Middletown transcript., 1916-02-19


tcrched gently the s;rface of AIRY
+" R ket Square church is a much
rnore dignified old place Of worship
than the ostentatious cathedral would
ever be. and your project for spending
the money has such strict justice at
the bottom Of it that it must prevail
2ut, say, Doctor Boyd" and he gave
his mustache a contemplative tug;
don't you think you should include a
small margin of profit for the future
extension of your idea?"
That's glorious, Gerald" approved
Gail; and Arly. laughing, patted his
hand.
You're probably right" considered
the rector. studying Fosland with a
new interest. 81 think we'll have to
put you on the vestry."
"I'd be delighted. I'm sure" respond
ed Gerald. in the courteous tone Of
one accepting an invitation to dinner
"Do you hear what your sons plan
ming to do?" called Jim Sargent to
Mrs. Boyd. He was not quite recon-
cfled. "He proposes to take that won
derfTl new rectory away from you"
The beautiful Mrs. Boyd merely dim
pied.
81 am trif1e astonished," she con-
fessed. ''My son has been so extreme
lv eager about it; but If he is relin-
gushing the dream, It is because he
wants something else very much more
worth while. entirely approve of his
plan for the new tenements," and she
did not understand why they all
laughed at her. She did feel. however,
that there was affection in the laugh
ter; and she was quite content.
Laughing with them, she walked on
with Grace Sargent.
Gerald Fosland drew forward his
chair
do you know" he observed. Il
should like very much to become a
member Of your vestry."
I'm glad you are interested" re-
turned the rector, and producing a
pencil he drew a white advertising
space towards him. This is the plan
of tenement have in mind" and for
the next half hour the five Of them
discussed tenement plans with great
enthusiasm.
At the expiration Of that time, Ted
and Lucille and Dick and Marion came
romping up, with the deliberate in
tention of creating a disturbance; and
Gail and Rev. Smith Boyd. being
thrown accidentally to the edge Of that
whirlpool, walked away for rest.
"They tell me you're going abroad"
observed the rector, looking down at
her sadly, as they paused at her IA
vorite rail space.
''Yes." she answered, quietly. Faith
er and mother are coming up next
week." and she glanced up at the rec
tor from under her curving lashes.
There was a short space of silence.
It was almost as If these two were
weary.
i"We shall miss you very much" he
told her. in all sincerity. They were
both looking out over the blue waves;
he. tall, broad-shouldered. agile of
limb; she, straight. 1.-THE, graceful.
Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. Sargent passed
them admirlngly, but went on by with
a trace of sadness.
I'm sorry to leave" Gail replied. 81
shall be very anxious to know how
you are coming on with your new
plan. I'm proud of you for it."
Thank you" he returned.
They were talking mechanically. In
them was an inexpressible sadness.
They had come so near, and yet they
were so far apart. Moreover. they
knew that there was no chance of
change. 1t was a matter of conscience
which came between them. and it was
a divergence which would widen with
the years And yet they loved. They
mutually knew it, aud 1t was because
of that love that they must stay
apart.