“Thank you, Brother Jonathan,” said the invalid; “I think perfect rest is the best remedy.  I have borne many heavy burdens, dear Brother, which have weighed me down intolerably; and now that the Lord has led me home again, let your pity and sympathy be with me on account of all I have suffered.”

“Certainly, Brother Michael; it cannot be otherwise.  Your return has been a matter of great rejoicing with us all,” replied Jonathan.  “But I must give you a prescription, that you may gain your strength more quickly.  Do not talk too much to-day; some time, later on, you must give us an account of your travels.”  With these words, he turned to Carmen with a searching look, as if to divine how far he might trust to her silence.  She purposely avoided his eye, and remained standing at the window.

“I will make your father well again, if you will be kind to me in return,” he said with emphasis.

Then she was compelled to turn and speak.  This man ruled her, in spite of her dislike.

“If you can do anything for my father, Brother Jonathan, you will please not consider me in the matter, but do it for God’s sake and your own,” she replied calmly.

He drew a chair up to the table, and, seating himself, wrote a prescription which he handed to Carmen.

“Have that prepared at once, dear Sister,” he said, “and give it to your father according to the directions; it will benefit him very much.  You know, Brother Michael, my remedies are very powerful.”  A peculiar, sarcastic expression played around his mouth as he spoke, and Carmen, whose quick eye perceived it, wondered what he was ridiculing.  Was it her anxiety about her father, or was it the old man’s weakness?  But it came and went like a flash, and he resumed his usual manner as he rose to leave, saying to Mauer:  “Adieu, Brother.  May the Lord keep you and give you a speedy recovery!”

“I will have the medicine prepared at once, father,” said Carmen, heaving a sigh of relief as the door closed behind the physician.  But when she looked at the old man, a chill of anguish struck through her heart, for she saw how he had clasped his hands before his face, to hide the big tears which were trickling between his fingers.

* * * * * *

Many days passed quietly away after Jonathan’s visit.  Carmen’s soothing, cheering influence seemed to have somewhat allayed her father’s nervousness, and a calmer, more equable mood seemed to have come over him, as his state of health daily improved.  But the nameless shadow of a hidden grief seemed to hang over him.  For his wants he needed but little; self-denial and sacrifice had grown to be a second nature to him, his one earthly wish seeming to be to have a house where he and Carmen could live alone together; but as regards others, he was open-handed and generous to help wherever it was needed.  It was a very difficult matter to find just the right dwelling to suit his taste, so he finally