ibly, for a time; but when the young man, in the course
of his narrative, mentioned the names of his two traveling companions
from Lexington to Blennerhassett Island, Gilcrest's manner not only
lost its lately recovered geniality, but became harder and more frigid
than ever.

After striving vainly to bring his host back to a more pleasant mood,
Abner felt that he could not, in the face of Gilcrest's increasing
sternness and coldness, prolong the visit. Although it was raining
heavily, he declined Mrs. Gilcrest's timid invitation to remain to
dinner, and left a little before noon. As he rode home through the rain
he thought over every trifling incident of his hour at Oaklands. He
recalled every topic of conversation, without finding a clue to the
enigma. "He's harking back to my old transgression in upholding Stone,"
was his conclusion. "Interest in the account of my journey did for a
time beguile him into forgetfulness of my offense, but his mind at last
reverted to it; hence his return to the Frigid Zone. It was a regular
freeze-out toward the end. If he were not Betty's father, I'd have
nothing more to do with him. But what a fool I was to discuss
theological matters with him in the first place! After all, this church
trouble is no affair of mine, and Stone did not need my advocacy; he's
quite able, single-handed, to play St. George to the dragon of
sectarianism that trails its length through this region. A pretty time
I'll have now, trying to reinstate myself in the old gentleman's good
graces! I hope to heaven something will happen to call him out of the
way the first of November; for see Betty then I will, no matter what
happens."

When James Drane, after his talk with Gilcrest, reached the main
thoroughfare, instead of choosing the turning towards Bourbonton, he
took the opposite course towards Lexington. As soon as he was in his
office, and had barred his door, he carefully cut around the seal of
Abner's letter. It contained merely a few lines stating that the money
and books had been delivered to Innes.

"The devil take it!" he ejaculated. "This shows nothing as to whether
Sebastian and Murray took advantage of their opportunity to sound the
schoolmaster; and I now very much doubt if the self-sufficient young
prig can be drawn into our schemes. However, showing the address to
Gilcrest this morning did my own personal cause a good turn. Now, how
to follow up this advantage? I wonder if I could counterfeit
Seb