cking in loyal supporters.

But there was one person Douglas wished to see most of all, and as soon
as he could free himself from the throng, he turned around toward the
organ. But he looked in vain, for Nell was not there, neither was she
anywhere in the church.

CHAPTER XXX

BY THE OLD PINE TREE

While Douglas was talking to the people, Nell had slipped out of the
church by way of the vestry room. She wanted to be alone that she
might think. Her head was aching, and the fresh air made her feel
better. She went straight across the field toward her own home,
following the path she had so often travelled. This led her to the old
pine where she and Douglas had stood on that beautiful day which now
seemed so long ago.

Here she stopped and looked out over the river. The water was as clear
as glass, and she could see her reflection in the clear depths. Nell
believed she was safe here from all interruption, for those who had
been at church would go home by the main road. Her mind was greatly
agitated, and after a while she sat down by the side of the tree and
leaned her head against the trunk. Her face bore a strained look, and
her eyes were dry. She felt that she must now banish Douglas from her
mind forever. Why had he deceived her? she asked herself over and over
again. Why had he come into her life, bringing such joy to her lonely
heart, and then dispelling it all in one brief hour? If he had only
remained the same ordinary man as when working for Jake Jukes, how
happy she would be. She could love him then with all the ardour of a
true, pure woman. But a clergyman in disguise! The thought repelled
and stung her, even though she knew why he had done it. Henceforth, he
would be a changed man, so she believed, hedged about by the dignity
and conventions of his position, and no longer the free and
companionable John Handyman as she had known him.

As she sat thus and thought, her mind gradually grew calmer, and she
became more self-possessed. She even chided herself for feeling so
depressed. What was John Handyman to her, anyway? Merely an
acquaintance, whom she had known but a few weeks. She really knew
nothing about his past life, for he had been most guarded in speaking
about himself. Perhaps he was already engaged to some girl, and he may
have been with her during his absence from Rixton. She had no
guarantee that he loved her, although she believed that he liked to be
with her. She