Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-03

water on him. l saw it. almost
tainted"
"You saw it," \
81 was there, said Elinor quietly, n
Huff rose angrily.
you were there And who was II
who almost fell off the roof? Your
parson, ! suppose
Talbot silenced the boy. It was
Lethbridge who took up the argument.
He understood her position and sym
pathized, he said. The fire was 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.
''It anything comes out, it will all
come out, he reminded her. at seems
TO me. ElinOr, that you owe 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 it over here. And it isn't as
though we mean to hurt this fellow
Ward. 1t will be three 10 one; he'll
make no resistance
Yes" she said. Three to one.
That is the way we fight. Oh, I'm one
of you. ] know that-but it 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 sulen 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. Il
, have never had any friends, except
J once, years age, q girl. It was Boro-
day then who used my friendship for
nor. It was the Rutherford matter.
Waiter would not remember, but the
rest Of You'll tell You, / won't do this
thing"
Talbot tried new method, It's
a wealthy congregation" he explained.
"It Is not much for them, and it's
safety for us II we let Boroday go
Up, and he thinks what he will about
Us, he can make it bad for all Of us"
Elnor turned on him.
~ don't care p rap for the congre-
CATION, DO YOU think he will let that
money go without q struggle? The
moment 1t goes into the offertory it
ceases TO be- money and becomes 3 dI-
vine trust 10 him, He'll fight and
someone will be killed
II Ghwue0 even on ramon nTrer q
time that her solicitude vas for none
NJ them. When he realized IT. at last.
no SAT- back with folded arms and
frogning hrous. Here was mockery,
Tor sure; old Hilarv's daughter reared
on pure violence. and in love with a
parsoB old IIilary's daughter and
successor. defyinp the band in its
hour IF need. and quoting 81 divine
trust in eYtsnuation
In view IF her attitude, there seemed
70 be nothing to do.
wen give If up, Of course" said
LethbFidge. after 8 pause.
There had never been any drinking
In old Hilary's house. Only abstain
Z ers were ever taken into the band. But
ii was the custom of the two older men
: to remain at the table over their cigars,
, giving Walter and Elmer q half-hour
l together. That night. when Elinor
I rose from the table, Huff, although he
rose with the others, made no move
, to follow her. She looked back from
I the doorway, s slim, almost childish
figure, with beseeching eyes.
e You must all try TO think kindly Of
= me-" she said wistfuliv. II care fei
you as much as ever did. You are al
e ] have, you three. Tt is only that /
= have been thinking"
{ For the first time since the organi
: zation of the band. there was quarrel
e ing that night in old Hilarys panele(
library. AT the end Of an hour WalteI
t Huff flung out Of the door. white will
e fury. He stumbled through the gar
den toward the garage muttering a
he went. In the rose alley he met FL
e inor.
: II was waiting for you" she SAT-
:. simply.
>, Huff stood before her, and the ange
. left his face.
You're the one thing In all til
world l felt sure Of" His voice wa
70 heavy with despair.
I've been thinking about Bore
" day"
&c "Eiin0r. how far have things gon
L between you and this man at s
IL Jude's?'
ID She rec0iled.
he 81 hardly know him"
n. "Yeu think about him.
al She looked down into the valley.
II think of the things he stands fo
1t Just seems to me that, when ma
w ike that, not dreamer at all, but HI
IL man and-and keen, when he believe
n all that he does"
1T was Ward on the ridge-pole, ii
d. one who nearly fel?'
Yes"
H. And you were frightened?''
d. "It made me sick. l."
lls Quite suddenly he crushed her
n him. II was as'if he meant to dri'
away this barrier between them }
sheer force of his love for her. Blu