In Every Heartbeat - By Kim Vogel Sawyer Page 0,34

look. “Am I disturbing you?”

The man shook his head. “No, no, I don’t mind setting these aside.” With a grimace, he slapped the stack of pages to the corner of his desk. “Obviously I didn’t do a sufficient job in my lecture on following the Ten Commandments. These essays—” He shook his head and blew out a noisy breath. “Appalling.” Then he leaned back in his chair. “But that isn’t your concern. With what can I assist you, Mr. Leidig?”

Pete rested his elbows on the desk and briefly described the scene he’d witnessed in the women’s common room. “I located a similar magazine and looked inside, and there was a rather unsavory story. . . .” Pastor Hines’s eyebrows drew down until they formed a distinct V between his eyes. Pete’s face felt hot. He stammered on. “I thought perhaps the story would make a suitable subject for our assignment on moral decline since it included—”

The teacher waved his hand. “Don’t bother.”

Pete sagged in the chair. “This isn’t something worth pursuing?”

“On the contrary, there’s no need for you to explain. I already know the type of story you reference, and it’s certainly unsuitable.” Pastor Hines pursed his lips in distaste. “Disgraceful, is what it is. Stories written for the sole purpose of inducing titillation.”

So Petey’s initial instincts when he’d seen the girls’ actions had been right. The realization increased his confidence in his abilities to be a good spiritual leader.

Pastor Hines continued in a disparaging tone. “The stories are, unfortunately, quite popular with women of all ages, but most particularly with the younger set.” He sighed. “I can’t help but believe it leads impressionable young women into impure thought, not to mention gives them an unrealistic expectation of the relationship between a man and a woman.”

Shaking his head, the professor clicked his tongue on his teeth. “This is precisely the kind of battle that must be warred—and won! Young women caught up in these romanticized tales could very well begin seeking a relationship based on only . . . er . . . physical attraction—” the man’s jowls mottled red—“rather than seeking a God-centered, well-grounded man who will be a moral leader for his household.”

Pete sat up eagerly. “So this would meet the requirements for the assignment?”

“Yes, Mr. Leidig. Most certainly.” Pastor Hines rose and rounded the desk. “And I wish you much success in your attempts to dissuade magazine editors from printing such filth.” His brow crinkled for a moment, his piercing eyes pinned on Pete’s face. “Mr. Leidig, in addition to reasoning with magazine editors, do you have other plans to help bring an end to these types of writings?”

Pete pushed to his feet and stood beside the desk with one hand braced on the smooth top. “Not yet, sir. I wanted to get your approval before I began planning.”

“That’s fine,” the man replied. “Knowing what you’ll tackle is enough for today. But keep in mind that when it comes to winning a war, success is more certain with multiple directions of attack.”

Pete nodded slowly. Although he’d read many newspaper accounts about the battles going on overseas, he hadn’t paid attention to military strategy. But his teacher’s words made sense. If the attack came solely from one direction, then the enemy would have many directions in which to flee. He’d need to plan attacks from several different directions to make the greatest impact.

“I’ll be in thought and prayer concerning the best way to end the printing of these stories.” Pete stuck out his hand, and Pastor Hines took it. “Thank you, sir. You can trust I’ll do my very best on this assignment.”

His teacher smiled, giving Pete’s hand a strong shake. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Mr. Leidig.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ooh, isn’t it exciting?”

Alice-Marie was going to cut off the circulation to Libby’s hand if she didn’t let loose. She moved even closer to Libby on the blanket, making room for another girl to join them on the square of green-and-red-plaid wool thrown over the grass. “I just love watching a sporting event! I hope the Beta Theta Pi boys win!”

One could hardly call this an official sporting event, considering it took place on the grassy side yard of the Bible school rather than at a real baseball diamond. There were no bleachers on which to sit, so a few students, including Alice-Marie, had dragged out blankets and spread them on the lawn. Most spectators, however, formed a jagged line along the east side of the playing field.