Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-07-10

"My children do not play In promtSct
OuS gnmeS," said the 1CidOl0 tcily.
shook their heads at his hopeless stu.
pidity.
Strong was not accustomed to crit
icism. He prided himself upon his
acuteness and was, above all. vain
about his connection with the church.
He looked from one woman to the 9th
er. He was seething with helpless
rage. The little deacon at his side
coughcd nervously. Strongs pent-up
wrath exploded "Why didn't you tell
me, Elverson, that people was a-talk-
in'?" he roared In the frightened mans
ear.
Elverson sputtered and stammered.
but nothing definite came Of the
sounds; so Strong again turned to Miss
Perkins:
what is goin' on?" he demanded.
The spinster shrugged her shoulders
and lifted her eyes heavenward, know
ing that nothing could so madden the
deacon as this mysterious Inference of
things too terrible to mention. She
was right. Strsng uttered desperate
"Bah" and began pacing up and down
the garden with reckless strides.
Mrs Wiloughby watched him with
secret delight, and when he came to
n halt she wriggled to his side with
simpcring 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 out 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 lonely-very-be she
came"
"Lonely!' snapped Miss Perkins.
"well. If he was lonely I didn't know
It."
The deacon excused himself nerv-
ously and went to join Strong.
The women gathered up their bunt-
ings and retired with bland smiles to
the Sunday school room. feeling that
they had accomplished enough for the
time being.
Strong and Elverson crossed the
yard. still In search of the pastor.
They turned at the sound of hutterln2
leaves and beheld Douglas hatless,
tearing down the path. Strong called
to him. but Douglas darted quickly be.
hind the hedge. The deacons looked ut
one another in speechless nStonish.
ment. Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice Of Polly
counting from one to n hundred. The
secret was out! The pastor. n leader
OF the church. was playing hide and
seek!
Mr. Douglass shouted Strong when
his breath had returned.
Hush hushr' 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"
It'll be good thing for you If she
never comes back" said Strong. and
Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas
ant meaning In his tone
whats that?" the pastor asked I'm n
low. steady voice.
I'VE don't like some OF the things
that are goin' on here. and | want To
talk to you about 'em."
Very well, but see If you can't talk
in a 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 is goin' to stay here
"Indeed! And why?" The color was
leaving Douglas face and his jaw was
becoming very square.
because she's been here long
enough"
81 don't agree with you there"
"Well, It don't make no difference
whether you do or not She's got to
60"
"Go" echoed Douglas.