Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-07-23

not an iota of selfishness In hel
whole makeup. Perseverance had
brought her stage success.
She met the Rev. Robert Bowden
at the incoming of the second section
Of the New York flier at the station
The look they exchanged was Ger
tainly one of deep affection. And the
Joy of meeting was very evidently
mutual.
Elsie didn't want me to come to
you, Adele" the young minister vol
unteered amusedly, as they made
their way along with the swift, JOS
Ting current of the crowd.
Adele Wilton knitted her pretty
brows In mock distaste. But you are
here. It's evident even Miss Elsie
can't keep us apart
! mo, Adele, you have too Arm a
hold on my heart. And I decided to
tell her nothing although she was
very much wrought up over what she
fancied to be my indiscretion. |
might have told her the truth, but 1t
seemed better to me she should learn
lesson Of trust, however severe"
II wouldn't be too harsh with the
poor girl if were you, Robert" ad,
monished Adele Wilton gently. com.
ing quickly with generous outflow OF
sympathy to the defense Of one Of her
sex.
"Oh, now" laughed Robert cheer,
fully, "you can be sure won't let
matters go too far. think great
deal too much Of Elsie for that"
"And Elsie thinks too much of you
to allow her jealousy In the long run
to have serious consequences" con-
Cured his fair companion.
II think you are right about that"
agreed Robert hopefully. And now
you can watch for me at the theater
tonight, and I'll see you home after
the show"
The story that the pastor had not
only attended a theatrical perform
ance, but also had escorted the lead
ing lady to her hotel after the play,
spread rapidly about Pottersville on
the busy tongues Of the gossips. Rob
ert Bowden returned to the parson'
age and kept close to his study all
the next day. The deacons heard OF
what they termed "his goings on
and three Of them made up a depu'
tation to seek him out. If he could
| d
he had 50 far departed from the paths
of propriety-and they didn't believe
he could give one-they would ask
for his immediate resignation.
The minister answered the door In
person. He greeted the deacons
with a decidedly one-sided show OF
cordiality. and affected not to notice
their marked frigidity Of manner and
cevere, long-drawn countenances.
Deacon Eben willard. an honest but
severe man who though past seventy
years of age boosted he had never
wilfully committed wrong, and who
had never been known to forgive one,
acted as spokesman for the little
party.
PEARSON Bowden, there's queer
gossip going round about you," he
began, accusingly. 1--WE hope you
can deny it. but most of all we hope
and don't yet doubt-that you will
tell us the whole truth"
He paused, waiting expectantly fol
the minister to take the hint.
go on, please, deacon. What are
the stories?" inquired the Rec. Rob
ert Bowden, with what seemed q
show Of utter shamelessness.
I'VE hear that you've been going
to theater in the city and that
you've been traipsing around with the
leading lady
The deacon had shot his thunder
bolt and he and the other deacons
looked blackly at the minister, won
dering what would happen next. The
young man appeared unperturbed.
| ~ hn admitted
frankly. "Yet the explanation is al
together simple. Adele Wilton is my
half-sister Two years after my
fathers death my mother contracted
a second marriage. Adele, as you
may have heard, went on the stage al
fourteen. and was long known as
Americas Child Wonder. At first
she did not receive much money, anc
4 urged mother to withdraw oul
scanty savings from the bank and
help Adele to get the needed educa
ton and training, Later Adele
Ireaping the reward Of her Industry
helped me through college and into
the pulpit.
| "She wished me to see the opening
performance of Watching Minutes.
wrote the play myself, and can as
sure you there is not line in i
which Is not uplifting and moral.
am proud of my feeble part in ele
waiting the stage and my half-sister l:
proud of her part in presenting thu
play which will contribute its hit to
ward achieving that ever desirable
end. Now you know the whole story
Am |. or am not, blameless?"
The deacons were unit In declar
ling that their minister was wholly tt
be praised. Within week they hat
accepted and used complimentary!
tickets to the theater, applaudin,
heartily. Their delight was seizet
! upon by the alert press agent tt
spread the fame. of the really credi
able performance.
Elsie Courtney made mental res
olution that she would never again b.
hasty in her Judgment of any one
particularly of her fance. Adel
Wilton, leading lady of the watch
ing Minutes" company, was brides
maid at the wedding and not sou