title: The dominant power,
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V * m Aj»? .'w. ^ -1t4v : ••'■i •, • . ^ - yy ‘'■'^■Ayy^yyyyyy^ '■ ". ■' '*<- V-.*-'^ ■ ■-■v’'‘'*^'f^'\'~' 'i' •" ^ . > • ■o ly QiS THE DOMINANT POWER By WALTER S. HILL Kansas City FEANKLIN BOOK COMPANY Publishers and Booksellers Copyrighted 1921 z' BY FRANKLIN BOOK COMPANY KANSAS CITY, MO. <53fVa^nT OfHSE uct AVH -2 1921- To my friend, ELMER FRANKLIN A gentleman who built his ‘'house by the side of the road where the race of men go by,” this book is subscribed, by The Author. H. Rider Haggard says: ‘‘How strange is the love of a woman, that it is so small in its beginning and in its end so great. Strive not to escape from woman; fly where thou wilt, she is yet thy fate, and whatever thou build thou buildst it for her. “For her are wars; for her men spend their strength in gathering gains ; for her they do both well and ill, and no man has ever read the riddle of her smiles.” \ \ / • $ m K- >• 4 ''i' The Dominant Power CHAPTER I THOUGHT PICTURES S EVENTEEN years before the beginning of this story, a mite of a human being, a stranger, came to the home of the Gregorys in Mount Auburn. This stranger, dainty and very pretty, became a central attraction to many Mount Auburn mothers and happy children who talked to her in a new language — one that was so funny that it made her close her eyes, show her toothless gums, coo, laugh back at them, and prattle away in her native tongue of baby-land. Now the dainty and pretty child whom Mr. and Mrs. Gregory said was worth **a million or more” had grown to be a woman of a gentle type, amiable and lofty in mdnd. During the years when the girl, Helene, was growing, the Gregory family came into promi- nence. Mr. Gregory, who, during early manhood had adopted the law as a profession, had by hon- esty, tact, and hard work, risen step by step until the people rewarded him with a trust — ^the office 8 The Dominant Power of Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court. After his election, he turned the management of The Gregory Brokerage Company, of which he was principal owner, over to Richard Ryan, a nephew just out of school whom the Judge had reared as a. member of his own family- The care and indulgence practiced by the Greg- orys had not ceased when their daughter’s needs had been supplied, but were liberally extended to Richard as well. His welfare, education, and training came in for equal consideration with those of the girl, for he was regarded as a Gregory. The daughter, Helene, with a wealth of auburn hair and with eyes of irresistible charm, became a notable figure in the town.. Despite her youth, there was a dignity and re- finement about her that undoubtedly was a heri- tage from her mother, whose culture was one of the uplifting influences of the community. The daughter’s sensitive mouth, the expression of her face, her strong, yet delicate features, also bore a marked resemblance to those of the older woman, still handsome with the charm of early middle age. At seventeen Helene had reached an age when the world seemed to burst into bloom, to parade before her with an endless scene of color. It was the second month of the year and spring was encroaching hard upon winter. Helene Gregory sat at her window watching the passers-by. The rays of the February sun, peep- The Dominant Potver 9 ing through an occasional rift in the clouds, lighted the room, bathing Helene's red-brown hair and glorifying her features. The hum of renewed activities pervaded the air, and far off dowm the street came the clear, me- tallic ring of an anvil. People were hustling about, some humming a favorite melody, others whistling the latest operatic airs. And some — perhaps, were thinking of tender eyes and silvery laughter, dreaming away the last-hours of winter, waiting for the time when warm spring rains and bright sunshine would open the tiny cradle of leaf and flower, when all the world would thrill with the joy of newly awakened interest in life. The girl had been reading what was to her a bit of distressing news. The paper fluttered to the floor unnoticed as she looked out into the street with a thoughtful expression on her face. Unconsciously she scanned the faces of those who passed. Some were happy, laughing faces, glowfne with the satisfaction of mere living; some were scholarly visages, serious and solicitous; oth- ers showed countenances old and haggard, hope- less from long years of suffering ; and still others passed, young faces, radiating youth, strength, and purpose. The disparity had never intruded itself upon her so forcibly before. She began to realize that life was a tangled skein. She longed to take hold of the knots, untangle the threads, and knit together the ref^^ctory strands into one piece of beauteous perfection. 