on top, and he was raining
blows upon Robert's face in token of his victory, when all at once
Robert gave a sudden turn and landed Jake underneath before Jake
was aware of what was happening. But by this time Robert's heart was
talking to him about the fight, so he merely held Jake down until he
gave up and promised to go home and not make trouble any more. Then he
let him up.

Jake shook himself, and started home. Robert was so upset that he
could not work. He sat down on the porch of the house and took a
survey of the affair. He became so engrossed in his study that he did
not hear the sound of falling footsteps, until they were close upon
him. He looked up quickly, and met the scornful gaze of Peter Newby's
hazel eyes.

"And so you have become a fighting holiness man have you? You were so
holy a short time ago that you could insult an old man like me with
your insinuating remarks. Now, maybe you will believe me when I say
that man can't live without sinning," said Peter disdainfully.

Robert was so completely whipped by his own conscience that he felt no
inclination to defend himself. Indeed, how could he defend himself?

"Now, young man, you ought to drop this holiness stuff, for there is
nothing in it--all bunk. Living above sin are you? Ha! ha! ha!" and
the old man gave poor Robert an explosive horse-laugh.

"Goodbye, holy Robert," said Peter, as he drove away.

Robert sat still on the porch. He began to wonder if this was the way
he was going to dedicate his new home, and if he had destroyed his
influence in the community. What would Mary think of him! Good, quiet,
godly Mary, who had always looked up to him as the embodiment of noble
and manly qualities. And Mary was cherishing a little one under her
heart, and preparing to receive a priceless treasure. What kind of a
father was he going to be, Robert asked himself. Shall I tell her, or
shall I hide it? Swiftly the thoughts ran through his mind while big,
cold drops of sweat stood out upon his forehead like beads of crystal.
Never before had he felt so thoroughly miserable. In his youth, Robert
had never been quarrelsome, but he had accepted challenges whenever
they were made. Since his conversion, however, he had lived a
consistent Christian life, and he had been very particular of his
conduct since God had shown him light on holiness and sanctification.

"I will kneel down here and pray," said Robert, out loud. This
decision was his response to grim D