The Washington herald., 1907-11-20
CHAPTER XXI-Continued.

But then, again. would such 4 course be
/ fair 20 the struggling little Camer0niau
/ congregation OF Kirktown. with the fnan-
cial burden OF whose upkeep its most i'm
I portant member charged hImseif2 For
| Jacob ROmer provided more than half the
minister's stipend, saw 70 the repairs on
! the church. and out Of his own pocket
recompensed The precentor and beadle.
For himself, Benjamin Irougray was
quite willing TO give up all these advan-
taRes. But his session pointed out To
him that the congregation was SO scanty
In numbers that however willing they
might be TO pay him living wage. and
90 carry on the work OF the congregation.
they were not able-practcalIy the whole
of them depending upon Jacob Romer.
Therefore. in all probability the Kirk Of
the Hi would be shut up From this
decision only one Observation-Disclosures Fin
nan, ruling elder-whO was willing that
he and his minister alike should dare
all things I'm the cause which they ac-
counted Righteousness.
But at this juncture there came
another offer Dreamy. detached, his
/ fossy hair cast back in a poetic curve
I from his broad. unrinkled brow. the
Reverend John Fowler. OF the Free Val
ley Kirk. strolled across 10 Vic's lodg-
ings. where he WAS under a weeks notice
TO quit
Il hear you are turned out" he said:
so were we-so was my father. I mean
in the year IS. at the Disruption /
feel for you, Mr.. Morris. Ny friend and
yours, Ben-I mean Mr.. IrOngray. Of the
/ rrvl- ha ha FaTR .,e
position II il be your Will to enter my
house as a guest. | and my family Will
feel ourselves honored,
1T is true" said Vie Morris, that at
present II would not suit me TO quit
Kirktown. and that for many reasons. A
situation has been proposed 10 me at the
mines Of Rio Tinto. in Spain. But that
will have to wait 1 have a feeling that
may be Of use here. Sooner or later
and ! believe rather sooner than later
the Incubus Company will get the fall it
is riding for"
But" he broke off short with a Iool,
at his visitor (who sat. his silken hair In
a fine disorder. making a sort of halo
about his head. you also have those
connected with the works in high place
in your congregation-Mr. Hector McKm.
is. / think, an elder of yours. Can you
afford"
The Reverend John Fowler sketched a
little gesture of carelessness. which. like
all that he did with his hands. WAS beau
tiful TO see. John Fowler, whom Hector
MckiH called Absolom. could not do
an ungraCeful action II he had tried
And the beautiful spirit that was in him
mated well with the bodily presence
which stood him IN such excellent stead
in the pulpit.
There was some proper pride OF the
right ghostly sort IN the turn OF the head
with which he answered, Il am minister
Of the Free Valley Kirk, and the stipend
OF one hundred and sixty pounds six
shillings, and siXpence which is paid TO
me from the sustentation fund OF the
church to which l have the honor TO
belong. That payment viii not be af-
| fected by a score Of Hector McKills. nor
yet by the increase or falling off Of the
/ free-will Offering of my people. con
cerning which. however, I have little to
fear. You are welcome TO my house, Mr.
Norris, if you will be our guest"
But / cannot come unless-un-
less And here Vic Morris. man OF
granite. who could speak before capital
lists and kings without disturbing HIM
self. faltered at sight Of the steady gaze
of the dreamy eyes. the gentle kindness
OF the mOuth-frOm which. however.
dropped. all unexpected. pearls Of wit and
quiet irony, when after long you came
10 know the man.
Unless what?' said the minister,
smiling.
Unless you allow me to pay-let US
say-what 1 pay here. or n little more
for the superior accommodation"
| John Fowler lifted his hands as IL to