the heavenly day on which follows no creeping night nor shadow of earthly care.  I come not to bid you forget; I come to bid you remember.  Remember all that is past, treasure it in the secret storehouse of the soul where the few flowers culled from life’s abundant thorn are laid in their fragrance and garnered up.  Remember also the future.  Think that your time is short, and that the labour shall be sweet; so that in a few quick years you shall reap a harvest of unearthly blooming.  Fear not to tread boldly in the tracks of those who have climbed before you, and who have attained and have conquered.  What can anything earthly ever be to you?  What can you ever care again for gold, or gem, or horse, or slave?  Do with those things as it may seem good in your eyes, but leave them behind.  The weight of the money-bags is a weariness and soreness to the feet that toil to overtake eternity.  The flesh itself is weariness to the spirit, and soon leaves it to wing its flight untrammelled and untiring.  Come, I will give you of my poor strength what shall carry your uncertain steps over the first great difficulties, or at least over so many as you have not yet surmounted.  Be bold, aspiring, fearless, and firm of purpose.  What guerdon can man or Heaven offer, higher than eternal communion with the bright spirit that waits and watches for your coming?  With her—­you said it while she lived—­was your life, your light, and your love; it is true tenfold now, for with her is life eternal, light ethereal, and love spiritual.  Come, brother, come with me!”

Slowly Isaacs raised his head from his hands and gazed long on the old man.  And while he gazed it was as if his pale face were transparent and the whiteness of the burning spirit, dazzling to see, came and went quickly and came again as flashes in the northern sky.  Slowly he rose to his feet, and laying his hand in the Buddhist’s, spoke at last.

“Brother, I come,” he said.  “Show me the way.”

“Right gladly will I be thy guide, Abdul,” Ram Lal gave answer.  “Right willingly will I go with thee whither thou wouldest.  Never was teacher sought by more worthy pupil; never did man embrace the pure life of the brethren with more single heart or truer purpose.  The way shall be short that leads thee upward, the stones that are therein shall be as wings to lift thy feet instead of stumbling-blocks for thy destruction.  The hidden forces of nature shall lend thee strength, and her secrets wisdom; the deep sweet springs of the eternal water shall refresh thee and the food of the angels shall be thine.  Thy sorrows shall turn from bitter into sweet, and from the stings of thy past agonies shall grow up the golden flowers of thy future crown.  Thou shalt not tire in the way, nor crave rest by the wayside.”

“Friend, tell me what I shall do that I may attain all this.”