Tears of emotion stood in
the eyes of the hearers, men as well as women, and tears of
gratitude and thanksgiving gushed warmly from those of Asenath. An
ineffable peace and joy descended upon her heart.
When the meeting broke up, Friend Mitchenor, who had not recognized
Richard Hilton, but had heard the story with feelings which he
endeavored in vain to control, approached the preacher.
"The Lord spoke to me this day through thy lips," said he; "will
thee come to one side, and hear me a minute?"
"Eli Mitchenor!" exclaimed Friend Carter; "Eli! I knew not thee
was here! Doesn't thee know me?"
The old man stared in astonishment. "It seems like a face I ought
to know," he said, "but I can't place thee." They withdrew to the
shade of one of the poplars. Friend Carter turned again, much
moved, and, grasping the old man's hands in his own, exclaimed--
"Friend Mitchenor, I was called upon to-day to speak of myself. I
am--or, rather, I WAS--the Richard Hilton whom thee knew."
Friend Mitchenor's face flushed with mingled emotions of shame and
joy, and his grasp on the preacher's hands tightened.
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