Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1910-04-28

shan't interfere. You'll be going on
your way in an hour. I'll say good
by and God bless you, but II you do
care for me. Polly" he was pleading
now, 1T you're not happy here, won't
you come back to me? Won't you.
Polly"
She dared not meet his eyes nor yet
to send him away. She stood irreso-
lutte. The voice Of Deacon Strong an
swered for her.
$50 you're here. are you"
Eyes, Deacon Strong, I'm here" an
swered the pastor as he turned to
meet the accusing eyes Of the deacon.
"As for you, miss" continued Strong,
with an insolent nod toward Polly, 81
might have known how you'd keep
your part Of the bargain"
Bargain echoed Douglas. What
bargain?''
"Oh, please, Deacon Strong, please. /
didn't mean to see him-I didn't, tru-
ly." She hardly knew what she was
saying.
What bargainT demanded Douglas
"She told me that you and her
wasn't ever goin' to see each other
ag'in!' roared Strong. IF I'd knowed
she was goin' to keep on with this
kind Of thing you wouldn't have got
of so easy"
$50 that's itp' cried Douglas. 1t
was all clear to him now. he recalled
everything - her hysterical behavior.
her laughter, her tears. 1T was you
who drove that child back to this" He
glanced at Polly. The narrow shout
ders were bent forward. The nervous
little fingers were clasping and unclasp-
Ing each other. Never before had she
seemed so small and helpless.
"Oh, please, Mr. John. please don't
make him any worsev'
why didn't you tell meT he de-
handed.
1T would have done no good" she
sobbed. "Oh. why-why won't you
leave me aloneT
ut would have done all the good in
the world. What right had he to send
you back to this?"
II had every right" said Strong
stubbornly.
"What?" cried Douglas
at was my duty"
"Your duty? Your narrow minded
bigotryr'
II don't allow no man to talk to me
like that, not even my parson."
'I'm not your parson any longer"
ratn
squarely. He was master of his own
affairs at last. Polly chung to him,
begging and beseeching.
"Oh, Mr.. John, Mr.. Johnw
"What do you mean by that?" shout.
ed Strong.
81 mean that I stayed with you and
your narrow minded congregation be-
fore because believed you needed me
But now this girl needs me more. She
needs me to protect her from Just such
injustice as yours"
"You'd better be protectin' yourself
That's my advice to you"
II can do that without your advice. y
"Maybe you can find another church
with that circus ridin' girl a-hangin
round your neck"
Hes right" cried Polly. "You
couldn't" She chung to the pastor ir
terrified entreaty. You couldn't gel
another church. They'd never, never
forgive you. It's no use. You've got tc
let me go! You've got tor
listen, Polly" He drew her toward
him. God Is greater than any church
or creed. There's work to be done
everywhere--his work"
you'll soon find out about that. "
Numbered Strong.
$50 i WILL" answered Douglas, with
his head thrown hish. "This child has
opened a new world to me. She has
shown me broader. deeper humanity
She and VIII nnd the way together"
ut won't be an easy one, I'll promise
You that" Strong turned to 20.
'T'm not looking for the easy way"
Douglas called after him: then he turn.
ed to draw Polly's arm within his, but
Polly bad slipped from his side to fol
low the deacon.
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