ant, and so sudden and terrible was
his onslaught that the champion boxer of Glenoro had a distinct
impression that he was meeting his match. Donald was just settling to
the fierce joy of battle when the schoolmaster flung himself upon them.

"There's somebody coming! Stop, Donald! For heaven's sake stop, Mr.
Egerton!" he implored frantically.

The antagonists parted with a sudden awakening to their position. The
minister was fighting with one of his church members! For an instant
the two young men stood back and regarded each other with something
like horror. Donald looked at the dark bruise on the other's lately
handsome face, and, realising who it was he had struck, his generous
heart smote him.

The approaching group turned off into another path, and as their voices
died away a terrible silence fell upon the four. Donald was the first
to break it. Duncan Polite's nephew could be courteous even in the
midst of his anger.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Egerton," he said with quiet dignity; "I should
not have struck you; I forgot your position."

But John Egerton's rage was still shaking him. "I regret very much
that my position makes it impossible for me to give you the thrashing
you deserve. If I were not the minister of this place----" His voice
choked with anger.

Donald's lips grew tight at this reception of his apology. "You are
happy in your choice of profession, sir," he said quietly. "It is at
least--safe."

The other stepped forward, his hands clenched. "Do you intend to
insult me again?" he demanded, his face white.

"I was merely going to add," said Donald with a smile, "that it's
rather hard on the profession."

Mr. Watson caught his pastor round the waist in a determined grasp.

"Splinterin' Andra's coming down the path!" he whispered wildly.
"He'll be here in two minutes! Don Neil, you ought to be ashamed of
yourself! Mr. Egerton," he implored, "for goodness' sake come away!"
He dragged the unwilling young man out of the pathway. "If this gets
out you'll not be able to stay in Glenoro another day! Think of
yourself! Think how it would look!"

Donald stood for a moment after they had left, torn between anger and
shame. The small cause of all this commotion stood shifting from one
foot to another and looking up at his big brother with frightened eyes.
"I never made the other fellows cut off, Don," he whispered as they
stepped quickly out of the way of the elder, "honor bright, I