Mr World and Miss Church-Member | Page 5

heard that these are to give light to pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way would prove very dark and dreary."
"What a contrast," she exclaimed, "between these lights and those that illumine the King's Highway! They shine from above, with increasing splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights. It seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way, and its lights the more inconstant,--so fitful is their gruesome glare."
"Ah! I see what ails you," responded Mr. World. "Your eyes are at fault. We will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision ere your eyes are totally ruined."
The attention of Miss Church-Member was suddenly attracted by seeing a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction. As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan covered the breach so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor man, nor smell the fumes from the burning strata.
Then did I look and, behold, I saw such places in countless variety, each attended by a servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made by an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others, in passing along, would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal fissures.
Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of human life which now came to her attention more vividly than when she traveled on the King's Highway.
She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair, and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance.
"Help! help! I sink I know not whither," was her wailing cry, as she was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames that issued from the fresh opening.
"Oh, horror!" shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr. World. "That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of wickedness and vice."
[Illustration: Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim.]
Without a moment's delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and heed.
"It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the Cross."
"Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem determined to walk in such a terrible path as this." Her finger pointed to the spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more.
"Look yonder," he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. "Do you see that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill," he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice.
She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman and asked her to pause a moment.
"Are you willing to be saved from destruction?" earnestly asked Miss Church-Member.
"I am safe enough," was the indifferent reply.
"You are now walking rapidly toward an awful death," were her further words of warning.
"What right have you to judge me," she curtly replied, "since you also are on this Broad Highway? Have I not heard already the words from those who also wear the pilgrim's robe, but who journey on the King's Highway? Their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my eyes, but your words only stir up my indignation."
"Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My only intention is to do you good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little farther in the same course that you are now pursuing."
Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. "You need no more concern yourself about me. I have two eyes--as many as you have. Look to your own future, not mine; at your own steps, and not at another's!"
"Come," impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he drew her by the arm, "it is just as I expected; let us get away from this sickly atmosphere." But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see the heedless woman step to the last extreme and sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for help came too late for any to rescue her.
[Illustration: "Let