“Was it not delightful?  I hope you had a good time, Dawn,” was the first remark of Mrs. Austin, after the last of the company had left.

“I have enjoyed it very much,” and she answered truthfully; but little did her friend surmise in what manner.

It was a relief to be in her room alone that night, and think over the thrilling experience of the evening.  And this is one of the lights the world rejects, and calls by every other name but holy.  A light which reveals the inner state, and shows the needs of the human soul.  It may be rejected, but it cannot be destroyed.  Man may turn his back upon it, yet it shines on, though he wilfully refuses to enjoy the blessing it imparts.  The testimony of one who lives in a dark, narrow lane, that the sun does not exist, would not be considered of any value.  Supposing one chooses to close his eyes, and declare that it is not morning; shall those whose eyes are open accept his assertion?  Alas, how true it is that many are talking thus, with closed mental vision, from the rostrum and the pulpit.  Let each see for himself, and take no man’s word upon any subject any farther than that word gives hope and encouragement.  Each must do his own thinking, and look upon every effort of another, to limit his range of thought or debar him from the investigation of every new presentation of truth, as an attempt to deprive him of his liberty.

CHAPTER XXVI.

When Clarence next met Dawn he was greatly dejected.  She thought he appeared too old and wan for one of his years.  The brow on which the light of hope and life should repose, was indeed wrinkled, and furrowed with unrest because the spirit was ill at ease.  There was a claim upon him, a voice calling for retribution, which through the very law of life, aside from personal wrong, would not let him rest; and was only in the presence of Dawn that he experienced anything like repose.  His wife and friends taunted him daily upon his depression, because they were far from his soul, and could not comprehend the agony which was working therein.  Many thus live only on the surface of life, and see only results.  What a righting of affairs will come when all are able to see the soul’s internal; when darkness shall be made light.  That time is rapidly approaching.

Dawn sat beside him, the same grieved but saintly face shone out, in the atmosphere.

“I have heard, Miss Wyman, that you sometimes have interior sight-that you can see conditions of the mind, and the cause of its depressions.  May I ask you if you can at present, penetrate my state, and ascertain the cause of this unrest?”

She was silent for a moment.  The workings of her own mind were visible on her features.  She scarce knew how to break the truth to him, but soon lighting up she said: 

“I think I have seen at least one cause of your unrest.  There is a spirit presence now in this room, a young and lovely girl whom you have at some time neglected.”  She did not say “wronged.”