self when I think of it. and began to talk, I felt

When he came up the aisle that Sunday brought to a bar of justice, and when he

fell dead, I felt like a murderer. (A short pause.)

NORMAN.—We are all under the same condemnation. He had tramped the town for three days, and you were the only one who gave him even a word of encouragement.

MAXWELL.—It seems incredible, and Christianity nineteen centuries old! In spite of the effect he produced,—people talked of little else for a week,—they are already forgetting it.

NORMAN.—For myself the impression deepens.

MAXWELL.—That is true for me and, I think, for all our pledge takers. The man's perfectly quiet manner, which yet covered most passionate feeling gave intense effect to his words. I confess I was surprised when Dr. West joined us in the pledge. He calls himself an agnostic.

Aw

NORMAN.—No one will more conscientiously carry it out. fully good fellow! Rough and blunt in his ways, but a heart of pure gold.

MAXWELL.—I am glad Virginia has him to help her along in her new life. She will not receive much sympathy from the rest of her family. Madam Page is a typical society woman and Rollin is devoted to his club. Good fellow, though.

NORMAN.—Miss Winslow will receive some opposition in carrying out her pledge, I fancy.

MAXWELL.—I am afraid so. Mrs. Winslow is very ambitious for Rachel, and has spent a good deal of money on her musical education. Their ideas of Rachel's future are likely to clash.

NORMAN. She and Virginia are great friends. I am expecting Virginia here this morning. I have some papers for her to sign. I advise her somewhat about her business.

MAXWELL.-She attends to it herself?

NORMAN.—Yes, Virginia has a good business head and has complete control of her property. She looks personally after all her investments. [Enter Virginia and Rachel R. E. Shaking hands with Rachel.) Good morning, Miss Winslow. (Maxwell shakes hands with Rachel. Shaking hands with Virginia.) I hoped you would be in this morning. Well, what did you think about that proposition?

VIRGINIA. The land is certainly very cheap. It cannot fail to be a good investment. I have the money lying idle, so I think I will take it.

NORMAN.—You will never regret it. It's worth more than double the price asked, but the land has been in litigation for years, and they want to settle up the estate now.

VIRGINIA.—All right. I will take it.

NORMAN.—If you will sign a couple of papers here, I can attend to the whole thing for you.

VIRGINIA. Thank you, Mr. Norman, you are very kind. (Norman goes to desk and begins to arrange papers.)

MAXWELL.-(Turning to Virginia.) I was just about to tell Mr. Norman of a proposition your uncle, Dr. West, made.

VIRGINIA.—What was it, Mr. Maxwell?

MAXWELL.—He wants to put up a tent in the Rectangle and

hold religious services.

VIRGINIA. (Smiles.) Uncle is a dear, but who would have thought of his proposing that.

MAXWELL—I thought it somewhat surprising for an agnostic. RACHEL.—Dr. West is no agnostic when it comes to anything worth while. He is positive enough then.

VIRGINIA.—Rachel and uncle are great chums. He has called her his little sweetheart ever since he took her on expeditions to Banbury Cross. I wouldn't wonder if she knew all about the Rectangle scheme.

MAXWELL.-(Turns to Rachel.) Is that so? I saw him only a moment. He simply mentioned it and was gone in a flash. Tell us about it.

RACHEL. He only said he thought it would be a good thing, and asked me if I would sing. What did you say?

NORMAN. (Turning from desk.)
RACHEL.—Of course I said yes.

about it.

VIRGINIA.-(Laughing.)

I thought just as he did

Of course she did. Rollin often says

if she would listen to him as she does to uncle, there would be some

hope for him. (All smile but Rachel.)

RACHEL.-(A little stiffly.) If he was always right, as Dr. West is, probably should.

VIRGINIA.-(Puts arm around her.) Of course, dear, Rollin is not very sage, but he is a dear boy and will improve with age. (Enter West R.) Why, there is uncle now. (West goes to C. Vir

ginia to R. C. Rachel to L. C. near Maxwell.)

WEST.—I saw you girls coming in here and thought it a good chance to spring my scheme on you.

NORMAN.—Go on, let's have it.

