The Prodigal Girl (40 page)

“Did you mean all those things you told me while I was sick, or did you just tell me that to quiet me?”

“I certainly meant every word,” he said with a glad ring to his voice. “I have been wondering if you remembered.”

“Oh, I couldn’t forget that!” said Betty earnestly. “It had been so awful having God looking at me all the time. I could see just what He thought of me. But isn’t He going to bring it all up sometime and judge me for it?”

“No. He says in His word that He’ll forgive your transgressions and remember them no more.”

“But it will always be there,” said Betty sadly. “There’ll always be those things that I have done! I’ll always be unclean!”

“What God has washed cannot be unclean. ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us,’” quoted David.

She was silent for a long time, and then she said timidly, as though she were not sure she ought to say it:

“But
you
will always think of me that way—as—unclean!”

“I will always think of you as one who is saved!” he said reverently, and his voice had a glad ring in it.

“Oh, will you!” she exclaimed with a light coming into her eyes. “I’m so glad! But oh! I wish I’d never known Dudley Weston!” She pressed her fingers over her eyes and gave a little shiver of horror at the remembrance.

When David Dunham went back to his work, he wrote to Betty every few days, and life began to take on a new look. She was no longer the haughty princess in exile. She walked the earth as if it were paved with flowers, and all day long she was singing.

Plans for the new Bible school went forward rapidly. Chester took a trip home and found three or four more men whose children were disappointing them. They were dubious, it is true, as to whether anything about the Bible could ever touch their young outlaws, but they were willing to be convinced, and Chester brought three of them up to the farm when he came back, along with Hannah who said she was homesick for her family. When the three fathers had listened in on the Bible studies for several hours they marveled and went away thoughtfully to tell others. And so the scheme for a Bible school grew.

The spring came on, and the snow melted at last. Arbutus and mountain laurel appeared, and the earth took on a loveliness that even surpassed the grandeur of the winter whiteness.

Chester went back home for part of each week now as the business claimed more of his time. But the family had elected to stay at the farm till summer was over. So the Bible lessons went steadily on. As the Book opened its treasures to them, the children changed and grew thoughtful and lovely of attitude. Eleanor was expressing this to their minister one day, and he smiled and said:

“The Lord has promised that His Word shall not return unto Him void but shall accomplish that for which He sent it. Your children are growing wise in the deepest lore of the ages. I think they are going to be among the wise, Mrs. Thornton.”

As the summer drew to a close the plans for the new school began to mature. Money had been forthcoming. A building had been secured. The Dunhams promised to undertake the school and had found several other fine, wise spirits for teachers. Word had gone forth that the school would be open for students in the fall.

The exile was over.

The Thorntons were going back to Briardale again, but they were all reluctant to leave the farm and talked eagerly of their return next summer.

David had come up to help his father pack and spent much time at the farm. He and Betty were standing one day on the brow of a hill. The frost had already begun to fling scarlet banners of loveliness over the world in preparation for another winter. Betty’s face was tender as she looked across the misty purple of the mountains.

“It’s going to be strange going back,” she mused. “I almost dread it. There won’t be any of my old friends who will be in sympathy with me. I shall be practically alone. There are some I wish I never need see again. I’m glad the Westons have moved to New York. But Gyp and Fran will not understand. I used to be proud of being hard boiled, and they will think I am crazy. I shall be separated from everybody.”

“That’s the history of every child of God,” said David quickly.” ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate.’ The church is a body of called-out ones. He has called us to be a royal generation, kings and priests unto Him. Isn’t that good enough, Betty?” He looked at her earnestly, reaching out and gathering her hand into his. “You are very precious to me, Betty. I have loved you ever since I found you like a little lost lamb in the snow. Do you think you could ever love me? Do you think after the school is on its feet and things straighten out that you and I could go together through life? Could you love me, Betty?”

Betty lifted wondering, startled eyes that filled with humble tears.

“Oh, David,” she said sadly, “I love you. Yes I love you. I didn’t know there was anything like love before. I thought it was all bunk. But David, I’m not good enough for you. I’m”—she caught her breath in a sob and laid her face against his shoulder—“I’m
unclean!”

“Whom Jesus Christ had cleansed is not unclean, Betty darling! ‘The king’s daughter is all glorious within.’” And he laid his lips reverently upon hers and drew her close to his heart.

The next day the Thorntons went back to their home to begin a new life. As they drove up to the house they saw a beautiful blue Mermaid Eight parked at the door.

“That,” said Chester to Betty, “is by way of a birthday present. I saw how things were going, and I thought I’d like to get it in before it had to be a wedding gift.”

G
RACE
L
IVINGSTON
H
ILL
(1865–1947) is known as the pioneer of Christian romance. Grace wrote more than a hundred faith-inspired books during her lifetime. When her first husband died, leaving her with two daughters to raise, writing became a way to make a living, but she always recognized storytelling as a way to share her faith in God. She has touched countless lives through the years and continues to touch lives today. Her books feature moving stories, delightful characters, and love in its purest form.

Love Endures
Grace Livingston Hill Classics

Available in 2012

The Beloved Stranger
The Prodigal Girl
A New Name
Re-Creations
Tomorrow About This Time
Crimson Roses
Blue Ruin
Coming Through the Rye
The Christmas Bride
Ariel Custer
Not Under the Law
Job’s Niece