10 The Dominant Power But she was conscious of her limitations, her utter inability to change existing conditions. She grew restless. A desire to study and understand her environment was kindled into being, and her first conscious longing to add her mite toward the betterment of humanity became a fixed re- solve. Mrs. Gregory, entering the room, noted the un- usual seriousness of her daughter’s face and in a voice of startled concern queried: ^What is it, Helene r’ The girl lifted the paper from the floor and, pointing out a certain column to her mother, said gravely : *T have been reading these divorce notices. See ! Thirteen of them filed in daddy’s court, and nearly all from our own town.” **Yes,” the mother admitted with a sigh of re- lief, 'This seerns to be an exceptional year for di- vorces. But why are you so concerned, Helene?” 'T am unhappy because of Charlotte Allison. Her name is listed here. When she married Mr. Allison, the world said she had done well. And now she is asking a separation. How strange ! "Not so strange as it is unfortunate, dear. You will remember that their marriage was entered into lightly, probably without realizing what it meant to renounce the world for one another.” "And do you think that such an ending as this is the inevitable result of all hasty marriages?” Helene questioned earnestly. The Dominant Power 11 The mother detected the tremulous note and, moved by a subtle comprehension of the under- current in the daughter’s thoughts, bowed her head in answer : 'Tn some cases it is, Helene. In this instance, your friends may have believed that theirs was a case of deep-seated love, and that further delay would cause unnecessary suspense. But my opin- ion is that with Mr. Allison it was a pretty face and a handsome form; with Charlotte, it was as- surance of independence. It meant society and a life without drudgery, something her father, as his means were meager, could not give. And poss- ibly the fact that Mr. Ross sold his interests here and moved to Greenwich Springs might have had something to do with her acceptance of Edward Allison’s proposal for an immediate marriage. You know, Helene, Charlotte always had an aversion to the country and small inland tovrns.” ‘‘You may be right in your conjectures, mother,” the girl conceded, “but I cannot think otherwise than that theirs was a real love-match. Nearly two years have now passed since the wedding,” she went on, reminiscently, as a tender light glowed in her eyes. “How well I remember that nuptial night. Charlotte tried to tell me in whispers of her hanpiness, but she finally cried for joy. I was glad, mother, because she entered the new state without the slightest fear of the future.” “Then if that be true, I am inclined to believe their estrangement has been brought about 12 The Dominant Power through misunderstanding and lack of sympathy; in regard to the interests of both. Mr. Allison as the head of a manufacturing establishment and a politician of note has probably become so en- grossed in his manifold duties that he has allowed them to crush out much of the sweetness of his home-life. On the other hand, Charlotte may have grown out of touch with her husband's affairs and become absorbed in her own, finally considering him a convenience rather than a companion. 'Helene,” Mrs. Gregory went on, thoughtfully, ‘'I know you are very fond of Charlotte. Let her experience serve as a warning to you. A man's prominence, his wealth and worldly goods are not the only requisites. When your time comes I trust you will not answer with a thoughtless ^yes.' " Helene turned and looked out into the western sky. A gleam of crimson and purple broke through a mass of clouds and shed its light upon the wintry branches of the trees. The girl's face changed slightly as she saw the light break through the rift, and said impulsively: ‘‘Possibly had they waited, love would have come to them — strong and impelling, driving back the clouds and shadows.” Mrs. Gregory, appreciating the significance of the simile, sighed softly: “Love, as T would have you understand it, my daughter, comes as the dawn of day — faint and hardly discernible at first. You have seen the morning light gather along the horizon's rim like The Dominant Power 13 a gray mist. So comes love, faint at first and hardly like our first conceptions. It grows, ex- pands, ^ creeping in and around our hearts to soon become the living, prompting force of our lives. ‘THelene, I have a picture in my mind of the one I hope will come to you as your father came to me. He does not live in a city, where one’s affection often changes, but out in the country, close to na- ture. I see a flush of health upon his cheeks and the power of purpose and firmness in his eyes. I see him beside one whom he has chosen. I cannot hear his whisperings, but I know his words are respectful — that he is worthy of her trust. see them when her hand is placed within his own. Her soul leaps — she feels sC thrill, omnipo- tent in its power, the union of heart with heart in perfect trust. • “I look again, Helene, and see this man and woman standing before an altar, both earnest and sincere, and upon their faces! see an expression of the sacredness of the marriage relation. ‘The scene changes to a home, a