand of Mr. Jansen, and felt it thrill within his own.
"Oh, yes," he replied, quickly. "I have not felt so toned up for weeks. Is all arranged? Will she be at the window?"
"Yes."
He was very eager, and as they went downstairs, Mr. Lawrence had to bear him back gently and retard his hasty steps. On reaching the pavement, his strength was nearly gone, and it was with difficulty that he could support his own weight to the carriage. It was an open carriage, with extra cushions, among which he sunk back on entering, while a sudden paleness overspread his face.
"I'm afraid this is too much for you," said Mr. Lawrence, half repenting his acquiescence in Mr. Jansen's wishes.
"Oh, no! no! It will pass over in an instant," was replied.
Mr. Lawrence got into the carriage, and the vehicle moved slowly away. No farther word passed between them. At the entrance of the block in which he lived Mr. Lawrence left the carriage.
"You know the house," he said.
"Yes."
"I will join you in the next street."
There was, now, no sign of agitation about Mr. Jansen. He was calm and thoughtful, with a certain brightness of countenance which Mr. Lawrence had never before seen. He lay back among the cushions, with his face a little elevated.
In less than five minutes, Mr. Lawrence was again by his side.
"Did you see her?"
He had taken the sick man's hand on entering the carriage.
"Yes." There was a quick, strong pressure on the hand of Mr. Lawrence.
Mr. Jansen said no more, and Mr. Lawrence would not disturb him with questions. "When they reached home, Mr. Jansen's strength was all gone. On getting down from the carriage, his limbs sunk under him, and he had to be carried to his room. A little wine revived him.
"This has been all wrong, I fear," said Mr. Lawrence. The only reply was a smile of satisfaction.
"I think," said Mr. Lawrence, to one of the servants, as he was about leaving the house, "that you had better send for the doctor. This ride has exhausted him considerably."
The servant promised to do so, and Mr. Lawrence went away. He was not at ease in his mind. In yielding to Mr. Jansen's wishes, he had felt that the ground they were about to tread was hardly safe; and so doubts had continually intruded themselves. From Mr. Jansen, his thought now turned to Madeline. Had the recognition been mutual? And if so, what had been the effect? With such thoughts and questionings in his mind, Mr. Lawrence walked homeward. His wife met him with a serious face.
"What of Madeline?" he asked.
"I can hardly answer the question," was replied.
"Did she recognize Mr. Jansen?"
"I think so."
"What was the effect? Tell me all about it."
They sat down, and Mrs. Lawrence said —
"As the time approached when Mr. Jansen was to go by, I began to feel very nervous. Madeline had been sitting up for a long time, and I was fearful that her strength would give way. But, she was unusually bright, and enjoyed the air and sunshine. It may be, that my state of mind affected hers, for as one o'clock drew near, she became quiet and thoughtful. She had been musing for some minutes, when she looked up at me, and remarked, in a grave, half wondering way, 'I have a singular kind of an impression, Jessie; as if I were going to see a stranger, and yet not a stranger.' We heard the bell ring at the moment.
'There,' she said, and leaned, listening, as Ellen went to the door. She almost held her breath. 'Who is it?' I asked of Ellen, who came up with a card in her hand. 'Mrs. Jordan.' I answered my own question, as I took the card. 'Say to her that I am particularly engaged this morning, and must ask to be excused.' As Ellen turned to leave the room, I looked at Madeline. The light had gone out of her face.
"'Why, Madeline!' I exclaimed, 'did you really put such a strong faith in this impression?'
"She smiled and tried to rally herself.
"'The impression is here, and I cannot remove it,' she answered.
"In a little while, she grew very calm and sweet. There was a spiritual elevation in her eyes, and a tenderness about her mouth, that was inexpressible. She looked up at the sky, which was of the softest blue, and singularly translucent, then back into my face, saying — 'Heaven is not very far off. We just go to sleep, like tired children, and awaken on the other side.'
"Tears came into my eyes. I could not keep them back. It was now only a few minutes to one o'clock. With difficulty I repressed the agitation that was steadily increasing. I had moved her chair so that she could look in the direction from which Mr. Jansen was to come. Presently I heard the sound of wheels approaching slowly. My heart seemed to stand still. We had ceased talking. Madeline was looking out of the window — I put my hands upon her chair, and pushed her closer to the open casement. At that instant Mr. Jansen came in sight. He reclined a little back, with his head against a cushion which had been elevated in the carriage, and his eyes fixed on Madeline. I noticed a slight movement on her part, as if she had repressed a sudden emotion. I could not see her countenance. No sign of recognition was made by Mr. Jansen. His face was white and still, and his eyes resting steadily on Madeline. He turned his head just a little, as the carriage moved by, as if to prolong the vision that was before him.
"The moment he was past, I saw Madeline shrink in her chair, as though overstrained nerves had given way. I spoke to her — but she did not reply. I drew her back from the window, and saw that her long lashes had fallen upon her checks. There lingered on her countenance, a look of half painful surprise, though the sweetness had not departed from her lips. 'You have been sitting up too long, I said, and wheeled her chair hastily across the room. She made no resistance, as I drew off the shawl in which she had been dressed, and got her into bed. Not a word escaped from her lips. Her lashes lay trembling on her cheeks, and as her head touched the pillow, she shut her eyes closely and turned her face away. Since then, she has neither moved nor spoken."
"She recognized him," said Mr. Lawrence.
"Yes, I am sure of it."
"And, as I feared, the shock has been too much for her. I was wrong to have permitted this. I felt that it would be wrong from the beginning."
"You had no selfish end to gain replied Mrs. Lawrence. You tried to serve another. What may seem an evil result to our limited vision, may be only the completion of some higher good. They are both in God's hands."
And they passed to God. That bright June day, on which they had looked once more into each other's faces, went down serene and cloudless; but their eyes did not see its evening beauty.
When day broke again, two white faces, and two shrouded forms, lay in separate dwellings, far apart, and there was no external bond between them. But, in the new morning that broke for their chastened souls, who will say that they stood not close together?
THE END.
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