Page:The unhallowed harvest (1917).djvu/206

Rh happiness. Pardon me, but I cannot look with equanimity on such a situation as faces me to-night."

"And it is a situation that is not necessary. It is all so very sad because it is so very unnecessary."

"What do you mean by that, Ruth?"

"I mean that if you would only see these things as I do; they are so perfectly plain; if you would only join me in this work; it is so inspiring; you would be such a help, such a power, a man to be honored and idealized. Oh, Philip! If I have loved you before, I would worship you then!"

She leaned toward him with clasped hands, flushed face, eyes that were burdened with yearning. He went over to her and put his arm about her shoulder as she sat.

"You are tempting me, Ruth. You know that I would give up everything that an honest man could give up for your sake. But if I were to stultify myself you would only despise me in the end."

"That is true, Philip. Whatever you do must be done in sincerity. You must believe in the cause."

"And that is so utterly impossible."

"And so grievously sad."

She sighed, and folded her hands in her lap, and looked away into immaterial distance. After a moment she added:

"But at least it is not necessary that you should openly and aggressively join Mr. Farrar's enemies."

"I should be less than a man," he replied, "to hold the opinions that I do and fail to oppose both him and his destructive schemes."

"And you are determined to crush him if you can?"

"I am determined to put an end, if possible, to his mischievous activities in this parish. No other course is open to me."

She lifted Westgate's arm from her shoulder, rose, crossed over to the window, held back the curtain, and