The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-04-28

Jus vuhHSoI WIZ VIC WtuOW p1V'
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 bis connection with the church.
He looked from one woman to the 9TH
"a. He was seethlng with helpless
rage. The little deacon at his side
coughed neryously. Strong's pent-up
wrath exploded. "why didn't you tell
me, EMERSON, that people was a.talk-
in,Y' he reared in the frightened mans
ear.
EMERSON sputtered and stammered,
hut nothing definite came Of the
sounds; SO Strong again turned to Miss
Perkins,
swhat is goin' onq" he demanded.
The splnster shrugged her shoulders
and lifted her eyes heavenward, know.
ing that nothing could so madden the
deacon as this mysterious inference ct
things too terrible to mention. She
was right. Strong uttered q Desperate
+Bahr and began pacing up AID down
the garden with reckless strides.
Mrs. Wlloughby watched him with
secret delight, and when he came to
d halt she wriggled to his side with
sifnpering sweetness.
+What could folks sayf" she asked.
"A minister and a 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 in search Of Douglas.
When Strong was gone Elyerson
looked at the set faces of the women
and attempted a weak apology for the
pastor. 81 dare say the young man
was very lonely-very-before she
came.R
"LouelyF snapped Miss Perkins.
Well, II he was lonely ! didn't know
it,
The deacon excused himself nerv-
ouslyi 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 in search of the pastor.
They turned at the sound of Huttering
leaves and beheld Douglas, hatless,
tearing down the path. Strong called
to him, but Douglas darted quickly be-
hind the hedge. The deacons looked at
one another in speeches. astonish-
ment Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice Of Polly
counting from one to a hundred. The
secret was outl The pastor, a leader
Of the church, was playing hide and
seekl
HMr. DouglasF' shouted Strong when
bis breath had returned.
Hush, hushI" whispered Douglas,
/, looking over the hedge. he peeped
cautiously about him, then came to-
ward the men with a sigh Of relief.
tIts an right. She has gone the other
way
attn be a good thing for you II she
never comes packi' SAID suonB, anu
Douglas quick a caught an unpleas-
ant meaning In his tone.
What's that's" the pastor asked In a
low, steady voice.
I'VE don't Ike some of the things
that are goin' on here, and l want to
talk to you about 'em."
Very Wen, but see II You can't talk
In q lower key"
eNever mind about the keyr' shout
ed Strong angrily.
but ! do mind.n Something IN hi
eyes made the deacon lower his voice
we want to know how much logger
that girl Is goin' to stay here
slndeedl And whyTs The color Wa
leaving Dcuglas' face and.his jaRSwasi
becoming very square.