"Judge Strong," said Dan. "You are the only man in the world with whom I
am not at peace. I cannot be content to leave Corinth, sir, with anything
between us."
The crafty Judge thought he understood. He took Dan's words, with his
manner, as an acknowledgment of defeat; an act of submission. The Elder
had not believed that the young man had really wished to leave the
ministry. He was quite sure now that the preacher, recognizing at last
the power that had thrust him from his position and place in the church,
wished to sue for peace, that the same power might help him to another
position. So this big upstart was tamed at last, was he?
The Doctor, sitting on the fence and hearing every low-spoken word, held
a different view of the situation.
"Well," said the Judge haughtily.
Dan hesitated. "I--I wished to ask a favor, sir; one that I feel sure a
Christian could not refuse."
Now the Judge was confident of his position and power. He grew still more
dignified and looked at Dan with the eye of a master.
"Well, out with it. It is growing late and I must be going."
"You will remember, sir, that the last time I called on you in your home,
you made certain grave charges against three women who are my friends."
"I repeated only the common--"
"Wait, please," interrupted Dan. "This is a matter between you and me. I
understand that you were angry and spoke hastily. Won't you please
retract those words now?" Dan's voice was almost pleading in its sad
slowness; his eyes were on the Judge with an anxious, appealing look.
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