veritable haven of rest where husband and wife lay aside petty cares; where comfort and peace do not depend upon a lavish expenditure of money, but upon con- geniality of the soul ; where plans for the better- ment of humanity are discussed, and where whole- some recreations are encouraged. “Such hearts, amid such surroundings, will not be inclined to wander, Helene. Perhaps the strong- est characteristics of that love is the spirit of 14 The Dominant Power camaraderie that adds immeasurably to the sum of human happiness.” While the mother spoke, the girl seemed to be lured from the thought of her friend's misfor- tunes. She brightened perceptibly. understand you now, partly at least. I was just thinking that winter will soon be over, and when spring comes, I want to go out somewhere in the country. Charlotte has often invited me to visit her parents in Greenwich and if she makes her home at the Springs, I should like to go there. Since this trouble,” lifting the paper, ‘‘I feel that she needs to be comforted, and,” she went on, lifting her head, her eyes recovering their old-time luster, “it will afford me an oppor- tunity to study and acquaint myself with the kind of people you have pictured. I think an overland trip in company with some of the young people who have been talking of visiting the Springs will be both novel and educational. Oh, yes !” she continued, in a sudden burst of enthusiasm, “I want to spend a few weeks among the of^ople who live in smaller towns and on the farms. And maybe — ” She paused. Looking through an opposite win- dow into the eastern sky, where rifts in the clouds grew wider, she tried to penetrate the unfathom- able blue, as if half expecting the coming of a strange new light, “and maybe,” she repeated, “he will come to me — as the dawn !” CHAPTER II THE DAWN N ear the close of a beautiful spring day, a carriage wended its way along an old traveled trail that led from Stakley’s mill and homestead over ridges and through winding val- leys, past the little village of Spencer and on south toward Greenwich Springs. The route was a picturesque one. Stately trees with green livery lined the way, and a profusion of wild flowers sprinkled the little fields and meadows. Altogether, it presented a sublime pic- ture which the Infinite Artist might have paint- ed solely for the delectation of those who lived in that sparsely settled hill-country of the Mid- dle West. Seated in the carriage were three young ladies and a young man who sometimes did the driving, but who more often rode with idle hands, view- ing the splendid scenery and commenting on the wonders of nature. The manner and appearance of the party; the comeliness of their carriage and horses gave the impression that the travelers were refined and in prosperous circumstances. The sun was low, just settling over the tops of the trees on the hills to the right. The soft- 1 16 The Dominant Power tempered winds, having toiled the whole day long with bud and bloom, grew listless, save when an occasional eddy passed languidly by, leaving a pleasing scent in its wake. The young ladies laughed, joked and sang songs of sentiment, lyrics, and simple ditties. Presently they crossed a creek, and, as they followed the winding road up the incline, they were greeted with the view of half a hundred houses of no particular architectural design squat- ted along on either side of a narrow lane-like thoroughfare, sometimes called a street by the villagers. It was the town of Spencer and only a few miles distant from Greenwich Springs, their des- tination. Again their voices, sweet and musical, soared up out of the valley, and people came and stood in their doors, leaned from their windows, wondering, bound by the spell of beauty and charm of human voices. Kenneth Greene, a young mechanic, was work- ing in the shop of his father. Though it was school days with the young blacksmith, he usual- ly hastened home from Greenwich Springs at the end of the week, where on Saturday, his books and thoughts of study laid aside, he donned his leather apron and sought recreative employment tempering steel, and beating bars of iron into divers tools for the farmers. Often that day he sought a breathing space just outside the door, and often lingered beyond The Dominant Power 17 his time, encouraged by the winds, fragrant with the perfume of flowers. He also heard the singing, and, laying aside his tools, came wet with perspiration and stood in the door, listening. Lifting his hat, he brushed back the black hair from his forehead, and, fan- ning the breeze into his face, drank with long, deep breaths the invigorating air. And so he stood when the carriage came into view, his arms folded across his breast, his head erect, his eyes calm with just a slight trace of weariness about the lids. His six-foot frame of brawn and seasoned muscle gave the impression of great strength, indomitable energy, and a wholesome delight in living. ‘‘A party of pleasure-seekers,” the young smith reckoned, stepping back in a half hesitant man- ner from his place at the door. A moment later he heard a woman's faint '‘Who-a” to the horses and then the same voice in a higher key shouted: ‘‘Hello, Mr. Blacksmith!” But young Greene hesitated. Again the lady called, this time in a voice un- usually sweet and solicitous. The spirit of a dignified scholar of fairly ad- vanced education rebelled against presenting him- self in the presence of strange women in the garb of a smith, but duty won and, stepping briskly forward through the doorway, he offered them his services. 