The Washington herald., 1908-06-05
CHAPTER XXI.

About the time that Lord Ancestor had
left for Egypt, after his encounter with
the occultist in the tower. matters were
not going very well for Fabian Dare. The
rector Of Cionboyne, whose narrow creed
had been horribly Jared by the poetic.
dramatic. but absolutely unorthodox ser
mons Of the younger man, and much dis
turbed by the signs Of dissipation on his
face. came over 70 DonOyle 10 ask Lady
Donoyle 10 give him notice Of removal
The Rev. John Strayne was a man
whose whole life had been one long trag-
edy, through an mistaken belief in hell
and its unquenchable flames. Not that
be feared them for himself-unwOrthy
though he was. and born in sin. he vet
saw salvation waiting for him. as a ser
want OF the Lord. But there were many
among his flock-people he liked. and
even respected-fOr whom he had no such
hopes; and though he preached in an
agony Of entreaty. they would not be
persuaded. So his face was gray. and
lined with horror. and his eyes deep
sunk, but blazing with religious fervor.
Outside Of his creed he was a kindly, gen
tie creature, who could not endure to see
anything suffer. and the inevitable tor
ture Of so many who were lifelong
friends, in spite of their worldly ways,
preyed on his mind like vitriol.
Lady Donoyle was. perhaps. the one he
felt most for. The sorrows of her mar
ried life. instead Of Christening. as they
were undoubtedly meant 10 do. seemed
only to drive her faster and faster along
the fiowery path 10 destruction. II only
she had not danced down H. laughing, and
giving help 10 the poor. and subscribing
TO all his charities! II sometimes seemed
to him Ike cheating. to take\money from
a person for the use Of a religion which
condemned her to eternal agony.
He knew that his task of trying TO
convince her ladyship that Fabian was
unfit TO minister 10 souls would be neith-
er easy nor pleasant, and so It proved
70 begin with. she was smoking a cigar
cite by the library fire. and not all his
disappearing glances could influence her
TO throw 1t away. for Lady Donoyle did
not believe in pandering TO old-fashioned
prejudice. IL seemed TO him incongruous
in the extreme to discuss religion with
lady who was smoking, and quite COM
promising 10 be sitting alone with her
But he set his teeth and went 70 work
I must beg you 10 believe" he began.
after clearing his throat with painful
thoroughness, that it is not a pleasant
duty that brings me here, Lady Donoyle.
Ii must naturally be painful TO have 10
confess that a member Of my sacred pro-
fessiOn is unit to minister to his flock.
but it is no longer any good trying to
conceal the fact that Mr.. Dare's pres
ence in this neighborhood IS causing 2
painful deterioration IN the religious lie
Of my congregation"
Dear me"' said Lady Donoyle. blow
ing rings with practiced skill. ''has he
allowed himself TO lie found out? Per-
haps It is as much the girls fault as his
own. One must not judge too hastily.
Mr.. Strayne. Stil, I should like TO hear
the interesting particulars" she added.
seeming a scandal
Girl Lady Donoyle. I, bring no such
particular charge. I have heard nothing
definitely rejecting on his moral char
aeter."
OH murmured his hostess, disap-
pointedly
4 am referring now to the painfully
unorthodox views he gives voice 10 IN his
sermons, upsetting all preconcelved IDEAS
Of established religion"
But / thought Mr.. Strayne. that new
theolOgies and that sort OF thing were all
the go. The Daily Tale is fun Of II
these days. and I have been rather brag-
etng 70 my friends in London that had
q man down here in the country whom