Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-06-12

with reference to his treatment of me
and had best be let alone with refer
ence to my treatment Of him."
This ended the conference between
father and daughter. What report he
made to those who had taken II
upon themselves to admonish Beatrix
through him was not known, but II
was probably not very satisfactory,
for the feeling against the siren In
creased, and 1t was not long before
she began to get the cold shoulder
from certain members Of the congrega-
ton One thing was noticeable-the
relations, so far as they appeared be-
tween her and Mr.. Ridgely. were by
no means changed by the fact Of her
admonition.
One day Mrs. Hardness met Mrs
Gooding on the street, and the two
ladies stopped for chat.
Have you heard the news about our
pastor2" asked the former.
mo. What Is III"
Hes had call"
IL knew It! It's all that mink Trixie
Severance's fault She's driven him
out as she has driven out the others"
HE hasn't accepted 1t yet"
But he will. Do you know what sal,
airy goes with it?"
''They say 1t is double what we are
paying"
"Then he's sure TO CO."
The news spread that the church's
InI hoI
orally conceded that It was preliminary
to his leaving the place on account of
having received refusal from Beatrlx
Severance. Then II began to be known
that In his new field he would receive
double the salary he was paid by the
First church. Meanwhile the feeling OF
antagonism toward Trlxie was growing
like rolling snowfall, Some even sug.
gested that in the event OF their losing
their pastor she be brought up before
the church and tried for unseemly con
duct. But the absurdity of such a
course was apparent when some one
asked In what form the charges would
be made
One Sunday, after reading the usual
notices, Mr.. Ridgely said that since II
had become generally known that he
had received call he would say that
he had declined 1t and would remain
with the First church.
Great was the establishment at this
announcement. What did II mean 2
Was the man crazy to refuse a salary
of $1,000 when he was getting only
SCOOP Those who understood Miss Sew.
frances part, or her supposed part. In
these pastoral affairs looked at her in
quiringly. Her face was as passive, as
unlnteligible as usual
The only person In the congregation
who could give satisfactory EXPLAIN.
ton Of the matter was Mrs. Goodlng.
who said It was 30 plain she couldn't
understand why everybody couldn't see
It. Trixie had 30 bewltched the pastor
that rather than leave her he had given
up an additional 5000 yenr. This
view commended itself to others, and
the impression gained ground TINT the
minister's departure was only deferred
Miss Severance was playing him as II
cat would play mouse. Before long
he would depart. call or no call.
Meanwhile the power OF the young
clergyman for good was becoming
known elsewhere, and calls began 10
pour In thick and fast Mr.. Rldgely
did not speak Of them himself; they
leaked out through those who gave
them. He declined them all
Then the congregation Of the First
church began to think that II was his
love for them that kept him. After all
the First church was composed Of an
exceptional class Of people. Quite like
ly Mr.. Ridgely appreciated the social
advantages Of such church. This
view was poohpoohed by n few, but
gained ground generally.
Finally nm announcement was made
by Mrs. Deacon Severance that was
like bomb dropped among the con
gregation. Her daughter. Beatrlx, was
engaged to Mr.. Ridgely. All were
made happy by the news. Their be-
loved pastor would now be fixture
In the First church. From being the
most unpopular member Of the congre-
bhhOu lIlAle DeCHult Lut mObL DODu
lar All 6Ocked about her with con.
CALCULATIONS, saying that they were
80 glad" that doubtless II had been
through her influence that Mr. Ridgely
had declined the calls he had received
and now they would have him always
Miss Severance received their con
gratulntions with the same imperturb
ability that she had borne their re.
proaches. In due time the wedding
was celebrated, and all were settling
down with feeling that they were
10 retain n minister who had been Of
fered several thousand dollars year
In place Of the paltry sum OF 5000
when the tranquil waters were again
disturbed. The minister announced
from his pulpit that he had determined
to give up all regular pastoral work
and preach the gospel 10 the poor
wherever and whenever he found an
opportunity. He further stated that
he was hnppy in having gained a wife
who sympathlzed with him In this
course and who would assist him I'm
his efforts to ameliorate the spiritual
and physical condition OF those who
most needed him
The Rev. Mr.. Ridgely Is now a tow.
or OF strength In the slums. and his
wife Ia hia indpfafIUahIa aaaIafanf