was looking him squarely in the face, and the lawyer
was freighted with satirical contempt.

The young minister spoke between clinched
teeth. "All those in favor will say Aye."

Brothers Pierce and Winch put up a simulta-
neous and confident Aye."

"No, you don't! interposed the lawyer, with
deliberate, sneering emphasis. "I decidedly pro-
test against Winch's voting. He's directly inter-
ested, and he mustn't vote. Your chairman knows
that perfectly well."

"Yes, I think Brother Winch ought not to vote,"
decided Theron, with great calmness. He saw
now what was coming, and underneath his surface
composure there were sharp flutterings.

"Very well, then," said Gorringe. "I vote No,
and it's a tie. It rests with the chairman now to
cast the deciding vote, and say whether this inter-
esting arrangement shall go through or not."

"Me?" said Theron, eying the lawyer with a cool self-control which had come all at once to him. "Me? Oh, I vote Aye."

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