uld that some one
be?

CHAPTER VIII

HOME FOR REPAIRS

It was Sunday morning, and for the first time since coming to Rixton
Douglas felt discontented. It was a most beautiful day, with not a
ripple ruffling the surface of the river. A great peace and quietness
reigned everywhere, and yet there was something lacking. He could not
remember when he had awakened to the Day of Rest and found himself
unable to attend the service of his Church. It did not seem right, so
he mused, as he stood in front of the house looking down upon the
neglected church, that he should not minister to the people. And yet
he realised that it would upset all his plans if he attempted such a
thing now.

He strolled over to the rectory, and walked through the fields. How he
longed to repair the building and cultivate the land. He pictured to
himself the vegetables he might raise, and how the whole place could be
made a most delightful spot. With a suitable housekeeper, he could
have a happy home, visiting his people, caring for his garden, and with
some spare time for reading and study.

Hitherto, Douglas had not thought much about any one other than a paid
house-keeper. But now a feeling stole into his heart that he would
like to have some one else to grace the rectory--a wife, who would make
it a real home. Of all the women he had met, he could not think of one
he would care to marry, or who in turn would wish to be his wife. He
smiled at this idea, thinking that he was becoming sentimental. To
shake off the notion, he walked rapidly across the fields toward the
church. He had not visited it before, but viewed it only at a
distance. Everything around the building spoke of neglect. The
graveyard was thick with bushes, long grass and weeds. He observed
several new-made graves, and wondered what clergyman had conducted the
funeral services. The church needed painting, and the roof
reshingling. He tried the big front door, but found it fastened.
Through one of the side windows he was enabled to obtain a partial view
of the interior. The ceiling and walls were stained, and in places the
plaster had fallen off and was lying on the floor. The sight saddened
him, so sitting down under the shade of a big maple tree he gazed
thoughtfully at the church. What labour and high ideals had gone into
the erection of that building, he mused, and how the whole parish must
have rejoiced when it was completed. He pictured the animate