Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-07-10

your SfeuV weakness.
Joe had spoken with great rapidity,
though keeping his voice low, and he
lowered it again us he continued:
Judge Pike. what chance have you
to be believed in court when you swear
that you sent her $4,000 out of the
goodness of your heart? Do you think
she believed you? 1t was the very
proof to her that you had robbed her,
for she knew you! Do you want to
hear more now? Do you think this
is a good place for it? Do you wish
me to 60 over the details OF each step
have taken against you to land you
at the bar where this poor fellow your
paper is bounding stands today?"
The judge essayed to answer and
could not. He lifted his hand uncer-
talnly and dropped it. While thick
dew gathered on his temples. Innr-
ticulate sounds came from between his
teeth.
"You will Gomez" said Joe.
Martin Pike bent his head dazedly,
and at that the other turned quickly
from him and went away without look
ing back.
Ariel was in the studio half an hour
later, when Joe was announced by the
smiling Mr.. Warden. Ladew was with
her, though upon the point of taking
his leave, and Joe marked, with u
sinking heart that the young minis
ter's cheeks were flushed and his eyes
very bright.
'Itwas magnificent thing you did,
Mr.. Louden," he said, offering his hand
heartily. II saw it, and it was even
finer in one way than it was plucky.
1t somehow Strengthened things out
with such perfect good nature. 1t
made those people feel that what they
were doing was ridiculous"
$50 it was" said Joe.
Sew under the circumstances could
have acted as If they thought SO. And
hope you'll let me call upon you, MI.
Louden."
II hope you WILL" he answered and
then, when the minister had departed,
stood looking after him with sad eyes,
in which there dwelt obscure medfta-
II hAOAAo. A<aoCN WVAu VI AdICWCIl ustNl
covered a deep look at Ariel. which
was not to be mistaken by Joseph
Louden for anything other than what
1t was. The clergyman's secret was
an open one, and Joe saw that he was
as frank and manly in love rs in all
| other things. Hes good fellow" he
said at last, sighing-"a good man."
l rial a ha
me than he did to you"
Yes; l think it probable" Joe
| smiled sorrowfully.
about you, mean" He had time
to fear that her look admitted confu-
sion before she proceeded: "He said he
had never seen anything so fine as
your coming down those steps. All, he
was right! But it was harder for me
to watch you, think, than for you to
do it, Joe. ! was SO horribly afraid
and the crowd between us--if we could
have got near you-but we couldn't
WEI
She faltered and pressed her hand
close upon her eyes.
"We?" asked Joe slowly. "You mean
you and Mr.. Ladew?"
''Yes; he was there but l mean
her voice ran into a little laugh with
beatific quayer In It'll mean Colo
mel Flitcroft and Mr.. Bradbury and
Mr.. Buckalew, too-we were hemmed
in together when Mr. Ladew found us.
And, oh, Joe, when that cowardly rush
started toward you those three Pve
heard wonderful things in Paris and
Naples, cabmen quarreling and dlsap-
pointed beggars, but never anything
like them today
"You mean they were profane%
ooh, magniticently, and with such
inventiveness! All three begged my
pardon afterward. l didn't grant it
blessed them"
did they beg Mr.. Ladew's pardon?"
"Ah, Joe1 she reproached him.
HE isn't prig. And he's had to fight
some things that you of all men ought
to understand. He's only been here a
few months. but he told me that Judge
Pike las been against him from the
start. 1t seems that Mr.. Ladew is too
liberal in his views. And lie told me
that II it We're not for Judge Pixies
losing influence in the church on ac-
count of the Beaver Beach story the
judge would probably have been able
to force him to resign. but now he will
stay"
HE wishes to stay. doesn't he?"
VERY much, think. And, Joe" she
continued thoughtfully, 81 want you to
do something for me. want you to
go to church with me next Sunday"
ITO hear Mr. Ladew?"
Yes. ! wouldn't ask except for
that"
Every WE'LL" he consented, with
averted eyes. "Tll 60"
Her face was radiant with the smile
she gave him. at will make me very
happy" she said
He bent his head and fumbled over
IrH