The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-04-28

+Yes, alr.e-bob. We've made up our
minds to that"
And who do you mean by .weT"
The members Of this congregation"
replied Strong lmpatiently.
Am l to understand that you are
speaking for themy There was a
deep frown between the young pas
tors eyes. BE was beginning to be
perplexed.
Yes. and as deacon Of this church"
Then us deacon Of this church you
tell the congregation for me that that
is my AFFAIR"
'Your affalr." shouted Strong, when
that girl is Twin under the church's
roof, eatin' the church's breadT'
"Just one moment! You don't quite
understand. 1 am minister of this
church, and for that position / receive
or am supposed to receive a salary to
live on and this parsonage, rent free,
to live in. Any guests that l may have
here are my guests and not guests Of
the church. Remember that, please"
There was an embarrassing silence.
The deacons recalled that the pastors
salary was slightly in arrears. Elver-
SOL coughed meekly. Strong started.
you keep out of this. Elverson!' he
cried. "rm runnln' this affair, and |
amt forgettln' my duty nor the par.
sons"
81 shall endeavor to do my duty as
l see it." answered Douglas, turning
away and dismisslng the matter.
your duty is to your church." thun.
dered Strong.
you're right about that. Deacon
Strong" answered Douglas, wheeling
about sharply. ''and my duty to the
church is easo enough for my acting
exactly as l am doing in this case"
as your duty to the church the only
reason you keep that girl hereT"
mo; there are other reasons"
81 thought so"
you've heard her story-yon must
have heard. She was left with me by
an old clown who belonged In the cir
Gus where she worked. Before he died
he asked me to look after her. She
has no one else. | shall certainly do
So"
THAT was when she was hurt. She's
well now and able to go back where
she came from. Do you expect us to
have u young folks a~ssociatIn' with
a circus rldln' girlT"
$50. that's It'll" cried the pastor, with
a plying look. you think this child
is unfit for your homes because she
was once In a circus. For some rea-
son circus to you spells crime. You
call yourself a Christian, Deacon
Strong, and yet you insist that | send
a good, innocent girl back to a life
which you say is sinful. I'm ashamed
of you. StrOng-I'm ashamed of you"
"That talk don't do no good with
me" roared Strong. He was desperate
at being accused Of an un-C christian at
titude.
81 nin't askin' you to send her back
to the circus. don't care where you
send her. Get her away from here;
that's ALL"
Not so long as she wishes to stay"
you won'tT' Strong saw that he
must try a new attack. He came close
to Douglas and spoke with a marked
insInuation. "If you was u friend to
the girl. you wouldn't want the whole
congregation a-pOIntIn' fingers at her."
"What do you mean?"
81 mean that your livIn' here alone
with her and it looks bad-bad for the
girl and bad for you-and folks is
talkin'."
"Are you trying to tell me that my
people are evil minded enough to think
that y Douglas stopped. He could
not frame the question. 81 don't be-
lieve it" he concluded shortly.
You'll be made to believe 1t If you
don't get rid Of that girl"
do you believe lit" He turned
upon the little mar at his side. DO
you believe it. ElvcrsonT"
EMERSON had been so accustomed to
Strong monopollzing the conversation
that he had become hopeleSsly lost as
the discussion went on, and the sudden
appeal to him all but paralyzcd his
power Of speech. He was still CUR.