The Monmouth inquirer., 1921-06-23


gestions. You will doubtless be anx-
ious to follow in the good old ways.
and avoid extremes. am a firm be-
Mever In expediency. Though ] was
not consulted in the present appoint
ment, l may say that what we need
IL a man of moderate views who can
adjust himself to circumstances. Tact,
that is the great thing in life. am
q firm believer in tact. Our resources
are limited; and a clergyman should
be 9 self-denying man Of God, con-
tented with plain living and high
thinking. No man can succeed In a
country parish who seeks the loayes
and fishes Of the worldling. Durford
is not metropolis: we do not emulate
city ways"
'No, should imagine not,s Max
well answered.
The parson gathered that. the SEN
Tor Warden felt slighted that he had
not been asked by the Bishop to name
his appointee: and that II he had be-
thought himself to sprinkle little
hay-seed on his clothing, his recep-
ton might have been more cordial.
At this point the door opened and
q woman lowering somewhere between
twenty-five and forty, dressed in
rather youthful and pronounced at
tire, entered, and seeing Donald ex-
claimed:
"Oh, papa, did not know that you
were busy with client. Do excuse
me-"
Then, observing the clerical attire
of the 'client," she came forward, and
extending her hand to Donald, ex-
claimed with coy, insinuating smile:
81 am sure that you must be Mr..
Maxwell. am so glad to see you.
hope l am not interrupting profession
al condolences"
"Not in the least" Donald replied,
as he placed a chair for her. Il am
very glad to have the pleasure of
meeting you, Miss Bascom.'
81 heard last night that you had ar
rived, Mr.. Maxwell; and / am sure
that it is very good of you to come
and see papa so soon. l hope to see
you at our house before long. You
know that we are in the habit of see
ing a good deal of the rector. because
you will excuse my frankness-b be-
cause there are so few people Of cul-
ture and refinement In this town to
make it pleasant for him."
~ am sure that you are very kind"
Donald replied. Miss Bascom had ad-
justed her tortoise shell lorgnette, and
was surveying Donald from head to
foot.
'Is your wife with your" she ip-
Quired, as one who would say: "Tell
me no Hest"
"No, am not married.
At once she was one radiant smile
of welcome:
Papa, we must do all we can to
make Mr.. Maxwell feel at home at
Willow Bluff-so that he will not get
lonesome and desert u.s." she added
genially.
you're very kind"
"You must come and dine with us
soon and see our place for yourself.
You are staying with Mrs. Burke. ]
understand"
'Yes."
slow does she impress you?''
81 hardly know her well enough to
form any definite opinion of her,
though she has been kindness itself
to me-"
"Yes, she has sharp tongue, but
q kind heart; and she does great
| deal of good in the village; but, poor
soul! she has no sense of humor-
none whatever. Then of course she
is not in society. you know. You will
find, Mr.. Maxwell. that social lines
are very carefully drawn in this town,
there are so many grades, and one
has to be careful, you know"
Us it so! How many people are
there in the town7"
Possibly eight or nine hundred"
"And how many of them are in So
ciety'?'
"Oh. should imagine not more thaq
twenty-five or thirty"
"Tney must be very select"
ION, we are; quile So
"Don't you ever get tired of seeing
the same twenty or thirty all the
time? I'm afraid Pm sufficiently yul-
gar to like change, once il while
somebody real common, you know.
Miss Bascom raised her lorgnette
In panied surprise and gazed at Dom
aid curiously; then she sighed and
tapping her fingers with her glasses
| replied:
"But one has to consider the social
responsibilities of ones position, you
know. Many of the village people are
well enough in their way, really quite
amusing as individuals; but one can
not alter social distinctions"
81 see.r replied Donald. non-commit
/, tally.
Virginia was beginning to think
that the new rector was rather dull
In his perceptions, rather gauche, but,
u 49, <.l,r rsx.Ifn n h Ftearrr