Bob Hampton of Placer

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

personally."

"And the young lady?"

"A Miss Phoebe Spencer; she has but lately arrived from the East to

take charge of our new school--a most interesting and charming young

woman, and she is proving of great assistance to me in church work."

The lieutenant cleared his throat, and emitted a sigh of suddenly

awakened memory. "I fear I can offer you no advice, for if, as I begin

to suspect,--though she sought most bravely to avoid the issue and

despatch me upon a false trail,--she prove to be that same fascinating

young person I met this morning, my entire sympathies are with the

gentlemen concerned. I might even be strongly tempted to do likewise

at her solicitation."