he winds, and raved, cursed and
stamped in his fury.

"Stop that," Douglas sternly ordered, stepping forward and laying his
right hand firmly upon his shoulder. "If you have no respect for
yourself, have it for the ladies who are present."

Ben's only reply was to throw aside the warning hand and hit his
opponent a blow in the face. Like lightning Douglas suddenly reached
out, seized Ben in his arms, lifted him bodily from the floor, and
hurried with him toward the door. Ben tore and scratched like a
wildcat in his efforts to free himself. But he was helpless in the
powerful grip, and soon he found himself tumbling down the steps
leading to the hall.

Douglas stood for a few seconds at the door looking out into the night.
Then he turned and walked slowly back across the room, picked up his
violin and put it into its case.

"I think it best to discontinue the dance," he told the people who were
watching him with keenest interest. "I am in no mood for playing any
more to-night."

As he spoke his eyes happened to rest upon the Stubbles sisters, who
were standing together on the opposite side of the hall. Scorn and
anger were depicted upon their faces as they glared upon him. It was
the elder, Miss Annabel, who gave the parting thrust. She stepped
quickly forward into the middle of the room, and looked about over the
gathering.

"When you have another dance," she began, "see to it that you get some
one to play who has the instincts of a gentleman. Pa will be greatly
annoyed when he hears how our pleasant evening has been spoiled, and by
an unknown farm-hand at that." She emphasised "farm-hand" and cast a
look of withering scorn upon Douglas.

The latter bowed slightly before this outburst, and picked up his
violin.

"I feel that all the reasonable ones here to-night know quite well who
spoiled the dance," he replied. "They can judge for themselves who has
shown the want of the instincts of a true gentleman."

Having said this, he moved swiftly toward the door and disappeared into
the night.

CHAPTER XII

ASTRAY ON THE HILLS

Leaving the hall, Douglas walked slowly up the road. He had partly
expected to find Ben waiting outside, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Douglas had not gone far, however, ere an auto overtook him and went by
at great speed. He knew very well who was the driver, though he could
not tell how many were in the car. He smiled grimly to himself as he
thought of Ben's ange