e where he could think to his
heart's content. No sign of human life was here, and the sweet song of
a vesper sparrow was the only sound which broke the stillness of the
evening. So far, he had not found Rixton to be the terrible place it
had been painted, and he was beginning to think that what he had heard
was mere legend. He had found the Jukes very agreeable people, at any
rate, and he believed that his stay with them would be most pleasant.

Having reached the old pine, he sat down upon the sand and bent forward
to unlace his shoes. His attention, however, was suddenly arrested by
the sound of violin music to his left. That it was no amateur who was
playing he was well aware, but one skilled in the art. At any time
such music would have appealed to him, but on an evening like this, and
amid such surroundings, the effect was greatly enhanced. For a few
minutes he sat and listened, afraid to move lest the charm should be
dispelled. The music thrilled his soul with a peculiar feeling of
responsibility. It seemed like a passionate cry for help, mingled with
a desire for sympathy and understanding. It was quite evident that the
unknown minstrel had suffered, and was pouring forth upon the still
evening air the deep emotions of the heart. Others might hear
differently, but there was only one interpretation he could give to the
enchanting sound.

Presently there came to him a desire to see this skilled musician. He
was beginning to realise that Rixton, no matter what others might say,
was becoming a most interesting place. To encounter in one day a
wrestler like Jake Jukes, and a violinist such as he was now hearing,
made his coming to the parish really worth while.

Looking along the shore from whence the music came, Douglas could see
nothing but trees. Stepping back, however, a few paces, he obtained a
better view, and beheld not far away three persons near a large tree
which was bending over the water. One was an old man seated upon the
ground, with a young girl by his side. He could not distinguish their
faces, but they were evidently listening with rapt attention to a young
woman who was standing nearby playing upon a violin. Douglas noted
with admiration her lithe form, and the graceful poise of her head. So
the musician was a woman! It came to him as a surprise, for in his
mind he had pictured a man alone on the shore, giving expression to his
feelings. He longed to draw nearer, that he might