The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-10-25
CHAPTER NJ.
A MOMENT OF DOUBT.

one after the other without word OF
comment. Only Dorothy, watching
him, noted the expressions on his face
When he finished the letter from the
Boston magazine, he looked up.
"Welli' said Dorothy slowly, as II
Malcom had asked a question.
ITS great offer," said Malcolm. He
was evidently very much moved by 1t.
And he rose and walked up and down.
Finally he stopped near the door.
II shall have to go out doors and
walk off the excitement" he said, look.
Ing at Dorothy, with faint smile. She
was familiar with that habit Malcolm
had often done that when tired of the
cramped quarters Of his little study in
the parsonage.
! He walked to the table, took up his
| hat and went to the door. He opened
1t and then turned back to Dorothy,
who sat with her elbow on the table
and her chin in her hand thinking.
"Will you go with me, dear:" Nal
com asked quietly.
She rose without n word and, put.
ting on her hat and cloak, went out
with him. They walked out Of the
yard. and then, after moment of hesi.
tation, they turned and went down the
narrow board sidewalk toward the
main street of the town.
1t was almost II o'clock. Nearly
all the stores were closed, but every
saloon was wide open. AS they went
by one of the largest on the first busi-
ness corner two or three men near the
door recognized Kirk and touched
their hats. saying very respectfully as
they did so, Good evening, Mr.. Kirk"
Good evening, gentlemen" replied
Malcom, touching his hat. He passed
Oh with Dorothy, but with all the in.
ner conflict going on she had time to
think Of the little incident and say to
herself proudly. Even the loafers and
drinkers respect my husband"
And 1t was true, because they knew
In their hearts that Malcolm Kirk low.
ed them, wretchcd, useless creatures
MS many Of them were, down at the
very bottom Of the human scale. down
where nothing but love could reach
them.
AS they went past one of the dance
houses they could hear the jingle Of
spurs on boots. the wild laughter of
the women and the clink of glasses Mt
the bar.
Dorothy shuddered and drew up clos.
er to Malcom. TO both of them II ls
probable that there was borne in upon
them the lost abandoned life that al.
ways goes with the liquor trade, the
desperate. lawless character Of young
men and women who represented so
large part of the social life of the
town. What relief it would be to
get away from it ALL back to the cul. !
ture and refinement Of books and COM !
panionable people and the life of free
dom from moral struggle for the life ,
or others that awaited them in that
New England home that might be /
theirs for the taking!
They had walked through the street
and were out on the prairie road before
either Of them said a word.
Then Malcom said while he pressed
Dorothy's arm close TO his own: :,
What do you think had better dor
She was not prepared to have him
lsk a question, and she was not ready
with an answer.
What would you do in my placer"
ne asked after waiting for her to an
'wer his first question.
Don't ask me. Malcom," cried Doro-
hy almost tearfully.
He bent his head and in the starlight
Jaw her face moved with unusual ex-
element.
1T Is true" he began to talk to him
elf. ut Is true, as he says, the press Is )
Is powerful as the pulpit in these
lays / could certainly do as much
rood that way as any. feel as II
ould use my pen for the good Of hu.
nanity."
"Yes. yes" Dorothy cried eagerly. !
She spoke as If Malcom's words had
'een a great relief to her. Then she
vent on almost passionately:
What can you do here, Malcom?
lou can slave yourself to death out
ere with this little church and never
ccomplish much. You cannot do the
hurch work and the writing too. You
will break down under 1t. How can
ou ever build again, with the hard
ines and so many families moving
way and winter coming on? And
our salary, little as II Is, so cruelty de-
lyed. 1t is a humiliation to keep on
his narrow, plnched life, with no com.
anionship to speak Of, no money to
uy new books, with dead lift on a
oor struggling church that will wear
our life out before you have reached
our prime. | don't mind for myself,
Ialcom, you know. 1t was for bet.
ar, for worse, for richer, for poorer
ut 1t seems to me your life will be
Imply thrown away IL you remain out
ere. Such an offer rs this will not
ONE to you again probably. II were
ou"-
She stopped. and Malcom eagerly
'aited for the rest
ere ~yoro ,o,, no,o<hr ~w..A >u |