Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
For <strong>the</strong>re is no night <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
<strong>Paula</strong> had that rare gift, <strong>the</strong> "golden" voice, a voice that seemed to<br />
penetrate to one's very soul. Catalina was enchanted!<br />
Suddenly, I heard <strong>the</strong> heavy steps of a man coming along <strong>the</strong> corridor.<br />
But as <strong>Paula</strong> began <strong>the</strong> second stanza, I heard <strong>the</strong>m pause.<br />
"All <strong>the</strong> gates of pearl are made,<br />
In <strong>the</strong> city four-square,<br />
All <strong>the</strong> streets with gold are laid,<br />
And <strong>the</strong>re is no night <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
"And <strong>the</strong> gates shall never close,<br />
To <strong>the</strong> city four-square,<br />
There life's crystal river flows,<br />
And <strong>the</strong>re is no night <strong>the</strong>re."<br />
<strong>Paula</strong>'s voice trembled at <strong>the</strong> beginning. Then presently <strong>the</strong> sadness in<br />
her tones disappeared, and <strong>the</strong>y seemed to swell out like an echo of radiant<br />
happiness. Catalina listened, hardly breathing. Involuntarily, I asked myself<br />
if <strong>Paula</strong> in heaven would be any different from <strong>the</strong> little country girl I saw<br />
seated near <strong>the</strong> window at this moment. I had an instant's impression that a<br />
man was standing behind <strong>the</strong> door, but I felt this could not be, for I knew that<br />
my fa<strong>the</strong>r would be at his office. A special light came over <strong>the</strong> expressive<br />
face of <strong>Paula</strong> as she continued:<br />
"There <strong>the</strong>y need no sunshine bright,<br />
In <strong>the</strong> city four-square,<br />
For <strong>the</strong> Lamb is all <strong>the</strong> light,<br />
And <strong>the</strong>re is no night <strong>the</strong>re."<br />
94