II_Broken Barriers

Grace’s announcement at home that she was to leave Shipley’s to become

Miss Reynolds’s secretary greatly pleased her mother, who saw in the

change a social advancement. It was much more in keeping with her idea

of the Durland dignity for a daughter of the house to serve a lady

of wealth as secretary than to be selling ready-made-clothing. And

Mrs. Durland hoped Grace would appreciate the privilege of becoming

identified with so praiseworthy a philanthropy.

Ethel, possibly jealous of Miss Reynolds’s growing interest in Grace,

expressed at once her concern as to proper religious influences in

the proposed club. She confessed to disappointment that Miss Reynolds

had not manifested more interest in the girls’ club in Dr. Ridgely’s

church. Miss Reynolds might very easily have given the church the

benefit of the money she would spend on an independent work. It was

not quite loyal, she thought, to the church and all it stood for; but

she hoped the souls of the young women who lived in the club would be

properly cared for and that Dr. Ridgely would be on the board; she

favored strong boards to administer such institutions.

“There ain’t goin’ to be no board,” Grace answered cheerily, “of the

kind you mean. The girls are going to run the place themselves.”

“Then it won’t last long. I have no faith in such things.”

“Better get some, Sis. Miss Reynolds knows what she’s about. She’s

hoping others will follow her example and make a chain of such clubs.”

Grace learned from her father that there had been no developments

in the motor since Kemp’s death; he didn’t know where he stood, but

Trenton had been encouraging as to the outcome. The reorganization made

necessary by the absorption of the Cummings concern was causing the

delay, Durland thought.

“Trenton’s a busy man these days, but he’s spent several evenings with

me at the shop. He’s a big man; he knows what he’s about and he’s been

mighty fine to me.”

“I’m glad of that, daddy. I’m sure Mr. Trenton would tell you if he

didn’t mean to go through with it.”

“I think you’re right, Grace. It’s a little hard waiting--and I’ve done

a lot of waiting in my time.”

“You dear! We’ve got to believe the patient waiter gets the biggest

tips--that’s our slogan!”

She tapped him lightly on the shoulder as she spoke, keeping time to

her words. He didn’t know how his praise of Trenton had warmed her

heart. The fact that he saw Trenton and no doubt would continue to meet

him frequently gave her father a new interest in her eyes.

Grace saw Miss Reynolds every few days, and was finding relief and

happiness in the prospect of her new work. Irene expressed the greatest

satisfaction when Grace told her that she was leaving Shipley’s.

“It’s more in your line, Grace. And I certainly hand it to Little Old

Ready-Money for having the sense to appreciate you. If she hadn’t been

the real goods she’d have backed away when you told her about Ward.

Some woman, I say! It does sort of cheer things up to know there are

people like that in the world. By the way, have you seen John lately?”

“Not since Tommy died.”

“Well, there’s another of the saints!” said Irene. “He’s pretending

now he doesn’t know we were on a wild party and that he saved our

reputations. He won’t talk about it; not at all! So don’t try to thank

him. Tommy’s estate is going through Sanders’s office and John’s no end

busy. He’s getting acquainted with Ward--funny how things work out! But

if John has any idea about you and Ward he never lets on. I thought