course and note that it is accomplishing wonders.

The same marvels of growth noted elsewhere are found in the development of these reading rooms. Beginning their existence not so very many years ago, there are now some 900 of them dotted over every land where civilization has achieved sway, and even in some where savagery comes rather close to its boundaries. In their social power they may be almost classed as clubs where fees are unknown and comforts are to be had for the asking.

In the face of such gigantic strides in all ways that make for better organization and increased numbers, it is not at all strange that the average Cliristian Scientist will not argue-at least, to the extent of heated controversyas to the triumphant advance of his church. He prefers to point to selfevident facts; he will correct the sometimes expressed opinion that the movement has ceased growing, for he knows that during the past three years the rate of increase in churches, resources, and membership has been over 30 per cent. And you must agree with him, because he has or can easily get the facts that will convince you.

Perhaps, as a finishing touch of conviction, he will take you to one of those extraordinary and not long ago utterly undreamed of Wednesday evening "testimony" meetings in the Boston temple, where an audience of four or five thousand persons gathers in an atmosphere of the most intense enthusiasm and listens to the earnest, often eloquent, words of scores who rejoice in the opportunity of telling how sure they are of the blessings of Christian Science, mental, moral and physical. No man from the outside, not even the most pronounced Philistine and sceptic of them all, can remain wholly unmoved in the spirit of that splendid scene. No man can come out from one of the great church's beautiful doorways and under the stars deny the inherent strength of this new religion.

There is one phase of Christian Science as it affects the lives of men

that is not recognized as it should be, even by those friendly enough disposed to the movement. That is its absolutely proven power to raise the fallen and put them into paths of decency and right living. How many long-time victims of the alcohol fiend have been fairly lifted from the gutter and made over into self-respecting, successful members of society by this influence no one can begin to compute. But probably all of us know of cases, some of them truly startling in their contrasts. Before a common drunkard, despised of men, grovelling in poverty, hopeless of release; now-a prosperous business man, free from the curse, clean of life, happy in the change. That is a familiar story of what Christian Science can do and is doing in always increasing instances. When liquor and drugs are forced to retire beaten from the fight for a man's soul, the on-looking world owes to itself to ask how it is done. Done it surely is. Scientists in authority can give great numbers of instances of complete and lasting reform in the lives of those who once seemed to have nothing to look forward to and they might be given here, also, save that facts need cataloguing.

Another very visible and mighty sign of the onrush of the faith is the increase in numbers and circulation of its publications. For years the Christian Science Journal was the sole regularly printed representative of the movement, and its circulation was slender. Now there are in addition the Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly for the home; the Christian Science Quarterly, containing the lesson-sermons read at the Sunday services throughout the year; Der Herold Der Christian Science, printed in German, as its title signifies, and the Christian Science Monitor, the daily newspaper whose extraordinary success within the year has been the wonder of the journalistic world. This paper and the periodicals mentioned cross the oceans to every known portion of the globe; the ingenious mailing machines in the fine

publication quarters of the society in Boston have quite as keen a knowledge of geography, in their way, as any teacher in the schools. And swiftly as their work is done, there is always more for them to attempt.

One thing more in connection with the extraordinary growth of Christian Science. Just as surely as the spring sun coaxes forth the blades of grass and the budding flowers, so surely is it affecting very materially schools of thought and practice long bitterly opposed to it. Many clergymen are coming under its gentle sway; yes, but more than that, and far more significant for the future, those preachers who remain anchored to their old faith are changing the slant of their sails. One does not need to be an expert in spiritual matters to see that more and more in pulpits of the long-established denominations are heard utterances showing the influence of Christian Science tenets. And what is as fully significant, perhaps, the rasping denunciations of the new spiritual movement are heard no more. It is almost fully recognized that Christian Science is not a subversion of Christianity, but a form of Christianity that surely makes its professors better and happier individuals.

No less is the practice of medicine being vitally influenced by this new belief as to the treatment of diseases. Drugging is going out of favor more

and more, even by those who once conceived that all physical welfare revolved around ipecac and calomel. With increasing force the mental part of cure is being insisted upon, and the purer elements of materiality, air, sunlight, exercise, cheerful surroundings are climbing above the older forms of materia medica. materia medica. Eminent professors of medical schools are inveighing against the customary pouring of drugs and poisons down people's throats. Everywhere there is a great reaction against old methods. What has done it? Can any one doubt? Is it a mere coincidence that the new idea has suddenly sprung into being with the rise of Christian Science? If so it is a happy meeting of chance events.

