leaving the town, and also by taking with him the young woman to whom he
had been paying such marked attentions. The Tappan Zee had never been
more troubled in a storm than was the moral sensibilities of Nyack at
this news. The very atmosphere was rank with scandal. The men laughed
and jeered, and the women shook their heads and talked of nothing else.
"After that," said the women, "who can we trust."

"Served you right," replied the men, "for making much of such a fellow.
Women never take such men into their confidence without bringing dirty
water to their own doors." It was fortunate for Holbrook that he left
during the night, for, seeing the temper Nyack was in during that day,
there would have been some stones thrown had he remained.

The Chapmans took the matter very cool, however, counted the profits,
and put up the church shutters. Such things had happened before, Chapman
said. It was a weakness that had marked the history of the world; and
it had been a failing with the greatest of intellects. They would yet
show to the people of Nyack what could be done with the right sort of
enterprise. The honest old Dutchmen were in high glee over the turn
affairs at the new church had taken. They got together in Hanz
Toodleburg's veranda, drank their beer, and smoked their pipes, and
wished the devil might get the new preacher, "what comes t'down to raise
t'tevil mit de peoples, and raises t'tevil mit he self."

The stranger, of whom mention has been made, was more seriously
troubled. He heard the news of Holbrook's departure with a sad heart,
for he was the kind brother of a young woman to whom the delinquent had
made a solemn vow to marry. But that solemn vow he had recently broken
in the most heartless manner, and left her hopes blighted and her heart
sad. He declared, however, that he would follow Holbrook if he went to