"Our paths have become separated. Frances has chosen her life among the pleasures of the world. Mine lies far above the "world of things,9 on a plane where Love is the motive power to do that for which I have been chosen. Without love and harmony in my home I cannot serve The Master.

Truth's eyes filled with tears as she faltered: "I hardly know what to say - so deeply engrossed in my own sorrow, that - all I can say: I'm awfully sorry------."

Instinctively Adoni placed his hand upon Truth's head and stroking her hair with a caressing touch of sympathy, he gazed into her tear-stained eyes, and replied tenderly:

"Be not sorry, little friend, the grief in your heart echoes mine. Our separation, like that of your own experience, was designed by an unseen hand, and the chains of an intolerable existence broken. For more than twelve years I have endured the torture of my soul, and have battled with the question, why a God of love would tolerate a living lie for which I have despised myself a thousand times. Bowing to the conventions of temporary creed, and human law, transgressing daily, yes hourly, the divine command in yielding continually to false duty; honor and pride not permitting me to uncover our sin and crime------."

An involuntary cry of dismay from Truth's lips broke Adoni's sentences as she repeated wistfully: "Crime, did you say?"

"Concealed crime, for we were slowly destroying life - ."

Truth gazed at Adoni in speechless astonish-ment. Seeing the look of bewilderment and fear in her eyes, Adoni immediately resumed:

"My fate was only one of the many thousands who are wrongly mated. When Love is driven from heart and home, life becomes a burden, too heavy for many to bear, and they seek rest in the grave. There are forces emanating from natures, antagonistic to each other - that like a poisonous microbe, gnaw at the very root of your being. By slow degrees, break down the whole constitution, and results in an untimely death. Love, the creative principle, must be born of the soul; through love life is generated and preserved. Without love, life becomes a fruitless desert. Ah, if all the struggling hearts had but the courage your brave soul displayed, to break down the barriers between God and man-made laws, how many lives could be saved from destruction?"

"How many women with high aspirations are forced to live with men who regard their value only to serve their physical gratification, dragging them down to a level with animal nature from which they are too weak to rise. Man again, doomed to live with a wife whose influence upon his nature creates a poisonous atmosphere, which in time kills his genius and powers for lofty achievements, and his life that might have been crowned with the glory of success, held in this mortal bondage, ends in a dismal failure!"

Truth devoured every word with intense eagerness. Then meeting Adoni's earnest gaze she bravely asked: "Do you honestly feel that we have no right to live a loveless marriage?"

"It is sin!" replied Adoni gravely. "Where love no longer exists, a man and wife, through the great eternal law, become divorced! Yet, man continues to live under the mantle of religious rights, working in opposition to God's plan, and thus affronts the 'Divine Majesty' to obey the law of man."

"But is this not done through------"

"Ignorance!" interjected Adoni with a voice vibrating authority. " 'The influence thrown from opposing brain waves is a most destructive force, that has murdered more human beings than any other deadly disease.' And many times have I asked myself the question, whether we that are not ignorant of the psychological law and forces that govern our being, have we any more right to destroy our own life, than that of another -?"

"I suppose," replied Truth firmly as she gazed into Adoni's questioning eyes, "one human soul is just as precious as another to the Creator of love and life -?"

"And the sin just as great to destroy it."

Moved by an inward emotion Adoni hesitated; gazed upon Truth's uplifted face, then in a tone vibrating with reverence said: "There is only one life for us to live. The Love life------"

A silence fell between them, broken at last by Truth's visible effort to change the subject, she asked sadly: "So you are really going to leave us?"

"For a short time - yes."

"And when do you return?"

"When the garden is fragrant with next year's roses."

"Then I shall not be here," sighed Truth.

Adoni looked the question. "Where then will you be, my little friend?"

"At school, teaching and working for the welfare of the blind."

"For the welfare of the blind?" repeated Adoni slowly - A look of astonishment lighting his handsome face. "I am more than delighted to hear you say this. Come, tell me all about it."