No one with half a mind for the value of social signs can believe for a moment that Christian Science has even begun to approach the limits of its influence and strength. The constant increase in all of the elements that make it powerful would preclude any such judgment as that. When men and women come to a movement of the sort without proselyting-and that lack is typical of Christian Science -there is shown a vitality that gives no evidence of decadence. "I would not urge a single human being to come. into the movement," said a prominent. Scientist the other day. But they come without urging. Therein lies the

secret.

I.

ROM an almost impenetrable cloud of dust blown onward down the road by the stiff sea breeze, emerged a big brown roadster which bowled along at a rapid pace under the skilful guidance of its sole occupant, a young man at the wheel, and drew up to the Cliff House piazza. If Grace Spofford had heard the automobile approach she showed no consciousness of it, and the few guests promenading the wide hotel piazza who smiled questioningly in her direction certainly did not have the satisfaction of knowing how discriminating her little ear had become in detecting the sounds characteristic of different motors. As the exhaust from the approaching car was muffled much more than that of any motor with which she was familiar she continued the discussion of plans for the afternoon sail with the group of relatives and friends that could usually be found in an animated, jolly circle about her. She turned quickly, however, as the big car was brought to a halt near her and the driver began to gaze anxiously through his goggles along the piazza, as if searching for

some one.

"Good morning to you, Mr. Burnham, and your big road roller," she said gaily, leaning over the balustrade. "Won't you take off that disguise and come up here with us?"

"Thank you," he replied, "but I'm just trying my new car and I thought you might like to take the initial trip with me."

"Another new one!" she exclaimed, reprovingly. "What can you do with more than one, I should like to know, and how can anybody feel safe to take

a walk with that great silent monster rushing along the narrow roads? It's easy to understand your reason for wearing those horrid things, Mr. Burnham."

"Please inform me?" he asked obligingly, as he removed cap and goggles, revealing a manly face, bright eyes, and the firm chin and square jaw that make for achievement.

"Because if you should ever kill anybody his friends could never identify you," she explained with amusement in her eyes.

"Your insight regarding the motives of the human mind is most keen," he said gravely, with a low bow.

"Thank you," she retorted, mocking

ly. Then with an entire change of mood she continued, "I should be delighted to go. I won't keep you waiting but a minute."

It was five minutes later, however, before she appeared, clad in a long dust coat and wind veil. Burnham carefully assisted her into the seat, then jumped in beside her and they were off down the road in a swirl of dust, the horn belching forth brazen notes of warning meanwhile.

This is certainly becoming pathetic," said Mrs. Spofford to her husband, who was looking with interest toward the thick cloud of dust in the distance.

"Well, Burnham certainly wins this time," commented Mr. Spofford, taking up his morning paper, "and as far as I'm concerned he'll make a very satisfactory son-in-law. A rare combination, my dear. George has the money to make a fine home for Grace, and, more than that, he's a nice young fellow in every way."

"And so is Robert Hamilton," hastily interposed his wife. "Both are

such fine fellows that I sometimes think it would almost break my heart. if either is rejected."

"My sentiments exactly, but bigamy has never been regarded as quite the proper thing, Augusta."

"Don't be vulgar, Jim," reproved Mrs. Spofford.

"Both cannot win, of course, and we may as well pick our favorites," urged her husband, in conciliating tones. "A capitalist is a great inducement," he added, after a slight pause.

Mrs. Spofford was as anxious as ever to champion her sex.

"How sordid you are, Jim. Doubtless Grace gives due consideration to his money. She would hardly be human otherwise. But I know she likes Mr. Hamilton and he's not so very poor. His last two novels are very creditable and should have the success they deserve. Grace is just the sort of girl for such a man, and she has been so associated with me in my literary work that their tastes will be exactly alike. Both will have the same thoughts and the same emotions. Writers are not so horrid and practical as to give greater consideration for a man's money than for his qualities as an ideal companion. Think what inspiration they would be for each other! It would be a charming match, you know it would."

"Certainly, my dear," said Mr. Spofford without enthusiasm as he resumed his reading rather than carry the argument further. He well knew that his wife must be the acknowledged victor of every domestic discussion, for she ruled quite as supremely at home as he did in his office on Wall Street. Nevertheless, he felt that a match between Grace and Robert Hamilton would be far too ideal to be a success; that they would become bored by the very similarity of their tastes. He wanted Grace to be happy and realized that the financial element, while not the first consideration, should not be ignored entirely. Moreover, he thought he knew a man when he met one and he was sure that he saw evidences of the same instinctive

feeling in his daughter's manner toward Burnham. In a supreme test he was confident Burnham would not be found wanting; Hamilton he was not so sure of.

