Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1912-11-08

wondered who was with him. lnea
she heard her uncle's voice. speaking
sharply and with unwonted sternness.
Il don't know what It's you want to
see about" said Captain Eben You
say it's important; well. it's got to be
70 keep me from my meeun'. ought
to be on the Lords business this
minute and nothin' worldly's goia 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 II the note Of
agitation and undignifed excitement
There were no ponderous pauses and
'Hum-ha's" now.
Don't be a fool. Hammond" IL said.
And don't stand there preaching.
Lock that doori Get lamp! Are
you sure there's nobody but US in the
house,"
Captain Elkanah Danielsi Captain
Elkanah visiting Come-0uterl and
the leader OF the Come-outers!
Grace caught her breath What in
the world She started to descend
and then a thought flashed to her
mind. She stopped short.
Il Amt the fool. Elkanah," she
heard her uncle retort sternly. The
fools are them who are deef 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. warn you
stop, Shut up! Eben Hammond.
| tell you that your precious church
yes and mine, the Regular church of
Trumet-will go to rack and ruin If
you and me don't pull together this
night
And | tell you, Elkanah Daniels,
I'll have no hlasphemy here That lit
tie sanctuary up the road is founded
on a rock and neither you nor any
of your Phariseein' priest-worshipin'
crew can shake it, The AlmightyW
protect His own. As for the Regular
church. that's no concern of mine"
But tell you tits your concern.
Or if the church isn't. your own fam
lily is
There was an instant of silence
Grace. crouching on the stairs. noticed
the change in her uncle's voice as he
answered.
My own family?" he repeated slow
iy. My own And the Regular
church What do you mean? Has
Nat"
mo. he amt. But that cussed girl
of yours"
stop" shouted Captain Hammond.
"Elkanah Daniels, for your own sake
now. be careful. If you dast TO say a
word, another word like that. III"
''lf | dast! The hussy! But there's
no use talkin' to you. You're as crazy
as a Bedlamite. Either that, or you're
in the game with her. II you are.
warn you-
stop! What game? What game
do you mean? Graciei My Oracle!
What Is It? For mercy sakes. Ell
kanah-"
"Humph! I wondered II l couldn't
that door!"
II will! Will But Elkanah-"
Lock It, Give me the key!"
The click Of the lock sounded
sharply.
Where's the lamp" demanded DAN
iels, And the matches? Don't stand
there shaking"
A smell OF sulphur fioated out into
the hall. Then the sickly glow Of the
fluid" lamp shone through the door
way.
What ails your" asked Elkanah.
Are you struck dumb, Now go and
see IL there's anybody else in the
house"
"But-but the e amt. ] know there
amt Hannah's gone and Gracie's at
meetln' by this time
She? Humph, Well, maybe she's
at meetin' and maybe she isn't. May
be she's over in Peters's pines, hug
ging and kissing that man she's met
there every Sunday for | don't know
how long Herel let go, you old
fool! Let go. tell youl"
You liar!" snarled Captain Eben.
you low-lived liar! By the Almighty.
back or I'll choke the everlastin
soul out of you. | will"
let go, you lunatic! You'll kill
yourself Listenl I'm not lying. It's
the truth. She's met a man. | tell
you. Been meeting him for months,
/ guess. There! now will you listen?
'IIis names John Ellery. and he's
minister of the Regular church in this
town; that's who he isl Here! hold
up! Good Lord! are you dying? Hold
up!"
The girl on the stairs sprang to her
feet. Her head was Keeling and she
could scarcely stand, but she blindly
began the descent She must go to
her uncle. She must. But Captain
Daniels's voice caused her to halt
once more.
There! therel" It said in a tone
OF relief. That's better. Set still
now. Be quiet, that's 1t. Shall l get
some water?"
ITO Be Continued)