Page:The unhallowed harvest (1917).djvu/145

140 of Mrs. Farrar had, for the time being, been reassured, and Ruth had had an opportunity to show to Mr. Farrar that he was not yet persona non grata to certain of the wealthy members of his parish.

During the few minutes that Westgate had alone with Ruth before leaving the Tracy home, he took occasion to say to her:

"I've had it out with the rector to-night, but he'll not be convinced. I have told him that, in my humble judgment, he is steering Christ Church straight on the rocks."

"I too," she replied, "have talked with him to-night, and I have told him that in my humble judgment he is absolutely in the right, and that I shall be with him to the end."

"Ruth, I am very sorry."

"Why should you be sorry?"

"Because you will not only help this man to wreck the church, but you will do yourself a great injustice."

"The church will not be wrecked, and I am willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of the disinherited poor."

"Then this dreamer has not only blinded you to the fate of Christ Church, but has led you to the brink of self-immolation?"

"He is not a dreamer, Philip. He has not blinded me, nor has he sought to blind me. He has not led me, nor has he sought to lead me. I have offered myself voluntarily for service in his cause. I believe in him, and in his ideals, and in his method of applying Christianity to the conditions that surround us. I have enlisted for the war under his command, and I have told him so."

Looking on her as she stood there, erect, clear-eyed and self-confident, Westgate could have no doubt of her entire belief in the rector, and of her complete absorption in his cause. His heart was stirred with keen regret and sharp foreboding, for he could see only sorrow and bitter disappointment for her, long before the