Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/271

Rh needs a woman to stand in the gap as well as a man. We then both knelt down and thanked God for His guidance in our time of perplexity. Our duty is now clear, and we look forward to the future with trustful hearts.”

Marion’s eyes were dim with tears as she finished reading this soul-stirring record of a noble woman. Those words inspired her, and made her own troubles seem small. And Mrs. Norris had stood in the gap, dying at her post of duty. Surely such faith and self-sacrifice would not be in vain. With the wreck of all their work around them, two great souls could still go forward in simple trust that all things would come out right at last. Now one was gone, and the other was lying battling for life in his little room. Would there ever come an answer to their prayers? she wondered, or had they toiled in vain?

She was aroused by the missionary’s voice. It was so different from the last few days that she was somewhat startled. Hurrying to the bedroom, she saw the old man’s eyes fixed intently upon the door with a wondering look. Seeing her, he smiled.

“What has happened?” he asked in a feeble but natural voice. What am I doing here in bed? And who are you? I never saw you before.”

“You have been very ill,” Marion explained, going to his side. “I am a nurse, Marion Brisbane, from Kynox.”

“I have been ill, you say? That is strange. Ah, now I begin to understand. It was that man with the revolver. Did he shoot me? Yes, I remember. He wanted something I had. Did he get it?”

“What was it?” Marion asked.