in a daze. When the president had taken his ticket for
Glasgow he was still groping.

The railway officials probably thought him on his honeymoon.

They sauntered along the platform beyond the lights.

Andrew, who was very hot, unloosened his greatcoat.

In a moment a great change came over his companion. All the humanity
went from his face, his whole figure shook, and it was only by a
tremendous effort that he chained his hands to his side.

"Your neck," he cried; "cover it up."

Andrew did not understand. He looked about him for the committee.

"There are none of them here," he said feebly.

The president had tried to warn him.

Now he gave way.

The devil that was in him leapt at Andrew's throat.

The young Scotchman was knocked into a goods waggon, with the president
twisted round him.

At that moment there was heard the whistle of the Scotch express.

"Your blood be on your own head," cried the president, yielding
completely to temptation.

His fingers met round the young man's neck.

"My God!" he murmured, in a delirious ecstasy, "what a neck, what a
neck!"

Just then his foot slipped.

He fell. Andrew jumped up and kicked him as hard as he could three
times.

Then he leapt to the platform, and, flinging himself into the moving
train, fell exhausted on the seat.

Andrew never thought so much of the president again. You cannot
respect a man and kick him.

CHAPTER X

The first thing Andrew did on reaching Wheens was to write to his
London landlady to send on his box with clothes by goods train; also
his tobacco pouch, which he had left on the mantelpiece, and two
pencils which she would find in the tea-caddy.

Then he went around to the manse.

The minister had great news for him.

The master of the Wheens Grammar School had died. Andrew had only to
send in his testimonials, and the post was his.

The salary was 200 pounds per annum, with an assistant and the
privilege of calling himself rector.

This settled, Andrew asked for Clarrie. He was humbler now than he had
been, and in our disappointments we turn to woman for solace.

Clarrie had been working socks for him, and would have had them
finished by this time had she known how to turn the heel.

It is his sweetheart a man should be particular about. Once he settles
down it does not much matter whom he marries.

All this and much more the good old minister pointed out to Andrew.
Then he left Clarrie and her lov