ed grudgingly in Benham. Any reputable citizen was considered capable to pass judgment on statues a

until, not long ago, the un-American and undemocratic proposition to take away the laying out of the new city park from the easy going but ignorant mercies of th

had never, until recently, employed the word architect in speaking of himself, and he pronounced it, as did some of the committee, "arshitect," shying a little at the word, as though it were caviare and anything but American. He was a builder, practised by a brief but rushing career in erecting houses, banks, schools, and warehouses speedily and boldly. He had been on the spot when the new growth of Benham began, and his handiwork was writ large all over the city. The city was proud of him, and had, as it were, sniffed when Joel Flagg went elsewhere for a man

as ready to be invoked. Besides, Mr. Pierce was a brother-in-law of one of the members of the committee, and, though the committee had the fear of God

tee, or Mrs. Taylor's project of inviting competitive designs should be adopted. It was known that Mr. Glynn, without meaning disrespect to Mr. Pierce, favored the latter plan as more progressive, a word always attractive to Benham ears when they had time to listen. Its potency, coupled with veneration, for the pastor's opinion

rt and sweep most opponents off their feet by the force of her pleasant personality. In this case the effect was not so obvious. She was conscious that Selma's eyes were constantly fixed upon her, but as to what she was thinking Mrs. Taylor felt less certain. Clear

tion had been stirred. Mr. Taylor had bought it as it stood, and his wife had made no attempt to alter the outside, which was, after all, inoffensively homely. But the interior was bewildering to Selma's gaze in its suggestion of cosey comfort. Pretty, tasteful things, many of them inexpensive knick-knacks of foreign origin-a small picture, a bit of china, a medi?val relic-were cleverly placed as a r

, and further propitiated by the proffer of a cup of tea in a dainty cup and saucer. All this, including Mrs. Taylor's musical voice, easy speech, and ingratiating friendliness, alternately thrilled and

. Taylor. "At the church reunions one is so liable to interruption

short

definite. My life," she added deprecatingly, "has been a

had taken his family abroad, but her heart was in the keeping of a young officer on the Northern side-now her husband. Loss of property and bitterness of spirit had kept her parents expatriated, and she, with them

. Babcock, to help make the new church what it ought to be artistica

eign lands had aroused her distrust, but

ng may be an eyesore for a generation. I know that we have honest and skilful mechanics in Benham, but as trustees of the church funds, shouldn't we at least make the effort to get the best talent there is? If we have the cleverest architect he

se, and we think it very

she was on her guard against effrontery, she wished to know the truth. She knew that Mr. Pierce, with fine business instinct, had already conveyed to her husban

possible that we shall get nothing more satisfactory elsewhere. Mr. Flagg's grim pile is anything but encouraging. That may sound like an argument against

ive withal. She wished to know if everything, from the Flagg mansion down, was open to criticism, but she would fain question the au

ne else. But what's the use of mincing matters with an intelligent woman like you? I might put you off now, and declare that Benham is well enough. But you would soon divine what I really think, and that would be the end of confidence between us. I like honesty and f

ghteous assurance in Mrs. Taylor's manner which was convincing. She opened her mouth to say

me to adorn as we construct. That is, most of us haven't. But if a few determined spirits-women though they be-cry 'halt,' art may get a chance here and there to assert herself. Look at this," she said, gliding across the room and holding up a small vase of exquisite shape and coloring, "I picked it up on the

at thing according to my idea, and it's what distinguishes us from foreigners,-the foreigners who made that vase, for instance. But I agree with you that there's such a thing a

little by little; it can't be bought ready-made at shops for the asking like tea and sugar. If we invite designs for the new church, we shal

ld do; to feel the capacity, but to be without the means and occasion to reveal what is in one. And now that I understand we really look at things the same way, I'm glad to join with you in making Benham beautiful. As you say, we women can do much if we only will. I've the greatest faith in woman

ce to her convictions, and she could not afford to imperil the safety of the immediate issue-her church. "I felt sure you would feel so if you only had t

count on

s she approached, her husband stood on the grass-plot in his shirt sleeves with a ga

theart, whe

ylor. I've promised her to vote to

sed. "That'll throw P

e else submits a be

I considered that order for

w York and Boston. If we don't like them we needn't take them. But that's the way to get an artistic thing. And

ociate with Mrs. Taylor, and was satisfied that she would be a credit to him in any situation where occult questions of art or learning were mooted. He dropped his hose and pulled her down beside him on the porch settee. There was a beautiful sunset, and the atmosphere was soft and refreshing. Selma felt

wandering from his blandishments. Presently she said: "Lewis

ays thought it tasty-one of th

for a real deer. It loo

ard judicially the ob

ge the stag for something else. I wish you to be pleased first of all. Instead we might have a fou

, promise me that you won't select anything

eties of life, it had never occurred to him to include the choice of every-day objects of art. He had eyes and could judge for himself like any