Gilpin observer., 1916-02-24
CHAPTER xviii-contInued.

with model tenements.
CHAPTER xvnl-contInued.
i attend vestry meeting now and
then." he replied. and then he laughed
shortly. I'D rather do business with
forty corporations than with one ves-
try. A church always expects to con-
duct it's share of the negotiations ON
. strictly commercial basis. while It
expects you to mingle a 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
he passed. saw Allison and came back.
Il didn't expect to see you 30 soon."
wondered Allison.
I'VE broke up in a row." laughed
Jim Sargent. CLARK and Chisholm
were 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 1t. though even that may necessi.
tate four or five years delay"
Whats 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
offer 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"
Gall 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.
We'll. hardly" frowned Sargent
I'VE couldn't swing Clark and ChIs.
holm AT the last minute they sug.
gested that we might build lofts. and
the impending fracas seemed too serj.
ous 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. thar
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"
He'll pull II through some way." de.
clared Allison. He's as smart as n
whip"
Neither gentleman had noticed Gail
she mad settled back in her chair dur.
ing these last speeches. weary ana
hstless. and overcome with n sense
OF some humiliation too evasiye IN he
properly framed even in Thought sbs
had sense that she had given away
something vastly precious, and which
would never be valued. Neither did
they notice that she changed suddeniv
to relief. She had been Justified IN
her decision.
She took the reins of conversation
herself after Uncle Jim had left. and
entertained Allison so brightly thai be
left with impatience at the tea marty
which monopolized her
Later. when Rev. Smith aova
dropped in. he met with n surprising
and disconcerting vivacity. In his ewes
there were pain and suffering. and In.
expressible hunger. but in hers there
was only dancing frivolity; a little too
ebullient. perhaps. II he had been wise
enough to know: but he was not
The study door was open when luto
that evening Houston Van Ploon &C.
dately escorted Mrs. Davies and Gail
into the library. one OF those rooms
which appoint themselves the instinc
tive lounging places Of all family init.
mates Gail turned up her big eyes In
sparkling acknowledgment as the pune.
tilious Van Ploon took her cloak. and.
at that moment. as she stood grace
fully poised she caught the gaze Of
Rev SmitL Boyd fixed on her with
such Infinite longing that 1t distressed
her. She did not want him to suffer.