Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-05-29

Douglas had held himself more and more aloof from the day of Polly's dis appearance. He expressed no opinion about the deacons 6r their recent dis approval of him. He avoided meeting them oftcner than duty required, and Strong felt so uncomfortable and tongue tied in his presence that he, too, was glad to make their talks as few as possible.
 Nothing was said about the pastors plans for the future or about his con tinued connection with the church, and the inQuisitive sistcrhood was on the point of exploding from an overac- emulation Of unanswered. questions.
 He delivered his sxrmons conscien- tiously. called upon his poor, listened to the sorrows. real and fancied. of his parishioners and shut himself up with behind the church.
 He had been absent all day when Mardy locked cut on the circus lot fer the dozenth time and saw that the afternoon performance was closing. + had driven her to desperation to learn that Miss Folly was not in the parade that morning ard to know that the pastor had made no effort to flrd out about her. Fer weeks both she and Hasty had hoped that the return Of the circus might bring Polly back to them. but now it was nearly night ard there had been no word from her Why didn't she come running in to see them as Mandy had felt SO sure she would? Why had. the pastor stayed away on the hills all day?
 Unanswered questions were always an abomination to Mandy, so finally she drew a quarter from the knotted gingham rag that held her small wad of savings and told Nasty to "go Tong to de show an' find out bout Miss Polly"
 She was anxicusly waiting for him when Deacon Strong knocked at the door for the second time that after nocn.
 "Is MT. Douglas back yetf" he asked.
 ''No. sah. he ain't.'' said Mandy very shortly She felt that Strong and FL verson had been 'a-tryin' to spy on de parson all day" ard she resented their visits mere than she usually did.
 What time are you expectin' him:"
 q don't nebber spec Massa Doug. las till sees him."
 Strong gruntcd uncivilly ard went down the steps. She saw from the window that he met Elverson in front of the church.
 "Dey sure am a-meanin' trouble" she mumbled.
 The band had stepped playing; the last of tho audience had struggled down the street. She opened the door and stood on the perch; the house seemed to suffocate her. What was keeping Hasty?
 He came at last, but Mandy could tell from his gait that he brought un- welcome knews.
 "An't she dar:"
 She's a-trabbelin' wid 'em. Mandy. but she didn't done ride"
 ''See heah, Nasty Jones, Is dat ere chile sick?"
 ''I don rightly know." said Nasty. "A great big man, what wored clothes like gemmen. comed out wid whip in his hand an says as how he's 'bliged to 'nounce anudder gal in Miss Polly's place. An den he says as how de udder gal was jes' as good. an den everybody look disappointed like, an den out comes Ge udder gal on a hoss an do tricks, an ain't heard no more bout Miss Polly"
 She's sick. dat's what says" Man. dy declared excitedly. "an' somebody's got to do somethin'!'
 ''I done all 1 knowcd," drawled Has ty. fearing that Mandy was regrettIng her twenty-five cent investment.
 Go long out an fix up dat ere kitchen fire." was Mnndy's impatient reply. T got to keep dem vittels warm for Massa John."
 She wished to be alone, so that she could think of some way to get hold of Polly. Dat baby faced mornin' glory done got Mandy all wobbly bout de heart" she declared to herself as she crossed to the window for a sight of the pastor.
 It was nearly dark when she saw