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dead.AN EXPLANATION AND A DARE 121It isn't the- dead folks who have made the fussover this it's the living folks. And it isn't right forany of you to blame my father for this, because hewas away and didn't know, and anyhow we thoughtit was Monday. He's just the best father that everlived in the world and we love him with all our hearts."She ran downFaith's bravado ebbed out in a sob.the steps and flashed out of the side door of the church.There the friendly starlit, summer night comfortedher and the ache went out of her eyes and throat.Shefelt very happy. The dreadful explanation was overand everybody knew now that her father wasn't toblame and that she and Una were not so wicked as tohave cleaned house knowingly on Sunday.Inside the church people gazed blankly at each other,but Thomas Douglas rose and walked upthe aislewith a set face. His duty was clear; the collectionmust be taken if the skies fell. Taken it was ; the choirsang the anthem, with a dismal conviction that it fellterribly flat, and Dr. Cooper gave out the concludinghymn and pronounced the benediction with considerablyless unction than usual. The Reverend Doctorhad a sense of humor and Faith's performance tickledhim. Besides, John Meredith was well known inPresbyterian circles.Mr. Meredith returned home the next afternoon,but before his coming Faith contrived to scandalizeGlen St. Mary again. In the reaction from Sundayevening's intensity and strain she was especially full