WEST.--There's a vacant lot near that worst saloon in the Rectangle. I can get the use of it. Let's put up a tent and give those people something to hear except obscenity and profanity. MAXWELL.—We were just talking about it. WEST.—Well, what do you think about it? Go in for it? MAXWELL.—Do you think we could get hold of them? Be possible to interest them?

WEST.—If Rachel will sing they will be interested quick enough. NORMAN.-(Laughs.) And Mr. Maxwell will get in a little

on the side?

WEST.—May be. But it's awful, the life those young girls are exposed to. I've known some of them since they were babies, as I have these two. (Puts a hand on each.) I wish you girls could do something for one of them that I have in mind.

VIRGINIA.—Tell us about her, uncle.

WEST.—Father and mother both dead. Both killed by the drink devil. I was in hopes to save her, but accounts have not been satisfactory of late. I am afraid she is getting in bad ways. VIRGINIA.—What is her name?

WEST.—Loreen. Pretty too pretty for that place. An old fellow like me can't do much. It needs a woman.

VIRGINIA.—Where does she live, uncle?

WEST.—That's the worst of it. I've lost track of her, but if we have services there and Rachel sings, she'll come. She is pas

sionately fond of music. Fear it has lured her into the saloons. Well, Mr. Maxwell, what do you say?

MAXWELL.—You're right as usual, West. We'll all do our part. (Looks at others, who assent.)

WEST. That's right. I knew you'd see it.

Those people are not so hardened a crowd as the First Church. Give them the same chance and see what happens.

NORMAN.—What will we do about a tent?

WEST.—I'll see to that. I think that big firm will give us one. Virginia, are you going home? I will go with you for lunch. VIRGINIA. Delighted to have you. Just as soon as I sign these papers. (Goes to desk and signs papers.)

MAXWELL.—Can we do anything to better conditions in the Rectangle, until we get rid of the saloons?

WEST.-(Sighs.) Not much, I suppose. But we may keep them from becoming worse and in time you may grow enough Christians to stop licensing them.

MAXWELL.—The Christian element must triumph in time. NORMAN.—We will keep up the fight till it does, and fight in that hope.

WEST.—Well, girls, are you ready?

VIRGINIA. Yes. Rachel, come home with us. You don't often have a chance to lunch with uncle.

(Takes both girls by the arm Have you folks learned

WEST. Of course she's coming. and gently pushes them toward the door R.) to get along without eating?

NORMAN.—I cut out lunch and make it up at dinner. WEST.—I make it up both times. Good bye! (All good bye. Exeunt.)

MAXWELL.-Fine girls. They will be invaluable to our work in the Rectangle. But I presume the idea will be distasteful to Madam Page and Mrs. Winslow.

NORMAN.—Yes, I suppose so. But Virginia is entirely independent, and Rachel is much stronger than her mother.

MAXWELL.—All our pledge takers here this morning except Powers. He is very enthusiastic over some plans he is making for his workmen. He is in a position to do a good deal for them. Very popular, I think.

NORMAN.-Yes. He's a great worker and a good man.

MAXWELL.-(Looks at watch.) It is later than I thought. Good bye. See you at our meeting tonight?

NORMAN.—Yes. Good bye! (Exit Maxwell R. Turns to desk and looks over papers. Enter Clark.)

CLARK.—Here is the program for the Sunday morning edition. Any changes to make?

NORMAN.-(Turns around, leans back with his hands at the back of his head and speaks somewhat whimsically.) What would you say, if I should discontinue the Sunday paper? (Smiles.) CLARK. (Seats himself very deliberately and looks grave.) Mr. Norman, I have been connected with the News for a long time. May I be absolutely frank?

NORMAN.—Yes, Clark, I think we should thoroughly understand each other. You are a good friend, one I would not willingly lose. Say what is in your mind.

CLARK.—If you discontinue this paper, I shall consider you insane. It would mean a direct loss of thousands.

NORMAN. From my point of view, that is not the principal thing, you know.

CLARK.—But why do you object to the Sunday Edition? Most of the work is done through the week, and there is much instruction, literary, religious, and general, that many of the readers would not otherwise obtain;

NORMAN.—Yes, a page or two, to forty of sport, theaters, and

scandal.

CLARK.—It would not be fair to the subscribers; at least not until their subscriptions expire. They have paid for it.

NORMAN.—That is true. I must take time to consider. Leave the programme, I will look it over.

