use sayin' there isn't; sayin' there isn't won't keep us from it, Elder
Dean says, and I guess he's about right. I'm sure I'm much obliged to
you, ma'am; but I'm a Christian woman myself, and I can't deny religion."

There was no use arguing; custom and a smattering of logic settled her
convictions, and no reasoning could move her dreary hopelessness.

Helen told John of it, her head resting on his breast, and comforted by
his mere presence. "I know you believe in hell," she ended, "but, oh,
John, it is so horrible!"

He stroked her hair softly. "I am afraid, dearest," he said, "Mrs. Davis
is right. I am afraid there is no possibility of hope. The soul that
sinneth, it shall die, and shall not the Judge of all the earth do
right?"

Helen sprang to her feet. "Oh," she cried passionately,--"that is just
it,--He does do right! Why, if I thought God capable of sending Tom to
hell, I should hate Him." John tried to speak, but she interrupted him.
"We will never talk of this again, never! Believe what you will,
dearest,--it does not matter,--but don't speak of it to me, if you
love me. I cannot bear it, John. Promise me."

"Oh, Helen," he said, with tender reproach, "would you have me conceal my
deepest life from you? It would seem like living apart, if there were one
subject on which we dared not touch. Just let me show you the truth and
justice of all this; let me tell you how the scheme of salvation makes
the mystery of sin and punishment clear and right."

"No," she said, the flush of pain dying out of her face, but her eyes