Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-12

Tomorrow morning. AMI tomorrow
being Sunday. the assistant rector. Eli
nor's friend, will have 1t In charge un-
III Monday morning.
~ shall warn him." said FlinOr sud
denly.
There was silence for moment. Tai
hot smiled. Lethbridge looked astOund-
ed. Huff, bending forward with his
arms out before him on the table, con-
frpnted Elinor squarely.
"That's II; is it, he said.
~ asked you not to do-what you
have done. The children used 1t all
the time. They played basketball there.
Besides, my wish should mean some
thing to you
HUFF shrugged his shoulders.
If ! had burned Il tenement full OF
people"
"A man was nearly killed. He was
on the ridge-p0ie of the church amt
they turned the full strength of the
water on him. saw 1t. almost
fuinted."
."YOu saw It,"
II was there" said Elinor quietly.
Hun rose angrlly.
"YOu were there! And who was 1t
who almost fell of the roof? Your
parson, l suppose"
Talbot silenced the boy. it, was
Lethbridge who took up the argument.
He understood her position and sym
pnthized, he said. The fire was II mis-
take. But now that it was done
lie spoke of Borodays critical condi-
tiGn, 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, it will all
come out" he reminded her. ut seems
to me, Ellnor, that you owe 1t to your
father not to interfere. This isn't Il
new plan. -Four or five years ago when
the parish house was first built we
talked It over here. And it isn't US
though we mean to hurt this fellow
Ward. II will be three to one; he'll
make no resistance
yes" she suld. "Three to one.
That Is the way we fight. Oh, I'm one
of yOn. | know thut--but it sickens me,
sometimes"
The men were astounded. frankly
uncomfortable.
The conference got nowhere. EinOr
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 ST.
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. II
have never had any friends, except
once, years ago, Il girl. Ii 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 new method. ITS
II 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 it bad for all Of US"
ElinOr turned on him
II don't care rap for the cOngre-
cation. DO you think he will let that
money 60 without a struggle? The
moment it goes into the Offertory 1t
ceases to be money and becomes q d.
vine trust to him. He'll fight and
someone will be killed"
It dawned even on Talbot after q
time that her sOllcitude vas for none
Of them. When he realized it, at last
he sat back with folded arms and
frowning brows. Here was mockery
for sure; old Hilary's daughter. reared
on pure violence. and in love with q
parson old liilnry's daughter and
successor, defying the band in It's
hour Of need, and quoting n divine
trust, In eXtenuntiOn!
In view of her attitude, there seemed
to be nothing to do.
"We'll give 1t up Of COURSE" said
LpthhrIdgp, after n pause.
There had never been any drinking
in old Ililary's house. Only abstain
ers were ever taken into the band. Blu,
II was the custom of the two older mel
to remain at the table over their cigars
giving Walter and Hinor half-houI
together. That night when Elinol
rose from the table. HUFF, although h.
rose with the others. made no NOV,
to follow her. She looked back from
the doorway. n slim, almost childlsl
figure. with beseeching eyes.
"YOu must all try to think kindly O
me-" she said wistfully. ~ care fol
YOU as much as ever I'D. You are al
] have, you three. II is only that T.
have been thinking"
For the first time since the organl
zation Of the band, there was quarrel
Ing that night in old Hilary's panelet
library. At the end Of an hour Waite
Hun flung out Of the door, white will
fury. He stumbled through the gar
den toward Tie nara sc. mutterinx al