ade him good-by.

"I should like to very much," was the reply. "I am most anxious to see
your book, and hear more about it."

"Certainly, certainly. That will give me great pleasure. I intended
to discuss it with you this evening, but I do not feel equal to it now."

"And I want to hear some of your wonderful music," Nell remarked. "I
am so sorry that you have not played anything this evening."

"There is nothing wonderful about it, I assure you, Miss Strong. Just
ordinary music."

"It is wonderful," Nan declared. "I have heard you twice now, and I
guess I know. And when you come next time, remember you're not going
to play all the time, nor talk book nor Church matters; you're going to
talk to me. I've got a whole string of questions I want to ask you,
and this afternoon I've had to be as mum as an oyster."

"All right, then," Douglas laughingly replied. "I shall see that you
are not overlooked the next time I come."

The western sky was all aglow as Douglas walked slowly along the road.
There was a sweet peace over meadow and forest. The thought of Nell
brought a thrill to his heart and a strange new peace into his soul, It
was the mystic glow, the prelude of the coming night, and the dawn of a
new to-morrow.

CHAPTER X

PRIDE AND IMPUDENCE

It was not easy for Douglas to get to sleep that night. He thought
much about the Bentons and their anxiety over their wayward daughter.
How sad it was that a young life should be so quickly and easily ruined
in the city. He knew that there were many such cases, of mere girls,
carefully reared, who were drawn to the city only to be singed or
ruined, as moths by the glaring flame. An angry feeling came into his
heart, as he recalled how little was being done to keep such girls from
destruction. He thought of Dr. Rannage, and his indifference to such
matters. Instead of talking, always talking, he could accomplish so
much by throwing the weight of his influence as rector of St.
Margaret's into the cause.

From the Bentons and their troubles, his mind drifted on to the
professor and his daughters. He became greatly puzzled over their
position. They had a comfortable home, and seemed to be doing well.
Why, then, was it necessary for the blind old man and Nan to beg on the
city streets? Did Nell know about it? he wondered. A vision of her
beauty and grace of manner rose before him. What strength of character
she seemed to possess, and how thought