The situation was becoming strained.

He tried to conciliate the three men--the artist, the manufacturer, and the farmer, the warring elements.

But Hartrath, unwilling to face the enmity that he felt accumulating against him, took himself away.

A picture of his--"A Study of the Contra Costa Foot-hills"-- was to be raffled in the club rooms for the benefit of the Fair.

He, himself, was in charge of the matter.