really mean?"

He saw his mistake. Once or twice before he had met her complete
opposition, and he feared it. His voice suppled, became persuasive. "I
mean, Viola, that in entering upon a great contest--one whose issue is
to electrify the civilized world--"

"I don't believe it. What does the world care about a little speck of
humanity like me? Professor Serviss is nearer right when he says that
converting people to any creed is a thankless task. Ask grandfather to
let me live my own life. He listens to you. Tell him I'm tired and--"

"He has promised to be easier on you after we have won our battle."

"But I dread the battle--oh, how I dread it! Professor Serviss says we
will lose."

Clarke broke in, sharply: "Please don't quote what Serviss says. His
view is that of the worldly wise materialist. You should listen to my
advice--not his."

"You said you were anxious to have him on the committee."

"Yes, because I thought his name would count, and that he could bring
Weissmann--but now I distrust him. He is too bigoted."

As he continued in this strain he stood in dark contrast to Morton,
and the girl could not but wince under the revelation he was
unconsciously making. "Anthony, you have talked in that strain ever
since we came East. Nothing but using people, using people, all the
time. You've been constantly running after those who could 'be of use
to us!' and I don't like it. Every word you're saying now makes me
doubt your sincerity. I was ashamed of you to-night--I am ashamed of
you now. How can I respect you when you say things like that?"

He again tacked. "I do it all for the furtherance of our faith. To do
our work we _must_ have authority. It is always necessary to make a
big stir in the world in order to do good--think of Christ defying the
money-changers and making a scene in the temple!"

She pursued her way. "It's the tone of your voice that scares me.
You're a different person since we came here--you've been harsh and
cruel to me." Her voice choked, and yielding to a flood of doubt she
cried out: "I've lost faith in you. This ends it all, I will never
marry you! I don't care what my 'guides' say. I daren't trust myself
to you--now that's the truth."

The mother was aghast. "Why, Viola Lambert! What a terrible thing to
say!"

"I can't help it, mother--that is my decision."

Clarke blundered a third time. "I won't release you! This mood is all
the influence of those accursed pagans we have ju