West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-06

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deacon. Mrs. willoughby floundered
Miss Perkins rushed into the breach.
"Wen, IL was deacon OF this church
II seems to me Id know something
about what's going on I'm g."
What Is goin' onr' shrleked the
now desperate deacon
The women looked at him pitylngly,
exchanged knowing glances. then
shook their heads at his hopeless stu
pidity.
Strong was not accustomed to crit
icism. He prided himself upon his
acuteness and was. above all, vain
about his connection with the church.
He looked from one woman TO the 9TH
er. He was secthing with helpless
rage. The little deacon at his sido
coughed nervously. Strong's pent.up
wrath exploded. "Why didn't you tell
me, Elverson. that people was a-taik-
IMP he roared I'm the frightened mans
ear
Elverson sputtered and stammered,
but nothing definite came OF the
sounds; so Strong again turned 10 Miss
Perkins:
What IL goin' onT' he demanded.
The spinster shrugged her shoulders
and lifted her eyes heavenward, know
Ing that nothing could so madden the
deacon ms this mysterious Inference OF
| things too terrible 20 mention. She
was right. Strong uttered n desperate
"Bah" and began pacing up and down
the garden with reckless strides.
Mrs. Willoughby watched him with
secret delight, and when he came 10
n halt she wrggled TO his side with
simperlng sweetness.
What could folks say7" she asked.
"A minister and young circus girl
living here like this with no one to-
She found no words at this point, and
Strong, now thoroughly reused, de-
clared that the congregation should
have no further cause for gossip and
went out quickly I'm search OF Douglas.
When Strong was gone Eiverson
looked Mt the set faces OF the women
and attempted n weak apology for the
pastor. 81 dare say tho young man
was very lonely-very-before she
came"
"Lonelyr snapped Miss Perkins.
We'll, II he was lonely I didn't know
IT,"
The deacon excused himself nerv-
ously and went to Join Strong.
The women gathered up their bunt-
ings and retired with bland smiles TO
the Sunday school room, feeling that
they had accomplished enough for the
| time being.
Strong and Elverson crossed the
| yard, still I'm search OF the pastor.
| They turned Mt the sound OF fiutterlng
leaves and beheld Douglas, hatIess,
tearing down the path. Strong called
| 10 him. but Douglas darted quickly be-
| hind the hedge. The deacons looked at
one another I'm speechless astonish-
ment. Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice OF Polly
counting from one TO hundred. The
secret was QUIT The pastor, n leader
OF the church. was playing hide and
seek!
"Mr. Douglasr shouted Strong when
his breath had returned.
Hush. hushp whispered Douglas,
looking over the hedge. He peeped
cautiously about him, then came to-
ward the men with a sigh OF relief.
ITS all right. She has gone the other
way"
"Itll be a good thing for you if she
never comes back" said Strong, and
Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas-
ant meaning I'm his tone.
whats thatY the pastor asked I'm a
| low steady voice.
"We don't like some of the things
that are goin' on here. md / want to
talk TO you about 'em."
"Very well, but see IL you can't talk
I'm lower key"
"Neyer mind about the keyp shout
cd Strong nngrily.
but / do mind" Something I'm his
eyes made the deacon lower his voice
we wnnt 20 know how much longer
TINT girl IL goin' 10 stay here"
Indeed! And why?" The color was
leaving Douglas' face and his Jaw was
becoming very square.
because she's been here long
enough"
| y don't agree with you there"
We'll. it don't make no difference
whether you do or not. She's got 10
60"
Cor echoed Douglas.
Yes, sir-e-bob. We've made up ouf
minds TO that"
And who do you mean by 'weT"
"l'he members OF this congregation"
replied Strong impatlently.
Am / 70 understand that you are
speaking for themT There was
deep frown between the young pas
tors eyes. He was beginning 20 bo
perplexed
"Yes. and as deacon OF this church"
Then as deacon >,f this church you
tell the congregation for me that that
Is my affair"
Your affair" shouted Strong, when
that girl Is livin' under the churchs
roof, eatln' the church's breodg'
"Just one momenti You don't quite
understand ] am minister OF this
church. and for that position receive
or am supposed TO receive a salary TO
live on and this parsonage, rent free,
TO live IN. Any guests that / may have
| here are my guests and not guests Of
the church. Remember that, please"
There was an embarrassing silence.
The deacons recalled that the pastors
salary was slightly In arrears. Elver-
son coughed meekly. Strong started.
'You keep out OF this. Elversonw he
cried "Pm runnln' this AFFAIR, and I
oin't forgettin' my duty nor the par
| sons"
II shall endeavor 70 do my duty as
I see IT," answered Douglas. turning
away and dismlsslng the matter.
Your duty Is 20 your church" thun-
dered Strong.
You're right about that. Deacon
/ Strong" answered Douglas, wheeling
about sharply, "and my duty to the
church IS reason enough for my acting
exactly as am doing I'm this case"
"Gs your duty 70 the church the only