The Dolores star., 1909-07-16


eSenging angel. but instead Of q IA
ming sword he possessed a huge fist,
With which he pounded the Bible into
pulp, and an equally huge voice, which
tremendously called sinners to re-
pentance. Such was Rev. Abijah Cen
ter.
John Hardaway did not attend these
meetings. and as nearly every one
eIse did. and many were falling before
the great religious storm. he suddenly
became the target for the shots OF all
the Jealous proselytes who were work
ing for Gods glory. and perhaps their
own.
AT first the attention which he ex-
scited annoyed him. and then he began
TO regard 1t with grim Amusement.
But when Silas Bollender. who was
known to have gone to see play acting
at certain county fair, exhorted him
that he must be snatched as a brand
from eternal burning" he laughed out
right.
III any brand needs 'snatching.'
Mr.. Bollender." he said, laughingly. II
certainly am that one. but being
snatched 30 young would keep me
from SO many pleasures"
That's Just It," exclaimed silas,
heatedly. pleasure"
Such as a county fair" went on the
young man. imperturbably, and"
but Silas. though now he sat starched
and solemn In the amen corner" was
already fully routed.
When Silas left there was q wry
pucker about the young lawyers lips,
and 1t wasn't exactly mirth.
Then to himself: Nonsense" he
said. Am I giving way to the influence
OF this insanity afi1icted atmosphere ?"
He shook himself, put on his hat, and
went out. He believed he would go
over to Ellen Hargot and tell her his
joke on 81 Bollender; she couldn't
help but enjoy 1t, for she had humor
and common sense.
He found Ellen with a smile upon
her face and singing about her work,
but there were traces Of recent tears
upon her lashes. Somehow she seemed
to be. and yet not to be. the person
by whom his little joke would be ap-
preciated. Her eyes were glad, but
with peculiarly serious gladness.
With some hesitation he told his
story. and only got in return a serious
signing:
Poor Mr.. Bollender."
Why. Ellen, surely you don't sym.
pathize with that old hypoclrte; why
,he----''
slnsot ,udss. Hsls dosss IN
that he can do. and that Is more than
some OF us with the light right before
US can say"
Ellen" broke in John Hardaway
you don't mean to say that you, too,
have come under the spell of this
junketing mountebank's conjuring?"
Don't say that, John. ! have indeeo
been sitting for some nights under the
edtpourings Of Elder Center's Cos.
pei"
1T certainly is his gospel. The Lord
wouldn't own It,"
And have thought and prayed and
professed religion at home today"
"You!"
Eyes. Oh. John! don't look that
way. l am 80 happy"
With half laugh and a poor At.
tempt at lightness he approached her
I'm sorry, Ellen, that you take your
religion 80 hard. I'm afraid. dear, that
you will never get over 1t. Remember
too, that It may be catching and am
exposed"
John Hardaway had made the mis-.
take Of his life. You may with more
impunity fog woman than make fun
Of her religion.
Ellen Hargot stihened. She eluded
Johns outstretched hand.
II could never marry a man who
could scoff at religion" she said, slip.
ping the little gold circlet from her
finger and reaching 1t towards him.
why, Ellen. Ellen" he said, Il
didn't mean to scon at you. You will
not give me up in this way. will you p
For answer she pressed the ring
int his hand and turned way with sad
eyes.
He stood gazing for a moment at
the little gold band. the sign and sym
Dol Of their love and betrothal; its re-
turn the reminder Of his love. rejected.
thrown back upon him; then he cried.
passionately: well, II this IL re-
ligton. that / say"
John" she cried. in an awe-struck
voice, and he paused. the rash words
dying on his tongue.
Take the ring. Ellen" he said.
softly; 1T hasn't done you any harm
and can't do you any"
But she only shook her head. mot
now. John." she said.
A sudden, sullen anger seized John
Hardaway. and putting the ring into
his pocket he hurried to the door.
Then he paused. and his voice had
somethine Of ring of challenge in II
as he said: ELLEN. think you had
better read your gospel again. be
lieye that you will find somewhere
that the great Exemplar says: 7
come not to save the righteous. but to
bring sinners to repentance The later