The Ordway new era., 1916-03-10
CHAPTER xvllI-continued.

CHAPTER xviii-continued.
attend a vestry meeting now and
then he replied. and then he laughed
shortly. I'D rather do business with
forty corporations than with one YES
try. A church always expects to con-
duct its share of the negotiations on
strictly commercial basis. while 1t
expects you to mlngle little charity
with your end OF the transactions"
The vedder court property" she
guessed. with slight contraction OF
her brows.
Still after It," said Allison. and
talked Of other matters.
Jim Sargent returned. and glancing
into the little reception tete-a-tete as
ne passed. saw Allison and came back.
4 didn't expect to see you so soon."
wondered Allison.
I'VE broke up In a row." laughed
Jim Sargent. CLARK and Chisholm
uers willing to accept your price. but
the rest Of US listened to Doctor Boyd
and Nicholas Van Ploon. and fell. We
insist on our cathedral. and Doctor
Boyd's plan seems the best way to
get Il. though even that may necessi.
tate four or five years delay"
What's his plan?" asked Allison.
Rebuilding" returned Sargent I'VE
can put up tenements good enough to
pass the building inspectors and to
last fifteen years. With the same
rents we are now receiving. we can
oRer them better quarters, and. as
Doctor Boyd suggested. redeem our
selves from some OF the disgrace of
this whole proceeding. Clever. SEN
sible idea. think"
Gail was leaning forward. with her
fingers clasped around her knee; her
brown eyes had widened, and a little
red spot had appeared in either cheek;
her red lips were half parted. as she
looked up in wonder at her Uncle
Jim.
Is that the plan upon which they
have decided?" and Allison looked at
his watch.
Well. hardly frowned Sargent.
We couldn't swing Clark and CHS.
holm. At the last minute they sug.
gested that we might build lofts, and
the impending fracas seemed too seri.
GUS to take up Just now. SO we've
tabled the whole thing"
Allison smiled. and slipped his
watch back In his pocket.
ITS fairly definite. however. that
you won't sell" he concluded.
Not at your figure" laughed sar.
gent. III we took your money, Doctor
Boyd would be too old to preach In the
new cathedral"
Hell pull 1t through some way" de.
ciared Allison. Hes as smart as
whip
Neither gentleman had noticed Gail
She had settled back in her chair dur.
ing these last speeches, weary and
sistiess. and overcome with sense
OF some humiliation too evasiye to he
prDperty framed even In thought Sbe
had sense that she had given away
something vastly precious. and which
would never be valued. Neither did
they notice that she changed suddenly
10 relief. She had been justified in ,
her decision.
She took the reins of couyersat;o,
'herseR sitter Uncle Jim had left. and
entertained Allison SO brightly that be
4est with impatience at the tea marty
ashieh monopoiized her.
Later. when Rev. Smith Boyd
sageSpeA N. he met with a surprising
- dtScnncerting vivacity. In his eyes
s$1efe we're pain and suffering, and in.
arpreestbis huager, but in hers there
- Only dancing friyoitty; little too
5~e91ite<&, perkaps. Il he had been wise
! teees1A - know: but he was not
4 - seaAy door was open when late
~ eyenlAe Houston Van Ploon So
esecstsd Mr.. Davies and Gail
1nsnry. 49, q thoss rooms
x ~ tbeSlseives the instinc.
~ p)4cGS fshlI fHaiiy inti-
I lhsas - - ~ sses IN