Synopses & Reviews
ight On a by CLARK DUNCAN WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY Grand Rapids 1943 Michigan LIGHT ON A HILL by CLARK DUNCAN Copyright, 1943, by Wm-B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Rights Reserved. FRINTBD IN THB XTNITKJD STATES OF AMERICA DEDICATION To my beloved daughter MARILYN who died March 2nd, 1943 will not believe that she is dead. She dwells with God, for Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am ye may be also WHEN Vane Cheltenham alighted from a pullman in Hillsboro, Missouri, one bright June afternoon, he knew nothing of the country to which destiny was calling him. Paramount in his mind was the thought that hed soon be launched upon his lifes work. Gazing up and down the red brick platform, he spied a decrepit brown bus standing at the east end of the station, and he walked in that direction. It was an old and weather-beaten conveyance, with a rack on top for baggage and mail. Is this the stage to Seven Corners he inquired of the strapping sandy-complexioned Missourian driver who was standing alongside the vehicle. Taint no thin else, replied the driver briskly, seizing his satchel and motioning for him to get in Vane handed the man his baggage checks and climbed into the rear of the bus. It was an antiquated affair with a long seat on each side worn slick from much use. He quickly perceived that one other passenger besides himself was making the journey to Seven Corners. A young lady, perhaps twenty one, with brown hair and blue eyes, sat huddled up near the drivers seat. From where he sat, he could study her without being observed, and he approved of her from the trim leather pumps that she wore to the natty looking hat perched on one side of her head. Attiredin a neat-looking navy blue suit with a short jacket, she bore the look of one who came from a world far beyond the rugged hills of Missouri. He was quick to note her intelligent-looking face, her bright, tender-looking 8 LIGHT ON A HILL eyes, which seemed to reflect sympathy and understanding. She appeared quite self-possessed. She smiled pleasantly when he entered, then buried her face in a magazine. A train pulled in from the West, but no more passengers arrived enroute to Seven Corners. The driver gave the crank a few turns, the engine sputtered, and the old bus started with a prodigious jerk, which almost threw the passengers from their seats. Barely moving at first, they gained momentum swiftly, and were soon speeding out through the hills. There were many bad places in the road to be avoided ruts deeply channelled by downpours of rain made travel difficult. The old road is mighty bad in spots, the driver remarked. Folks aint any call to foller a rough trail like this to do thar tradin like they used to. Thars a rock road that takes em to Hadleyville a heap easier. Over rugged peaks and across glistening streams, the old bus swayed dizzily along, carrying them into the very heart of nature. It was an ideal day to travel. It was June with its glory of green growing grass and blooming flowers. Reared on the Kansas Prairie, Vane found the timber country vastly interesting. He was a great lover of nature, and the wooded hills and clear streams held a great allure for him. There came to his ears the song of the cardinal that of meadowlark and the pewee. From the hills he caught an occasional glimpse of fertile valleys below with fields of waving corn. Surely, this must be a land ofenchantment, he thought. He glanced toward his companion, and suddenly their eyes met in a quick appraising glance. Her gaze was direct, simple, and friendly. There was a quirk of humor in her straight forward blue eyes, he noticed, and her brown hair glistened under her small hat. So friendly did each seem to find the others expression, their faces almost simultaneously broke into a smile...