Part 57 (1/2)

That Father Frontford did not more fully realize Philip's condition was probably due to the near approach of the election. As the time for the convention drew near, the supporters of the rival candidates redoubled their exertions; there was hurrying to and fro, writing of letters and continued consultation, all of which inevitably distracted the attention of the Father. He did perceive, however, that Philip was troubled, and nothing could have been more tender or considerate than his att.i.tude. He did not talk to Ashe about Maurice, but he contrived to make his deacon understand that no blame was attached to him for the apostasy of Wynne. Philip found a new affection for the Father springing in his heart, so soothing, so winning was the sympathy of the Superior.

The days pa.s.sed on until the convention actually a.s.sembled. Philip was feverishly anxious; yet he persistently a.s.sured himself that he had no doubt in regard to the result. He felt that the end had been accomplished by the work which had already been done; and the convention itself seemed to him somewhat unreal and unmeaning. It had in his mind not much more than the function of announcing a result which he felt to have been arrived at already in the canva.s.sing of lists of delegates in which he had taken part at Mrs. Wilson's. Until the thing was formally announced, however, it was impossible to be at ease.

The first day of the convention was mainly one of organization and of preparation. Business was disposed of and all made ready for the election of the morrow. Philip went into the convention in the hour of recreation. He tried to be interested in matters which he a.s.sured himself were of real importance; yet he found his memory dwelling on Maurice and the times they had talked of this convention. Even his efforts to fix his thoughts on the election itself could not drive his friend from his mind. He walked home at last, saying pa.s.sionately that he had ceased to care for the church, for its welfare, its fate; that he had cared only for his own selfish desires and interests. He looked back upon the convention which he had left, and saw mentally a picture of men who seemed strange and remote, concerned with matters which he did not understand, in which he had no interest. He felt completely out of key with everything; he longed for Maurice with unspeakable pain. He had rested on Maurice. In every mental crisis he had depended upon finding his friend at hand, sympathetic, strong, responsive; he had come to be as one unable to stand alone. It seemed impossible for him to go on longer without seeing his fellow, his friend, his confidant, his support. The convention and the Clergy House alike became misty and accidental in comparison with his own desperate need of Maurice.

A couple of blocks from the House he was joined by a fellow deacon.

”I say, Ashe,” was the other's greeting, ”did you ever know anything so unfortunate as that Wilson letter?”

Philip turned upon him an uncomprehending face.

”What is the Wilson letter?” he inquired absently.

”What? Don't you know about it? I saw you at the convention.”

”I was there a little while; but there was nothing said about a letter, that I heard.”

”Oh, there has been nothing said about it in the convention, but they say it will turn the scale.”

”But what is it?”

”It's a letter Mrs. Wilson--Mrs. Chauncy Wilson, you know--you must know who she is?”

”Yes; I know her.”

”Well, this is a letter that she wrote to a rector in the western part of the State,--his name was Briggs or Biggs, or something of that kind.

She said that if he didn't vote for Father Frontford she could get him out of his parish.”

”What!” exclaimed Philip. ”She couldn't have written such a thing!”

”There's a fac-simile of it in the hands of every member of the convention.”

”But how did it get out?”

”They say,” answered the other, eager to impart his information, ”that a man named Rangely had it printed, and sent it around. I don't know who he is, but he's a newspaper man, I believe.”

”I know who he is,” Philip returned, ”but I thought he was a friend of Mrs. Wilson. I've seen him at her house. How did he get the letter?”

”I'm sure I don't know; but he had it. He's written a circular to go with it. He says that that is the way the friends of Father Frontford are trying to secure the election. There is a great deal of feeling about it.”

”But will it make much difference?”

”They say that it will turn the scale. There are a number of men who were in doubt, and this is likely to be enough to insure Mr.

Strathmore's election.”

”What a disgraceful trick!” Philip cried indignantly. ”Father Frontford isn't responsible for what Mrs. Wilson did. Besides, it doesn't change the real facts of the case. It doesn't make Father Frontford any the less the right man.”

”Of course it doesn't,” was the reply. ”But I've been talking with my uncle. He's a delegate from Springfield. He says that he's sure it will get Mr. Strathmore elected.”

The news gave Philip a shock, but it seemed impossible that a trivial, outside trick like this could alter the conscientious vote of the candidates. He was uneasy, but he seemed to have lost all vital care about the election, and even this disconcerting event did not greatly change his feeling. He reproached himself that he cared so little; yet his personal misery so absorbed him that his thoughts wandered even from this new cause for self-reproach.