To Him That Hath

elieved by its quaint dormer windows was softened from its primal ugliness by the Boston ivy that had clambered to the eaves and lay draped about the windows like

t, to the front door and round the house to the stable yard behind. From the driveway a gravelled footpath led through the shrubbery and flower garden by a wicket gate to the Church. When first built the Rectory stood in dignified seclusion on the edge of the village, but the prosperity of the growing town demandin

man twenty years his junior. As he daily took his morning walk for his mail, stepping with the brisk pace of one whose poise the years had not been able to disturb, yet with the stately bearing consistent with the dignity attaching to his position and office, men's eyes followed the tall, handsome, white-haired, well set up gentleman always with admiration and, where knowledge was intimate, with reverence and affection. Before the recent rapid growth of the town consequent upon the establishment of various manufacturing industries attracted thither by the unique railroad facilities, the Recto

a strange ignorance of the affairs of modern life. Her life revolved around one centre, her adored husband, a centre enlarged as time went on to include her only son and her two daughters. All others and all else in her world were of interest solely as they might be more or less closely related to these, the members of her family. The town and the town folk s

ublic and High Schools, which institutions became henceforth invested with the highest qualifications as centres of education. Her boy's friends were her friends, and to them her house was open at all hours of day or night. Indeed, it became the governing idea in her domestic policy that her house should be the rallying centre for everything that was related in any degree to her children's life. Hence, she quietly but effectively limited the circle of the children's friends to those who were able and were willing to make the Rectory their social centre. She saw to it that for Herbert's intimate bo

her country called, she, after weeks of silent, fierce, lonely, agonised str

range adaptability her heart circle was extended to include her boy's comrades in war and those who like hersel

sorbing ambition of her life. To this end she administered her social activities, with this purpose in view she encouraged or discouraged her daughters' friendships with men. With the worldly wisdom of which she had her own share she came to the conclusion that ineligible men friends, that is, men friends u

deship. But somehow Captain Jack Maitland after the first months succeeding his return from the war had drawn apart. Disappointed, perplexed, hurt, she vainly had striven to restore the old footing between the young man and her daughters. Young Maitland had taken up his medical studies for a few months at his old University in Toronto and so had been out of touch with the social life of his home town. The

do." She was firm in her resolve that she had no intention of patiently waiting in her home, ostensibly busying herself with social duties but in reality "waiting if not actually angling for a man." She bluntly informed her scandalised parent that "when she wanted a man more than a career it would be far less humiliating to frankly go out and get him than to

amning count of being a slacker. Later, becoming impressed with the enthusiasm of the young man's devotion to various forms of patriotic war service at home, she finally, though it must be confessed with something of an effort, had granted him a place within the circle of her home. Furthermore, Rupert Stillwell had done extremely well in all his business enterprises and had come to be recognised as one of the coming young men of the district, indeed of the Province, with sure prospects of advancement in public estimation. Hence, the frequency with which Stillwell's big Hudson Six could be seen parked on the gravelled drive before the Rectory front door. In addition to this, Rupert and his Hudson Six were found to be most useful. He had abundance of free time and he was charmingly ready with his offers of service. Any hour of the day the car, driven by himse

most cavalier treatment of him, should occasion demand. She was unhesitatingly frank and ready with criticism and challenge of his opinions, indeed he appeared to possess a fatal facility for championing her special aversions and antagonising

hen young Stillwell was a d

the dinner table teasingly into Patricia's face, "your Cap

what I would have expected him to do." Patricia's unsmili

at Perrotte girl has turned out uncommonly good look

hands of a brutal bully and the bully's brutal

he mother's voice was

ther, and Rupert knows

quiet voice arrested his

ther, ev

n enunciation, and glancing swiftly at her father's face Patricia recognised that th

he conversation, "and is really a very nice girl, indeed. She sings be

charming," said Rupert, making eyes at Patricia. Pa

I think, were they not, Mamma?"

tricia with impatient scorn, "and so would you if you

a smile, "but you see she was fortu

me," said Patricia, a certain

h School an excellent institution," said

ladies-well, there is something in an English school, you k

aculated

a!" The mother w

have a perfectly splendid High Sch

ith Rupert that you get something in English schools that-

f things and people, friends. Now, for instance, you remember when we were all children, boys and girls together, at the

nd that sort of thing, but you must drift into your class you know. There's Annet

s and there are classes. I mean," she added, as if to forestall the outburst she saw gathering behind her younger daughter's

Uncle Arthur and our dear cousins would hardly fe

they?" chall

uncle Arthur, I mean, and your cousins, and all well-bred folk, do not allow class distinctions to l

unt Alicia have Annette to dinner

," said her mo

hing to embarrass Anne

unk. That is quite

upert. "I mean," he added in some confusion, "w

rest thing, she was the brightest, the most attractive girl in the bunch." Her mother's eyebrows went up. "I

e was then, you k

indeed, as fine a girl in every way. But of course she was not a fa

persisted Rupert. "She is

factory. Her mother, lazy, selfish t

u are quite violent,"

, "and now she works in the box factory while Captain J

ntly," said Rupert with

ve Captain Jack to di

tte is a fine girl and is fortunate in her champion. Yo

we, M

further," said her mother. "It is a very old

s return," said her father, turning the conve

s. He works his day's work with the men and then he always goes up to the office to his fat

h engaged," said

an," said the elder sister quietly. "He has little ti

cia. "He is different since he came

mother with a sigh. "They-

else can we expect?" said Dr. Templeton. "One w

ing to herself alone. "Jack's not like a lot of them. He's too much settled down. What i

ing. She visibly squirmed, eagerly waiting a chance to reply. "Jack is neither," continued Adrien slowly. "I understand the thing perfectly. He h

father. "Patricia is really talki

t him she blew him a kiss. "But, all the same, I wish Captain Jack were not so awfu

" said Stillwell, "or wishes. I hear th

I should be very sorr

Maitlands can hardly expect to escape. As a matter of f

on one shows in discussing the inscrutable ways of Providence. "It does seem as if the working classes to-day have go

there, with some new ones added

hese?" enquired

its, share in adminis

ired Mrs. Templeton, aghast. "But, how dreadful.

n doctrine, I beli

Dr. Templeton, in a shocked voice, "or you a

oap-box artist, denouncing all capitalists as parasites. 'Why should we work for anyone but ourselves?' he was saying. 'Wh

e me. In Blackwater here?

hing is the commonplace of Hyde Pa

ing from the Hyde Park orators. You get every sort o

tics that you have failed to keep up with the times." His eldest daughter smiled at him and, reaching across the corner of the table, patted his

I hope," said her father,

ust it-what i

ou are not saying that Mr. Maitland

wn," said the girl coolly. "You m

pays for I own, I s

Adrien, "th

ange notions. I suppose you got them in those Clubs i

h a far away look in her eyes, "and

ntirely with your sentiments. I just adore that pale blue tie of yours.

catch yo

ries are all right till we come to hav

er sister, "the joint ownership of things to the

ess Grant Maitland paid his o

said

ll he paid

es

's all ther

-there is a go

ot discuss the subject any furthe

er father, rising from his chair. "You must be careful not to sa

t her arm through her father's. "I must give you some books, so

er father, "if I am

e views," said Rupert, dropping into step with

Adrien does," said

t," said Rupert. "You see, it makes a

mean?" cried

r over her shoulder. "I don't thi

said Rupert in a

drew away

st horrid," she sai

ike that," said her sister, with a little colour

Patricia wit

t, with a smile that