Back The Following of the Star Save as PDF
Chapters (45)
  1. THE FOLLOWING OF THE STAR
  2. *
  3. Contents
  4. GOLD
  5. Chapter I - The Still Waters of Brambledene
  6. Chapter II - The Lady of Mystery
  7. Chapter III - David Stirs the Still Waters
  8. Chapter IV - Diana Rivers, of Riverscourt
  9. Chapter V - The Noiseless Napier
  10. Chapter VI - David Makes Friends with "Chappie"
  11. Chapter VII - The Touch of Power
  12. Chapter VIII - The Test of the True Herald
  13. Chapter IX - Uncle Falcon's Will
  14. Chapter X - Diana's High Fence
  15. Chapter XI - The Voice in the Night
  16. Chapter XII - Suspense
  17. Chapter XIII - David's Decision
  18. Chapter XIV - The Eve of Epiphany
  19. Chapter XV - The Codicil
  20. Chapter XVI - In Old St. Botolph's
  21. Chapter XVII - Diana's Readjustment
  22. Chapter XVIII - David's Nunc Dimittis
  23. Chapter XIX - David Studies the Scenery
  24. Chapter XX - With the Compliments of the Company
  25. Chapter XXI - "All Ashore!"
  26. Chapter XXII - Diana Wins
  27. Chapter XXIII - Uncle Falcon Wins
  28. FRANKINCENSE
  29. Chapter XXIV - The Hidden Leaven
  30. Chapter XXV - The Property of the Crown
  31. Chapter XXVI - A Pilgrimage
  32. Chapter XXVII - A Question of Conscience
  33. Chapter XXVIII - David's Pronouncement
  34. Chapter XXIX - What David Wondered
  35. Chapter XXX - Resurgam
  36. Chapter XXXI - "I Can Stand Alone"
  37. Chapter XXXII - The Blow Falls
  38. Chapter XXXIII - Requiescat in Pace
  39. MYRRH
  40. Chapter XXXIV - In the Hospital of the Holy Star
  41. Chapter XXXV - The Letter Comes
  42. Chapter XXXVI - Diana Learns the Truth
  43. Chapter XXXVII - "Good-Night, David"
  44. Chapter XXXVIII - The Bundle of Myrrh
  45. Chapter XXXIX - Home, by Another Way

So "Boots," "Waiter," and "Ostler," became "Tom," "Dick," and "Harry," to David, wherever he went; and while other people were served by machines, for so much a day, he was hailed by men, and waited on with affection. And he, who never forgot a face, also had the knack of never forgetting the name appertaining to that face, nor the time and circumstance in which he had previously come in contact with it.

Diana soon had evidence of this as they boarded the liner, on which David had already travelled. On all sides, impassive faces suddenly brightened into smiles of welcome; and David's "Hullo, Jim!" or "Still on board, Harry?" would be met with: "Glad to see you looking better, Mr. Rivers"; or "We heard you was a-coming, sir." David, who had left love behind, found love awaiting him.

Opposite the purser's office, he hesitated, and turned to Diana.

"Where would you like to go?" he said. "We have nearly an hour."

"I want to see over the whole ship," said Diana. "But first of all, of course, your cabin." David looked pleased, and led the way down to a lower deck, and along a narrow passage, with doors on either side. At number 24 he stopped.

"Here we are," he said, cheerfully.

Diana entered a small cabin, already choked with luggage. It contained three berths. On two of them were deposited rugs, hand-bags, and men's cloth caps. A lower one was empty. Several portmanteaux blocked the middle of the small room. David followed her in, and looked around.

"Hullo!" he said. "Where is my baggage? Apparently it has not turned up. This is my bunk, right enough."

"What a squash!" exclaimed Diana.

Before David could reply, a steward put his head in at the door.

"Well, Martin," said David, "I'm back in my old quarters, you see. I am glad you are still on duty down this passage."

The man saluted, and came in with an air of importance.

"Glad to see you, sir, I'm sure; and looking a deal better than when you came home, sir. But I'm not to have the pleasure of waiting on you this time, Mr. Rivers. The purser gave orders that I was to hand you this, as soon as you arrived."

He handed David a letter, addressed to himself.

David tore it open, glanced at it; then turned to Diana, his face aglow with surprise and pleasure.

"I say!" he exclaimed. "They ask me to accept better accommodation, 'with the compliments of the company.' Well, I've heard of such a thing happening to actors, public singers, and authors; but this is the first time I have known it happen to a missionary! Where is number 74, Martin?"

"On the promenade deck, sir; nicely midship. Allow me to show you."

Martin led the way. David, full of excitement, pleasure, and surprise, followed, with Diana.