The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1917-09-07
Huff shrugged his shoulders.

IF l had burned a tenement full of
people"
"A mar was nearly killed. He was
on the ridge-pole of the church and
they turned the full strength of the
water OF him. / saw it. I-almost
tainted"
"You saw It,"
Il was there" said Elinor quietly.
Huff rose angrily.
you we're there! And who was it
who almost fell off the roof? Your
parson, l suppose"
Talbot siienced the boy. 1t was
Lethbridgc who took up the. argument.
He understood her position and sym
pathized, he said. The fire was a mis-
take. But now that it was done
He spoke Of Boroday's critical condi-
ton, of their safety that depended on
his, and finding her attitude to be I'M
yielding, took refuge in her fathers
memory.
IF anything comes out, 1t will all
come OUT he reminded her. ut seems
to me, ElinOr, that you it to your
father not to interfere. This isn't a
new plan. Four or five years ago when
the parish house was first built we
talked 1t over here. And 1t isn't as
though we mean to hurt this fellow
Ward. 1t will be three to one; he'll
make no resistance"
"Yes," she said. Three to one.
That is the way we fight. Oh. Tn one
of you. I know that-but 1t sickens me,
sometimes"
The men were astounded, frankly
uncomfortable.
The conference got nowhere. Elinor
acknowledged their duty to the Rus
sian. offered all her jewels. in fact, for
his defense. But she stubbornly re.
fused to countenance the attack On
Mr.. Ward. HUFF lapsed into sullen 81.
lence, his eyes on her. The other men
found every argument met by silence,
except for one passionate outburst.
"He is my friend" she cried. 81
have never had any friends, except
once, years ago, a girl. 1t was Boro-
day then who used my friendship for
her. 1t was the rutherford matter.
Walter would not remember, but the
rest Of you'll tell you. / won't do this
thing"
Talbot tried n new method. TITS
a wealthy congregation" he explained.
1T Is not much for them, and it's
safety for us. II we let Boroday 60
up, and he thinks what he will about
US, he can make 1t bad for all of u.s.
Elinor turned on him.
II don't care a rap for the congre-
cation. Do you think he will let that
money 60 without a struggle? The
moment 1t goes into the offertory 1t
ceases to be money and becomes a d.
vine trust to him. He'll fight and
someone will be killed."
It dawned even on Talbot after a
time that her solicitude was for zone
Of them. When he realized 1t, at last,
he sat back with folded arms and
frowning Srows. Here was mockery,
for sure; old Hilary's daughter, reared
on pure violence, and in love with a
parsOn odd Hilary's daughter and
successor, defying the band In its
hour Of need, and quoting q divine
trust, In ex~tenuation!
In view Of her attitude, there seemed
to be nothing to do.
"We1l give It up, OF course said
Lethbrldge, after q pause.
There had never been any drinking
In old Hilary's house. Only abstain
ers were ever taken into the band. But
It raj the custom Of the two older men
to remain ut the table over their cigars,
giving Walter and Ellnor q half-hour
together. That night, when Elinor
rose from the table, Hun, although he
ros with the others. made no move
to follow her. She looked back from
the doorway. q slim, almost childish
figure. with beseeching eyes.
You must all try to think kindly Of
me-" she said wistfully. II ARE for
you a. much as I ever did. You are oil
l have, you three. It Is only that r.
have been thinking"
For the first time since the organi-
zati0n OF the band, there was quarrel
ing that night In old Hilary's paneled
library. At the end Of mn hour Walter
Hun flung out Of the door, white with
fury. He stumbled through the gar-
don tnxvord tho NxnsoOo norttorirv nc