Truth related modestly her final separation from Vallero, then her entire plan for her life work, which she portrayed with such eager enthusiasm that it thrilled his heart with tender pride and sympathy for her noble aspirations. When she had finished her eyes were penetrating the very depths of his heart for commendation and encouragement. With love shining in his eyes, Adoni reached for her hand and pressed it gently. - His voice, low and sweet, had a tremulous note of reverence as he spoke most tenderly.

"God bless you, little woman, you have chosen a grand and noble work, in which you will be happy in contributing the power of your soul to the sightless ones. A work which appeals to every human heart. May the love of God radiate through your soul rays of sunshine into the darkened lives of our unfortunate brothers and sisters. And that they may through human sympathy feel the warm clasp of a friendly hand leading them to where divine happiness will emancipate their sorrows while imprisoned in a tenement of darkness during the short period of earth life. Tour sympathy and the desire to alleviate their suffering will never be wasted. The world needs more of this divine quality.

"Go, dear heart, forget yourself in the service of others; learn the divine lesson of inward sacrifice that alone will emancipate you from your own sorrow and lead you to where spiritual happiness awaits you."

Truth's lips began to quiver - her eyes were moist - .

As Adoni continued, tears were rolling freely down her cheeks - . "Put the strength of your heart and soul force into your work - prepare the way for a glorious achievement, and when I return from the Orient, I shall be happy to assist you in this new field of work for the blind. Then together we shall labor for love of God and humanity, restore the sight of the physically blind, and open the eyes of those in spiritual darkness."

A flood of tears welled as from Truth's very heart. Sobbingly she endeavored to thank Adoni for his inspiring words.

"I do appreciate and thank you so much for your kind encouragement, and I'll try so hard to make myself worthy of your assistance. When you return Adoni------"

Truth was startled - became confused - her hand was sought and tenderly clasped, while eyes that thrilled her soul looked deep into her own.

" Repeat my name once more, Truth - it never sounded so well to me------."

"Where are you, child?"

"Here, mother," - answered Truth nervously.

Mrs. Ralston came hastily along the winding path with a shawl thrown over her arm, exclaiming, "Oh, here you are!" Quickly wrapping the scarf around Truth's shoulders, "I'm afraid, dear girl, you have taken your death of cold already out here in this brisk air for more than an hour."

"Fear not," Mrs. Ralston, remarked Adoni pleasantly. "I can assure you that God's pure air will harm no one."

"Perhaps not, if we all knew how to properly apply it."

Adoni smiled.

"That is the whole secret of life. If one properly understood and obeyed the laws of nature, there would be no more sickness, sorrow nor pain."

"Mr. Bourdalone, can you not remain to lunch with us? I am sure Truth and I would be delighted to have you talk to us on your most interesting subjects a little while longer."

"Yes, indeed, for let me tell you, mother, that our best friend is going to leave us next week."

"So soon? I am extremely sorry to hear this. Now you surely can not refuse to stay with us?"

"I'm surely not capable of resisting so charming an invitation."

So saying, Adoni offered his arm to Truth and they happily followed Mrs. Ralston into the dining room.

While lunch was being served, Adoni described in a most interesting way his proposed trip to the Himalaya mountains and his contemplated study with the wise men of the Orient.

"Has Truth told you all of her wonderful plans?"

"She has."

"And what do you think of them?"

"I endorse them heartily."

"Well," said Mrs. Ralston, in a tone mingled with disappointment, "that settles the whole matter. I shan't have anything more to say."

With a little laugh Truth glanced at her mother, then to Adoni, who had already risen to go.

"Now, my dear ladies, I must surely go. I have enjoyed my long visit and luncheon immensely and am sorry I cannot remain longer, but there are so many unfinished duties that I must attend to this afternoon. If possible I will arrange to call once more before I leave, to say, good-bye."