om her heart and mind,
and she wondered what had become of him. She could not easily forget
the last time she had seen him in company with the lawyer. She
recalled how he had turned as the car was whirling him away, and waved
his hand to her as she watched him from the door. Empty had told her
later how the two had paid a visit to his mother, and of their brief
talk with Jean. The subject of the conversation Empty did not know,
and he felt quite crestfallen, for his reputation was at stake. But he
tried to make up for this lack of knowledge by telling of the numerous
stories which were in circulation about Douglas. Nell listened to them
all, though she made no comment. But deep in her heart she believed
that there was considerable truth in what she heard. That John
Handyman was some one in disguise, she had imagined for some time. She
had reasoned it over and over again in her own mind, and had often lain
awake at night thinking about it. But why had he come to Rixton? And
why should a man with his ability work as a farm-hand? If his health
had been poor she could have somewhat understood it, for she had read
of such cases. The more she thought, the more puzzled she became.
Anyway, she was sure that he was a good man, and a gentleman, for not
once could she remember the slightest discourtesy on his part to any
one.

Two weeks had now passed since Douglas left the place. No one had
heard a word about him, and Nell at times believed that she would never
see him again. That she had met him and had talked with him, seemed
almost like a beautiful dream. She lived in the memory of it, and when
she had a little spare time to herself she visited the old pine tree,
where they had stood and talked on that bright afternoon.

It was on one of these occasions that, instead of remaining by the
tree, she strolled along the path they had travelled that day, until
she came to the edge of the cleared field. Beyond was the church,
standing bare and lonely, so she thought. She recalled how Douglas had
spoken about his visit there, and the sad neglect of the building. A
desire now came upon her to see it for herself, so, crossing the field,
in a few minutes she was at the front door. To her surprise she found
it open, and entering, her astonishment was still greater when she saw
Joe Benton hard at work cleaning the floor and the seats. Upon the old
man's face was an expression of happiness, and his eyes brightened as