The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1909-07-28

''' i''i' ANIlC N'lS ipI1ONt t'l Dl MISS FER
kins with bucket OF pickles. which
Mandy promptly placed OH top OF Mrs.
ElvCrSOn'S ice cream. The women OK.
planned that they had come to put the
finishing touches to the decorations.
If anything was needed to increase
Mandy's DISLIKE of the widow it was
this announcements
Mrs. Willoughby was greatly wor-
ried because her children had not been
home since the afternoon school ses-
sion. Upon hearing that they were
with Polly she plainly showed her dis
pleasure, and Douras dispatched
Mandy for them. Size saw that her
implied dStrust OF Polly had annoyed
him, and she was about to apologize
when two OF the dencons arrived on
the scene. also carrying baskets and
parcels for the social
Strong led the way. He always led
the way and always told Elverson
what to think. They had been talking
eXritcdly rs they ncarCd the parson
ago, for Strong diSapproved OF the re
cent changes which the pastor had
made in the church service. He and
Douglas had clashcd more than once
since tho baseball argument. and the
C"Hc0n he'd realized more and more
that he had met Il vii! quite as strong
aS lis own. His failure to bend the
pArSoA to his way Of thinking was
making him irritable and taking his
miHl from his business
Can YOU beat that" he would ey-
claim rs he turned away from some
disagreement With Douglas. his temper
ru:,!cd for the day
Polly WAS utterly unconscious Of the
unfrirdiy CllncCS cast in her direction
as she came running into the garden
leading the widows two children.
SHE nodded gayly to Julia Strong. who
was coming through the gate. then
hurried TO Mrs. Willnughby. begging
that the children be allowed to remain
n littl" longer. She was making up 4
new game. she said and needed Willie
ard Jennie for the set.
"My children DO not play In promls.
cuCus games" said the widow icily.
"Oh, but this isn't pro-pro-pro"-
Polly stammered. ITS new game.
You put two here, and two here,
and
II don't care to know" The widow
turned away and pretended to talk to
Julia.
OH gaspcd Polly, stunned by the
widows rebuff.
She stood with bowed head in the
center OF the circle. The blood few
from her checks; then she turned to go.
Douglas stepped quickly to her side.
"Walt minute" he said. She
paused. All eyes were turned upon
them. 'IS this game that grownups
can play?'
why. yes. OF course"
Coed! Then I'll make up your set.
/ need n little amusement Just now.
Excuse me-" he added. turning to the
deacons. Then he ran with her out
through the trees
The deacons and the women stared
at each other, aghast
"Well. what do you think OF that?"
said Mrs. Willoughby as the flying
skirts Of the girl and the black figure
OF the man disappeared up the path.
~ think It's scandalous, II you are
talking to me-" said Miss Perkins.
'"Ihe idea OF full grown parson
a.runnin' off to play chtldrens games
with a circus rdln' girl"
"She Isn't such n child" sneered
Julia.
Its enough to make folks talk" put
In Mrs. Wllloughby, with n sly look
at the deacons.
"An me awaitin' to discuss the new
church service" beloved Strong
And me awaiting to give him Mrs.
Elverson's message" piped Elverson.
THE church bore all this I'm silence
so long as that girl was sick" snapped
Miss Perkins. but now she's perfect
ly well and still a-hangng on No
wonder folks are talking"
who's talilin?" Numbered Strong
"Didnt you know" simpcred Mrs.
Willoughby, not knowing herself nor
caring SO long as the suspicion grew.
"Know what" yelled the excited
deacon. Mrs. Willoughby houndcrcd.
Miss Perkins rushed into the breach.
"Well. If was deacon Of This church
1t seems to me I'd know something
about what's going on in It,"
"Whnt Is Gon' on?" shrickcd the
now desperate deacon.
The women looked at him pltylngly.
exchanged knowing glances, then
shook their heads at his hopeless stu.
pidity.
Strong was not accustomed to crit
icism. He pridcd himself upon his
acuteness and was. above all. vain
about his connection with the church.
He looked from one woman to the 9th.
er. lie was secthing with helpless
rage. The little deacon at his side