The Springdale news., 1909-07-09

= was very lonely -very-befcre sht came"
 "Lonelyr snapped Miss Perkins ''Well. if he was lonely 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 thai they had accomplished enough for tht time being
 Strong and Elverson crossed tht yard still in search of the pastor They turned at the sound of futteriae leaves and beheld Douglas hatless tearing down the path Strong called 10 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 a hundred. The secret was outi The pastor. a leader of the church. was playing hide and seek
 
 his breath had returned.
 Hush. hushr whispered Douglas looking over the hedge. He peeped cautiously about him, then came to. ward the men with a sigh of relief ''It's all right. She has gone the other way"
 It'll be a good thing for you if she
 
 Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas. ant meaning in his tone.
 What's that?' the pastor asked in a low, steady voice
 'We don't like some of the things :. that are goin' on here. and l want 10 talk 10 you about 'em."
 "Very vel, but see if you can't talk in lower key.
 "Never mind about the keyr' shout ed Strong angrily.
 But do mind" Something in bis eyes made the deacon lower his voice 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.
 "Beeause she's been here long enough
 'l don't agree with you there"
 Well. 1t don't make no difference whether you do or not, She's got to go"
 "Go?' echoed Douglas.
 'Yes, sir-ebob We've made up our minds 10 that
 And who do you mean by .wer "Tbe members of this congregation, replied Strong impatiently.
 Am to understand that you are speaking for them?' There was a deep frown between the young pas tors eyes. He was beginning to be perplexed
 "Yes, and as deacon of this church" ]" '"Fhen as deacon of this church you tell the congregation for me that that Is my affair."
 "Your affair" shouted Strong, when that girl is Twin under the church's roof, eatin' the church's breadn'
 Just one moment, You don't quite understand. am minister of this church, and for that position 1 receive or am supposed to receive a salary to live on and this parsonage. rent free 10 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 son coushed meekly. Strong started You keep out of this Elverson," he cried I'm runnin' this affair, and | ain't forgettin' my duty nor the par sons"
 "I shall endeayer to do my duty as see it." answered Douglas. turning away and dismissing 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 10 the church is reason enough for my acting exactly as l am doing in this case ''ls your duty to the church the only reason you keep that girl here?"
 No; there are other reasons"
 ''I thought so."
 You've heard her story-you 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. I shall certainly do so''
 That was when she was hurt. She $ well now and able to go back where she came from. Do you expect us tQ have our young folks associatin' with a circus ridin' girlf'
 'So. that's itr' cried the pastor, with a plying look You think this child is unfit for your homes because she was once in circus. For some req son circus to you spells crime. You call yourself Christian. Deacon Strong. and yet you insist that l send 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- reared Strong He was deSperate