Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-05-28
CHAPTER *
By MARGARET MAYO

the house when the Widow
Willoughby came through the
u wicker gate to the left Of the
parsonage, carrying bunting for the
social. She was followed by Miss Per
kins with bucket Of pickles. which
Mandy promptly placed on top of Mrs.
Elverson's ice cream. The women ex-
planned that they had come to put the
finishing touches to the decorations.
If anything was needed to increase
Mandy's dislike Of the widow it 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 distrust 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 to think. They had been talking
excitedly as they neared the parson
age, for Strong disapproved Of the re
cent changes which the pastor had
made in the church service. He and
Douglas had FLASHED more than once
since the baseball argument. and the
deacon had realized more and more
that he had met will quite as strong
us 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
ruffled 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 Strong, 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 q
new game, she said, and needed Willie
ard Jennie for tie set.
My children do not play in promis.
cuous games" said the widow icily
"Oh. but this isn't pro-pro-p pro-
Polly stammered Its new game
You put two here, and two here
and
II don't care to know" The widow
turned away and pretended to talk tc
Julia.
"Ohy' gasped Polly. stunned by the
widows rebuff.
She stood with bowed head in tn,
center of the circle. The blood flew
from her cheeks; then she turned to go
Douglas stepped quickly to her side
'.Wait minute" he said Sh,
paused. All eyes were turned upol
them. "Is this game that grownup
can play?"
"Why, yes. of course"
"Gocd! Then I'll make up your set
need little amusement just now
Excuse me,' he added, turning to tn
deacons. Then he ran with her on
through the trees.
The deacons and the women stared
at each other, aghast.
"Well, what do you think of that?'
said Mrs. Willoughby as the flying
skirts of the girl and the black fgur,
Of the man disappeared up the path.
81 think it's scandalous, If you ar
talking to me-" said Miss Perkins
'The idea of a full grown parsol
a-runnin' off to play children's game
with circus ridin' girl!'
"She isn't such child" sneere'
Julia.
"It's enough to make folks talk" pu
In Mrs. Willoughby, with sly loo
at the deacons.
''An' me awaitin' to discuss the ney
church service" beloved Strong.
And me awaiting to give him Mr.
Elversons message" piped Elyerson.
.The church bore all this In silenc
SO long as that girl was SICK" snappe
Miss Perkins. "But now she's perfec
~ well and still Arranging on. N
wonder folks are talking"
who's talkin'Y Numbered Strong.
didn't you knowY simpered Mr.
Willoughby, not knowing herself nc
caring SO long as the suspicion grew.
"Know what?" yelled the excite
deacon. Mrs. Willoughby fioundere'
Miss Perkins rushed into the breach.
well, If l was deacon of this churc
1t seems to me I'd know somethin
about what's going on in it,
"What is goin on?' shrieked IL
now desperate deacon.
The women looked at him pityingl
exchanged knowing glances. the
- "a