an brain which
creates everything that has been and that is to be."

"Physiology has proven that no idea, no thought, ever originated within
the concrete and physical brain."

"I've read of those experiments."

"Then you can't ignore a conclusion."

"I haven't reached a conclusion. Meanwhile, I have my own beliefs."

"That's all that's necessary," said Guilder, gravely, "--to entertain
some belief, temporary or final." He smiled slightly down at Drene's
drawn, gray visage.

"You and I have been friends of many years, Drene, but we have never
before talked this way. I did not feel at liberty to assume any intimacy
with you, even when I wanted to, even when--when you were in trouble--"
He hesitated.

"Go on," grunted the other. "I'm out of trouble now."

"I just--it's a whimsical notion--no, it's a belief;--I just wanted to
tell you one or two things concerning my own beliefs--"

"Temporary?"

"I don't know. It doesn't matter; they are beliefs. And this is one: all
physical and mental ills are created only by our own minds--"

"Christian Science?" sneered Drene.

"Call it what you like," said Guilder serenely. "And call this what you
like: All who believe worthily will find that particular belief true in
every detail after death."

"What do you call that?" demanded Drene, amused.

"God knows. It seems to be my interpretation of the Goal. I seem to be
journeying toward it without more obstacles and more embarrassments to
encounter than confront the wayfarer who professes any other creed."

After a while Drene sat up on his couch:

"How did all this conversation start?" he asked uneasily.

"It was about the Virgin for that chapel we are going to do..... That's
part of my belief: those who pray for her intercession will find
her after death, interceding--" he smiled, "--if any intercession be
necessary between us and Him who made us."

"And those unlisted millions who importune Mohammed and Buddha?"

"They shall find Mohammed and Buddha, who importune them worthily."

"And--Christ?"

"He bears that name also--He!"

"Oh! And so, spiritually as well as artistically, you believe in the
Virgin?"

"You also can make a better Virgin if you believe in her otherwise than
esthetically."

Drene gazed at him incredulously, then, with a shrug:

"When do you want this thing started?"

"Now."

"I can't take it on now."

"I want a sketch pretty soon--the composition. You can have a model of
the chapel