The Washington herald., 1909-05-02
CHAPTER I.

t1acS was stern as LiuL anu lAS4S HSS 4
determined look IN his massive lower Jaw
which boded III for any one, gentle or
simple. who would dare oppose him In
the carrying out OF his fixed purpose.
So he strobe. Ike q grenadier. along
the well-kept avenue, and pulled the an
4iQue bronze handle that hung BY the
door OF the house where she lived
Perhaps It was the hand OF providence
that had guided the young minister into
the quiet OF this region OF moOriand and
peat to tell OF spiritual things TO some
hundreds OF rough lead miners and cOun-
try farmers, and. IN especial. 70 curb,
1ay low. and bring 10 the dust the proud,
sco-nful spirit OF this eIf-maiden. and 10
check her n her career OF mad world
liness At any rate, he came 81 the unan-
imous call OF the good people OF Wan
lock. ana he brought with him al the
fervor and ali the zeal OF man OF lofty
ideals and high religious purpose
He had not been long settled IN the
parish OF WauIOck before he heard from
idle chztterers that which sent the flush
Of INDIGNATION TO his face. and set afame
the consuming fire OF the reformer in
his heart Il was a thought not TO be
tolerated for q moment that in this, his
parish. there should be even one who
should openly be suffered unchecked 70
make a mock OF religion or treat as light
and airy nothings the eternal verfties he
preached.
For SIX weeks he had brooded over
this intoIera0le evil; he had prayed over
& many times, and often what time his
simple country parishioners were asleep
IN their beds, and now he was fully as
sured that he was obeying the divine
command
Only that afternoon had he heard the
latest story concerning Lucy Chancellor,
the syren Of Dajveen, and. afterward. In
the secrecy Of MS study, he had heard
the word in his soul
Yet even the most rancorous Of the
gOssips, keen-scented as they we're for
the slightest hint OF worse than frfvolity
10 spleen their tale withal. had never
g word 10 say OF aught that would have
beclouded the dazzling eyes or caused
the blush OF dark shame 10 mantle the
face OF this fair glrl-misTess. At the
worst, the stories were Of Irritation. in
trique, frivolity, and 6 general goddess
ness Of life and speech. And truth TO
tel. this last alone was enough TO set
IN motion the wheels OF the minister s
resolve. To a man OF his type Of mind
nothing could well be worse than g heart
devoid Of reverence for those solemn
truths which filed the horizon OF his out
look.
Yet he had set himself no easy task,
and he knew il; for the rich are not 70
be rebuked with impUnity, nor easily
advised in moral OF religious things.
Lucy Chancellor was woman-a girl
with z nature as wholly different from
that OF the girls round about as q lily
differs from q cabbage. and he wondered
how she would take his TOrd-a word
which even he knew would be TO her as
hard 70 bear as # was difficult to say.
Nevertheless, conscience had told him
that that word must be spoken at ali
costs, so lie calmly waited the opening
Of the massive door.
Take my card 10 your mistress" he
said 70 the impassive man-seTvant who
opened at his summons. Il desire TO see
her privately On matters Of Importance, %
and he held out his card.
yes. sir: I will. sir" said the other.
obsequiousIy. "Jesmes" was, by the way.
q stzu1ch supporter Of the new minister,
and he hastened with noiseless steps
across the vast hail. IN a few minutes he
came back bearing the message that Miss
Chancellor would be pleased 20 see the
Rev. Gilbert Rutherfurd in the billiard
room.
The young minister stiTened az the
word. II seemed 10 him something IN
the nature Of an insult that he should be
, asked into such a place, especially when
he was bent on such al errand. but
silently he followed the sOft-foOted
Jeames.
The Rev Gilbert Rutherfurd." said
the latter In pompous tones, and stood
70 allow the minister 70 pass IN.
"One moment, Z you please; one mo-
ment." said one OF the sweetest and most
musical voices he had ever heard.
The minister paused on the threshold
OF thls-to hlm-tenpIe OF sin, and looked
about him At the further end Of the
billiard table two young men IN faultess
evening dress were standing, cues n
hand Across the smooth green cloth
leaned a young lady. the possessor Of
Ihs magic voice Her back was toward
ihfm-or. rather. toward the ceiling The
tip OF one little shoe Just touched the
floor. while the other. envelOped IN a
wealth Of soft, creamy lace, was elmost
level with the surface Of the table Il
was plain that she was attempting q
stroke for which any referee would have
Judged & cue-rest necessary. and 70 the
eyes OF the stern. strict churchman the
pose seemed anything but ladylike- The
blood nnantied his pale brow as he stood,
but st that instant the balls gave forth
their delicio4s "ciick''-Once, twice-whicE
told that the cannon was successful
Bravo. m dear Lucy" drawled one
OF the men. admiringly; but you are q
stJmner!"
Lucy Chancellor sprang lightly 20 her
feet and faoed the young minister. and
with sharp flick Of her head tossed
the hair from her brow. "AwfuIly sorTy
70 be go rude, Mr.-er-Rutherfurd, she
said. laughing merriiy; but II was q
rafting shot. Couldn't have done n
better with the jigger."
She held out a little JeEeled hand, and,
smileless and stern. he took It
You play Billiards, Mr. RutherfTd7' p
she continued ''Oh. OF course. al min
isters co. Let's hEve a foresome-you
and I against But I must Introduce
my friends. MI beg pa-don-ReT. G1-
bert Rutherfurd. my spiritual advisor
the Honorable Reggie, Just from school
and tired Of life. And this Is my especial