asked Douglas, sternly.

"I have," said Strong, holding his ground.

"See here, deacon, if you've been browbeating that child, I may forget
that I'm a minister." The knuckles on Douglas's large fists grew whiter.

"She's goin', I tell yer, and it ain't because of what I said either.
She's goin' back to the circus."

"I don't believe you."

"You would a-believed me if you'd seen the fellow that was just
a-callin' on her, and her a-huggin' and a-kissin' of him and a-promisin'
that she'd be a-waitin' for him here when he come back."

"You lie!" cried Douglas, taking a step toward the retreating deacon.

"There's the fellow now," cried Strong, as he pointed to the gate.
"Suppose you ask him afore yer call me a liar."

Douglas turned quickly and saw Jim approaching. His face lighted up with
relief at the sight of the big, lumbering fellow.

"How are yer, Mr. Douglas?" said Jim, awkwardly.

"You've seen Polly?" asked Douglas, shaking Jim cordially by the hand.

"Yes, I've seen her."

"The deacon here has an idea that Polly is going back to the circus with
you." He nodded toward Strong, almost laughing at the surprise in store
for him.

"Back to the circus?" asked Jim.

"Did she say anything to you about it?" He was worried by the
bewilderment in Jim's manner.

Before Jim could reply, Polly, who had reached the steps in time to
catch the last few words, slipped quickly between them. She wore her
coat and hat, and carried a small brown satchel.

"Of course I did, didn't I, Jim?" she said, turning her back upon the
pastor and motioning to Jim not to answer. Douglas gazed at her in
astonishment.

"What do you mean?" he asked in a hoarse, strained voice. He glanced at
the coat and hat. "Where are you going?"

Polly avoided his eyes and continued nervously to Jim.

"What made you come back? Why didn't you wait for me down the street?
Now, you've spoiled everything." She pretended to be very vexed with
him. The big fellow looked puzzled. He tried to protest, but she put a
warning finger to her lips and pressed the little brown satchel into his
hand. "It's no use," she went on hurriedly. "We might as well tell them
everything now." She turned to Douglas and pretended to laugh. "You have
found us out."

The deacons were slightly uneasy; the frown on Douglas's forehead was
deepening.

"Oh, see how serious he looks," she teased, with a toss of her head
toward the grim-visaged pastor.

"Is this some trick?" h