The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-18
vSSSt&S<V ! THE ADVERTISERS
 ] DAILY, Y,SHORT STORY


 when Carson Vaughn took charge oi Trinity Church and sf its congregation he did not dream of the rocks that lay in his apparently smooth path. m fact, the rocks did not develop until after the Chfistmas holidays. The trouble began in small difference of opinion concern, ing Christmas decorations Some wicked girls bent upon shocking the more se- date members mixed rnistletoe with the moss that was twined around the altar. Rev. Carson Vaughn had sided with the sedate ones and the mistletoe was set aside. Everybody had treated the mat ter as . joke, that Is, everybody save the ringleader of the wicked ones, a pretty young society reporter. She took the matter not only seriously but venge- the Rev. Carson's life burden to him: Taking down his sermons in' shorthand and criticising his English afterward in open scorn, was one of the favorite vents for her displeasure; but there were otn: ridicuied at every turn. He was a reso- 1ute man and held steadily on his way, but he could not help knowing that Mabie Anderson was at the bottom of all his trouble and he would have had more possesses If hs had not once or twice For instance, when Mable persuaded the
 shs e oo'Gs oi he the oa daT as Home. The sedate ones sympathized with the harassed preacher, but as they were chiefly business men and mothers of families they could be of little prao. not ret up fair. The home was re- iieted by subscription and the war waxed warmer. The climax came whtn in the beginning of Lent Vaughn preached from the thext: Little children love one an- other" Those who were unprejudictd declared 1t the best sermon he had ever preached. but Mable bit off the end of her reporting pencil and left the church. and when any one attempted to sound her on the subject she would respond with eloquent diyd. in:
 Don't mention him.'
 Carson was relieved. He could write sermon now without concentrating his whole attention upon its grammatical construction and he could deliver It with out feeling that he was watched by eyes keen to oriticise. He would perhaps not was glad to have shaken of one me mber of his congregation. but he was, and there were more than enough to notice his freedom from restraint.
 "I do believe. Nab. he is actually glad to get rid of you," one of her girl chums confded sweetly.
 No doubt he is, my dear" Nab re- piled smoothly. but he can't be half as glad to get rid of me as I am to get
 
 girl chum knew it would and Miss An derson began to feel that her dignity demanded demonstration.
 The very next Sunday morning found her wheeling out toward Trout Creek with basket and rod. To an old gentleI man who piled her with inquiries she explained that she was going fishing.
 ."But on Sunday. my oear young lady! Why: what will your preacher say to
 "Oh, my preacher doesn't care what I do, 50 long as do not come to church." she responded gayly.
 Of course poor Carson heard all about It before the week was two days older and Saturday evening found him sitting over his study fire feeling that he ought To do something desperate. and unable to decide what the something should be- Gradually. however. resolution took shane. and with a shiver of reluctance he pulled on his heavy coat and went out Into the cold February night.
 Miss Anderson was at home. She had just finished her weekly letter to the Criterion, and was lying on the library
 !wedpesday's story. IAN INCIDENT A.