m engaged. Doubtless this is true of all labor,
yet the minister is particularly susceptible to these influences
surrounding him."

"A mining camp is so intensely material seven days of the week that it
must present a difficult field for the awakening of any religious
sentiment," confessed Brant sympathetically, feeling not a little
interested in the clear-cut, intellectual countenance of the other. "I
have often wondered how you consented to bury your talents in such a
place."

The other smiled, but with a trace of sadness in his eyes. "I firmly
believe that every minister should devote a portion of his life to the
doing of such a work as this. It is both a religious and a patriotic
duty, and there is a rare joy connected with it."

"Yet it was surely not joy I saw pictured within your face when we met;
you were certainly troubled over some problem."

Wynkoop glanced up quickly, a slight flush rising in his pale cheeks.
"Perplexing questions which must be decided off-hand are constantly
arising. I have no one near to whom I can turn for advice in unusual
situations, and just now I scarcely know what action to take regarding
certain applications for church membership."

Brant laughed. "I hardly consider myself a competent adviser in
matters of church polity," he admitted, "yet I have always been
informed that all so desiring are to be made welcome in religious
fellowship."

"Theoretically, yes." And the minister stopped still in the road,
facing his companion. "But this special case presents certain
peculiarities. The applicants, as I learn from others, are not leading
lives above reproach. So far as I know, they have never even attended
church service until last Sunday, and I have some reason to suspect an
ulterior motive. I am anxious to put nothing in the way of any
honestly seeking soul, yet I confess that in these cases I hesitate."

"But your elders? Do not they share the responsibility of passing upon
such applications?"

The flush on Mr. Wynkoop's cheeks deepened, and his eyes fell.
"Ordinarily, yes; but in this case I fear they may prove unduly harsh.
I--I feel--that these applications came through the special
intercession of a certain young lady, and I am anxious not to hurt her
feelings in any way, or to discourage her enthusiasm."

"Oh, I see! Would you mind telling me the names of the two gentlemen?"

"Mr. John Moffat and Mr. William McNeil. Unfortunately, I know neither
personall