Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-15
THE SAGE BRUSH PARSON
BY A. B. WARD.
CHAPTER xxx.
Eureka Changes Front.
Copyright, isos. ~ Iltt,.. Brown os.p..s.,

CHAPTER XXX.
Eureka Changes Front.
There never was anything quite SO home
sick and forlorn as Annie Otter. She had
cried until her little peaked nose was as
pink as the raspberries growing in her
grandmother's garden at home; her bulging
blue eyes looked as II they had been stitched
in with red worsted "Trm goin back
'ome." she confided to the yellow dog. him
self stranger in town, left behind by one
Of the boarders. possibly as hostage for the
board money still owed to Mrs. McC1ntock.
The yellow dog nestled against her skirts.
He knew what 1t was to be homesick and
forlorn. He looked sympathy and COM
miseration out Of his cinnamon-brown eyes,
and whined. They two were on the back
stoop, awaiting the last call to dinner. while
Annies mistress talked with her man. who
wasn't her man any more; neither was
Annie to call her by his name-when they'd
come all this way to find him! Oh, 1t was
dreadful, and shocking, and impossible to
be borne! Him goin' back ONE" said
Annie Otter.
The boarders clattered out and down tA
front steps. One or two of the younger
men called across the yard to her:
Hi there Posy!"
Don't cry, Sissy. 'Tain't as bad as 1t
lGcksi"
wait till the clouds roll by Mamie!"
Annie Otter bolted for the kitchen, the
yellow dog at her heels, and collided with
Mrs. McClntock on the way to the back
stonD
Did Mrs. Vaughan send finer Annie
asked, then clapped both hands over her
mouth.
THE Wilder jumped. She had heard
agitated voices in the front room, had d.
vined that this was no ordinary call, but
such a revelation went beyond the widest
conjecture.
mo, Mrs. Vaughan's still a-talkin' with
him. she said cunningly. S-sn-dont say
word. The rest of 'em amt to know
Annie's look of wretchedness changed to
one of relief. 1t was such comfort to
have some one else in the secret! A secret
unshared is the most hopeless form of sol
itary confinement. Baby there, too?" she
queried.
"Course!" replied Mrs. McClntock. His
father'd want to see him. There, he's
a-goin', now" She scuttled away in the d.
rection of the front room. Her heart was
in her throat but If 1t choked her she
must avail herself of the opportunity that
Fate had put into her hands. There was
still that old score over Dick Dale to be
wiped out to say nothing of the countless
occasions when the parson had shown his
dislike of her and his contempt She hur-
ried into the hall. Della was already half
way up the stairs with the child The par
son had gone; he had escaped but his wife
was at her mercy.
whats your hurry?" she called famil-
iarly. why didn't We ask your husband to
stay and eat dinner with YEP
Della looked down over the bannister.
Her face was white. Should she deny her
true relationship to Vaughan before this
woman? Whittier yet she grew, but she did
not speak.
Eye oughter KEEP yer husband to eat with
vel" repeated the landlady.
Tell that Manufactured mocking creature
that she was not Clement Vaughans wife?
IMPOSSIBLE!
He was in a hurry this noon. He will
be in again, later she said loftiy. and
wrapping her dignity of married woman
hood about her, went to her room.
Very soon after she had entered it there
came a tap at the door. Il don't wanter
entrewed." said Mrs McClintock, entering
but | thinkin p'r'aps you'd like some
thin different for dinner. The rest OF us
had pigs feet" She seated herself in a
rocking chair and rocked to and fro.
1T makes very little difference what l
have" snapped Della so l am allowed to
eat it alone and in peace. Tell Annie to
bring the baby's milk. and cracker. and be
quick about it, She opened the door into
the hall
MY, but she's a Tartar" commented the
landlady, descending the stairs II guess
he's got his dose. all right, without any
help from me-"
She found Annie and delivered her over
to her mistress, to be dealt with as Della
say, good, then threw a shawl over her
head and went out the back way through
the alley to Mag Reddys.
To her. with voluble comments upon the
story. she handed the torch Mag handed
1t to Billy, her man. Billy took II to Jack
sons saloon. Before midnight the con-
Migration had spread from the Geiger Grade
to Richmond HILL
1t was Mrs. Wellman who ignited Miss
Emmeline, seeking her out for that purpose
as she sat alone in the library, reading.
Katharine was in her own room, playing
softly to herself on the piano. The rest,
save the children, who were In bed. had
20 Of he Inf ont draD IL
performance ss given y travelling companies
II never was 80 upset in all my days"
said Mrs. Wellman, when she had repeated
what Mr.. Morgan said that Mrs. Barker
said that Mrs. Jackson said her husband
told her. And Sheds out Of town, as he
always is when there's anything going on. l
just had to talk to somebody, go l come
over here. Shed fairly worships the ground
that man walks on. / don't know what on
earth the churchill do. / suppose It'll go
to pieces again. The superintendent of mis-
sions'll have to take it up He sent him
here"
Has anybody seen herr" asked Miss EN-
incline, in hushed, awed tones. THE woman,
I mean"
Mrs. Morgan thinks she saw her, the
day she came, standfn on the corner in
front of Jack Perry's saloon. talkin' with
him. with the child In her arms Just think,
a childi"
but II she's his wife suggested Miss
But they say she amt" exclaimed the
visitor. First, she said she was. then she
said che wasn't. Anyhow, 1t looks queer,
his not saying word all this time"
Yes. it does" said Miss Emmelne The
vague doubts and suspicious which the
young preacher had aroused In her upon
his arrival returned
No wonder he made her feel queer. What
would Katharine say? She listened absent
rnindedly, while Mrs Wellman went on re-
peating gossip, heOsay and cupposition-
Now and then she interjected a sympathetic
or encouraging exclamation.
Il must go!' said Mrs Wellman at length.
Miss Emmeline watched her down the steps,
off into the velvety October darkness. There