Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-05-25

II 1 ing that nothing could 50 madden the deacon as this mysterious inference of things too terrible to mention. She was right Strong uttered desperate .Bah" and began pacing up and down the garden with reckless strides. Mrs. willoughby watched him with secret delight. and when he came to halt she wriggled to his side with simpering sweetness. "what could folks sayT she asted. "A minister and q young circus girl living here like this with no one to- She fourd 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 weak apology for the tpastor "l dare say the young man was very lonely-very-befcre she came"
 "Lonely!" snapped Miss Perkins. Well. If he was lonely didn't know It."
 The deacon excused himself nerv- ously and went to join Strong. 1 The women gathered up their bunt- I ings and retired with bland smiles to the Sunday school room. feeling that ! they had accomplished enough for the 1 time being.
 Strong and Elverson crossed the yard. still in search of the pastor. They turned at the sound of futtering leaves and beheld Douglas batless. 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 hundred. The secret was out! The pastor. a leader of the church. was playing hide and seek!
 "Mr. DouGlas" shouted Strong when his breath had returned.
 Flush. hushr' whispered Douglas. looking over the hedge. He peeped cautiously about him. then came to- ward the men with a sigh of relief ''lt's all right. She has gone the other way"
 "lt'll be a good thing for you If she never comes back" said Strong. and Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas- ant meaning in his tone.
 "what's thatT' the pastor asked in a low. steady voice
 I've don't like some of the things that are goin' on here. and ! want to talk to you about 'em.'
 Very wen. buf see if you can't talk ln lower key"
 Never mind about the keyw shout. ed Strong angrily.
 But do mind" Something in his eyes made the deacon lower his voice
 "Wc want to know how much longer that girl Is goin' to stay here"
 Indeed! And why?" The color was leaving Douglas face and his jaw was becoming very square.
 Because she's been here long enough"
 "l don't agree with you there"
 "Well. 1t don't make no difference whether you do or not. She's got to go"
 "Go7" ecboed Douglas.
 "Yes. sir-e-bob. We've made up onr minds to that"
 And who do you mean by .wey"
 The members of this congregation" replied Strong iinpatiently.
 Am to understand that you are speaking for thcmy There was a deep frown between the young pas tors eyes. He was beginning to be perplexed.
 "Yes. and ns deacon of this church"
 ''Then as deacon of this church you tell the congregation for me that that is my affair.""
 Your affair" shouted Strong. "when that girl Is Twin under the church's roof. eatin' the chnrch's breadr'
 Just one moment! You don't quite understand. am minister of this church. and for that position receive or am supposed to receive a salary 50 live on and this parsonage. rent free to live In. Any guests that may have here are my guests and not guests Of the church. Remember that. please"
 There was an embarrassing silence. The deacons recalled that the pastors salary was slightly in arrears Elver son coughed meekly Strong started
 You keep out of this. Elverson." he cried I'm runnin' this affair. and ain't forgettln' my duty nor the par sons"
 'I shall endeavor to do my duty,as see It." answered Douglas. turning away and dismissing the matter
 "Your duty Is to your church." thun. dered Strong.
 You're right about that. Deacon Strong" answered Douglas. wheeling about sharply. ''and my duty to the church is reason enough for my acting exactly as nm doing In this case"
 'Is your duty to the church the only reason you keep that girl here?"
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