Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-09-12
HUFF shrugged his shoulders.
"If I had burned q tenement full

HUFF shrugged his shoulders.
"If had burned tenement full OF
people"
"A man was nearly killed. He was
on the ridge-pole Of the church ana
they turned the full strength OF the
water on him. saw 1t. almost
tainted"
"You saw 1t"
II was there" said Elinor quietly.
Huff rose angrily.
"You were there! And who was 1t
who almost fell OF the roof Your
parson. I suppose"
Talbot silenced the boy. 1t was
iLethbridge who took up the argument.
He understood her position and sym.
pathized, he said. The fire was mis-
take. But now that 1t was done
He spoke Of Boroday's critical condi.
ton, Of their safety that depended on
his, and finding her attitude to be un.
yielding. took refuge In her fathers
memory.
IF anything comes out, It will all
come cut" he reminded her. ut seems
to me, Elinor, that you owe 1t to your
father not to interfere. This isn't
new plan. -Four or five years ago when
the parish house was first built we
talked it over, here. And 1t isn't as
though we mean to hurt this fellow
Ward. It will be three to 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 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 stack on
Mr.. Ward. Hun 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. II
have never had any friends. except
once, years ago, q girl It was Boro-
day then who used my friendship for
her. It was the Rutherford matter.
Walter would not remember. but the
rest Of you'll ten you, ! won't do this
thing"
Talbot tried new method. "It's
a wealthy congregation" he explained.
1T is not much for them, and It's
safety for us. II We let BoFoday 60
up, and he thinks what he viii about
us, he can make it bad for all Of u.s."
Elinor turned On HIM.
Il don't care . rap foA the congfe-
cation. Do You think he will let that
money 60 without struggle? The
moment 1t goes into the offertory i,
ceases to be money and becomes a d
vine trust to him. He'll fight and
someone will be killed"
II dawped even on Talbot after a
time that her solicitude was for none
Of them. When he realized II, at-last,
he sat back with folded arms and
frowning brows. Here was mockery.
for sure; old Hilary's daughter, reared
onspure violence, and In love with q
parson!-old Hllary's daughter and
successor, defying tho band in it's
hour Of need, and quoting q divine
trust, in extenuatiOn!
In view of her attitude, there seemed
to be nothing to do.
wen give It mp, Of course" said
Lethbridge after ajpause.
There had never been any drinking
in old Hilafy's house. Only abstain
ers were ever taken into the band. But
1t was the custom Of the two older men
to remain at the table over their cigars,
giving Walter and Elinor half-hour
together. That night. when Elinor
rose from the table, HUFF, although he
rose with the others, made no move
to follow her. She looked back from
the doorway, q slim. almost childish
figure, with beseecbing eyes.
you must all try to think kindly of
me-" she said wistfully. II care for
you Is much as ever did. You are all
i have, you three. It is only that =
have been thinking"
For the first time since the organi,
cation Of the band, there was quarrel.
Ing that night in old Hilary's paneled
library. AT the end Of nm hour Walter
HUI flung ont Of the door, white with
fury. He stumbled through the gar
den toward the garage, muttering as
he went. In the rose alley he met Ell.
inor.
4 was waiting for you" ,h. said
simply.
Hun stood before her, and the anger
left his face.
you're the one thing in all the
world felt sure o." His voice was
heavy with despair.
I've been thinking about Boro.
day
aElinor, how far have things gone
between you and this man At st.
Jude's7''
She recoiled.
II hardly know him. x,
"You think about him" n
/ She looked down into the valley.
II think Of the things he stands foi.
II just seems to me that. when man
like that, not dreamer at oil, but h,s
man and-and keen, when he believes
oil that he does"
ut was Ward on the ridge-pole, the
one who nearly fell Il.
\. Yea = 4,
Ann you were frishtened7s
IT made ~. -. w