"Jim," said Mrs. Spofford, after a long silence, "you know Mr. Hamilton wrote that he hoped to get back last night and I feel sure he will call to see Grace this morning. I think it rather unkind of her to go off with George Burnham. She saw Mr. Hamilton's letter and it will be such a disappointment after being in the city two weeks. It seems to me-"

She stopped abruptly as Mr. Hamilton himself approached from the dining-room and, learning that Grace was out, invited her father and mother to enjoy a drive with him in the cool morning air.

II.

It is probable that Grace felt a little regret as well as happiness as she stepped into the big roadster, for she had not forgotten the probable return of Robert Hamilton and she could easily imagine his disappointment at not finding her that morning. Of course he might not come, and automobile driving with her, as with most young women, was a passion not held in subjection without difficulty. Besides, Robert was stopping at the same hotel, so she could see him that afternoon when they might perhaps go for a sail down the bay.

There is an exhilaration ever attendant upon swift motion that soon lays a firm hold on the senses, and this with the comfort of the wide leather seat and her growing admiration of her companion soon dimmed all else save the enjoyment of the present moment. She liked Burnham very well indeed and well indeed and greatly admired him. Yes, there was no questioning that. His fine, manly figure and clean-cut, wholesome face, quite boyish in expression, were handsome even in automobile clothes. She looked at him from time to time, watching his eyes glancing here and there to make sure that every part of the big machine

was working properly, and as she looked she began to realize that there were few men who could look so well in a slimpsy auto coat, goggles, and a small cap pulled firmly over the head. "What a beauty!" exclaimed the girl.

"It just suits me," said Burnham, "it was made to order from my own designs."

"Only two can ride, I see. I thought it was to be a touring car."

"So it is for two," and he smiled, "with fine baggage capacity back of the seat."

"What an enormous one, too. Is it fast?"

"It's something of a racer, Miss Spofford, but with all the comforts of a touring car. Sixty horse-power, good for sixty miles an hour on good roads." "Splendid! Won't you teach me to drive it sometime? I'd love to." Her head bent forward and she looked at him questioningly. "You will?" persistently.

"To be sure I will," he replied, "if you wish it. Shall we begin to-morrow afternoon ?"

"I'll be ready," she replied, with animation. "Now, that's settled. From here to Great Head on the Beach Road there is six miles of good macadam and probably no one on it as early as this. How quickly can we make it?" "Reckless little woman! You like

to drive fast?"

"I love it."

"Hold hard to your seat," he warned. The car jumped forward as he advanced the throttle, leaning low over the wheel, meantime with his eyes fixed on the stretch of road ahead. The girl almost involuntarily crouched toward him. There seemed to be no noise, wind, or anything to distract the attention from the gray streak of road upon which she gazed intently, and along the sides of which flew fences, occasional trees and clumps of bushes, and were gone before they could be recognized one from the other. Nothing seemed to occupy her mind but the thought that of a sudden one of those blurred objects might be

directly ahead in the road instead of along its sides. As this thought grew upon her, it seemed as if she could not bear it. She tried to speak, but could

not.

Suddenly they flew around a wide. curve and there beyond, entirely unconscious of the approaching danger, was a little child at play in the middle of the road. Grace nearly stopped breathing and closed her eyes to shut out the horrible thing she expected would happen. The horn gave forth a belated warning. belated warning. Instinctively she grasped the handles on her seat with all her strength and braced her feet as if trying in some way with the little force she was able to exert to stop the onward rush of the heavy car. It was fortunate for her that she did so, for she was almost wrenched from her seat when a moment later the big roadster lurched to one side and shot by the frightened little fellow, the outside wheels passing along the very edge of a deep stone culvert.

It was not until they were safely back in the road again and running at slow speed that either spoke or really began to breath freely again, but the girl thrilled from head to foot at the thought of such masterful control and daring. The man's face looked pale and tense when he stopped in the shade of a big apple tree and removed his goggles.

"If anything had happened to you or that little fellow back there, I could never have forgiven myself," he said, hoarsely. "Were you hurt by the sudden lurch?" he continued, anxiously.

"Not in the least, but I must confess I was terribly frightened."

"I

"No wonder," he ejaculated. never should have taken that curve so fast. It was the most careless thing I ever did." After a pause he continued, with a rueful smile, "I'm afraid I've made a very bad beginning. You see I'd intended to-day to ask you to entrust your happiness to my safe keeping as the future Mrs. Burnham, and now see how careless I've been. But you must have known how I love you, Grace. I want you, need