Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-09-12
OF that; l. should never forgive my

49, SsSS SsSASSs
be the cause Of a quarrel between
those two? Grace, think Of me-
"John," she said, ut is Of you am
thinking. Everything else could =
might be overcome, perhaps. But ]
must think of your future and your
life. I must. That is why"
He did not wait to hear more. He
seized her in his arms and kissed her.
"Then you do care!" he cried joy
fully. "You will marry me?"
For an instant she lay quiet In his
embrace, receiving, If not responding
to his caresses. Then she gently but
firmly freed herself. He saw thai
there were tears in her eyes.
II don't know" she sobbed. ooh,
l don't know! must Think must!
Wait, please wait, John. Perhaps by
tomorrow can answer. I'll try-1ll
try. Don't ask me again, now. Lei
me think. Oh. dol"
She started down the path. He hes
itated, then ran after her.
Tomorrow" he questioned eager
ly. Tomorrow, then, you'll say tina.
you will?"
"oh, perhaps, perhaps! mustn't
promise. Good night"
It was after seven when Gracs
reached the old tavern. The house
keeper, Mrs. Poundberry, was anxious
ly awaiting her. She wore her bonnet
and Sunday gown and was evidently
ready to go.
Supports on the table and the ht
ties abilin'. You better eat in Q
hurry. cause It's meetin' time now.
Your uncle. he started ten minutes
ago. I'm agoin' right along. too, but
I amt goin' to meetin'; I'm agoin' up
to Betsy D.'s to stay all night. She's
got spine in her back, as the Teller
said. and amt feelin' good. so I told
her I'd come and stay a little spell.
Your Uncle Eben's mighty feeble and
peaked lately. He amt long for this
world. I'm afraid. You ought to be
awful good to him, Oracle"
II know It," was the hurried reply.
Where's Nat?"
! II don't know. Can't keep track of
him. Nights we'll try to put your fin.
ger on flea. He's here to-day and
gone yesterday, as the scriptur' says.
He ate little mite Of supper, but not
much, and then OF he puts"
She reached the gate by this time,
and Grace shut OF the flow Of CONVEX.
sation by closing the door. Then she
took candle from the row on the din.
ing-room mantle, lighted it and went
up to her own room. Standing before
the o1d-Iashroned bureau with It's little
oval mirror. she hastily arranged her
hair. She did not wish to go to
prayer meeting at the chapel, but she
felt that she must. The Come Outer
gatherings. with their noisy singing
and shouting, had grown more and
more repugnant to her.
She blew out the candle and came
out into the hall at the head Of the
stairs. She was about to descend when
she heard voices. The door of the din
ing room opened and closed. She felt
certain that Nat had returned and
wondered who was with him. Then
she heard her uncle's voice, speaking
sharply and with unwonted sternness.
II don't know what tits you want to
see about" said Captain Eben. "You
say it's important; we'll. It's got to be
70 keep me from my meetin'. I ought
to be on the Lords business this
minute and noth1n' worldly's goin' to
keep me from servin' Him. So speak
quick. What is it,"
The voice that answered was one
that Grace recognized. though she had
never before heard in 1t the note Of
agitation and undignihed excitement.
There were no ponderous pauses and
"Hum-ha's" now.
Don't be a fool, Hammond" It said.
And don't stand there preaching.
Lock that door! Get a lamp! Arc
you sure there's nobody but 10 in the
house7"
Captain Elkanah Daniels! Captain
Elkanah visiting Come Outer! and
the leader of the Gomez uters!!
Grace caught her breath. What IN
tho world She started to deacensi
euO I0Su y InOu8ut uA6QeQ " Oar
mind. She stopped short.
II amt the fool. Elkanah." abe
heard her uncle retort sternly. "Ths
fools are them who are def to the
call from on high. My foot was on the
threshold Of His house when you led
me astray. It's never halted there
afore. I warn you"
Stop! Shut upl Eben Hammond.
! tell you that your precious church
yes and mine, the Regular church of
Trumet-will 60 to rack and ruin II
you and me don't pull together this
night"
"And tell you, Elkanah Daniels,
I'll have no blasphemy here. That lit
tie sanctuary up the road is founded
on rock and neither you nor any
of your Phariseein' priest-worshipin'
crew can shake it. The Almighty'll
protect His own. AS for the Regular
church, that's no concern of mine."
But I tell you tits your concern.
Or If the church isn't, your own fam
lily is"