New-York tribune., 1918-01-27

lnc stranger was a mlddle-Slzed man, with
FULL fair mustache, jovial eyes behind
his gold trimmed spectacles, and a rosy,
healthy color; while his manner was
friendliness itself. The minister felt pleas,
antly impressed with him at once.
"Any trout in this stream~ inquired
the stranger.
Mr.. Burnett answered that it was famed
as fishing river at which the stranger
seemed vastly interested and pleased and
Tut several questions regarding the bas-
kets that were caught. Then he grew a
little more serious, and said:
III hope you will pardon me, sir, for
thanking you for very excellent sermon.
AS | happened to be motoring past just
as church was going in, thought I'd look
in, too. But l assure you I had TO sus-
picion should hear SO good discourse.
l appreciated it highly"
Though modest man, Mr.. Burnett
granted the strangers pardon very read
lily. Indeed, he became more favorably inn
pressed with him than ever.
II am very pleased to hear you say so,"
he replied, "for in an out of the way place
like this one is apt to get very rusty"
II don't agree with you at all, sir" said
the stranger energetically, "if you'll par
don my saying so. In my experience
which is pretty wide, may add-the best
thinking is done in out of the way places.
] don't say the showiest, mind you, but
the best!"
Again the minister pardoned him with
out difficulty.
"Of course, one needs change now and
then, | admit" continued the stranger.
"But, my dear sir, whatever you do, don't
go and bury yourself in crowd!"
THIS struck Mr.. Burnett as novel
and very interesting way of putting
the matter. He forget all about the din
ner awaiting him at the manse, and when
the stranger offered him very promising
looking cigar he accepted it with pleas
ure, and leaned over the parapet beside
him. There, with his eyes on the running
water, he listened and talked for some
time.
The stranger began to talk about the
various charming out of the way places in
Scotland. 1t seemed he was perfervid
admirer of everything Scottish, and had
motored or tramped all over the country,
from Berwick to the Pentland Firth. In
fact, he had even crossed the waters. for
he presently burst forth into a eulogy of
the Windy Islands,
"The most delightful spot, sir l have
ever visited!" he said enthusiastically
There is peacefulness and charm, and at
the same time something stimulating in
the air / simply can't describe. In body
and mind felt new man after week
there"
The minister was so clearly struck by
this, and his interest so reused, that the
stranger pursued the topic and added
number of enticing details.
"By the way" he exclaimed presently,
do you happen to know fellow clergy
man there called Maxwell? His parish is
let me see-ah, Myredale, that's the
name"
This struck Mr.. Burnett as quite ex
traordnary.
~ don't know him personality he
began.
"a very sensible fellow" continued the
stranger impetuously. "He told me his
parish was as like heaven as anything on
this mortal EARTH"
He has just left it," said Mr.. Burnett
The stranger seemed surprised and in
terested.
"What chance for some one." he ex-
claimed.
Mr.. Burnett gazed thoughtfully through
the smoke of his cigar into the brown
water of the river below him.
81 have had thoughts of making
change myself" he said slowly "But, of
course. they might not select me even if
applied for Myredale."
I'm the Scottish Church the custom is to
go to the vacant parish to preach tria,
sermon, isn't it," inquired the stranger.
The minister nodded "a system dis
approve of, l may say" said he.
Il quite agree with you," said the
stranger sympathetically. "Still, so long
as that is the system, why not try your
luck? Mind you, I talk as one who knows
the place, and knows Mr.. Maxwell and his
opinion of it. You'll have an enviable
visit whatever happens"
1T is very long way" said Mr.. Bur-
nett.
Don't they pay your expenses?"
Yes" admitted the minister. "But then
| understand that those islands are yerv
difficult for stranger to enter at present.
The naval authorities are extremely
strict"
The stranger laughed jovially.
My dear sir" he cried, "can you mag