The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-05-06

that girl is cdttn' the chtLrch's bredd!'
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 his connection with the church.
He looked from one woman to the 9TH
err. He was seething with helpless
rage. The little deacon at his side
coughed nervously Strong's pent-up
wrath exploded. "Why didn't you tell
me, Elverson, that people was a-talk-
IMP" he roared in the frightened mans
ear.
Elverson sputtered and stammered,
but nothing definite came Of the
sounds; so Strong again turned to Miss
Perkins:
What is goin' orr? 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
was right Strong uttered Il desperate
Dali. duu DcSdu ltdSiuS up s'iiu W." IL
the garden with reckless strides.
Mrs Willoughby watched him with
secret delight and when he came to
q halt she wriggled to his side with
simpering sweetness.
what could folks say?' she asked
"a minister and a young circus girl
living here like this with no one to-
ho nd
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 EMERSON
looked at the set faces Of the women
and attempted weak apology for the
pastor. II dare say the young man
was very neutrality-suspicious. 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.
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 EMERSON crossed the
| yard, still in search of the pastor
They turned at the sound Of fluttering
leaves and beheld Douglas. hatless
tearing down the path. Strong called
to him, but Douglas darted quickly be.
hind the hedge. The deacons looked a,
one another in speechless astonish
ment. Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice Of Polly
| counting from one to n hundred. The
secret was out! The pastor. leader
Of the church. was playing hide and
seek.
"dr. Douglasr' 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 sigh of relief
tits all right. She has gone the othe,
way"
It'll be good thing for you If she
never comes back" said Strong and
Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas
ant meaning in his tone
Whats that?" the pastor asked in {
low, steady voice.
I'VE don't like some Of the thing.
that are goin' on here. and | want Il
talk to you about EN-
Very well. but see if you can't tall
in lower key
Never mind about the key" shout
ed Strong angrily
But l do mind" Something in hi
eyes made the deacon lower his voice
1--WE want TO know how much lonce
that girl is goin' to stay here"
Indeed, And why" The color wa.
leaving Douglas face and his Jaw wa
becoming very square
Because she's been here lon:
enough
Il don't agree with you there"
We'll. 1t don't make no differenc,
whether you do or not. She's got :.
60"
Cor echoed Douglas.
"Yes. sir-ebob. We've made I'D on
minds to that
And who do you mean by 'weT"
The members Of this congregation,
. replied Strong impatiently.
Am l to understand that you ar
speaking for them?" There was
deep frown between the young pa.
tors eyes. He was beginning to b
perplexed.
Yes, and as deacon Of this church
. Then as deacon OF this church 70
tell the congregation for me that thu
is my affair."
} "Your affair" shouted Strong. "whe
that girl is Twin under the church
roof, eatin' the church's breadr'
"Just one moment! You don't qrii
!. fndnrSfand nm ,,,inisfoe of IL,