ke, but you both know it's true, and you cannot deny
it. Harmon barely scraped through college, but he is considered a
gentleman's son, and understands the ways of polite society. Mark my
words, his career will be followed with great interest, and everything
he does will be noted and favourably commented upon. It will not be
long before he will be an Archdeacon, or a Dean, and finally a Bishop."

"Are you jealous of Harmon?" Dr. Rannage asked. "That is the only
conclusion I can draw from your sarcastic remarks."

"Jealousy has nothing to do with it," was the quick reply. "It is
merely justice that I demand, a right for every man to be judged
according to what he is and does, irrespective of what his father is,
or any influence he may exert. The Church is the last place where such
injustice should be allowed. But, there, what is the use of my talking
to you or any one else, when you attribute my feeling to jealousy?"

Douglas had risen, and stood with his hat in his hand ready to depart.

"So you don't feel inclined to try Rixton, then?" Dr. Rannage asked.
He was quite amused at his curate's words, and considered them merely
the outburst of a hot-headed youth. Douglas noted this, and with a
great effort controlled himself.

"I shall consider the matter very carefully," was his reply. "If I
decide to go, I shall report to the Bishop."

"Wait a minute," Dr. Rannage ordered as Douglas was about to leave the
room. "There is something I almost overlooked. You received your
cheque for last month, I suppose?"

"Yes, the treasurer gave it to me several days ago."

"There was a meeting of the vestry last night, and I mentioned that you
had sent in your resignation," Dr. Rannage explained.

"And I suppose all the members were delighted with the news."

"Why should they? They are all business men, and look well after the
temporalities of St. Margaret's. They paid tribute to your earnest
work, and as a token of appreciation they asked me to give you this,"
and Dr. Rannage handed the young man a cheque. "I think this will
prove to you better than many words how generous the members of the
vestry really are."

Douglas took the cheque in his hand and studied it very carefully. In
fact, he looked at it so long without saying anything that Dr. Rannage
was surprised.

"Are you not satisfied with it?" he curtly asked, noting the flush
which was slowly stealing over Douglas' face. "I took it upon myself
to ask