Father Gebhard listened with a cynical tolerance, then, in a tone of justification, retorted hotly: "We dare not invoke God's wrath by changing his immutable laws.'9

"The laws of love are unchangeable. Cowardly, I might live in terror and obey such a God as you describe, but reverence him - never."

A smile of contempt flitted across Father Gebhard's face as he shrugged his shoulders and spoke with grim sarcasm: "All your radical new-thought ideas, bordering on 'spookology', will never shake the foundation of our holy mother church; she is built on a rock and all the gates of hell shall not prevail against her."

"But truth will stand though church and empire fall."

"Well, I must admit, my good young friend, that I admire your zeal but not your logic. Let's get back to the point. With all your hair-brained argument I have almost forgotten what I came here for. Since you oppose this marriage, am I permitted to ask what you propose to do?"

"Certainly, my dear Father, shall we Hot like honorable Christian men, take Lillian by the hand and lead her into the ways of truth and light and exemplify the grand ethics of love, and in sympathy, charity and forgiveness, vindicate the true Christian character?"

Father Gebhard grasped Adoni's hand and shook it heartily: "I am with you, my boy."

"Fortunately I am in a position to compel my brother-in-law to support his child; he shall also bear all the necessary expense incurred by its birth."

"Supposing you had not this power of compulsion, what then?"

"The state would have full authority to enforce this requirement but should not have the right to enforce the delicate and vital relation of wedlock upon antagonistic natures. Then you will not lend your influence to urge this marriage?

"Never, if you choose to act in accordance with my suggestion, you may count on my hearty co-operation."

The priest added: "It isn't likely that your brother-in-law, if he did marry Lillian, would become a convert to the Catholic faith and might refuse to have the child baptized."

"I dare say that your church would gain nothing by forcing the marriage."

"But the plan you propose must be made legally binding," replied Father Gebhard cautiously." Suppose, that together we see the young man?"

"Very well. I leave the city at five but if we can locate our man there will be ample time to arrange all details. With the aid of the telephone Adoni succeeded in making an appointment with Gerald at his office.

At the appointed hour the two men presented themselves. The young man arose and came forward. At the sight of the priest, Gerald's countenance betrayed his apprehension.

Gerald Raymond was a man not over twenty-five, although his haggard expression and blase manner gave the appearance of one much older. A keen observer would at once have detected a certain recklessness about him; his features bore a strong likeness to those of his sister. His apparel was one which betrayed an almost effeminate weakness for personal adornment.

The room was elaborate in its furnishings, and reeked with the odor of cigarette smoke.

After the formality of introducing Father Gebhard, Adorn requested a moment's private conversation with Gerald and the two men at once repaired to an inner room. Without wasting time on preliminaries, Adoni began: "You know, Gerald, that I am not in the habit of interfering in your affairs, unless circumstances make it necessary. The present instance warrants such interference. As your guardian and trustee of your estate, I have come to see that you make provision for the support of your child."

"My child? What in hell are you driving at?"

"You know very well what I am referring to. It is quite useless for you to attempt a denial of your and Lillian's child," declared Adoni firmly.

"But," exclaimed Gerald with simulated amazement, his face red with guilty consciousness, "How in the devil can you force me to put up for this brat? How can you prove that I am the father of it?"

"There are plenty of things against you that I can prove. Tour past misconduct has placed you absolutely in my power, which you know would never be used unjustly against you, but which I shall employ, if it becomes necessary to secure justice to your own flesh and blood.

Father Gebhard and myself are here to demand that you make provision for the child's maintenance. If you agree to this, the question of marrying Lillian will be left entirely to your sense of honor."

Gerald turned pale. He knew it was no idle threat that Adoni was using to intimidate him. Through repeated experiences he had proven his inability to cope with his inflexible purpose. After all, his worst fear was not to be realized; he would not have to marry the girl and he felt a great relief and was ready to agree at once to Adoni's proposition.

"Does Frances know about this?"

"I told her this morning."

"May I ask where you got your information?" he asked abruptly.

"From an authentic source. That is all that is necessary for you to know for the present. And now, as Father Gebhard and myself are both busy men, you will greatly oblige us by coming with us at once to have the required papers drawn up with your signature."

Without further parley Adoni opened the door, assuring Father Gebhard that they were ready, nodding to Gerald, who followed reluctantly. Silently the three men hastened to the attorney's office, where all legal proceedings finished a painful ordeal.

Shaking hands with each other they all departed, apparently the best of friends.

"Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."