18 The Dominant Power For a moment they gazed in wonder upon him ; they saw his hand lift and remove his hat, a hand soiled and stained with soot; they saw his face, streaked with dust and perspiration, smile up at them buoyantly. They saw his trained eyes dart over the carriage from wheel to wheel, from running gears to side and top. “What can I do for you?"' he said, glancing at the horse's hoofs. And still the occupants of the carriage gazed upon him as he stood — his collar open, his sleeves rolled to the arm-pits; and beneath the edge of the long leather apron that he wore, two bare feet peeped out from pantaloons turned above his ankles. The travelers sat amazed at the sight. “A village blacksmith!'' faintly whispered one seated in the rear. “And a barefooted one!" gasped the other, wonderingly. At the questioning look in the young mechan- ic's eyes, Helene Gregory awakened from her trance of mingled surprise and curiosity and said : “We are traveling to Greenwich. Won't you please direct us?" “Yes," he spoke with quiet emphasis, chang- ing his hat from one hand to the other and point- ing. “Take the ridge, road to the right yonder, where you 3ee the woods come down to the edge The Dominant Poiver 19 of the field. It is a direct road to the Springs, just three miles away.'’ Again his eyes drifted down to the running gears of the carriage, and he remarked, tenta- tively : “I fear you folks will not be able to reach the Springs tonight unless you allow me to repair your rig. I see a bar on the fifth-wheel is broken.” “Fifth-wheel!” the young lady repeated, turn- ing questioningly to the man at her side and then leaning over to examine the side of the carriage. “Mr. Blacksmith, this rig has only four wheels that I can count.” The remark occasioned a general laugh, and for the second time Helene Gregory turned ques* tioningly to her cousin, Richard Ryan. Richard feigned to possess no special knowledge of the construction of vehicles. The girl was nonplussed. “Mr. Blacksmith, you will please overlook our lack of knowledge of what the term, 'fifth- wheel’ means. We’re from the city and admit our igjiorance, but we’re not too proud and snobbish to learn, if you will teach us.” Putting out a dainty foot, she climbed down upon the ground. “Will you show us the break and explain what the 'fifth-wheer is?” she asked in her prettiest way. Kenneth Greene, with an eye for business, 20 The Dominant Power crouched down upon one knee and showed much pleasure in explaining the particular part re- ferred to, advising her to allow him to make the needed repairs. By this time the man and tb.e two young women had joined them on the ground, each showing much interest in what the smith was saying. 'It will take only a few moments.^' He assured hastily. And the little party sighed in relief. “I thank you in advance for calling our at- tention to this matter,” Miss Gregory said, “and we'll pay you liberally for your work. It would have been simply dreadful for something to have happened to us out in this strange country with no one near.” She sighed sweetly and looked longingly toward the south. When her eyes re- turned to Greene, he saw in them an apprecia- tive expression befitting one who understood the value of such service in the moment of need. He noticed the delicate, rose-tinted cheeks; how two wondrous eyes of brown shyly looked downward to the ground; how her lips drew apart, and around them played the gleam of a smile. A subdued laugh from one of the party awak- ened the young smith from his trance of delight to the consciousness of his roUed-up pantaloons, his naked ankles, and his bare feet. Underneath the stains of soot upon his face, a wave of crimson dyed his cheeks. The Dominant Power 21 Helene turned to him anxiously: “I fear we shall be late in reaching Mr. Ross/ There was a tremor in her voice, an appeal that aroused him to action. He glanced up at the sun and back again to her face. There was something about her that he reverenced. Set- ting to work, he muttered under his breath: *'What chance has a blacksmith, anyway?’