Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-07-17

Il guess 1t couldn't ever come to that
atween you an me. I'll be all right"
He shrugged his great shoulders It's
Just kinder sudden, that's all. You see,
l never figured on givin' you up, an
when you said you wasn't comm back
1t kinder seemed as though | couldn't
see nothin' all my life but long, dusty
roads an nobody in 'em. But its all
right now, an III just he gettin' along
to the wagon" ..... fr-
but, Jim, you haven't seen MIR.
Douglas" Polly protested. trying to
keep him with her until she could
think of some way to comfort him.
"Ill look In on him comm back"
said Jim, anxious to be alone with his
disappointment, He was out of the
gate before she could stop him.
Hurry back, won't you. Jim? I'll be
waiting for YOU She watched him
going quickly down the road. his fists
thrust into his brown coat pockets and
his hat pulled over his eyes. lie did
not look back, as he used to do, to wave
parting farewell and she turned to.
ward the house with troubled heart.
She had reached the lower step when
from the direction of the church.
WAS that Teller here to take you
back to the circus" demanded Strong.
( She opened her lips to reply, but be.
fore she could speak Strong assured
her that the congregation wouldn't do
anything to stop her II she wished to
go. He saw the blank look on her
face. I'VE amt tryin' to pry into none
of your private affairs" he explained,
"but my daughter saw you and that
there Teller a-makin' up to each other
If you're calculatin' to run away with
him you'll save a heap of trouble for
the parson by dom it quick"
1.-THE parson"
You can't blame the congregation
for not wantin' him to keep you here
You got sense enough to see how 1t
looks. He'd see 1t. too, If he wasn't
just plain bullheaded. Well he'd bet
ter get over his stubbornness right
now. If he don't We'll get another min
lister; that's ALL"
Another minister? You don't mean
1t was clear enough now. She recalled
Douglas troubled look of an hour ago
She remembered how he had asked II
she couldn't go away. 1t was this that
he meant when he promised not to
give her up, no matter what happened
In an instant she was at the deacon's
side pleading and terrified. You
wouldn't get another minister! Oh.
please. Deacon Strong listen to me-
listen! You were right about Jim He
did come to get me, and | am going
back to the circus-only you won't
send Mr.. Douglas away. you won't!
Say you won'tr' She was searching
his eyes for mercy. at wasn't his
fault that kept staying on. He didn't
know how to get rid of me. He did
try. He tried only today"
$50 he's comm round" sneered
Strong.
"Yes, yes. and you won't blame him
any more will your" she hurried on
anxiously. f"YOu'll let him stay. no
matter what he does, If 1 promise to
go away and never never come back
againT" t.tt
81 amt holdin' no grudge agin him."
Strong grumbled. "He talks pretty
rough sometimes, but he's been good
enough minister. l amt forgettin'
that"
: "Oh. thank you. Mr.. Strong. thank
you. I'll get my things. 1t won't take
minute" She was running up the
steps when sudden thought stopped
her She returned quickly to Strong.
WED better not let him know just
yet. You can tell him afterward Tell
him that ! ran away. Tell him that
She was interrupted by Douglas. who
came from the house. Hello. Strong!
Back again?" he asked. in some sur
prise. Polly remained with her eyes
fixed upon the deacon, searching for
some way of escape. The pastor ap.
preached She burst into nervous
laughter. whats the joker" Douglas
asked.
"ft's only little surprise that the
deacon and are planning" She tried
to control the catch In her voice
you'll know about it soon, won't he
deacon? Good afternoon. Mr.. Strong!'
She flew into the house. laughing hys.
terically. t'..
Douglas followed her to the steps
with puzzled frown. 1t was unlike
Polly. to give way to her moods before