However, Mr.Gray relieved all minds of any anxiety when on the following week he quietly withdrew his membership from the church.
The day following the night of Nolan Gray's conversion there occurred an incident that meant much to Jake Benton, as well as to Deacon Gramps.
Benton was walking along the road that led around the fence from his own home to the large, white house occupied by Nolan Gray and his family.

He was on his way to milk Mr.Gray's cow.

He commonly went through the field on such occasions, as it was much the shorter route, but on this particular morning he had a mysterious disposition to take the long route around the road.

When he had reached a point about a quarter of a mile from his home, to his astonishment he met Deacon Gramps, accompanied by Gramps' hired hand.

He saw at once that the Deacon was in a most surly mood.