s wife
nearly died."

Harry remembered some story that he had heard at the time--his eyes
began to light up as they do when he is moved.

"Why, YOU are the man that made them disinfect their houses," cried he,
"and invented a little oven or something to steam mattresses and things.
You are the man that nursed them and buried them when the undertaker
died. You digged graves with your own hands--I say, I should like to
shake hands with you!"

Gilling shook hands, submissively, but looking bewildered.

He cleared his throat. "Would you mind, Mr. Lossing, if I took up your
time so far as to tell you what so overcame me?"

"I should be glad----"

"You see, sir, my wife was the daughter of the Episcopal minister--I
mean the rector, at the town--well, it wasn't a town, it was two or
three towns off in Shelby County where I had my circuit. You may be
surprised, sir, to know that I was once a Methodist minister."

"Is it possible?" said Harry.

"Yes, sir. Her father--my wife's, I mean--was about as high a churchman
as he could be, and be married. He induced me to join our communion; and
very soon after I was married. I hope, Mr. Lossing, you'll come and see
us some time, and see my wife. She--are you married?"

"I am not so fortunate."

"A good wife cometh from the Lord, sir, SURE! I thought I appreciated
mine, but I guess I didn't. She had two things she wanted, and one I
did want myself; but the other--I couldn't seem to bring my mind to it,
no--anyhow! We hadn't any children but one that died four years ago,
a little baby. Ever since she died my wife has had a longing to have
a stained-glass window, with the picture, you know, of Christ blessing
little children, put into our little church. In Memoriam, you know.
Seems as if, now we've lost the baby, we think all the more of the
church. Maybe she was a sort of idol to us. Yes, sir, that's one thing
my wife fairly longed for. We've saved our money, what we COULD save;
there are so many calls; during the sickness, last winter, the sick
needed so many things, and it didn't seem right for us to neglect them
just for our baby's window; and--the money went. The other thing was
different. My wife has got it into her head I have a fine voice. And
she's higher church than I am; so she has always wanted me to INTONE. I
told her I'd look like a fool intoning, and there's no mistake about
it, I DO! But she couldn't see it that way. It was 'most the only point
wherein we diffe