Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1909-05-27
MApeARET MAYO


w
rage. The little deacon at his side
couehed nervously. Gtrong's pent-ur
wrath exploded. why didn't you tel
M. Elvefson, that people was a-talk-
in'r b. reared IN the frightened mans
eaf.
Elvseson sputtefed and stammered
but nothing definite came OF the
sounds; % Strong again turned to Miss
Perkins:
"What = goin' onr' he demanded.
The spinster shrugged her shoulders
and liftsd her eyes heavenward. know
ing that nothing could % madden the
deacon % this mysterious inference Of
things too terrible to mention. She
was right. Strong uttered desperate
, "Bah!s and began pacing up and down
the garden With reckless strides.
1 Mr.. Willoughby watched him with
secret delight, and when be came to
. halt che wfigsled to his side with
simpering sweetness.
| "What could folks say" she asked.
"A minister and . young circus girl
living here like this with no one to-
She found no words at this point. and
Strong. now thoroughly reused, de-
clared that the congregation should
have no further cause for gossip and
went ont 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. II dare say the young man
was very neutrality-suspicious. she
came"
.Ionelyr' snapped Miss Perkins.
'sWell, II he was lonely didn't know
e."
The deacon excused himself nerv.
ously and went to Join Strong.
Tho women gathered up their bunt-
ines and retired with bland smiles to
the Sunday school room. feeling that
they had accomplished enough for the
time being.
Strong and Everson crossed the
yard. still In search Of the pastor.
They turned at the sound Of nutterins
leaves and beheld Douglas. hatless,
tearing down the path. Strong called
to him. but Douglas darted quickly be
hind the hedge. The deacons looked at
one another In speeches. astonish.
ment. Presently the silence was
broken By the distant voice Of Polly
counting from one to 4 hundred. The
secret was out! The pastor. leader
Of the church. was playing hide and
seek!
'Afr. Douslasr' 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.
'It's all right. She has gone the other
way"
eth b good thing for you Il she
never comes back" said Strong, and
Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas-
ant meaning In his tone.
Whats thatl" the pastor asked I'm a
low, steady voice.
I'VE don't like some Of the things
that are goin' on here, and ! want to
talk to you about EN-"
every well. but zee if you can't talk
IN lower key"
"Never mind about the key!' shout.
ed Strong angrily.
''But I do mind" Something In his
eyes made the deacon lower his voice.
1--WE want to know how much longer
that girl u goin' to stay here"
Indeed! And why7" The color was
leaving Douglas face and his Jaw was
becoming very square.
because she's been here long
enough"
Il don't agree with you there
'sWell. It don't make no difference
whether you do or not. She's got to
Co."
"Go7' echoed Douglas.
"Yes, sir-e-bob. We've made up our
minds to that"
"And who do you mean by .weT"
THE members Of this congregation, .
replied Strong impatiently.
IAN I to understand that you are
speaking for them7" There was O
deep frown between the young pas.
tors eyes. He was beginning to be
peFplexed.
''Yes. and 40 deacon Of this church, =
sThen a. deacon Of this church you
tell the congregation for me that that
% my AFFAIR"
"Your affair."" shouted Strong. "when
that girl u livin' under the church'a
roof. eatin' the church's bready'
"Just one moment! You don't quite
understand. I am minister Of this
church, and for that position I receive
Or am supposed to receive q salary to
live on and this parsonage. rent free
to live Ia. Any guests that 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
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