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Miss Lucy’s arm went about Karen arid ' she pulled her close. “Promise me something, Karen,” she whispered. “Promise me you’ll do nothing until we have prayed earnestly about this.” For a moment Karen’s thin figure was stiff and unyielding, and' then love did its part. She relaxed and slowly nodded her head. “This afternoon,” Miss Lucy went ori, “I’m going to a meeting in a church on the other side of the city. Come with me. I’d like you to meet some of the young people there.” As Karen’s going to the Mission had taken her into a new world, so her coming to the church where Dr. Sorensen was the minister, was like stepping into an entirely hew life. ,She never had known there were oth er parts of the city that were not like her own. The young people at the church were planning a winter conference in the mountains and included her in their plans. Karen was filled with a fierce longing to go with them. But it was out of the question, she was sure. Her surprise was complete when she knew she could go. Miss Lucy wanted to send her, suitable clothing had been provided, her mother’s permis sion was given, and she joined the other young people in the mountain cabin. Everything there was new: ex- citing, healthful sports in snow and ice, the casual comfort of the cosy cabin, the clean comradeship of the young people and their easy talk of spiritual matters. Previously she had known joy in, her salvation, but she had not dreamed there were young people who really found added joy in a life lived for the Lord. For the first time, Karen realized what life invest ment meant, and she breathed a swift prayer to God that He would use her life in His service. She was still resolved to leave home. The taste of vital Christian fellow ship with other young people made impossible the thought of a return to the old sordid scenes. She had tried on every occasion to witness to her own people, but they would not listen. Surely she had done a ll that she could—for now. She guessed that Miss Lucy and Dr. Sorensen were aware of her plans to leave home; that they were pray ing the Lord would restrain her, know ing the dangers of such a move. On the last day of the conference, Dr. Sorensen was talking with Karen. She told him something of what the Lord had come to mean to her, and of her surrender to Him for life and service. It wai the testimony the miri- ister had waited for. It was then that he invited her to make her home with them, helping Mrs. Sorensen in the [ Continued on Page 399]
tangled hair, and unwashed face. But no one seemed to notice her and she began to relax. Life had been better after that. Though there was still' the hard work to do, Karen found time to slip away to the Mission House and revel in the atmosphere of cleanliness and good ness she found there. She had been eleven when she was really made clean. She liked to think of it that way, when the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ had cleansed her heart from sin. She could never for get when the truth of John 3:16 had come home to her." It had been the first memory verse she had learned, and when it was explained to her that even if she had been the only sinner, Christ would have died for her, she could not resist such love. Eagerly, she had opened her heart to Him, and He had filled her loveless life with new joy and beauty. With high hopes she had witnessed to her friends—not minding too much when they taunted her with, “Karen’s got religion,” and went laughing on their gay, restless way. Remembering all this, she stirred, easing her cramped position. The cold light of dawn had dispelled the shadows in the room now, and the gray bulk of houses were taking shape outside. Karen shivered. In all her sixteen years, she never had heen so cold before, but it was a strange cold ness that came from within. She knew what she was going to do. Even her decision was like a cold weight, but her mind was made up. She would run away from home. Away from home, in a new place, she could make Christian friends in one of the churches Miss Lucy had told her about. She wanted one more visit at the Mission House before she left, but as soon as she went in, she sensed that Miss Lucy knew something was wrong. “What’s the matter, Karen? Has something happened?” Suddenly Karen sobbed. The cold ness was breaking up, and the pent- up tears were released. “Oh, Miss Lucy, I can’t stand it any longer at home,” she wept. “ Fighting, drunk enness, and quarrels. And I’m afraid.” “What are you afraid of, Karen?” Miss Lucy asked quietly. “Has any one threatened to harm you?” “Oh; no. There is no danger, unless we get in the way of something one of them is apt to throw when they are fighting. But I’m afraid. Oh, Miss Lucy you’ll not like me for this, but I’m afraid I’m going to despise my own mother if I stay, and I don’t want to do that. I do love her. She’s had a hard life, and it isn’t all her fault that she has let herself sink into this awful habit. But when I see her like she was last night, I can’t stand it.”
the tiny p lotjof gay flowers, trying to grasp the fact that these beautiful things,were/ real. I The Sound of the opening door swung her about in quick fear. À young woman,** the loveliest one Karen had ever seen, had comè to the door and'was looking at her. Instantly Karen took flight, running with a swiftness born of much practice—the practice of getting out of the way when trouble threatened. “Would you like a flower, little girl?” The lady was speaking, and it was the sound of her voice more than the promise of the words that stopped Karen. It was such a kind voice, soft, with music in it. Slowly, Karen walked back. She gasped with astonishment as the lady pulled several of the prettiest floWers and handed them to her. “Wouldn’t you like to come in and see our house?” the lady asked. Timidly, Karen nodded her head and followed her in—into a new world. Inside, children were playing games, or were interested in toys. Here and there a boy or girl was absorbed in a book, and in the corner two small girls cut paper dolls and laughed quietly at a secret. Everything was so clean. S u d d e n l y Karen was ashamed of her own dirty dress, her **A graduate of the Bible Institute of Los Angèles • Through the facilities of the Cali fornia Don Lee Mutual chain, a versè-by-verse study of the Bible is given daily by the President of the Bible Institute of Los An geles, Louis T. Talbot. It is the plan to extend this radio minis try to Oregon and Washington as "soon as finances permit. DIAL NEAREST STATION Monday through Friday 11:00 to 11:30 A. M. San Diego KGB Fresno KTKC Monterey ____ KDON Marysville .........— .........— .......KMYC Chico ___________________......----- KHSL Redding ..................----- -KVCV Los Angeles ..........~..........«....»......KHJ El Centro ...,......n....«...~~—----------KXO Santa Ana ........................................ KVOE San Bernardino .KFXM Santa Barbara ................................KDB Bakersfield ............................... KPMC San Luis Obispo.................- ..........KYEC ■San Francisco................................ -KFRC Merced (l:3 0 p.m.)------------ -— KYOS INSTITUTE PRESIDENT IN RADIO BROADCAST
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