shrubbery which Jake had planted to beautify the homestead. The men
were about equally matched in size and strength, but Robert's clearer
brain and strategy were too much for his opponent.

At last they fell in a heap, with Jake on top, and he was raining
blows upon Robert's face in token of his victory, when all at once
Robert gave a sudden turn and landed Jake underneath before Jake
was aware of what was happening. But by this time Robert's heart was
talking to him about the fight, so he merely held Jake down until he
gave up and promised to go home and not make trouble any more. Then he
let him up.

Jake shook himself, and started home. Robert was so upset that he
could not work. He sat down on the porch of the house and took a
survey of the affair. He became so engrossed in his study that he did
not hear the sound of falling footsteps, until they were close upon
him. He looked up quickly, and met the scornful gaze of Peter Newby's
hazel eyes.

"And so you have become a fighting holiness man have you? You were so
holy a short time ago that you could insult an old man like me with
your insinuating remarks. Now, maybe you will believe me when I say
that man can't live without sinning," said Peter disdainfully.

Robert was so completely whipped by his own conscience that he felt no
inclination to defend himself. Indeed, how could he defend himself?

"Now, young man, you ought to drop this holiness stuff, for there is
nothing in it--all bunk. Living above sin are you? Ha! ha! ha!" and
the old man gave poor Robert an explosive horse-laugh.