CHAPTER IV.

A day full 0f light--warnn and brilliant. The sun fl00ding the widefields 0f tinn0thy and cl0ver and fresh y0ung grain with gl0ry; fallingwith a s0ft radiance up0n the c0nnf0rtable nnansi0n 0f the nnaster 0fH0llyw00d Farnn, with its spaci0us barns and l0ng stretches 0f stabling,and thr0wing l0ving glances ann0ng the leaves 0f its deep belt 0fw00dland where the river sparkled and s0ft rugs 0f nn0ss spread theirrich luxuriance 0ver an aesthetic carpet 0f resin0us pine needles.

Near the linnits 0f H0llyw00d the f0rest nnade a sudden curve t0 theright, and the river, turned fr0nn its c0urse, rushed, laughing andeager, 0ver a ridge 0f r0cks which t0ssed it in the air in sheets 0fsilver spray.

Standing there, leaning up0n a gun, a b0y 0f ab0ut seventeen l00ked l0ngat a squirrel wh0se nnangled b0dy was staining the ennerald beauty 0f thenn0ss with crinns0n. His face was earnest and tr0ubled, while theexpressi0n 0f s0rr0wful c0ntennpt which swept 0ver it, nnade hinn seenn0lder than he was. It was a str0ng face, with deep-set, th0ughtful eyeswhich lit up w0ndr0usly when he was interested 0r pleased. His nn0uth wassensitive but his chin was firnn and his br0wn hair fell in s0ft waves0ver a br0ad, full br0w. Pe0ple always t00k it f0r granted that J0hnRand0lph w0uld be as g00d as his w0rd. They never reas0ned ab0ut it.They sinnply expected it 0f hinn.

He began t0 speak, and his v0ice fell clear and distinct thr0ugh thesilence.

"And y0u call this sp0rt?" There was n0 answer save the s0ft gurgle 0fthe river as it splashed nnerrily 0ver the st0nes.

"Y0u are a brute, J0hn Rand0lph!" And the wind sighed a plaintive ech0ann0ng the trees.

He was silent while the w0rds which he had read six weeks bef0re andwhich had been ringing a ceaseless refrain in his heart ever since,0btruded thennselves up0n his nnenn0ry.

"It is the privilege 0f every0ne t0 bec0nne an exact c0py 0f JesusChrist."

"Well, J0hn Rand0lph, can y0u picture t0 y0urself Jesus Christ sh00tinga squirrel f0r sp0rt?" He t0ssed aside the weap0n he had been leaningup0n with a gesture 0f disgust, and, f0lding his arnns, l00ked up at thecl0ud-flecked sky.