^ Something — perhaps it was a hope — made him wish, made him, long for the esteem of one of her type. The life of a country man is quiet, and such events often assume undue importance to those who live apart from the more advanced and intellectual settlements. And so something buoyed his spirit to excitement, and while he •forked a frown dominated his features. ‘Things like this always happen when I don^t want them to happen,'' he went on, stealing an occasional glance at the girl as she walked to and fro impatiently. At times the young black- smith sat prone in the dust beneath the carriage, with hi^ hammer and wrench, and at other times it was necessary to lie sprawling upon his back in order to do his work. The girl continued her restless walk. Fre- quently she paused in front of the horses, patted their noses and, calling each by name, encouraged them to be patient. And the fractious animals seemed to understand her. Once she drew near where Greene was working; peering down at- ! tentively, she lamented that the nature of the 22 The Dominant Power work compelled him to assume uncomfortable po- sitions. A bevy of little children and half grown boys and girls hung idly around, chatting among them- selves and casting admiring glances at the horses, the travelers and their fine rig. There was a persistent interest among the villagers, who eyed the party from the windows and doors, while some ventumed to hang upon their front yard gates. ‘T see you are a splendid workman,'' the girl observed demurely. ‘Tf you will allow me to judge your work." Slipping her hand from her glove, she offered him a coin in payment. This time she kept her eyes lifted to his face — calm, soulful eyes they were, mirroring a light that was new and strange, and for a mo- ment he lost himself in the power of their fas- cination. ‘T should think a man proficient as you," she remarked, inquiringly, ''v/ould establish himself in a better settled community where the trade would be likely to bring increased earnings. A city or a large town, for instance," ‘T have given that matter some thought, but decided to remain at home. However," he con- tinued with a spurt of enthusiasm, *T should dearly love to spend a part of my time away from here — ^if I could," and he took a sweeping view of the fields, the trees and the valley be- yond. The Dominant Power 23 “At least, I should like to visit a city once to see the streets, the wonderful shop-windows, and the throngs of dressed-up people, if there was someone to visit with; but there are none, so it doesn't matter anyway." He dropped his eyes, taking a survey of his bare extremities, and drawing his long leather apron down until the edges touched the ground, continued: “People don't live there as we do here. Noth- ing would seem natural. We wouldn't feel able to do as we wanted to. Then besides the city wouldn't seem natural; no hills and hollows; no trees scattered around, all planted along in a row with the shade on one side of the streets." His eyes drifted up to her face; he saw the trace of a smile upon her lips and stood courage- ous beneath her amused, yet sweet, S3rmpathetic gaze. Turning away, she placed one foot upon the carriage step and paused. She looked down at a rose nestling upon her bosom. A large Kil- lamey rose it was — rich and creamy, with petals tinged a golden white. Impulsively, she detached it, and, holding it out to him, said with reserve, her face flaming: “Will you accept this, Mr. Blacksmith — ^as an appreciation of your kindness?" I^enneth Greene did not know in what manner he accepted the rose, but when the shock of the sweetest moment of his life, thus far, has passed, 24 The Dominant Poioer he recovered sufficiently to respond to her cheer- | fifl **good-bye” as she drove away. | Greene gazed longingly after the carriage. ‘‘Oh, what’s the use?” he sighed. “A back- woodsman wouldn’t stand any show with city folks. We don’t belong to their kind. This is. God’s country, and we belong here !” Lifting his * shoulders proudly, he took a long, deep breath and entered the shop. Helene Gregory, as she drove away, lapsed into ' a serious, thoughtful mood. The words that her mother had spoken on that cheerless February evening a few months ago came to her as they ,had done many times before. “Love comes as the dawn — faint and hardly discernible at first — ” She sighed without know- ing why, and turning, viewed with reverence the great burst of green in the forest on the east, ’ the peeping of flowers and herbs from the black- ened soil, while just beyond the street where buildings cast their shadows, the setting sun poured out a flood of of molten gold, and she mar- veled, exultingly. CHAPTER III FOR THE ROSE YOU GAVE HE light of a passing day still glowed above X the horizon when Helene Gregory and her party arrived at the home of Mr. Ross, Char- lotte Allison's father. 