Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-08

touched her lips with youth and radiated
from her eyes. It showed the way Ruth
might look under other conditions. before it
faded Il little into more circumspect smile
of welcome. And Hugh with no other
thought save to reach her and do as she
asked him. strobe forward.
Judson WAS in the midst of Ills sermon
now The thoughts he was trying to en-
press kindled his eyes with fire and lighted
his rugged, stern countenance with feeling
Whatever else Ephraim Judson was he be-
lieved in the methods he used for saving
souls. and, earnest as he was, he e1uded
power
He was appealing to his primitive congre-
CATION with all the force that was in him.
He told of the ancient test called "The
Wage OF Battle" when God was believed to
strengthen the arm Of the man who fought
for the right 1t was the first time Hugh
Lee had heard Ruth's father preach. 1t was
the first time he had heard any man preach
since his voluntary exile, bat Judsons creed
did not appeal to Hugh at all. 1t spoke not
ut all OF simple faith and the power OF love.
1t was not the religion Ruth professed, with
Its sunshine and its miracles. Judso& was
preaching of the God who was revengcful
who meted out punishment
Judson finished his words with q brilliant
bit OF oratory and then waited moment
for his words to take effect
And now" began .ludson, in a low, thrill
ing voice. "let those among YOU who have
sinned come forward and find comfort on
the bosom of the Lord
AS he spoke he let his eyes rest on Hugh,
and the people about waited breathlessly. y
few Of them rose and went forward. obvious
ly moved by the preachers eloquence.
Ruth stole a glance at Hugh. II was an
imploring little glance half grlsh half wo-
manly, and Hugh felt its appeal with all the
manhood there was in him. For moment
he would have done anything to see the Joy
that he wanted to read In a girls eyes. but
rs though mocking his ready conversion
there flashed before his vision a girl pray
ing before an open fire. puff Of wind,
u flame and q muffled scream Hugh fune
up his hands before his eyes as though IL
shut out the awful sight Then he rose &c
his feet almost violent with the struggle n:
conflicting emotions
When he spoke he almost shouted
Il want to believe" he said, but can't
] can't And turning, he rushed out of the
meeting.
When the meeting broke up that afternoon
many were tho conjcctures ABOUT Hugh Lee
Ruth wanted to steal off by herself some.
where SO that she could be alone and think
II hurt her to hear this man spoken Of harsh
iy. She knew that he didn't deserve what
these people thought Of him
Her hope OF being alone was frustrated
however. for she sped Dick Byrd coming
toward her. Before Dick could reach her
the deacon had taken her arm and walked
OFT with her. and Ruth. much against her
WILL was forced TO listen while he MUIR
mured~what he considered strong love-mak
Ing into her ear This had been going on
ever since the meetings had begun. and
Ruth felt loathing for the deacon. which,
try rs She would. she could not conquer
she was thankful when they reached the
gate of Mrs Byrds house hut the deacon
caught hcr hand IA she was about TO run in
Just minute. lady bird" he said. twist
ing his thin. cruel lips into grin 81 never
have any time 10 talk to you lately. What
do you do with vourseIf?'
why. ! don't know" Ruth returned trv
Ing to smile. She slipped inside the gate as
she spoke and closed II between them. 81
seem to have plenty TO do to keep M, busy"
YES. said the deacon between his teeth:
plenty OF time to go out 10 Lees hut.
wonder IL your father knows OF your carry.
ings on"
Ruth shrank back
hut you won't fool with me-" the deacon
went on-"not with Deacon Harvey. | low.
YOU girl and you're going to marry me-"
Never returned Ruth holly. "Never,"
ON. see" returned the deacon. ITS
Lee, Is II? Well, we'll see about that"
But Ruth. with a little moan broke away
from his OBTAINING hand and rushed into the
mouse II was The first time that Lee had
occurred to her In that way and her heart
was thrilling TO strange new feeling. II
wasn't possible that she cared-shc couldn't
care Tor man who didn't believe in God
AND Iii the meantime. while Ruth had
been unhappily disappointed in Hugh Tom.
MS precious bundle on stick swung over
his shoulder, went whistlng along the coun.
Try road. He had no thought OF ANYTHING
wrong today. There was no desire TO be
with Tobe, no longing to try his luck n,
cards. Tom was meet for Il good friend
and strong influence. but unfortunately
there was no one about to care what he did.
and. as fate would have it. or pcrhaps. the
WRITINGS OF divine Providence Tom met
robe. Tobe must have been on the look
oul FOR the younger boy, but In his widest
dreams ne had not imagined such good for.
tune as was now playing into his hands. AS
general rule, Tom had only Il few pennies
Tor the older men to nlch from him: to
day there was a possibility for big game
Can't stop" Tom said. laughing, as the
TWO walked away together.
What's up, youngstcr?" quoried Tobe
lighting cigarette.
Got TO take this off TO the town" re-
turned Tom
whats in ,?" questioned lobe. with
apparently little interest