ful she was of her father's
comfort. But what was the mystery surrounding the man she was in the
habit of meeting by the old tree on the shore? It was quite evident
that her father knew nothing about it. He longed to know more, and the
professor's antagonism to "parsons" and church "leaders in the parish."

He thought over these problems the next morning as he worked in the
field. Jake might know something, but he did not care to ask him. He
did not wish his employer to have any idea that he was interested in
the Strongs. Though he would not acknowledge it to himself, yet his
hesitation, in fact, was due to the feeling that in some way the real
secret of his heart might be revealed. He did not wish to let others
have the slightest hint of the deep impression Nell had already made
upon him.

Just as they had finished dinner, a neighbour, driving down the road,
left a message for Jake. It was from Si Stubbles, who wanted Jake to
help him that afternoon with his hay. He was short-handed at the mill
and could not spare a man for the field.

"That's jist like Si," Jake growled, as the neighbour drove away.
"He's always thinkin' of himself, an' can't seem to see that others
have hay to git in."

"But you don't have to go, do you?" Douglas asked. "It isn't fair to
ask you to leave your own hay."

"H'm, that's all very well in theory. But I guess ye don't know Si
yit. If I don't help him this afternoon, he'll never fergit it, an'
next winter, when I want a job with my team, he'll remember it. Si
wouldn't fergit, not on yer life."

"Suppose I go, then, in your place," Douglas suggested. "It will be
better for you to stay here as you know more about your own work."

"Would ye mind?" Jake asked, much relieved. "You will do jist as well
as me."

Douglas was only too glad to go. He did want to meet Si Stubbles of
whom he had heard so much, and this was too good an opportunity to
miss. He would, no doubt, see Stubbles, and thus be able to form an
opinion of the man without arousing any suspicion. He would be a
farm-hand and nothing more.

The Stubbles' house was an imposing one, situated but a short distance
from the main highway. A spacious verandah ran around the front and
sides, several feet from the ground. Everything about the place was in
excellent condition, the lawn well kept, and the hedges neatly trimmed.
To protect the grounds from trespassers, a strong wire fence had been
erected along the