ed.

"Old 'Elder Blake'?--not except as he was on his knees, alone at home,
praying for the fighters--both sides," was Guy's explanation. "So Father
says, and nobody knows better what side people were on."

"If I can get hold of a man whose part in the quarrel was praying for
both sides, I'm off to find him," said Sewall, decidedly. He picked up
his hat as he spoke. "Tell me where he lives, please."

"Billy!" His sister Margaret's voice was anxious. "Are you sure you'd
better? Perhaps it would be kind to ask him to make a prayer. But you
won't----"

"You won't ask him to preach the sermon, Billy Sewall--promise us that,"
cried Guy. "An old man in his dotage!"

Sewall smiled again, starting toward the door. Somehow he did not look
like the sort of fellow who could be easily swayed from an intention
once he had formed it--or be forced to make promises until he was
ready. "You've got me up here," said he, "now you'll have to take
the consequences. Where did you say 'Elder Blake' lives?"

And he departed. Those left behind stared at one another, in dismay.

"Keep cool," advised Sam Burnett. "He wants the old man's advice--that's
all. I don't blame him. He wants to understand the situation thoroughly.
Nothing like putting your head into a thing before you put your foot in.
It saves complications. Sewall's head's level--trust him."

[Illustration:
"Billy!" His sister Margaret's voice was anxious.
"Are you sure you'd better?"]

V

"I can't--" said a very old man with a peaceful face--now wearing a
somewhat startled expression-- "I can't quite believe you are serious,
Mr. Sewall. The people are all expecting you--they will come out to hear
you. I have not preached for--" he hesitated-- "for many years. I will
not say that it would not be--a happiness. If I thought I were fit.
But----"

"If I were half as fit," answered Sewall, gently, "I should be very
proud. But I'm--why, I'm barely seasoned, yet. I'm liable to warp, if
I'm exposed to the weather. But you--with all the benefit of your long
experience--you're the sort of timber that needs to be built into this
strange Christmas service. I hadn't thought much about it, Mr. Blake,
till I was on my way here. I accepted the invitation too readily. But
when I did begin to think, I felt the need of help. I believe you can
give it. It's a critical situation. You know these people, root and
branch. I may say the wrong thing. You will know how to say the righ