The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-07-08

Summer after summer, the sleepy,
pretty village had gone on its peaceful
way. Parkville maidens, clad in crisp
muslin frocks, sat upon well-ordered
yerandas 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 bantering, attentive calls.
And the trouble Of all this laxity
had arrived and registered at Park
yille'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-
tionaity aside and freely talk and
laugh with men whom she had met
only in their various places of bust
ness was-in Parkvlle-no less than
scandalOus. And the strangers Of
Tense, which overshadowed all others,
in the eyes of the village maldens, 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, lad 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 Parkville, when she had
called at his Office upon some foolish
A. no
assureds the girls that this "Ginny"
had msde a trivial excuse to visit the
office, she was sure, for William re-
fused to explain the reason. There
after William, in defiance of anger or
ridicule, was often seen at 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
Jims repeated presence upon the OBJ
nOxiOus hotel veranda was followed by
a prompt falling off of invitations else
where, Doctor Jim continued-in the
hotel keepers words-"to beat Bill
Thayer to it,"
Paul Thornton was an estimable
man, and young Parkville maidens
evidenced new and admirable in
terest in the church of their fathers.
"1'he right man at last" said old
Everett Fairfax, the wealthiest man
of the town. to which Ruth, his daugh-
ter, silently and smilngly agreed.
Paul Thornton was a frequently in
vited visitor at the pretentious Fair
fax home, and it was from these por-
tails that Ruth saw the thing which
threatened at it's beginning the young
preachers success. She had fairly
glmpsed with anim0sity 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 Glnny
Tyler's hand, but drew 1t 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 Parkville 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 sulking upon the de-
t,I nd N n
Thornton persisted in his rashness,
old Fairfax decided upon Ruths
promptlngs 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 ;
astonishngly and Unexpectedly, the
noted man sent reply that he would
prefer visiting Parkville 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. "We can't
keep a man whose actions are ques-
tionable," he finished, "and Paul
Thornton Is openly devoting himself
TO questionable character. 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 II would
. like" he said at last ito have you
send for Paul Thornton and the young
woman of whom you speak, and bring
them before me-"
It 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
joyfully to shake his superior's hand
But the breathless, shocking moment