There were no more words between them, but the memory of that night
never faded from the boy's mind. A new standard of heroism was set up
within his soul which he might fail to reach but which he could never
lower.



CHAPTER III

THE ESCUTCHEON CLEARED


Mr. Michael Gwynne, the Mapleton storekeeper, was undoubtedly the most
popular man not in the village only but in the whole township. To begin
with he was a man of high character, which was sufficiently guaranteed
by the fact that he was chosen as Rector's Warden in All Saints
Episcopal Church. He was moreover the Rector's right-hand man, ready to
back up any good cause with personal effort, with a purse always open
but not often full, and with a tongue that was irresistible, for he had
to an extraordinary degree the gift of persuasive speech. Therefore,
the Rector's first move in launching any new scheme was to secure the
approval and co-operation of his Warden.

By the whole community too Mr. Gwynne was recognised as a gentleman, a
gentleman not in appearance and bearing only, a type calculated to
repel plain folk, but a gentleman in heart, with a charm of manner which
proceeded from a real interest in and consideration for the welfare
of others. This charm of manner proved a valuable asset to him in his
business, for behind his counter Mr. Gwynne had a rare gift of investing