Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-06-18

MY children do not play In promiScu-
Gus games" said the acidotO tcilH
shook their heads ut his hopeless stu
| pidity.
Strong was not accustomed to crit
icism. He prided himself upon his
acuteness and was. above all. vain
about his connection with the church
lie looked from one woman to the ct H.
er. He was seethng with helpless
rage. The little deacon at his side
coughcd nervOusly. Strong's pent up
wrath exploded. "Why didn't you tell
me, Elverson, that people was a-talk-
in'!" he reared In the frightened mans
ear.
| ElversOn sputtered and stammercd
but nothing definite 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 50 madden the
deacon as this mysterious inference of
things too terrible TO mention. She
was right. Strong uttered n desperate
Bah" and began pacing up and down
the garden with reckless strides.
Mrs. Wi!loughby watched him with
secret delight. ard when he came to
Il halt she wriggled to his side with
simperlng sweetness.
What could folks say? she asked.
"a minister and n young circus girl
living here like this with no one to-
She found no words at this point. and
Strong. now thoroughly reused, de-
clarcd that the congregation should
have no further cause for gossip and
went out quickly in search Of Douglas.
When Strong was gone Elverson
looked at the set faces Of the women
and attempted weak apology for the
pastor. Il dare say the young man
was very lonely-very before she
came"
LONELY snapped Miss Perkins.
''Well. II he was lonely didn't know
It,"
The deacon excused himself nerv.
Ously 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 fluttering
leaves and beheld Douglas. hatless,
hn
to him. but Douglas darted quickly be-
hind the hedge. The deacons looked at
one another In speechless 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. hushw whispered Douglas.
looking over the hedge. He peeped
cautiously about him. then came to.
ward the men with sigh OF relief
ITS all right. She has gone the other
way"
It'll be good thing for you IL she
never comes back" said Strong. and
Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas-
ant meaning IN his tone
What's that:" the pastor asked In
low. steady voice
we don't like some Of the things
that are Goin' on here. and | want to
talk to you about EN-"
Very well. but See if you can't talk
In lower Key"
Never mind about the key" shout
ed Strong angrily.
But do mind" Something In his
eyes made the deacon lower his voice.
we 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.