Dominie Dean

nting low across the little front yard at a late afternoon angle, when David, his hat in his hand and his long b

rehead, and his gray eyes were still clear and bright. His motto, "Keep an even mind under all circumstance

ional preacher, but the Congregational Church-being already supplied with leaders-offered him small opportunity to exert his stubborn and

t year of 'Thus

s neck, and she was unwittingly in constant danger of showing herself all a dominie's wife should not be. Her taste for bright clothes and her care

id, as a good woman can. But little older than 'Thusia, she was far wiser and immeasurab

. At the most she realized that she was still very fond of David

d 'Thusia was quick to take it. Mary's friendship also made the congregation's acceptance of 'Thusia far easier, for anyone so promptly taken up by the daughter of the church's richest member and most prominent elder had her way well prepared in advance. Mary, fearing perhaps that 'Thusia might be annoyed by what might seem unwarranted in

ely!" 'Thusi

hus made herself almost indisp

ue to inherit wealth some day, but in the meanwhile old Sash-and-Door Derling was glad to shift the nattily dressed, inconsequential young loafer on to Mr. Wiggett's shoulders. Wiggett found him some sort of position in the Riverbank bank and young Derling gradually devel

and washed. There were ministers' wives in Riverbank who were almost as important in church work as their husbands, and this was supposed to be part of their duties. They were expected to lead in all social money-getting affairs, and, in general, to be not merely wives but assistant ministers. If 'Thusia had attempted this there might have been, even with Mary's backing, trouble, for every wom

In return Rose Hinch was always eager to help David in any way she could. She was Riverbank's first precursor of the trained nurse. David and old Benedict had worried about her future, until David suggested that the old doctor give her what training he co

eem happy. Is this fine October

needed any longer. I'm so glad he's getting well; he is such a dear, patient little fellow.

u time to see 'Thusia for a minute

where it touched the maple leaves, turned them to flame. Through a gap in the trees he could catch a glimpse of the Mississippi and the varicolored foliage on the Illinois shore, the red

cam

oming," she said, "and,

l glad," s

loving her, 'Thusia did not give a moment to fear. The baby, when it came, was a boy, and Doctor Benedict said it was the finest in the world, and immediately nominated himself the baby's uncle. He bought the finest solid silver, gold-lined cup to be had

by; 'Thusia was in a state of ecstatic bliss, and in the town all the former opposition to David had been long since forgotten. With the calmness of an older man but with a young man's energy he went up and down the streets of the town on his comforting errand

e an unexpected storm had gathered, and David did not

onth with her husband's parents, but by that, time Derlingport was as overrun by the disease as Riverbank had been and conditions were reported better at home; so she came back, bringing the child. She returned

mber situation induced him to let who wished think him a fool and to make his first big purchase of Wisconsin timberlands-when his daughter, Mary Derling, entered. She cam

sked. He was never pleased when interru

arriage," said Mary. "Can't you

ly. Mrs. Hardcome acknowledged the gr

t go on any longer. Something will have to be done.

. Wiggett. "What'

g Ellen to be seated. "After all the trouble we took to get Dr. Hotchkiss to come from De

no right to use that fund for any such nonsense! That's money raised to pay on the mortgage. You've no r

her!" Mar

You women ought to have turned it over to the bank long ago. You have

the

ve anything to do the whole year 'round but potter around town and preach a couple of sermons. I

any people in our church like David Dean. It is all right to bark 'Woof! woof! Thro

plit! If we can

for David Dean to go elsewhere, but before that happens-for I think many of our people would

do; yes," said

. If we can send him away for a couple of months until some of the bitterest feeling dies everything may be all right. We women will

ctator. She knew her father well enough to feel the hopelessness of her mission. Old Wiggett had never forgiven David for marrying '

by. I don't mind those old maid Curlews going, or people like the Hansoms or the Browns, but you know what the Hodges and old Peter Grimby do for the chu

Wiggett

en never thought

t of it,"

this, didn't I! Why-that Dean has more sense than all of you. You must have thought he was a fool, asking him to go on a vacation while Ellen and all stay

d not a

to clean her husband's

e-" sa

said her father. "I didn't say anything

Ellen Hardcome bitterly. "She says I have no voice, and that I would

id she!" chuc

register was sque

ecall. 'Thusia, during her first married years-and for long after-was still 'Thusia; she tingled with life and she loved companionship and liked to talk and listen. Every woman expresses her harmless opinions to her friends, but it is easy for the friend, when she becomes an enemy and wishes for recruits, to use this contraband ammunition. It is a woman's privilege, it seems. The women who, like Rose Hinch, and certain women you know, are accepted by men on an equality of friendship, make the least use of it, for even among children t

ecause he hoped to remain in Riverbank after it was ended, but because he felt it his duty to stand by what he believed was right, until he should be plainly and actually told to go. The majority of his people, he felt, were with him, but that would make little difference in the final outcome. Although he tried in every way to lessen the bitterness of the quarrel, so that his triumph, if he

the wrong he would have acknowledged it at once; had he been in the right, and no one but himself concerned, he would

nd it was Ellen Hardcome to whom the whole miserable affair was