hard worker, who visited his
people, rich and poor, in season and out of season, doing all he could
for their temporal and spiritual welfare.

With an exclamation of impatience and disgust, Douglas threw aside the
paper and left the house. He knew that most of the statements
contained in what he had just read were false. The honor was not
"well-merited," but had been bestowed simply because Dr. Rannage was
rector of St. Margaret's and a special friend of the Bishop. He smiled
at the thought of his visiting "his people, rich and poor alike, in
season and out of season." He knew for a certainty that Dr. Rannage
called only upon a few of the influential members of his flock, and
left his curate to look after the "temporal and spiritual welfare" of
all the rest. He tried to picture Dr. Rannage in such a parish as
Rixton, living on a small salary, and trying to keep the Church life
strong and healthy, at the same time combating the opposing influence
of the Stubbles. And suppose he succeeded, by doing an herculean work,
would he be rewarded in the same manner as if he were rector of St.
Margaret's? He smiled grimly at the mere suggestion of the idea.
Whoever heard of a poor country parson being singled out for such an
honor, no matter how much he might merit it?

Douglas was walking slowly down the road as he thought over these
things. Several people drove past on their way to the hall, and he saw
a number of men walking on ahead. The sun was just lingering on the
far-off horizon, and he was quite sure the meeting would not begin for
half an hour at least. The delegates had not gone by yet, and so it
was not necessary for him to hurry.

Coming to the road leading to Mrs. Dempster's, he looked at the little
house over in the field, and wondered if Jean had been found. His
notice to quit, the news of the Church meeting, and the announcement of
Dr. Rannage's elevation had so occupied his attention that he had
little time to think over the events of the past night. But now he
thought of the heart-broken shoemaker, and a desire came upon him to
know if anything had been heard of the wayward daughter.

CHAPTER XIV

SETTLING THINGS

The hall at the Corner presented a far different appearance from the
previous evening. There was a large attendance, for much interest was
aroused over the announcement that a new clergyman was to come to the
parish. As Douglas slipped into a back seat with several others who