The Barrier: A Novel

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  THE BARRIER

  A Novel

  by

  ALLEN FRENCH

  Author of "The Colonials"

  New YorkDoubleday, Page & Company1904

  Copyright, 1904, byDoubleday, Page & CompanyPublished, May, 1904

  To C. E. S. AND S. P. S.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE

  I. The Statement of the Case 3

  II. Which Enlarges the Stage 10

  III. Sets the Ball to Rolling 21

  IV. An Understanding 26

  V. Various Points of View 32

  VI. Introducing an Eccentric 41

  VII. Chebasset 52

  VIII. The Progress of Acquaintance 65

  IX. New Ideas 75

  X. Drawn Both Ways 83

  XI. An Incident at the Mill 92

  XII. Forwards Various Affairs 102

  XIII. Which Is in Some Respects Unsatisfactory 114

  XIV. Mr. Pease Intrudes Upon a Secret 123

  XV. Which Develops the Colonel's Financial Strategy 130

  XVI. Something New 145

  XVII. Which Deals with Several of Our Personages 155

  XVIII. Judith Buys a Typewriter 163

  XIX. "Put Money in Thy Purse" 175

  XX. The Power of Suggestion 182

  XXI. Ellis Takes His Last Step but One 194

  XXII. Haroun Al Raschid 206

  XXIII. Plain Language 218

  XXIV. Bringing About an Understanding 224

  XXV. The Colonel Gives Up His Luxuries 235

  XXVI. In which Judge Harmon Enters the Story 242

  XXVII. In which Judge Harmon Leaves the Story 250

  XXVIII. Judith Binds Herself 255

  XXIX. Knowledge of New Things 263

  XXX. Time Begins His Revenges 275

  XXXI. Brings About Two New Combinations 286

  XXXII. Which Is in Some Respects Satisfactory 295

  XXXIII. Contains Another Proposal of Marriage, and Settles an Old Score 307

  LIST OF CHARACTERS

  _IN THE ORDER OF THEIR MENTION_

  STEPHEN F. ELLIS, promoter and political boss.

  GEORGE MATHER, a young business man.

  JUDITH BLANCHARD, of the social set.

  MRS. HARMON, who has risen by her marriage.

  JUDGE ABIEL HARMON, advanced in years.

  COLONEL BLANCHARD, Judith's father.

  BETH, his remaining daughter.

  MR. PRICE, the fashionable jeweller.

  MR. FENNO, head of one of the old families.

  MR. PEASE, a banker.

  JIM WAYNE, of the social set.

  MR. DAGGETT, a supporter of Ellis.

  MISS JENKS, Mather's stenographer.

  STOCK, a labor agitator.

  THE BARRIER