The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-10-26

Ward was out, and the offering pre-
sumably unguarded. He might hate
the man, but no hope of running
fight with him would deter him from
his main object, the money.
To save Ward, she was willing, even
anxious, to let Walter succeed.
Women sometimes meet large crises
with small yanItles. But Elinor had
no vanity. Without SO much as q
! glance at the mirror she went out In
TO the garden to listen for Wards step
ON the road. She knew his walk al
ready; the fGrceful, certain step of an
energetic and purposefnl man.
The illuminated dial on the steeple
of the Baptist church showed some
thing after ten when Ward finally
came up the hill. The relief of seeing
him unframed sent Elinor down the
terrace steps with both hands out.
Before he could take them, Ward was
obliged to stoop and deposit on the
| ground at her feet small box that
he carried.
"The morning collection" he said
smiling, and took her hands in his.
Her quick alarm showed In her face.
"But you are reckless TO go about
with so much money"
Ward was following her UP the
steps.
II dare say II Is safer with me than
any place else In the world. Did any
one ever hear OF an assistant rector
going about with a fortune in his
hand?'
He followed her into the library and
placed the box on the great table
where old Hilary had been wont to
divide the annual earnings of the band,
Ward pointed to It with his humorous
smile.
'Would anyone suspect" he said,
'that In that box there Is stone par
ish house, new church organ, and
chlldren's Playground"
Then, CHANGING ut her with keen
eyes, he was struck by her pallor.
"You to ask me IL am tired!n he
cried "Why, you poor child. 1t is you
4 who are worn out. Wouldn't 1t be bet
ter to have me come tomorrow and go
over the things you-spoke about2"
II think we had better talk about
them now" said Ellnor, desperately
calm.
At quarter before eleven that Sun
day night, old Henrlette, bent on her
evening task OF sending Elinor to bed,
wandered Into the library. She found
| Ward, his earnest face glowing, ex-
pounding the tenets of his faith from
the edge Of his chair; and Elinor w.
ing back with her face drawn, watch
Ing the clock on the mantel.
Old Henriette, astounded, withdrew,
not to sleep. but with the wakeful
aIertness OF old age, to wander up and
down the garden paths until such time
SIS Elinor's visitor might leave
Ward suddenly realized that he was
making small Roadway. When at last
he caught Elinor's eyes on the clock
he flushed and rose.
"Tve done II all very badly" he
said. II seem to wander all about
and not get anywhere. You see it's
all SO real TO me-"
Ellnor had leaned back with closed
eyes.
at Is all very terrible to me-" she
replied. "This God of vengeance"
"This God Of tenderness and mercy
Ward supplemented. Don't you SEE
what II all means2 How terrible thi;
life would be IL this We're NIL Our
little lives, full of jealousies ans
hatreds and crimes: bringing tina
box, over there on the table, up her,
with me tonight, because / dare no
] trust 1t to my fellow men; who coult
! not sleep last night for thinking o
you, who are all that Is good and swee
/ aud tender, up here alone in this grea
/ house, with God knows what DANCE
{ lurking about"
Elinor had reached her limit. Thu
! band Of her self-eontrol snapped. Sh,
!, could not hold him much longer, an,
before he went he must know.
Q when I sent for YOU she said, q
4 had two reasons. wanted to see you
e Pleased" IS he took step towar,
. her. "And wanted TO save you iron
9 something that know or
o eTo BE sCoNTTNuED9