The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-05
PETER BRANINGHAMS
 STRIKE.
RY LOUIS ST. MAUR.

< a: < < % a: E E is i E & |, to expla,n things. He told him that the committee was indignant as he was, and Mir Harper had just gone down stars to find the tanitor and see what he meant by such a performance. From the medley of high tenor and grun basso proIunu" coming up the cellar stairs they con cluded he was finding out sure enough.
 The town clock tolled seven as Jack plunged upstairs, his face livid and jaw set. For an instant he was so angry he could not speak, and the questions on everybody's lips were hurled at him at once.
 "Crazy!" he exclaimed, crazy as q loon! Says he can't open the church with. out a written order from Morgap-hes chairman of the trustees; said 1t took SIX hours to heat up the church and said It wasn't any use fussing about it now. l asked him why he hadn't sent word 10 some one when he read my directions on his slate. He said he supposed l knew how this church was run. l told him I'd find out who was running 1t pretty quick I told him this entertainment involved l, 800 people and s1,000, that the Prudential Committee had sanctioned all our ar arrangements and it was not for him to say whether we'd have the church or not. He is lazy old tramp and there will DC a new sexton in this church within a week or I miss my guesss l gave nm about half a second to decide whether he would fire up the furnaces or I. He said it was simply out of the question to neat up in an hour and he would not attempt it. Not having any time to argue with an obstinate fool I bid him good even ing. Now if the rest of you can help the carpenter get up this screen and fix the church, I'll fire up and he tore on ms coat and vest, collar and cuffs and disap- peared like flash.
 There were only six of the committee to work, as MT. and Mrs Blodgett had gone to the train to meet the artists rt,n ha1f called leisure class work like IroJans. Down in the coal hole Jack Harper the banker shoveled coal like mad into the blazing furnaces. His one idea was 10 the church in half an hour.
 Above him the girls were tearing l around f1ourishing feather dusters ana turning down the cushions in the pews while the screen was going up in reck- | less haste. Everyone was breathleSs, TOT | people were beginning to come and the | church was as frigid as a tomb, and so full of dust, one could hardly see across | the aisle.
 Florence was rushing through the back hall with an armfpl of linen covers, taken | from the pulpit chairs when Jack sprang up the cellar stairs perspirfng and sooty | almost past recognition-a man who was | annoyed by a wrinkle fin his clothes or a speck on his linen. and she saw him SO | They laughed about that many times later on when there was time 10 think | | just what he said
 Florence that fire Is getting beycnd my control. The insurance policies! Where are they? Get out if she catches before get back" and out he flew into the win
 try night in his shirt sleeves, dripping witt precipitation.
 Jack vour coat" shouted Florence | after him. but he was across the street and darting through MT Robcrts's yard, | Grabbing two wraps near at hand she
 followed. but she did not catch up witt him until he was pounding on the door l of the First National Bank. She was
 breathless and speeches. with her long run and held out her golf cape tn him 4-stonished, he gasped
 Florence. my darling, put those thing' on. What did you do this foro' And as he | wrapped them around her Wilson, the
 ianitor. unbolted the door. Hardly wait ing to look at him he shouted as he and Florence started back.
 Come as fast you can to the church'
 I built fire and can't check it. Don lose a minute.
 Down the street tho three ran and no
 word was spoken. There was an odoI
 of burning pine when they entered th'
 rear door of the church and the air seem
 cd heavy and oppressive.
 Jack and his ianitor dashed down stair:
 and the skillful stokeT soon checked tn
 demon that would have destroyed tnt
 building in fifteen minutes more. Tn
 beams all around were smoking and Wll
 son staid there during the evening boring I WsstCf over Iu6 SuSiDi.siDustf Nat HI tio-~D
 The throngs in the auditorium aboy little dreamed what manner or furnac
 they were sitting over and It was dem
 onstrated to Peter Braningham that | need not take six hours to heat up th'
 church.
 To tell the truth. Peter was a trifle dis
 appointed with the results,
 As the strains of MT. GodowsAys s open
 ing solo foated in from the auditorium
 Jack spoke
 You didn't answer my question owe
 at the bank this evening" Florence look
 ed up with puzzled eXpresslon' ah' said: Question! What question: ''f asked you why you chased me wit l a wrap this freezing cold night thre blocks without one yourself?'' and h'
 looked at her straight and steady, for h felt his ground firmly beneath him t For some seconds she eVaded that gaze
 but finally when she turned and looke into the eyes that were hXed upon her he saw the answer, and that is why think Lester Morgan would have staid a home if he had known
 One thousand dollars went into tn treasury as result of that nights WorI l and Peter Birmingham was sent on hi way with the recommendation of bein an honest man, but with no voucher fo his common sense.
 erything according to the rules and reg 5 ulations. and he will ask Lester Morga!
 for written order for the use of tn church on a very eventfU Int in tn
 fall And it is believed likely that tn l ] new janitor will fire up in time, II FART" by Clay Clement.