ould like to ask what this man Sawyer has to do with it?"

"He and my daughter are engaged, sir."

"Well," said Lyman, "that might have been, but they are not now. Let
me ask you an impertinent question: Does she love him?"

Sawyer started. The banker shifted his position. "I told you that they
were engaged," said McElwin.

"I know you did, and that is the reason I asked you if she loves him.
Let me ask another impertinent question: Didn't you appeal to her to
marry him?"

"Who suggested that--that impudence, sir?"

"You did. Didn't you tell her that he was the most promising young
man in the neighborhood and that she must marry him? Hold on a moment.
And didn't your wife take the young woman's part, declaring that she
looked higher, and wasn't she finally compelled to yield?"

"I will not answer such shameless questions."

"Well, then, I must bid you good day."

"Without signing this petition?"

"Without so much as reading it. But I will agree to do this. When your
daughter comes to me and tells me that she loves Mr. Sawyer, that her
happiness depends upon him, then I will sign it. At present I am her
protector."

The banker snorted, but calmed himself. "You a protector--a mediator!
Sir, you continue to insult me."

"He ought to be kicked out of his own office," Sawyer swore.

"Yes, but it would take a mule, rather than a mule driver. But I don't
want anything more to say to you. I know your history; you wouldn't
hesitate to shoot a man in the back, but when it comes to a face to
face fight, you are a coward. Shut up. Not a word out of you. Mr.
McElwin, I sympathize with your wife and your daughter, but I am not
at all sorry for you. Good morning."

The angry visitors strode out, with many a gesture of unspeakable
anger. "Well," said Warren, "that beats anything I ever saw. How did
you learn so much about his family affairs? Who told you?"

"You told me Sawyer's history, and I made a bold guess at the rest."

"And you nailed him. Well, I'll swear if it ain't a jubilee. But
there's no news in it for me."

"There may be some day," Lyman replied.

CHAPTER IX.

AT CHURCH.

On the following Sunday, which in fact was the day after the scene in
the office, Lyman went to church. There were several churches in Old
Ebenezer, but he chose the one which was the religious affiliation of
the banker's family. A number of clean looking young fellows stood
outside to gaze at the girls going in, and the