CLARK.—This reform business in journalism is a dangerous experiment, Mr. Norman. If we don't give the people what they want, we don't give them anything very long.

NORMAN.—Better nothing than the wrong thing. And see here, I have been looking at our advertising columns. As the contracts run out, notify the advertising agent not to solicit or renew the "ads" I have marked here.

CLARK.-(Looks over the columns with a very serious air.) This will mean a great loss to the "News." How long do you think you can keep it up?

NORMAN.—Clark, if Jesus were editor and proprietor of a daily paper in Raymond, would he print advertisements of whiskey in it? CLARK.—Well—no—! I don't suppose He would. But we can't do as He would. Newspapers can't be run on any such basis.

NORMAN.—Why not?

CLARK.-(Irritated.) Why not! money than they make, that's all.

Because they will lose more

NORMAN.-(As if to himself.) Do you think so? (after a pause.) You may do as I said. I shall look into other advertisements of a doubtful character. But I feel a conviction in regard to these that cannot be silenced.

CLARK.—It comes to this, then: you will bankrupt the paper in thirty days. We might as well face that future fact.

NORMAN.—I don't think we shall. Will you stay by the News, till it is bankrupt?

CLARK.—I cannot bear to leave, but Mr. Norman, I don't understand you. You are not the same man this week that I have always known.

NORMAN.—I don't know myself, either, Clark. Something remarkable has caught me up and borne me on. But I was never more convinced of final success. But you have not answered my question. Will you stay with me?

CLARK.— (Hesitates.) I can't leave you as long as you need me, Mr. Norman. I will stay (Holds out his hand.)

NORMAN.—(Taking it.) Thank you, Clark. I would be sorry to lose you. It would be difficult to fill your place.

CLARK.—I will stick by you, but I feel that the business under your new policy may collapse and ruin us at any moment.

NORMAN.-(Smiling.)

It is a

I'll give you time to get out from the ruins. (Clark shakes his head doubtfully. Exit L. E. Norman turns to desk and looks over papers. Enter Powers R. E.) POWERS.—Norman, can you spare me a half hour? good deal to ask, but (Me looks distressed and uncertain.) NORMAN.-(Rises and takes him cordially by the hand.) tainly, certainly, come in. Sit down. (Looks at him earnestly.) You look worried, Powers. I am not used to seeing that look on your face. What is it? You know we are pledged to help and stand by each other.

Cer

POWERS.—Thank you. I felt I needed your advice. (Takes paper from pocket.) Look at that, Norman. (Norman takes it, looks it over, starts, reads carefully, then drops it, and the two men look at each other.)

POWERS.—Well!

NORMAN. It is as distinct a breaking of the law, as if a person should enter a house and rob it. This discrimination in rebates is in total contempt of the statutes.

POWERS.—I know it. And this is positive evidence to convict the company of willful, intelligent violation of the laws.

NORMAN.—But this is not connected with your department! POWERS.—(Eagerly.) No. It is none of my business. I should be meddling with something that does not concern me. Surely it is none of my business. Don't you think so, Norman?

NORMAN. (Hesitates.) I don't understand.

paper come into your possession?

How did this

POWERS.—This paper was not meant for me, but by some error was addressed to me. Of course I would be expected to return it to the freight office, and know nothing about it.

NORMAN.—I see. Your duties to your employers and state

clash.

POWERS.

"Rises and walks excitedly.) Norman, what can I do in this railroad business where there is so much going on that makes it impossible to live by the Christian standard? If I see that everything is straight in my own department, isn't that all that can be reasonably expected?

NORMAN.—I suppose such discrimination in rates is no particular news.

POWERS.—No. Of course I always knew there was something of the sort going on, but I had no proof. Now I have it, what ought I to do? I would have to resign my position. There is my family. (drops in a chair.) They have always been used to luxury.

NORMAN.-(Rises and puts his hand sympathetically on his shoulder.) Don't do anything in haste. Think it over.

POWERS.—I had made so many plans for bettering the condition of my men. The company were going to help me. (rises.) Must I give it all up?

NORMAN.—There are many sides to a question like that. I wish I were wise enough to advise you.

POWERS. (Puts his hands on Norman's shoulders, speaks in low passionate tone.) Norman, what would Jesus do? (A slight pause.)