r, and he wondered in what way he would try to
wreak a suitable revenge. He realised now that the Stubbles were his
principal opponents in the place, and he felt quite sure that they had
been the chief cause of the trouble in church affairs in the past. Why
did the people allow them to rule in such an autocratic way? he asked
himself. Surely there was some one strong enough to oppose their pride
and impudence.

It was a beautiful evening, and Douglas was in no hurry to reach home.
Several teams overtook him, and as they approached, the animated voices
became stilled. All knew the silent man walking alone in the night,
and they waited until they were well past before resuming their
conversation.

At length he came to the brow of the hill where it dipped into the
valley, and here a most glorious scene was presented to his view.
Beyond, lay the river, without a ripple disturbing its surface. Above,
shone the moon, and across the water a stream of light lay like a path
of burnished silver, leading to a world of enchantment beyond.
Douglas' heart was deeply stirred at the sight, and he sat down under a
fir which stood on the edge of a clump of trees, and leaned back
against the trunk. He feasted his soul upon the magnificent panorama
before him. It was just what he needed to dispel the miasma which had
been gathering around him owing to his recent contact with the
Stubbles. The air, rich and fragrant with the scent of new-mown hay,
stimulated him like a magic elixir. Mother Nature was in one of her
most gentle moods, and with unseen fingers soothed both heart and brain
of her ardent worshipper.

Ere long, the sound of voices fell upon his ears, causing him to listen
attentively. Several people were walking slowly along the road
discussing the incident at the hall.

"He's in for it now, all right." It was a man who spoke.

"What can Ben do?" It was a woman who asked the question. "He was
given the chance to fight it out there and then, but he acted like a
fool."

"Ha, ha, Ben was cornered for once to-night. It needed a stranger to
bring him to his senses."

"Who is that man, anyway? I liked the way he behaved, and his playing
was so nice."

Douglas could not hear what the man said in reply, though he longed to
know. It gave him a degree of comfort, however, to feel that all did
not blame him for the disturbance at the hall. He knew how necessary
it was to win the good will of the people in general