"Dr. Hartley say can dey bring her in heah?"
"Of course," said Douglas, hurrying outside.
There were horrified exclamations from the women, who were aghast
at the idea of a circus rider in the parsonage. In their
helpless indignation, they turned upon the little deacon, feeling
intuitively that he was enjoying the drama. Elverson was
retreating toward the door when he was suddenly thrust aside by
Douglas.
In the young pastor's arms was a white, spangled burden of
humanity, her slender arm hung lifeless over his shoulder. The
silk stocking was torn from one bruised ankle; her hair fell
across her face, veiling it from the unfriendly glances of the
women. Douglas passed out of sight up the stairway without
looking to the right or left, followed by the doctor.
Mandy reached the front door in time to push back a crowd of
intruders. She had barely closed the door when it was thrust
open by Jim.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
"Go 'way f'um here!" cried Mandy, as her eyes unconsciously
sought the stairs.
Jim followed the direction of her glance, and cleared the steps
at a bound. Mandy pursued him, muttering angrily. Deacon
Elverson, too, was about to follow, when a grim reminder from
Miss Perkins brought him around and he made for the door instead.
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