The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-04

about the time that Mrs. Byars had died.
His help and sympathy at such time
had begun a friendship with his vicar
that had been firmly cemented as the
time went on. and had finally eliminated
in his engagement to Helena. He had
been the wears sole intellectual COM
paniou all this time. and his loss would
be irreparable. But both men felt that
! his departure was inevitable. The young
err mans powers We're stifled and con-
fined in the atmosphere of the place.
He had private means of his own, and
belonged to an old West-country family.
and, try as he would he failed to lden-
tify himself socially with the Walktown
people His engagement to Helena Byars
had increased his unpopularity. He would
be far happier at st. Mary's In London,
at the famous High Church. where he
would find all those exterior accompani-
ments of religion to which he had been
accustomed. and which, though he did
not exalt the shadow into the substance.
always made him happier when he was
surrounded by them.
He was to wait year and then he
would be married. There were no money
obstacles in the way and no reason for
further delay. Only the vicar looked
forward with n sort of horror to his
future loneliness. and tried to put tho
thought from him whenever 1t came.
After dinner Helena left the two men
to smoke alone in the study. There
was a concert In the Town Hall to which
she was going with Mrs. Pryde. the
solicitors wife, a neighbour. Her
friends carriage called for her about
eight, and Gortre settled down for a
long talk with the vicar on parochlal
affairs.
They sat on each side Of tho dancing
fire, with coffee on a table between them
quietly enjoying the after-dinner pipe
tho best and finest of the five cardinal
pipes Of the day. 1t was comfortable
scene. The room was lighted only by
a single electric reading-lamp with q
green shade, and the freight flickered
and played over the dull gold and GRIM
son OF the books on tho shelves. and
threw red lights on the shining ivory OF
the scuptured Christ.
IT daresay this North-country man Will
do all right" said the vicar. He Will
be moro popular than you, Basil"
The young man sighed God knows I
have tried hard enough to win their
confidence" he said sadly. but 1t was
not to be- l can't get in touch with
them. vicar. They dislike my manners,
my way OF spcakng--everything about
me. Even the landlady of my rooms
distrusts mo because l decline to take
tea with my evening chop, and charges
mo three shillings n. week extra because
I have what she calls late dinner'!''
The vicar laughed. "At any rate"
he said, you have got hold Of Leef,
your landlord; he comes to church reg
ularly now"
"Oh. Leef illustrates moro than any
one else how impossible 1t Is. for me.
at any rate, to do much good. Last week
he said to me. It's q fine thing, relig-
ion, when you've got II at last Mr..
Gortre. When I look back at my UNI
regenerate years l wonder at myself.
Religion tells me to give UP certain,
things. 1t only 'armonses with the eX-
.perience of any sensible man OF my ago.
don't want to drink too much for
Instance. My health IL capital, and I'm
not such fool as to spoil 1t. To think
that all those years ] never knew that
religion was az easy as wiliking, and
with certainty Of everlasting glory
afterwards. I'll always back YOU up.
Mr.. Gortre, In saying that Religions tho
finest thing out" ,l
"Well, dear hog, you will be In another