what's t

rspread his face as he turned it upon the beam

arton, is it? I

. Why, you were cutti

r tea," Doug

tion to one of our men who is about to get married. Kit will be furious with me for staying so long. Women don't l

to have a home to go to, and

say, Stanton, come and

on't be expecting me, a

u know that you are always welcome at our house? Kit will be delighted to see you, and the kids will g

las assented, and the two s

ve?" Garton asked, after th

he news, then?"

h I doubted

d a talk with the Bishop, and

did he

He was so busy all the afternoon that I was kept waiting until the

ssion of by the Garton "kids"-two boys and a girl-Douglas became entirely changed. There was a lively romp first of all, and it was with difficulty that Mrs. Gar

w that he was sincerely welcome. Ever since his coming to St. Margaret's, Charles Garton had been his firm friend. Notwithstanding his big legal pr

a great intruder to-nig

blame your hus

ou," was the smiling reply. "We were afraid that you were

rateful as that, after

Stanton. I hardly know how the chi

u one of these days when y

going f

y to R

Mr. Garton

? Some one mu

anything abou

t it is a hard parish, and that th

led several men there already, and do

glas asked in surprise. "I neve

ey tried to do so, it appears, and you know what

he and Mr. Garton were comfortably ensconced in big chairs in the library, enjoying

uch about Rixt

community, so I understand, and the Chu

ong with i

fault, and perhaps if the right man goes to the parish, things might be all right. I wish to goodness you w

know the ways of such people, as

ugh," and Garton savagely blew a g

eople of St. Margaret's don't want me. The

e little snipper-snapper who can dance attendance upon all

nt appealed to me more than the conventional work in St. Margaret's. There are great opportunities there, especially during the winter season. But, alas! my plans have been overturned, and I must give it all up. I have often thought of the mission field, and when an opening occurs I hope to go. At present the par

be an ideal parish, for nearly all of the people belong to our Churc

ow him,

m, and incidentally I have talked with him about Church a

lame, I suppose, u

country people, and could not adapt themsel

ause," Douglas mused, "and

xpect to go?"

morr

ke a holiday? You certainl

ishop this afternoon that only on that und

that you are going there to

as la

o you, if you will promise that you will not speak of it to

ted. "I keep a good many for my client

on in Rixton," Douglas explain

an?" Garton ask

s an ordinary farmhand and work

ed the ashes from his cigar over his clothes. "Are you going crazy, Stant

and Mrs. Garton will be the only ones who will be aware of this fr

what then?" Garton asked, while an amused twinkle shone in his eyes.

at I am a clergyman, and they will not think it worth while to bother a

on into your head, an

xton," was the reply. "I want to get down to bedrock

ur going as a fa

omewhat suspicious of me, and will say things behind my back which they will not say to my face. But John Handyman

aking a mean advantage o

rge I may make all kinds of mistakes, and thus render the work much more difficult. If, in this way, I can accomplish my object and do good to the people of Rixton, I cannot see how I

understanding the peop

n rem

ind was first turned toward the Ministry. He was a saint, if ever there was one, and he looked well after his flock. He knew his people intimately, not merely officially, but in a sympathetic and loving way. He knew them all by name, even to the smallest child. Their concerns were his, and he entered into t

rth of his old rector, and when he suddenly ceased he s

ng yet?" Ga

s ago, when I was

e been a rem

his was the model paris

the sam

into Douglas' eyes, as he turne

he parish has gone to pieces, and the changes w

een the cause?"

xt man took no interest in the things which concern an agricultural people. He openly said that he hated farming, and that he was only staying in the parish until he could get a better one. He moved on after he had driven a number of members from the Church. The third was not satisfied with the services, so he introduced many thin

lose the support of such a man as that, who has so great an influence in Rixton. Anyway, if you need help, bank on me. I am always at your service. I'll bring my whole battalion to your assistance. Just send for Col