'T know my coming without writing you is a surprise, Charlottle," Helene exclaimed feelingly, '^but I could not wait to write when mother said that I might come. In fact, ever since I read the news of your trouble, I felt that I must see you !” Charlotte's face glowed. A lump suddenly rose in her throat, and her eyes filled with affection- ate tears. Impulsively she embraced the girl, saying: ^Tt wa^ so good of you to come, Helene! I have been thinking of you. The folks are good to me and I like the Springs, but at times I am very lonesome.” Richard drove the two Misses Farrell over to the home of their relatives east of town, and Helene was welcomed into the home of the Ross’s, where she found the arrangement of things much to her surprise and liking. The cheerful living rooms ; the big high-cei- linged dining room, with its old-fashioned side- 26 The Dominant Power board and its wealth of exquisite old silver and rare china, the dainty pink and white bedrooms, smelling divinely of lavender; all appealed to the. home loving instinct of the girl from the city. Then the Ross’s themselves; kindly, good na- tured Mr. Ross, obviously contented with his lot ; Mrs. Ross, radiating cheerful hospitality, and Charlotte, serious but charming, beguiling them with her varied experiences. On the following morning, Helene viewed with surprise the town and surrounding country. The trees were tinged with green and the flowers were bursting into bloom. Soft, delicate grasses ; were peeping from the ground; the wood-lilies ' flourished, and the wild, white daisies carpeted the valleys in an endless scene of beauty. Greenwich Springs was widely known. Its reputation as a health resort had reached many ' towns and cities. The village, though small, was the summer home of many people from the East, North and the great South. The lake, an es- pecial attraction to visitors, covered thirty acres j or more and was situated a short distance from j the springs that fed it. To the north, the valley J gradually rose until it met the base of the moun- ' tains, the tops of which were covered with i squatty oaks, shrubs and tangled vines. Down ' in the wide portions of the valley were stately | old trees of, possibly, a hundred years’ growth. To the west, a short distance away, nestled the town. The Dominant Power 27 Helene Gregory soon become a favorite in the social circle in Greenwich as well as among the gentry of the adjacent country* In fact, the young people came to regard her as a necessary member of boating parties, walking clubs and other amusements. Charlotte said to her one day: cannot accompany you on all your trips, Helene, however well I should like to. I am tied hand and foot until the court sets me free/' Then in a spirit of confidence she dolefully poured out the story of her life with Mr. Alli- son. She recited his neglect, his inattentiveness to her while he spent his time — the hours which belonged to her — at the clubs and lodges of his political affiliations. Yet she generously com- mended his good qualities even while she be- moaned the little acts of negligence which soon became unbearable to her. Writing home to her mother, Helene made no mention of Charlotte's trouble, but wrote of her many trips and described those with whom she associated. On one occasion her letter ran: *T have just returned from a little drive into the country. It was delightful. The people are peculiar in some respects. They have excellent cams and shelter for stock, but many live In dilapidated old houses, some of them log houses. Sometimes a log has slipped off one corner, or 28 The Dominant Power a door swings on a pair of leather'liinges ; some- times a window-pane is broken out. “One thing notable is that every home is equipped with a telephone — a party line arrange- ment. When Mrs. Jones calls Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Everybody troubles herself to listen to the con- versation. “Another thing, the farmers in this section of the country are raising fine stock. They no longer raise ^razor-back' hogs, as we have been led to believe. I saw only one in all my tramps, a kind of a ‘last-of-the-species' I suppose. I think it was about two feet high, and it looked as thin as your two hands placed palms to- gether. It had a proboscis terminating about twenty inches from where the snout ought to end. “Well, our journey to the Springs here was indeed a most enjoyable one. However, I was much amused when we stopped at a blacksmith shop to have our rig repaired to see that the smith who did the work was barefooted. Ac- tually barefooted! Who ever heard of a bare- footed blacksmith? He is a young man of about twenty-two. He showed much embarrassment at first when he discovered that we girls were taking shy glances at his feet, and poor fellow, he tried mighty hard to cover them up with his big leather apron. I suppose Richard has given you full particulars concerning our experiences by this time.'' Under another date, she wrote: The Dominant Power, 29 “Today, Charlotte, the Mijsses Fan*ell and I took a long ride into the country. Charlotte, poor girl, seldom goes out with us. Well, I sup- pose I enjoyed the trip especially this time be- cause she was one of our party. “I am getting acquainted now with the people, and I like them better than I did at first, al- though I do not admire their style of dress. The race is a hardy one, and some of the men are giants in size and strength. Truly, the young generation seems to be developing into fine men and women. I believe that with the installation of the new system of schools, which the boards of education are planning, the lords of the land will compare