SYLVIA ASKS QUESTIONS The Wares had asked Sylvia to dine with them on Friday evening a fortnight later, and Harwood was to call for her at the minister's at nine o'clock.

Sylvia went directly to the Wares' from school, and on reaching the house learned that Mrs.Ware had not come home and that the minister was engaged with a caller in the parlor.

Sylvia, who knew the ways of the house well, left her wraps in the hall and made herself comfortable in the study, that curious little room that was never free from the odor of pipe smoke, and where an old cavalry sabre hung above the desk upon which in old times many sermons had been written.

A saddle, a fishing-rod, and a fowling-piece dwelt together harmoniously in one corner, and over the back of a chair hung a dilapidated corduroy coat.
It had been whispered in orthodox circles that Ware had amused himself one winter after his retirement by profanely feeding his theological library into the furnace.

However true this may be, few authors were represented in his library, and these were as far as possible compressed in one volume.