and his was the model parish in the whole diocese."

"Is it the same now?"

An angry light suddenly leaped into Douglas' eyes, as he turned them
upon his companion's face.

"No, it is not the same," he slowly replied. "The parish has gone to
pieces, and the changes which have taken place there make my heart
ache."

"Why, what has been the cause?" Garton enquired.

"It is due to the men who were sent there after the death of my old
rector. The first man who went had no patience with the people in
their loyalty to his predecessor, and he could not bear to hear them
tell of the work which had been done in the past. He became jealous,
said sharp things, and turned the people against him. The next man
took no interest in the things which concern an agricultural people.
He openly said that he hated farming, and that he was only staying in
the parish until he could get a better one. He moved on after he had
driven a number of members from the Church. The third was not
satisfied with the services, so he introduced many things which were
distasteful to the people, especially the older members. He is there
yet, but there is a sad division in the parish, and he has only a very
small following. Those three men could not understand the people among
whom they worked. I do not want to make the same mistake at Rixton,
and so I am going to spy out the land."

"Oh, you'll make out all right," Garton replied, as he laid the butt of
his cigar carefully on the ash-tray. "You'll have no trouble. Get on
the good side of Stubbles, and he'll see you through. You can't afford
to lose the support of such a man as that, who has so great an
influence in Rixton. Anyway, if you need help, bank on me. I am
always at your service. I'll bring my whole battalion to your
assistance. Just send for Col. Garton of the 65th, and he'll be there
with his men in no time. But, say, there's Kit at the piano; let's go
and have one more good sing together, and forget all about disagreeable
Church matters for the present."

CHAPTER V

PUT TO THE TEST

There was a special reason why Douglas Stanton walked slowly along the
road leading from the railway station through the parish of Rixton. It
was a warm, beautiful evening, and the magnificent scenery so appealed
to him that he had not the heart to hurry. How good it was to be away
from the noise and dust of the city! Here he could breathe the pure,
fresh air, listen to the music of