The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-18
CHAPTER XIX.

ShAEIhN Ala.
In these days Of his preparation,
she haunted him continually. In
her he saw typifed all those who
possessed the divine discomfort. the
yearning unsatisfied-the fatalists
and the dreamers. And yet she
seemed to have risen through in
stinct to share the fire OF his
vision OF religion revealed to the
countless ranks of strugglers az
the hidden motive-power Of the
world. the impetus of scientist,
statesman. artist and philanthro-
pist! They had stood together on
the heights Of the larger view.
whence the whole of the battle-line
lay disclosed.
That he had caught and held her
attention, although by no conscious
effort of his own, was clear to him.
But had he not merely arrested
her? Would she not presently dis
appear leaving only in his life the
scarlet thread which she had woven
into it for all time? Would he not
fail to change, permanently, the
texture Of hers?
Such were his hopes and fears
concerning her, and they were
mingled inextricably with other
with the great venture of his life.
Outwardly controlled, he lived in
the state OF intense excitement of
the leader waiting for the time to
change.
The moment was at hand. Sep
TENDER had waned. the nights were
cooling, his parishioners were re-
turning from the East One of
these was Eleanor Goodrich, whom
he met on 4 corner. tanned and
revived from her long summer in
Massachusetts,.
Il hear you have been here all
summer" she said reproachfully.
Mother and father and all OF US
were much disappointed that you
did not come to US on the Cape"
Il should have come. If it had
been possible" he replied ut
seems to have done you 4 world
of good"
VERY MUCH STARTLED.
faGher-in-law. who had died in the
spring. Phil Goodrich had taken
his place. Eleanor found the con-
versation, somehow, drifting out
of her control. 1t was not at all
say. Her color heightened.
II have not been conducting tho
services, but I hesume them next
Sunday" said the hector. 81 ought
to tell YOU" ho went on, regard
ing her, "in view of tn econversa-
ton we have had, that / have
changed my mind concerning a
great many things l have not
spoken Of this as yet to any OF
the members of the congrega-
ton"
She was speechless. and could
only stare at him blankly.
II mean," he continued, with z
calmness that astonished her after
wards, that I have changed my
whole conception as to the func-
tons and future of the church, that
] have come to your position. that
we must make up our minds for
ourselves and not have them made
up for us. And that we must ex-
amino into the truth OF all state
ments, and be governed according
ly."
Her attitude was one Of mingled
admiration, concern and awe. And
she saw that she had grasped some
thing OF the complications which
his course was likely to bring
about.
"But you are not going to leave
u.s. she managed to, exclaim.
mot If it is possible to remain
he said. smiling.
az am so glad" She was still
overpowered by the disclosure. ut
is good of you to tell me. Do you
mind my telling Phil?"
He continued to smile at her as
she stepped forward to take the
car.
I'll have TO forgive you" he
answered, because you were
right"
She was still in such state of
excitement when she arrived down.
town that she went direct to her
husbands law office to tell him.
Mr.. Goodrich thrust his hands in
his pockets and gave a low whistle.
To He Continued Monday.