The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-05-20

sounds; so Strong again turned to Mis-
Perkins:
"what Is goin' onr' he demanded.
The spinster shrugged her shoulder
and lifted her eyes heayenward, know
Ing that nothing could so madden th
deacon as this mysterious inference o
things too terrible TO mention. Sh
was right. Strong uttered a desperate
"Bah~ and began pacing up and dowi
the garden with reckless strides.
Mrs. wIlloughby watched him witt
secret delight, and when he came t
q halt she wrlggled TO his side will
eimpering sweetness.
"What could folks sayf she asked
"A minister and a young circus CIR
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. Il dare say the young man
was very lonely-very-befcre she
came"
"LonelyW snapped Miss Perkins
swell. II 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 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 Hutterlng
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 speechless astonlsh-
ment. Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice of Polly
counting from one to hundred. The
secret was out! The pastor, leader
of the church. was playing hide and
seek!
'Mr. Douglas!" shouted Strong when
bis breath had returned.
"Hush. hushw 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 a 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 in
low, steady voice.
1--WE don't like some Of the things
that are goln' on here. and ! want to
talk to you about 'em."
very well, but see II you can't talk
In lower key"
"Never mind about the keyr shout
ed Strong angrily.
"But | 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, II don't make no difference
whether you do or not She's got to
go"
"GoT echoed Douglas.
Eyes, 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 impatlently.
'Am | to understand that you are
speaking for themf" There was
deep frows between the young pas
tors eyes. He was beginning to be
perplexed.
"Yes, and as deacon Of this church"
"Then as deacon Of this church you
tell the congregation for me that that
Is my affair"
"Your affair."" shouted Strong, when |
that girl is livin' under the church's |
roof, eatin' the church's breadr'
Just one momentl You don't quite
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 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 coughed meekly. Strong started.
You keep out OF this, Elversonw he
.ried. I'm runnln' this affair, and
niu't forgettin' my duty nor the par
sons"
II shall endeayor to do my duty as
see IT," answered Douglas, turning
iway and dismissing the matter.
''Your duty Is TO your church" thun-
Tered Strong.
You're right about that, Deacon
Strong" answered Douglas. wheeling
about sharply, "and my duty to the
,hurch Is reason enough for my acting
Exactly as am doing In this case"
"ls your duty 10 the church the only
-eason you keep that girl herer
"No; there are other reasons"
II thought so"
"You've heard ber siory-you must
laye beard. She was left with me by
in old clown who belonged IN the cir
us where she worked Before be died
le asked me 10 look after her. She
las no one else shall certainly do
TO-"
THAT was when she was hurt She's
ven now and able 10 30 back where
he came from DO you expect us 10
lave our young folks associstln' with
circus ridln' girlf'
so, that's iif' cried the pastor. With
pitying look You think this child
) unfit for your bones because she
eas once IN q circus For some rea.
on circus 70 yon spells crime You
all yourself Christian. Deacon
,trong. and vet you Insist that | send !