eternally. It is only their way of making God responsible for it,--not
ourselves,--and arranging the details of fire and brimstone, which is so
monstrous. Somebody says that when the Calvinists decided on sulphur they
did not know the properties of caustic potash. But there are stages of
truth; there's no use knocking a man down because he is only on the first
step of the ladder, which you have climbed into light. I think belief in
eternal damnation is a phase in spiritual development."

"But you don't really object to my protest?" she said. "Come, Giff, the
truth must be strong enough to be expressed."

"I don't object to the protest," he answered slowly, "but I hope the
manner of it will not make things difficult for Mr. Ward."

Helen laughed, in spite of her depression. "Why, Gifford," she said, "it
is not like you to be so apprehensive, and over so small a matter, too.
Mr. Dean has probably forgotten everything I said, and, except that I
mean to tell him, John would never hear a word about it."




CHAPTER XIII.


The winter was passing very quietly in Ashurst; the only really great
excitement was Helen's letter about the fire and Colonel Drayton's attack
of gout.

Life went on as it had as far back as any one cared to remember, with the