le table, Nell looked around the room
to see that everything was arranged in its proper place. And as she
stood there, an auto swung up and stopped just outside the open door.
Glancing quickly around, Nell saw a man in khaki alight from the car,
with a small grip in his hand, and step into the vestry. He paused in
pleased surprise when he saw who was in the room, and at once held out
his hand.

"Oh, I am so glad to see you, Miss Strong," he began. "I did not
expect to find you here."

"Mr. Handyman!" Nell gasped, as she allowed her hand to remain in his
for a few seconds. "I had no idea of seeing you here to-day. Where is
the clergyman?"

"Right here," Douglas smiled. "Don't you understand?"

"You!" and the colour suddenly left Nell's cheeks. It seemed as if she
had not heard aright.

"Yes, I am to take the service to-day. Will you forgive me?"

Nell stood for a few seconds uncertain what to do or say. Her mind was
in a tumult. She had imagined many things as to Douglas' identity, but
never once had she suspected him of being a clergyman.

"There are the hymns," she at length told him, steadying her voice as
much as possible. "It is service time, and the people are getting
impatient."

Without another word she walked out of the vestry. She tried to be
calm, but her hands trembled as she began to play, and it appeared to
her that all must notice her agitation. Never had the church seemed so
hot, and she longed to be away by herself that she might think over the
startling discovery.

There was almost a sensation in the church that afternoon when Douglas
appeared and gave out the opening hymn. An intense silence ensued,
broken only by the sweet organ notes. Very few in the congregation
thought of singing, as they were too busy whispering to one another.
Jake Jukes stood dumbfounded. He could not believe his eyes, and paid
no heed to his wife who kept nudging his arm. Empty's mouth was wide
open and his eyes were fairly starting out of his head. His mother,
too, was greatly affected, and her hand trembled so much that she could
hardly hold her hymn book. Even Joe Benton forgot to follow the words,
and gazed intently upon the clergyman.

But the greatest feeling of consternation was in the pew where the
Stubbles sat. They were all there except Ben, and the sisters were
dressed in their finest. For once they forgot about their clothes, and
stared with undisguised wonder upon the white-robed m