favorably with those of the more advanced settlements.” A week after Helene’s drive to the country, de- scribed in her letter, she was called to the door of her room and informed by one of the Ross family that she was wanted by someone in the living room. Hurriedly arranging her hair and slipping on a street gown, she obeyed the summons. When she entered, a tall, muscular looking young man arose and greeted her with a bow. “Miss Gregory?” he asked. “It is,” she answered with a smile, although she showed a slight wonderment. “I am Kenneth Greene, from Spencer. I should like to ask you if you did not lose something at our shop a few days ago?” 30 The Dominant Power Helene thought for a moment. **l believe I lost a small handbag somewhere on my trip to the Springs.'' “I have it," he said, holding out a lady's bag of beautiful design. found it lying in front of our shop after you folks drove away." '‘Oh, thank you. You are very kind indeed! But I cannot recall the shop-door to which you refer." The young man stood for a moment, hesita- ting. 'T mean the blacksmith shop-door — the shop where you had your rig repaired." "The blacksmith shop! Oh, 1 remember, now. How did you know to whom this purse be- longed?" "I saw ycmr name on a card, and I remem- bered hearing you speak of the Ross's, here in the Springs. Everything is as I found it." She opened the bag and glanced at the con- tents. "Oh, thank you, again! Your face looks fa- miliar, but I cannot recall seeing you at the shop." "I was there, though,” he said, moving toward the door; "I was the smith who did the work." "Oh, the bare — " She paused, embarrassed. "The barefooted blacksmith,” he assisted her to say when he saw her hesitate and blush. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Greene. I did not mean it that way." The Dominant Power 31 *1 am not offended. People from the cities have little idea how we backwoodsmen live. Many of our folks still cling to the old customs. Out in the country we do not think it unusual to see a barefooted boy or girl, or even a man and his wife. Until my school days here in the Springs, I never wore a pair of shoes in my life, except on Sunday. That Saturday,” he contin- ued, tugging at his hat, “was such a pretty day and everything was so cheerful that I wanted to feel like a little boy once more. Althouidi I was at work in the shop, I couldn't resist the idea of going barefooted. I saw that you ladies were surprised at my appearance,” he went on, moving nearer the door, “but then a barefooted blacksmith is no uncommon sight in this coun- try.” “I should think,” Helene said, “that the na- ture of the work would require shoes, and thick ones, too.” “It does,” he admitted, “but then we're used to it, and besides, it takes a great deal of but- ter, eggs and chickens to buy other necessities.” “Have the people no money in this country?” she inquired wonderingly. “Not a great deal. We don’t particularly have to have it except on picnic days, or when a cir- cus comes to town. The young man spoke earnestly, and Helene turned away to suppress a smile. Changing the subject, she asked: 32 The Dominant Power ''You spoke of school here?” "Yes. It is an academic course I am taking now.” "Oh, I see! Your education is well advanced now, isn’t it?” she queried with interest. "I expect to graduate next week.” "That is fine, Mr. Greene. You must forgive me for detaining you. I shall remember your kindness, and I wish you a full measure of suc- cess in whatever you undertake to do.” "Thank you for your good wishes. I shall always remember you for the rose you gave me!” She . responded pleasantly, showing her appre- ciation of his act of placing value upon her gift. The young man bowed and went his way. "I really believe I am going to like him,” she frowned, as she drew aside a curtain and watched him far down the street. CHAPTER IV THE GHOST HUNTERS O NE night, as Helene was returning from a boating trip with several young men and women of the village, the party met between the lake and the edge of town a posse of men heavily armed and headed by the town marshal and his deputy. ''Seen anything that looks like a 'haunt' down at the old church-house?" inquired the marshal. "Folks have been saying here of late that there was a real ghost in that there old building. Some said they heard it again tonight, and we're going to find that creepy thing, sure. Want to go along?" "Don't mind if we do," ventured the spokesman of the party. "Spirits can't hurt us anyway." "I would like to get my hands on the sheet it wears — or, do ghosts wear sheets ?" said another of the adventurers. Such remarks did not inject much enthusiasm into the party, and the girls did not display great eagerness to follow. "Come on !" urged one of the bravest, "there are enough of us to put it to flight. Let us settle the question for all time to come. Besides, it will be fine sport." 