p this
church and congregation to His honour and glory. There's some water.
Can't you baptize us now?"

The minister turned to the pitcher, which always stood on his desk,
filled his palm, and asked: "What is the baby's name?"

"Katherine Eleanor Peters," said Kate.

"Katherine Eleanor, I baptize thee," said the minister, and he laid his
hand on the soft curls of the baby. She scattered the flowers she was
holding over the altar as she reached to spat her hands in the water on
her head and laughed aloud.

"What is your name?" asked the minister.

"Katherine Eleanor Holt," said Kate.

Again the minister repeated the formula, and then he raised both hands
and said: "Let us pray."

CHAPTER XXVI

THE WINGED VICTORY

KATE turned and placing the baby on the front seat, she knelt and put
her arms around the little thing, but her lips only repeated the words:
"Praise the Lord for this precious baby!" Her heart was filled with
high resolve. She would rear the baby with such care. She would be
more careful with Adam. She would make heroic effort to help him to
clean, unashamed manhood. She would be a better sister to all her
family. She would be friendlier, and have more patience with the
neighbours. She would join in whatever effort the church was making to
hold and increase its membership among the young people, and to raise
funds to keep up the organization. All the time her mind was busy
thinking out these fine resolves, her lips were thanking the Lord for
Little Poll. Kate arose with the benediction, picked up the baby, and
started down the aisle among the people she had known all her life. On
every side strong hands stretched out to greet and welcome her. A
daughter of Adam Bates was something new as a church member. They all
knew how she could work, and what she could give if she chose; while
that she had stood at the altar and been baptized, meant that something
not customary with the Bates family was taking place in her heart. So
they welcomed her, and praised the beauty and sweetness of the baby
until Kate went out into the sunshine, her face glowing.

Slowly she walked home and as she reached the veranda, Adam took the
baby.

"Been to the cemetery?" he asked.

Kate nodded and dropped into a chair.

"That's too far to walk and carry this great big woman," he said,
snuggling his face in the baby's neck, while she patted his cheeks and
pulled his hair. "Why didn't you tell me you wan