The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-01-25
i. An assistant read the service.

was on the value Of correct interpre-
tation of the Scriptures. and his in
depreciation Of certain passages per-
tanning to riches were very comforting
to his congregation. Arkansaw was
slightly disappointed in his friends de-
velopment, but his heart was still with
the man who had been his chum till the
spell-on his chum's part-had been
broken by marriage. At the end Of
the service he waited at the church
door for the rector and his family to
come out. Vinton on seeing him grasp
ed his hand cordially. but Mrs. Vim.
ton could not conceal look Of annoy
ance. Arkansaw was dressed in south
western costume His hat did not
shine as did the rector's, for the latter
was of silk. while Arkansaw's was Of
felt, with a very wide brim.
"Come to my study tomorrow said
Vinton. ''This is. of course, a busy
day with me. Monday is for us of the
cloth our day off. shall expect you
by 8 o'clock"
Then Vinton was hurried away by
his wife lest he should be seen talking
to che rawhoned Arkansan.
Davis rather expected his old chum
to take him home with him to dinner.
Vinton did not dare to do so since he
knew the guest would be frozen out by
his wife, So the man from the south
west was thrown upon his own re-
sources for the rest Of the day. After
dinner he sat smoking in the hotel Of
fee. A gentleman sitting near opened
conversat ton with him.
Before parting with this person
Davis learned a disagreeable truth:
There was skeleton in the rectory Of
Vinton's church. Mrs. Vinton was ac-
cepting the attentions Of a man Of
fashion. The congregation would have
already brought the matter before the
vestry except for their attachment to
their rector, who was the only person
that appeared to be ignorant of the
situation.
The next morning Davis and Vinton
met in the rector's study. Vinton, now
that he was alone with his old chum.
relapsed into the chum of former days
But there was no invitation to the rec
tory. Mrs. Vinton had put her veto on
Arkansaw.
"How long will you stay here. Ark?"
asked the rector.
"I'm not decided about my going.
l may be here a day or two, and T
may 60 suddenly, so I'll say goodby
in case don't see you again"
Vinton pressed his friends hand.
Davis saw that there was something
on his mind, but could not fathom 1t.
The same afternoon the tall south
erner appeared at the Office Of one Z.
Robinson Rhodes and sent in his card.
The Office boy who delivered it return
ed with the inquiry as to the nature.
Of the callers business.
"Private," was the reply.
The boy went back and presently re-
turned with the words s'Come I'M and
led the visitor to the Office door. Davis
saw a man dressed in the height OF
fashion sitting at rosewood desk.
Looking about to see that they We're
alone, the southerner closed the door
and turned the key. Mr.. Rhodes look
ed at him in surprise.
"What do you want with me, sir?"
he said.
"Sign that" replied Davis, laying a
paper on the desk before Mr.. Rhodes.
It read:
From this day l agree to forego any
association with a lady to whom l nave
been paying marked attention, never again
to call upon her at her house or to join
her elsewhere.
Mr.. Rhodes eyes We're, fixed upon
this paper long enough to have read 1t
a dozen times. He was thinking what
to do. He was no coward and resolved
to try to dominate the man who seem
ed disposed to interfere in his affairs.
He turned upon Davis fiercely.
rs this case of blackmail?"
"You know that it is not
II don't know who is the lady to
whom you refer, but if you intend to
drag any lady into quarrel you are
contemplated
"There is no necessity for dragging
the lady's name into quarrel. have
not mentioned her in his paper"
"Suppose refuse to sign il!
"You shall sign it,
How do you propose to compel meT
There is but one way I can compel
you without injuring others. If you
refuse I shall seek you out in some
public place and insult you. I am not
known in this city, and no one will sup
pose that my real motive is to prevent
your bringing ruin upon my friend. his
wife and his children
There was something so quietly de-
termined in the southerner's manner
that his adversary saw there was no
escape for him. What his course would
have been had he not had all to lose
and nothing to gain no one knows, but
he saw that this man was saving him
from himself and yielded.
81 must communicate my reasons to
Ito the lady for my action he said
after bordering. III
'That is admissible"
Davis left with the pledge duly sign
ed and, going to his hotel. departed on
the next train,