The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-01-31
oooooooooOoop0peooo 90
OBJECTIONABLE
By JACK LAYTON.

pretty village had gone on its peaceful
way. Parkville. maidens, clad in crisp
muslin frocks, sat upon well-ordered
verandas or porches, awaiting the com
partnership of Parkville's single, young
men-still the proper, worthy maidens
waited-with the difference, the young
men failed to arrive as usual, TO pay
their banterng. attentive calls.
And the trouble Of all this laxity
had arrived and registered at Park
ville's one hotel. That young and
unaccompanied woman should brave
the publicity of the corner hotel, had
before been unheard of. And that she
should in addition waive all conven.
tionality aside and freely talk and
laugh with men whom she had met
only in their various places of bust
ness was--in Parkville-no less than
scandalous. And the strangers Of
Tense, which overshadowed all others,
In the eyes of the village maidens, was
the glowing beauty Of the girl and the
new and daring charm of her. VIII
liam Thayer. the admired and inn
portant young lawyer, had boldly es-
corted Miss Ginny Tyler-such was the
frivolous name of the newcomer
down the broad walk of Main street
In plain view of almost the entire pop
ulation Of Parkvllle, when she had
called ut his Office upon some foolish
pretext. At least Williams mother
assured the girls that this "Glnny'
had made trivial excuse to visit the
office. she was sure, for William re-
fused to explain the reason, There
ridicule, was often seen ut Miss Tyler's
side, while a former supposed sweet
heart made bitter remarks concerning
his new allegiance. Doctor Jim, son
of old Doctor James, was the strang-
er's next victim, and though Doctor
Jim's repeated presence upon the OBJ
noxious hotel veranda was followed by
a prompt falling off of invitations else
where, Doctor Jim eontlnued--in the
hotel keepers words-"to beat Bill
Thayer to it,"
Paul Thornton was an estimable
man, and young Pa-kville maidens
evidenced new and admirable in
terest in the church of their fathers.
"The right man at last" said old
Everett Fairfax, the wealthiest man
of the town, to which Ruth, his daugh-
ter, silently and smilingly agreed.
Paul Thornton was frequently in
vited visitor at the pretentious Fair
fax home, and 1t was from these por-
tails that Ruth saw the thing which
threatened at its beginning the young
preachers success She had fairly
glimpsed with animosity the strange
girls approach, when the Reverend
Paul, leaving the pastorate door, could
be seen hurrying eagerly after. Ruth
caught her breath In shocked surprise
as that admired young man not only
took quick possession of Miss Ginny
Tyler's hand, but drew it protectingly
through his own arm, and the two
went strolling up the hill toward what
was known as The Lovers Walk"
Events following this episode
caused Parkyille itself to hold its
breath in shocked surprise. For the
shepherd of this worthy flock might
be seen at almost any hour of the day
devotedly and openly in the SIRENS
company, while Billie Thayer and Doc
tor Jim waited sullling upon the de-
serted hotel veranda. And as Paul
Thornton persisted in his rashness,
old Fairfax decided upon Ruths
promptings to take up the matter with
the great Doctor West, of the city.
Doctor Vests fame as one of the best
preachers Of the, time was broadcast;
astonlshingly and Unexpectedly, the
noted man sent reply that he would
prefer visiting Pariiville and discuss
ing the case in person. The Rev. Paul
had been accepted in the Parkville
church upon Doctor Vests own re-
quest.
A committee was waiting to receive
him when he arrived at the Fairfax
home in an automobile, and with re-
gretful and serious face Parkville's
wealthiest citizen arose to voice the
complaint of his people. I'VE can't
keep a man whose actions are ques-
tionable," he finished, 'and Paul
Thornton Is openly devotlng himself
to a questionable character. A girl
who won't tell where she came from
or what she's here for. Who lives by
herself in hotel, an dresses like a
actress. Who don't mix in with our
girls but carries ON with the men,"
Doctor West considered. Il would
Ike he said at last, ito have you
send for Paul Thornton and the young
woman of whom YOU speak, and bring
them before me-
u was Ruth who flew to the tele-
phone and Ruth who admitted the
guilty two when they answered the
summons But in the girls lovely face
there was no embarrassment of guilt,
while Paul Thornton rushed forward
ioyfuIly to shake his superior's hand.
But the breathless, shocking moment
came. when Ginny Tyler, all I'M
abashed ran straight into the great
mans arms. Over her lovely head he
smiled at thenhg
MY daughterrl he announced grave
ly, who came under her mothers
maiden name TO stay among you, and