33 34 The Dominant Power Down the street the party moved in a slow, stealthy walk toward the old church that stood a short distance from the pathway leading to the springs. The building had stood for many years. It had first sheltered a small congregation that had grad- ually increased until it became necessary to erect a new one. During the past year a commodious building had been built in the north part of town where the fashionable residence portion was now located. So the old church was left standing, a dark, silent hull, an excellent habitation for bats, owls, and ghosts. “Say, Zed, got your gun ?” inquired the marshal of his deputy. “Yep!” “I mean, got it ready ?” he asked. “ I want all you fellows to be brave, like your leader. Got that dark lantern of yours. Brother Almwater. Better see that it’s all right. Try it. Ah, that’s good. You see I don’t want to get inside of that there church and have that light go on a strike. No sir, I’m not going to take chances. You women folks might walk in just a little closer. We’re nearly down there, and besides it won’t be near so lone- some for you.” Up stepped the rear flank in a nervous manner, while the front column turned aside into the old path through the gateway where a shutter hung on one rusty hinge, half hidden in tangled vines. The Dominant Power 35 The black hull of the old gospel-ship loomed up with its silent spire as if it were a mast stripped of its sail-yard. A light on the opposite side of the street some distance away cast its rays through a southwest window, dimly lighting the rear where the preacher had stood in times past. From a comer on the east came a breeze, soft and clammy, tempered with a degree of coolness that made the feminine part of the hunters form within the circle of the stealthy, creeping men. Up the wabbly, squeaking steps stole the depu- ties, pausing just within the front vestibule, where the old bell-rope swung motionless, with a loop in the end like a hangman's noose. Some member of the party, in a spirit of bravado, gave the rope a shake, and it answered with a tapping, beating on the joists and rafters above. ‘‘Rapping spirits!” suggested one; at which the women pressed more closely together, each one trying to wedge well into the center of the group. Through the main door leading into the auditor- ium came the sound of a voice. “Listen !” whispered a deputy, as he stopped and pulled frantically at the marshal's coat. “Now don't hold me up that way I I want to be free,” warned the latter, as he shook himself free from the man at his side. “I must be free to act, and act quickly, too.” “I hear it!” whispered another. “It is sure 'nough a hob-goblin.” “Say, Zed, get your gun ready, and you, Brother 36 The Dominant Power Almwater, you just step in front of me with that light of yours. I believe I can see better that way/' whispered the marshal, as he urged the old deacon to the front. “I tell you I have been in many close places before this, and got out with- out a scratch every time.” The voice in the rear rose clear and strong. ‘T will speak to him. 0 Humboldt, with kings for thy servants here, through what realms of the Infinite hast thou wandered — ” The voice stopped abruptly. The deacon had flashed his light, and the dim outline of a person standing on the rostrum with hand uplifted could be seen. “Come down from that, you feller. Fve got ye !” called out the marshal, as he advanced into the room, pushing the deacon well in front. “Come down, I say, or else Fm going to shoot !” shouted the officer in somewhat stronger tones. At his threat to shoot, those in the rear beat a hasty retreat back into the hallway and down the steps to the yard, leaving the marshal and the deacon to hold the fort. “Don't shoot ! I'll come down,” came the voice from the rear end of the room as a figure of a man hesitatingly descended and moved toward the two men. “Well hurry up, ghost, spirit, man or whatever you be ! No foolin' with me, I'm the marshal !” Some of the party who had thought it safe to The Dominant Poiver 37 enter the hall again came back and reported to those standing in the yard. “They've got .it !" A moment later three men came through the door and down the steps. The marshal shouted : “Zed, you fellers are a fine lot, you are. Leav- ing me alone with this shaky deacon on my hands when nobody knew what was coming down them steps toward us.” Out in the front yard the officer paused and said: “Here, Brother Almwater, you flash that light around here and let's see what we've got in the net this time.” As the light flashed upon the face of the man who stood between them, the others of the party stepped back in surprise. A dozen “Oh's!” and “Ah's!” followed, each one trying to apply the same question to the captive. Helene Gregory summoned sufficient courage to closely scrutinize the man, whom all seemed to know. The next instant she spoke with surprise : “Oh ! it is the bare — the — Mr. Greene, I meant to say,” she said in an apologetic tone. “Well, say,” the marshal spoke impatiently, “let's go on with him to the ‘cooler.' He's been found on forbidden grounds, and it is an offense against the law.” The officer started with his prisoner. 