The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1909-06-02

the circus. and her pa a deacon of the
church. and this the house Of the pas
tor! It's shocking. must go to her"
Ma, let me see too" begged Willie
as he tugged at his mothers skirts.
Mrs. Willoughby hcsitated Miss
Perkins was certainly taking long
while for her argument with Julia.
The glow from the red powder outside
the window was positively alarming.
Dear me- she said. II wonder II
there can be n fire" And with this
pretext for investigation she, too,
joined the little group at the window.
a few moments later, when Douglas
entered for fresh supply Of paper,
the backs Of the company were to-
ward him. He crossed to the study
table without disturbing his visitors
and smiled to himself at the eager
way in which they were hanging out
OF the window.
Douglas was n sturdy young man OF
eight and twenty, frank and boyiSh In
manner, confident and light hearted in
spirit. He had seemed too young to
the dcacons when he was appointed to
their church, and his keen enjoyment
of outdoor games and other hcalthful
sports robbed him of a certain dignity
In their eyes. Some Of the women Of
the congregation had been inclined to
side with the dcaconS, for K hurt their
vanity that the pastor found so many
other interests when he might have
been sitting In dark, Stuny rooms dis
cuSSing theology with them, but Doug
las had been either unconscious OF or
Indifferent TO their resentment and
had gone on his way with checry nod
and an uncOnQucrablc conviction of
right that had only left them founder
ing. lie intended to quit the room
now unnoticcd, but was unfortunate
enough to upset n chair as he turned
from the table. This brought chorus
of cXclamations from the women, who,
chattcring. rushed quickly toward him
What do yoa think of my naughty
boy Willc| Simpcrcd the widow.
"llc dragged me quite to the window"
Douglas glanced amuScdly first Mt
the five foot six widow and then at
the helpless red haired urchin by her
side, but he made no comment beyond
oicrihg chair to each OF the women.
our choir practice had to be entire
Iy discontinued" declared Miss Per
kinS Sourly as she accepted the prof-
fcred chair adjusted her skirts for q
stay and glanced dc6antly at the par
son. who had dutifuly seated himself
near the table.
/ am sure | have as true an ear as
anybody" whimpcrcd the widow, with
an injured air. Put defy any one
to lead What Shall the Harvest Be?'
to an accompaniment like that" She
Jerked her hand in the direction Of the
window. The band was again playing
the "hoochee coochee."
Never mind about the choir prac-
tice," said Douglas, with n smile. ut
is soul. not SKILL that our congregation
needs in It's music. AS for that music
out there, 1t is not without It's compen-
sations. Why, the small boys would
rather hear that band than the finest
church organ In the world"
And the small boys would rather
see the circus than to hear you preach.
most likely" snapped Miss Perkins.
1t was adding insult to injury for him
to try to console her
"Of course they would. ana so would
some of the grownups II they'd only
tell the truth about It," said Douglas,
laughing.
What" exclaimed Miss Perkins.
"Why notT" asked Douglas. Il am
sure | don't know what they do inside
the tents, but the parade looked very
promising"
THE parade the two women cch-
ocd in one breath. Did you see the
paradc:"
"IcS. indeed" said Douglas cnthusi-
aStically. but it didn't compare with
the one l saw Mt the age OF eight"
He turned his head to one side ana
looked INTO space with n reminiscent
smile. The Widows red haired boy
crcpt close to him.
The Shetland ponies seemed MS
small as mice" he continued drcamily,
"the elephants huge as mountains. the
great callIopc waited my soul to the
very skies. and followed that parade
right into the circus lot"
did you seed inside de tcntY" Will
lie asked eagerly
II didn't have enough money for
that" Douglas answered frankly. He
turned to the smal! boy and pinchcd
his ear. There was sad dSappoint-
ne