, 1908-08-13

merely the picturesque elements; but
NV later experiences have been de-
cidedly prosaic."
why, Mr.. Wynkoop! how could
they be? Your work is heroic. 1t ia
perfectly grand! Why. the very men
I met seem to yield me a broader con
eeption of life and duty; they are SO
brave, so modest. SO active. Isis
Mr.. Monat a member Of your church,"
The minister cleared his throat, his
cheeks reddening. Mr.. Moffat? All,
no: not exactly. Do you mean the
nine-owner, Jack Moffat?"
Yes, | think so; he told me he
owned a mine-the Golden Rule the
name was; the very choice in words
would seem to indicate his religious
nature. You have the only church in
Glencaid, l understand, and l wonder
greatly he has never Joined you. But
perhaps he may be prejudiced against
you denomination. There is SO much
~narrowness in religion. But l left
every prejudice east OF the Missouri"
she declared, l~aughingly, every one,
social and religious. I'm going to be
a true westerner, from the top of my
head to the toe of my shoe. Is Mr..
Mcneil In your church,"
The minister hesitated. 81 really do
not recall the name" he confessed at
last, reluctantly. 81 scarcely think l
can have ever met the gentleman"
"Oh, o ought to; he is SO intense
~ original, and his face is full of char
acter. He reminds me of some old
paladin of the Middle Ages. You would
be interested in him at once. He is
the foreman of the Bar " ranch.
somewhere near here"
do you mean Billy Mcneil, over on
Sinsiniwa creek" broke in Herndon.
II think quite likely, uncle; wouldn't
he make a splendid addition to Mr..
Wynkoop's church,"
Herndon choked, his entire body
shaking with Unsurpassed enjoy
ment. 81 should imagine yes" he ad-
mitted finally. billy McNeil-oh.
Lord! There's certainly a fine open
ing for you to do some missionary
work, Phoebe"
We'll, and I'm going to-" announced
the young lady, firmly. g" guess a
road mems characters, and / know all
Mr.. Mcneil needs Is to have some
one show an interest in him. Have
you a large church. Mr.. WynkoopT"
mot large If Judged from an east
ern standpoint" he confessed, with
some regret. Our present member
ship Is composed of eight women and
three men, but the congregational at
~tendancesis quite good, and constantly
increasing"
"Only eight women and three men!"
breathlessly. And you nave been la.
boring upon this field for five years!
How could it be so small?"
Wynkoop pushed back his chair,
anxious to redeem himself in the esti-
nation OF this fair stranger.
Miss Spencer" he explained. my
parish comprises this entire mining
region, and | am upon horseback
among the foothills and up in the
ranges for fully a third of my time.
The spirit of the mining population,
rs well as of the cattlemen, while not
actually hostile, is one of Indifference
to religious thought. For three long
"a | worked here without even a
church organization or a building; AMI
apparently without the faintest Ell
enlargement. Now that We nave B
nucleus gathered, a comfortable build
Ing erected and paid for, with an in
creasing congregation, ! begin to feel
that those seemingly barren five years
were not without spiritual value"
She quickly extended her hands.
"Oh, II is so heroic, so self-sacriicing!
I am going to help you. Mr.. Wynkoop.
in every way | possible cam shall
certainly speak to both Mr.. Moffat and
Mr.. Mcneil the very first opportunity.
l feel almost sure that they will Join"
The unavoidable ~eXigencies of a
choir practice compelled Mr.. Wynkoop
to retire early, nor was II vet late
when the family circle also dissolved
and the two girls were themselves
alone.
The light was finally extinguished;
the silvery moonlight streamed across
the foot of the bed, and the regular
breathing OF the girls evidenced slum.
bss.