The gates ajar. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.

The Gates Ajar. 151
knowledge, a little undecided as to what he
should say next. "Remarkable fine day foi
riding. In a hurry?"
"Well, not especially. Did you want anything of me?"
"You're a church-member, are n't you,
ma'am?" asked the Deacon, abruptly.
"I am."
"Orthodox?"
" yes," with a smile. " You had a reason
for asking? "
"Yes, ma'am; I had, as you might say, a
reason for asking."
The Deacon laid his hoe on the top of the
fence, and his arms across it, and pushed his
hat on the back of his head in a becoming
and argumentative manner.
" I hope you don't consider that I'm taking
liberties if I have a little religious conversation with you, Mrs. Forceythe."
"It is no offence to me if you are," replied
Mrs. Forceythe, with a twinkle in her eye;
but both twinkle and words glanced off from
the Deacon.
" My wife was telling me last night," he began, with an ominous cough, "that her niece,
Clotildy Bentley - Moses Bentley's daughter