of how to
serve God and mammon. Three went, however, in the comfortable
carriage, to Mrs. Gray's great satisfaction, and drew up before the
side entrance to the handsome church.

Bright light streamed from the parlor windows, illuminating exquisitely
stained pictures of the Apostles. Strains from a select orchestra
greeted them as they entered the house, and Hubert recognized with a
queer feeling of incongruity the overture from a well-known opera. The
appealing notes of the violins drew his memory instantly to the
production he had lately enjoyed, but he thrust the mental vision from
him as unworthy of Christ, and tried not to listen to the seductive
strains.

"A very poor selection for a Christian gathering," he thought to
himself. Hubert was inexperienced, and to him a gathering of
Christians meant a "Christian gathering."

The parlors presented a gayly attractive scene. They were decorated in
red and white. Flowers and foliage were profuse, and the handsome
toilettes of the ladies added much to the brilliant effect. Doctor
Schoolman and his wife were receiving, and our party joined the line of
guests making their orderly way toward them. Doctor Schoolman was very
amiable, and his wife, a vivacious little lady in satin and artificial
curls, chatted volubly with the members of the flock as they were
dutifully presented.

"You naughty child!" she cried playfully to Winifred. "How could you
desert us with your charming voice? Dear Mrs. Gray, you really should
chastise your daughter--you really should!" And she shook the false
curls with mock severity.

Mrs. Gray began her own lament and disclaimer of any responsibility in
Winifred's apostasy.

"But the dear child's voice," she said extenuatingly, "has really been
very much taxed."

"It's not that," said Winifred, honestly. But Mrs. Schoolman's eye was
caught by the guest next in line and further explanations were
unnecessary.

Meanwhile Doctor Schoolman had been greeting Hubert.

"Mr. Hubert Gray!" he exclaimed, very blandly. "Really this is a
pleasure. I am glad to see you."

"I am glad to come," said Hubert, looking in the Doctor's face frankly.
He wished to tell him how the Lord's people had become so vitally his.
But the reverend gentleman did not note his earnest look.

"We are honored if you can give us some of your valuable time. You are
such a man of business, your father tells me; and of scientific
research, too, as we all know.