205
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
April 1926
ilET
E£
F I N E G O L D OR THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE JOSEPHINE HOPE WESTERVELT ± z ±
a
51
ever the missionaries settle down, the commerce of the world begins to be extended. New methods are introduced, new implements are desired and new demands are met. Their work invariably does this, although I believe many times without forethought, in this regard, by tie mission ary. His desire is to help his people to better, cleaner, healthier ways of living and in doing so he starts the ball of progress rolling, as well as Christianity.” Such was Mr. Blaine’s comprehensive summing up of his opinion, gleaned from years of observation. This was his second trip to Peru. He was much interested in the evi dences of antiquity he could observe all over this land, and was prepared to make a more extensive study of them than heretofore. A Jovial, whole-hearted man, he enjoyed his visit with the missionaries very much. On their part they were ¿lad to have him with them, for they could ask him much about their loved homeland. One evening he told them of a fad of his. It was the collection of samples of the handwriting of different men whom he had met. He asked both William and Mr. Foster to write some little sen timent for him in his compact leather-covered book, which contained the handwriting of many men of many callings and from many countries. As William wrote a simple verse of Scripture, and then turned the pages of the book he stopped in sheer amaze ment and stunned surprise at one specimen. It was pasted in the book, and was a few words in Spanish, relative to some business transacted. It was unmistakably like his father’s loved handwriting, which bore an individuality that was beyond question: With lips that could not keep from trembling, William spoke, "Mr. Blaine, where is the man who wrote that inscription?” Mr. Blaine and the others could see plainly the agitation in the face of the questioner. “ Why, let me see; that was written by a man somewhere in Argentine, I believe, a Spaniard and an attractive fellow if I remember rightly. I had some dealings with him, and he wrote those instructions out for me. It had to do with a trip up the Andes several years ago. Do you know the man? The handwriting is distinctive, that is why I pasted it there.” The others bent curiously over the book. "It is my father’s handwriting. I would know it among a thousand. But you say this man is a Spaniard. Are you sure?” Then he told them humbly and tenderly of his erring father and of his intense longing to find him. “ I believe this man was a Spaniard. I never heard him speak anything else, but he might know your father. I am much interested and as I go from here I will make every effort to locate the fellow, and find out all I can about him,” said Mr. Blaine. William, still much agitated, went into his den and brought out the manuscript of the little story his father had written for him. Each one compared the two spec!-
(Continued from last month) CHAPTER 21 m s FATHER’S HANDWRITING
OUISE BIRDSEY had been disappointed when she received William’s letter. She could not deny that she had hoped more from William’s answer than ________ ghe had received, but she could not know that William had ever seen that unfortunate announcement of her engagement and had never known of its untruthfulness. She could qot see his sensitive nature in regard to his father’s supposed crime, and so she could read only one meaning to his letter, and that was that he no longer cared for her in the old way and perhaps might, already be think ing of some one else fitted in every way to make him a bet ter wife than she. She resolved that, though loving him dearer than ever, she must put all thoughts of being his wife from her heart. She had much to occupy her mind and refused to sit in sadness and mourn over what she was unable to change. ghe went to Philadelphia to attend a Bible School in order to fit herself for Christian service, and there she did much work among the slums of the City. She met at that time an interesting gentleman. A Mr. Blaine who had a nephew in the Bible School spent several days at the school and accompanied the students in some of their visitation work in the city.' Louise felt deeply drawn to him because of his attractiveness but mainly because she found out that he was soon on his way to South America where he would visit Peru for the second time. She talked with him of the coun try until she felt a nearness to William and his work that was a comfort to her. She told him a friend had gone there for mission work and asked him to find him while there and visit his farm. Mr. Blaine promised he would and then took his depart ure, and Louise threw herself wl^ole-heartedly into the work of the school and won much admiration for her seal and ability. Stanley Blaine, the nephew, grew to love her and told her of it. Louise thought well of the young man but could not bring herself to accept him as a lover yet. She wondered that since she could not have the best if she ought to accept this second best, for Stanley Blaine was a man of sterling worth and character. She pondered over it for days and weeks and Stanley wisely did not press his suit but nevertheless he was much with her and felt sure he would win her love in time. ................................................................................................... In far away Peru Mr. Blaine had found the friend that Louise Birdsey had told him about, and he was proving a welcome guest. Mr. Blaine traveled in many countries and wrote of his travels for various magazines in America, so he was particularly interested in what these Americans had accomplished. “ I have found in many countries it has been the mission aries who have started the progressive movements. Wher
/
r
5
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker