Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-29

Il guess It couldn't ever come to that
ntween you an me. I'll be all right"
He shrugged his great shoulders. Its
just kinder sudden, that's all. You see,
never figured on givin' you up, an
when you said you wasn't comm back
1t kinder seemed as though l couldn't
see nothin' all my life but long, dusty
roads an nobody in 'em. But it's all
right now. an I'll just be gettirl' along
to the wagon"
but, jim, you haven't seen Mr..
Douglas" Polly protested. trying to
keep him with her until she could
think of some way to comfort him.
"l'l 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
a. parting farewell. and she turned to-
ward the house with troubled heart.
She had reached the lower step when
Strong and Elverson approached her
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 If she wished to
60. He saw the blank look on her
race. 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.
II you're calculatin' to run away with
him you'll save a heap Of trouble for
the parson by dom it quick"
"The parsonv'
"You can't blame the CONGREGATION
Tor not Wantin' him to keep you here
You got sense enough to see how it
looks. He'd see it. too, If he wasn't
just plain bullheaded Well, he'd bet
ter get over his stubbornness right
now. If he don't Well get another min
lister; that's ALL
Another minister? Youdon't mean"-
1t was clear enough now. She recalled
Douglas troubled look of an hour ago.
She remembered how he had asked If
she couldn't go away. It 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 l am going
back to the circus-only you won't
send Mr.. Douglas away, you won't!
Say you WON'T" She was searching
his eyes for mercy. ut 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.
Eyes, yes. and you won't blame him
any more. will your she hurried on
anxiously. you'll let him stay, no
matter what he does. IL I promise to
go away and never, never come back
again?"
II amt holdin' 10 grudge agin him."
Strong grumbled. HE talks pretty
rough sometimes, but he's been a good
enough minister. I amt forgettin'
that"
'Oh, thank you, Mr.. Strong, thank
you. III get my things. 1t won't take
a minute" She was running up the
steps when sudden thought stopped
her. She returned quickly to Strong.
"We'd 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. "What's the joker" Douglas
asked.
cts only a little surprise that the
deacon and l are planning" She tried
to control the catch in her voice
you'll know about it soon, won't he,
deacon? Good afternoon. Mr.. Strongv
She flew into the house, laughing hys.
terically.
Douglas followed her to the steps
with puzzled frown. 1t was unlike
Polly to give way to her moods before