"For a while I worked in pain and anguish, but gradually, in the
solitude of the mountains, my spirit found peace; against their infinity
my life with its burden dwindled to an atom, and from the lesson of
their centuries of silent waiting I gathered strength and fortitude to
await my appointed time.
"But after a time God spoke to me and bade me go forth from my solitude
into the world, to comfort other sorrowing souls as I had been
comforted. From that time I have travelled almost constantly. I have no
home; I wish none. I want to bring comfort and help to as many of
earth's sorrowing, sinning children as possible; but when the old wound
bleeds afresh and the pain becomes more than I can bear I flee as a bird
to my mountain for balm and healing. Do you wonder, my son, that the
place is sacred to me? Do you understand my love for you in bringing you
here?"
Darrell sat with bowed head, speechless, but one hand went out to Mr.
Britton, which the latter clasped in both his own.
When at last he raised his head he exclaimed, "Strange! but your story
has wrung my soul! It seems in some inexplicable way a part of my very
life!"
"Our souls seem united by some mystic tie--I cannot explain what, unless
it be that in some respects our sufferings have been similar."
"Mine have been as nothing to yours," Darrell replied. A moment later he
added: "I feel as one in a dream; what you have told me has taken such hold
upon me."
Night had fallen when they returned to the cabin.
"This seems hallowed ground to me now," Darrell remarked.
"It has always seemed so to me," Mr. Britton replied; "but remember, so
long as you have need of the place it is always open to you."
"'Until the day break and the shadows flee away,'" Darrell responded, in
low tones, as though to himself.
Mr. Britton caught his meaning. "My son," he said, "when the day breaks
for you do not forget those who still sit in darkness!"