The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-05-20
CHATTER TX

- DOUGLAS was turning toward
lin the house when the Widow
iii Willoughby came through ID,
u wicker gate 10 the left ~ ID,
parsonage. carrying bunting for th,
social She was followed by Miss Per
klns with bucket Of pickles. which
MANDY promptly placed on top of Mrs
Elyersons Ice cream The women ex
plained that they had come TO put the
finishing touches 10 the decorations
II anything was needed 10 increase
Mandy's dislike Of the widow II was
this announcement
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 Douglas dispatched
Mandy for them. She saw that her
Implied dlstrust Of Polly had annoyed
him. and she was about TO apologize
when two Of the deacons 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 70 think. They had been talking
exeitedly as they neared the parson
age. for Strong disapproyed OF the re
cent changes which the pastor had
made In the church service He and
Douglas had clasbed more than once
since the baseball argument. and the
deacon had realized more and more
that he had met viii quite as strong
as his own His failure TO bend the
parson TO his way Of thinking was
making him Irritable and taking his
mind from his business.
Can you beat that" he would ex.
claim as he turned away from some
disagreement with Douglas, his temper
rufiied for the day.
Polly was utterly unconscious Of the
unfriendly glances cast In her direction
as she came running into the garden
leading the widows two children.
She nodded gayly to Julia Strsng, who
was coming through the gate, then
hurried to Mrs. Willoughby. begging
that the children be allowed to remain
a little longer She was making up
new game, she said, and needed Willie
and Jennie for the set.
my children do not play In promls
cuous 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
Il don't care to know" The widow
turned away and pretended to talk tc
Julia.
"ohw gasped Polly, stunned by the
widows rebuff
She stood with bowed head In the
center OF the circle. The blood few
from her cheeks; then she turned to 20
Douglas stepped quickly to her side
"Wait minute" he said She
paused. All eyes were turned upon
them. rs this game that grownups
can playf"
"Why, yes, OF course"
Good! Then I'll make up your set
! need little amusement Just now
Excuse me-" be added, turning to the
deacons. Then he ran with her out
the trees.
The deacons and the women stared |
nt each other, aghast.
"Well, what do you think Of thatT
,aid Mrs Willoughby as the flying |
skirts OF the girl and the black figure
" the man disappeared up the path
II think it's scandalous. II you are
talking TO me-" said Miss Perkins.
'The idea of full grown parson
i-runnin' OF TO play children's games
with circus rldin' girl"
'She isn't such child" sneered
Julia.
FITS enoJgh TO make folks talk put
In Mrs. Willoughby, with sly look
1t the deacons.
'An me awaitln' to discuss the new
,hurch service" beloved Strong.
And me awaiting to give him Mrs.
Elverson's message" plped Elverson.
The church bore all this in silence
10 long as that girl was sick" snapped
Hiss Perkins But now she's perfect
y well and still a.hanging on. No
wonder folks are talking"
who's talkin'T tbundered Strong.
didn't you know" simpered Mrs.
Niloughby, not knowing herself nor
airing SO long as the suspicion grew.
"know whatT" yelled the excited
leacon. Mrs. willoughby foundered.
'ilss Perkins rushed Into the breach.
"Well, II was deacon OF this church
/ seems TO me I'd know something
bout what's going on In It."
what Is goin' onY' shrieked the
ow desperate deacon.
The women looked at him pItyingly,
xehanged knowing glances. then
IN