The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-05-12

"My children do not play In promiscu-
Gus games said the iridotp tcily
shook their heads at his hopeless stu
pidity
Strong WIS not accustomed to crit
icisn. He prlded himself upon his
acuteness and was, above all, vain
about his connection with the church.
He looked from one woman to the 9th
or. He was seethins with helpless
rage. The little deacon al his side
coughed nervously Strosg's pentup
wrath exploded why didn't YOU tell
me, Elverson, that people was a-talk
INF" he roared In the frightened mans
ear.
EMERSON sputtered and stammercd.
but nothing dennite came Of the
sounds, so Strong again turned To Miss
Perkins:
What Is goin' on?' he demanded,
The spinster shrugged her shoulders
and lifted her eyes heavenward, know
ing that nothing could SO madden the
deacon as this mysterious Inference of
things too terrible to mention. She
F, 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
q halt she wriggled to his side witt,
simperlng sweetness.
"What could folks say?" she aske
"A minister and 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 IIlvcrson
looked at the set faces OF the women
and attempted weak apology for the
pastor. II dare say the young man
was very lonely-very-b before she
came"
"Lonelyr snapped Miss Perkins.
well. IL he was lonely | didn't know
IT,"
The deacon excused himself nerv-
ously and went TO join Strong.
The women gathered up their bunt
lngs and retired with blnnd smiles to
the Sunday school room, feeling that
they had accomplished enough for the
time being
Strong aud 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 speechless astonlsh-
ment Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice OF Polly
counting from one to hundred. The
secret was out The pastor. Il leader
OF the church. was playing hide and
seek,
"Mr Douglasw shouted Strong when
his breath had returned.
Hush hush" whispered Douglas,
looking over the hedge. He peeped
cautiously about him then came to-
ward the men with n Sigh OF relief
ITS all right She has gone the other
way"
"It'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 TINT" the pastor asked In n
low, steady voice.
eve don't like some of the things
that are goin' on here and want to
talk TO You about 'em."
every well, but see II you can't talk
I'm n lower key"
Never mind about the keyH shout
ed Strong angrlly.
'But do mind Something In his
eyes made the deacon lower his voice.
I'VE want to know how much longer
that girl Is goin' TO stay here"
"Indeed, And whyf' The color was
leaving Douglas face and his jaw was
becoming very square.
Because she's been here long
enough
II don't agree with you there"
well II don't make no difference
whether you do or not She's got to
go"
"GoY echoed pouglas
"Yes, sre-bob. We've made up our
minds 10 that"
"And who do you mean by WEI"
THE members Of this congregation"
replied Strong impatiently
Am ] to understand that you are
speaking for them?" There was
deep frown between the young pas
tors eyes. He was beginning to be
perplexed.
"Yes, and as 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