Gilpin observer., 1916-01-20
CHAPTER xI-contInued.

For just one second the rector's
mother felt an impulse to shake Tod
Of whom any young man might ap-
prove-and what was the matter with
Todf She was beginning to be humili-
ated by the fact that, at thirty-two. he
had not lost his head and made fool
Of himself, to the point Of tight shoes
and poetry, over a girl.
''Why?" and the voice of Mrs. Boyd
was not cold as she had meant 1t to
be. She had suddenly felt some tug Of
sympathy for Tod.
well. for one thing. she has most
disagfeeable lack of reverence" he
stated
"Reverencef" and Mrs. Boyd knitted
her brows. Il don't believe you quite
understand her. She has the most
beautifully simple religious faith that
/ have ever seen. Tod"
The Rev. Smith Boyd watched his
soup disappearing. as II 1t were some
curious moving object TO which his at
tention had just been called.
Miss Sargent claims to have a new
religion" he observed. "She has said
most unkind things about Market
Square church. She says that 1t Is a
strictly commercial institution. and
that its motive in desiring to build the
new cathedral is vanity"
He omitted to mention Calls further
charge that his own motive in desiring
the new cathedral was personal ambi-
ton. Candor did not compel that ad-
mission. 1t did not become him to act
from piQued personal pride.
Mrs. Boyd studied him as he gazed
somberly at his fish. and the twinkles
once more returned to her eyes, as
she made up her mind to cure Tod Is
irritability.
Il am ashamed OF you," she told her
SON. This girl is scarcely twenty. II
remember rightly. and I'm sure that
] do. you came to me, at about twenty.
and confessed to a logical disbelief In
the theory Of creation, which included.
of course, a disbelief in the Creator
,You we're an infidel. an atheist. You
we're going to relinquish your studies
and give up all thought Of the church.
The deep red of the Rev. Smith
Boyd's face testified to the truth OF
this cruel charge. and he pushed back
his fish permanently.
II most humbly confess" he stated
and indeed he had writhed in spirit
many times over that remembrance
However. mother, have since dis
covered that to be transitional stage
through which every theological stu
dent passes"
yet you won't allow 1t to girl,
charged Mrs. Boyd. with the severity
which she could much better have ex
pressed with laugh. when you dis
cover that this young lady. who seem.
to be In every way delightful. Is 81
misled as to criticize the motives o
into your dignity. with the privilege o
Q layman. and announce that you d,
not approve Of her.. What she needs
Tod, is religious instruction"
She had carefully ironed out tn
tiny little wrinkles around her blu
eyes by the time her son looked III
from the profound cogitation int
which this reproof had thrown him.
Mother, l have been wrong" h
admitted. and he seemed ever 9
much brighter for the confession. II
drew his fish toward him and ate 1,
Later the Rev. Smith Boyd present
ed himself at James Sargent's house
with a new light shining in his heart
and he had blue eyes. He had com
to show Gail the way and the ligh
II she. had doubts. and lack Of faiti
and dippant .rreverence, II was hi
duty to be patient with her. for thi
was the fault Of youth. He had bee
youthful himself.
Calls eyelids dropped and the CO
ners OF her lips twitched when Re-
Smith Boyd's name was brought u
TO her, but she did her hair In anoths
way. high on her head instead OF 10
on her neck. and then she went dow
bewildering In her simple little dar
blue velvet cut round at the neck.
II was afraid that your voice va
out" remarked Gail. In . tone su
eestive Of the fact that that would be
tragedy indeed; and she began hsu