Dominie Dean

teamboat at the moment when-a fledgling minister-he ended his long voyage down the O

n her interior, paddle wheels noisily reversing and revolving again and the mate swearing at the top of his voice. As the bow of the steamer pushed beyond the warehouse, the sordidly ugly riverfront of the town came into view again-mud, sand, weather-beaten frame buildings-while on the sandy levee at the side of the warehouse lounged the twenty or thirty male citizens in shirt

on. Don't get excited. Let 'em wait and worry a minute for fear you've not come. Keep an even mind under all circumstances, as your motter says-that's the idee. Let 'em

se, two girl companions with her, and faced toward the steamboat. In the general gray of the day she was like a splash of sunshine and her companions were hardly less vivid. 'Thusia Fragg was arrayed in a dress that echoed the boldest style set forth by "Godey's Ladies' Book" for that year of grace, 1860--a summer silk of gray and gold stripes, flounced and frilled and ra

on. Undoubtedly she had thought David had meant his salutation for her. David turned from the rail, grasped his companion's hand in hearty farewell, and, with his carpe

d and unloaded the cargo. When the stop was long enough there was usually time for a brisk walk to the main street and for hurried ice cream treats. The warning whistle of the steamer gave ample time for these temporary beaux to reach the boat. The 'Thusias who could be found all up and down the river knew just the

id however, indulge in these touch-and-go-flirtations often enough to cause the sober-minded to look askance at all the young persons who flirted thus. While the more innocent, like 'Thusia, made use of these

er feet ready to fall into step with his, and her lips ready to begin a rapid chattering to carry the incident over the first awkward moment in case her "catch" proved mutely bashful. She put out her hand, either in greeting or to take David's arm, but David, his he

teamers, seeing the committee awaiting David, came from his office and walked toward them. David strode up the plank dock

exceed his usual gruff grunt of recognition; and Ned Long, as usual, copied as closely as possible Sam Wigge

ty of real folks here; good town and good people. All right, Mack!" he broke off to shout to the

rd the town. Usually saucy enough, she was ashamed to turn and face

rned a

er, Mr. Dean. Aren't the women having some sort of welcome hurrah up at the manse? Why don't yo

tried vainly to find a word to ease the embarrassing situa

lk. The women will be impatient; they've heard the boat

ck on 'Thusia an

rl the better," were his first words.

ctly!" echoed Mr. Long. "Th

er the men. Fragg ought to take her into the woodshed and use a good stiff shin

own. She was amazingly efficient. Had she been a slower girl the housework of her father's home would have kept her close, but she had the knack of speed. She sped through her housework like a well-oiled machine and, once through wi

ellow in a car window. You see them strolling past the local hotel, two or three in a group, ready to fall into step with any young drummer who is willing to leave his chair for a strol

p. In such a contest the rebel usually loses; in conspiring against smugness she ends by falling into the ranks of immorality. In R

hat from her head and angrily threw it the length of the hall. She stood a moment, opening and closing her fists, like an angry animal, and then, characteristically, she giggled. She retrieved her hat, put it on her head and studied herself in the hall mirror. She tried several smiles and satisfied herself that they were charming and then, unhooking her dress as she went, she mounted the stairs. When she was in her room she threw herself on her

fter the service there was the usual informal hand-shaking reception for the new dominie and 'Thusia waited until the aisles were well cleared. Mr. Wiggett, Mr. Hoskins and one or two other elders and trustees acted as a self-appointed committee to introduce David and, as if intentionally, they built a barrier of their bodies to keep 'Thusia from him. She waite

ggett impatiently, as David stopped to receive the congratulations o

and he gave the old lady a last shake

tt and Mr. Hoskins, came with her

. "I wanted to tell you how splendid your sermon was.

on, still holding his hand, although in his general elation he was hardly aware of this and not at all aware that the girl was clinging to his hand so firmly that he could not have drawn it away had he tried. She knew they made a striking picture as they stood on the top step and

waiting!" Mr. Wigget

o, and you must not keep me forever, you know. I suppose we'll see a gr

own the steps and David turned to see Mary Wiggett standing in th

tt's face

ot to go home and get it before it waits

xclaimed hi

r the dominie," he growled. "

usia Fragg-and forty young men of Riverbank would have been glad to have married her. She was a little heavier than 'Thusia, both in mind and body, and a little taller, almost matronly in her development, but she was a splendid girl for all that, and more than good-looking in a satisfying blond way. David was so far from being her last chance, that she had not yet thought of David as a possible mate at all, but it was a fact that

pillar of the church who, sharing the duty of choosing a new dominie, had delegated his share to Mr. Hoskins and was still fearful lest Mr. Hoskins had made a mistake. He was bound it should not be a mistake if he could help it. Having in his youth had a dozen love affairs and having married a s