The Columbus journal., 1888-06-13

than any church bond. we get our naked
hands together You understand And
oftener then it is he who gives the Word tt
me than l to him." he added, under hi!
breath.
Mr. McMurray checked the angry rebuke
on his lips. All young men were flighty now
adays, and given to this visionary talk. he
remembered John Proctor's brilliant reputa.
! ton in tae church, the crowds that pressed
! to hear him as he went from city to city. II
Clara were his wife, no woman in the church
would hold higher rank. 81 cannot under.
stand" he said, gently, ''what bearing this
has on your intimacy with Maj. Standish,
particularly"-raising his voice when Proc
| tor would have spoken-"when have every
reason to believe the police are on his track
% q long escaped criminal"
Johns face burned as though he himself
had been accused. What proof have you of
this7' he said, rising.
"There is a New York detective here to
identify him now," in a mysterious whisper.
| II could learn no more from him than that
Standish is living under an assumed name.
But fear the worst, Mr.. Proctor, the very
| worst"
"Bah- muttered John to himself "Where
"a this fellow! I'll go to him at once" put
ting on his cap.
McMurray rose and put out his hand. 1t
was high time that he became the mouth
piece of the church and Clara. 'Mr Proc
tor, beg that you will not spouse this dis
reputable old mans cause SO vehemently
lis name is a public by-word Of infamy
among newspaper men. A vaporing boaster
md liar
Newspaper men know but one side of the
fellow" retorted John, hotly. 81 could tell
You tales of him, Of his unselfishness and his
noole charity, that would put the lives of
many Of our professors to shame. Besides,
h, was kind to me when was a boy. I'll
not turn by back ON him now"
McIurray's sallow cheek began to burn.
"Tilen I regret to say, Mr.. Proctor, that you
must make your choice between the church
and your very boyish impulse. A clergy
man who makes an associate of SO doubtful
q character is hardly suited to our society
AS for his good traits, l know nothing. do
not know that the Righteousness of the carnal
0esh is filthy rags"
"And know that courage and self sacri-
ilce are proofs Of as good mettle in poor old
Standish as in q church member, and come
as direct from the Master Of both must
Judge for myself in these matters"
"Assuredly. But if your judgment in
points SO essential differs SO widely from
ours, must beg leave, as chairman of the
committee, to withdraw the call Do not be
rash. my dear sir" changing his voice and
laying his hand on Johns shoulder. There!
don't answer me now. Think it over, and
By evening you'll see that was right You
Gre young and-pardon ne-a little hot
headed"
a friendly word disarmed Jack He
laughed. 'You're right there, anyhow.
Lot the matter go till evening. But will
not change my mind" And, nodding hasty
good-by, he ran down the Office stairs
Now the quality Of loyalty to his friends
was exaggerated in John Proctor But Yet
l:c was young man, with all the ambition.
tastes and shrewd knowledge of the world be.
longing to young men of the present day.
When he reached the pavement he saw tia
stately towers of the church in which he Wa,
called to minister, and beyond, the exquisite
parsonage, its picturesque walls draped with
ivy. Mr.. McMurray's carriage rolled by
again, and soft, tender little Clara beckoned
smiling to him with her white jeweled hand
I. was q high path and a fiowery one that
opened itself before him. No wonder
that the doubt suggested itself to him,
as he stood hesitating, whether it was
worth giving it up for a bit of quixotsm-a
romantic fealty to a boyish fancy.