Putnam patriot., 1912-09-27
CHAPTER II.

tA-at 0af. hIs. DlQaI0d hOg- CTS. who lived all alone. except for the society of three cats, a canary, and wkite poodle named Bunch" !" In the little house next to Captain FL kanah's establishment. never entirely recovered from the chagrin and dis appointment caused by that provoking mist.
 The fog prevented Mrs. Rogers not ing the entrance of Mir. Pepper at the Coffin front gate Also his exit. under sisterly arrest. It shut from her view the majestic approach of Captain El- kanah Daniels and Graee's flight. her face dimpled with smiles and breaking into laughter at frequent intervals. For young lady, supposed to be de Yout Come-Outter, to hurry along the main road, a handkerchief at her mouth and her eyes sparkling with fun, was a circumstance calculated to furnish material for enjoyable scandal And Didama missed it.
 Other happenings she missed. also. Not knowing of Captain Daniels call upon Keziah she was deprived of the pleasure of wonder at the length of his stay. She did not see him, in con- pany with Mrs Ceffin. go down the road in the opposite direction from that taken by Grace. Nor their return and parting at the gate, two hours later. It was three o'clock in the after noon before a visitor came again to the Coffin front gate, entered the yard and raped at the side door.
 Keziah opened the door.
 "Halloa!" she exclaimed. Back, are you? 1 begun to think you'd been scared away for good"
 Grace laughed as she entered.
 "Well, auntie." she said. T don't wonder you thought I was scared Truly, didn't think 1t was proper for me to stay. First Ryan and then Cap'n Elkanah, and both of them ex. pressing their wishes to see you alone so-er-pointedly I thought 1t was time for me to go. Surely, you give me credit for little delicacy."
 Grace Van Hornet there's born fools enough in this town without your tryin' to be one. Grace, ain't goin' to leave Trumet. not for the present. anyhow. I've got way of earnin' my Twin right here. I'm goin' to keep house for the new minister"
 The girl turned, her hat in her hand.
 "Ohi" she cried in utter astonish- ment.
 Keziah nodded. "Yes," she affirmed. That was what Elkanah's proposal amounted to. Ha, hal Deary me! When he said proposal own up for a minute I didn't know what was con- in. After Ryan I was prepared for most anything. But he told me that Lurany Phelps, who the parish con- mittee had counted on to keep house for Mir. Ellery. had sent word her sis ter was sick and couldn't be left. and that somebody must be hired right off cause the minister's expected by day after tomorrow coach. And the cap'n was made delegate to come and see me about it. Come he did, and we set tied it. I went down to the parson- age with him before dinner and looked the place over. There's an awful lot of sweepin' and dustin to be done afore it's fit for a body to live in"
 Grace extended her hand
 Well Aunt Keziah," she said, 'I'm ever and ever so glad for you. l know you didn't want to leave Trumet and I'm sure everyone will be delighted when they learn that you're going to stay"
 "Humph! that includes Laviny Pep per, of course. I callate Laviny's de- light won't keep her up nights. But I guess can stand 1t if she can. Now, Grace, what Is it? You ain't real pleased? Why not"
 The girl hesltated.
 "Auntie," she said, 'T'm selfish. ! guess. I'm glad for your sake; you think I'm not. But l almost wish you were going to do something else. You are going to live in the parsonage and keep house for. of all parsons, Regular minister. Why, so far as my seeing you is con- cerned, you might as well be in China. You know Uncle Eben."
 Keziah nodded understandingly.
 "Yes," she said, q know him. Eben Hammond thinks that parsonage is the presence chamber of the Evil One, I presume likely. But, Grace, you mustn't blame me, and if you don't call I'll know why and I shan't blame you. We'll see each other once in . while; I'll take care of that"
 The packing took about an hour. When it was finished, the car pet rolled up, and the last piece Of linen placed in the old trunk, keziah turned to her guest.
 Now, Oracle" she said, T feel as though I ought to go to the parsonage. can't do much more'n look at the cobwebs tonight, but tomorrow those spiders had better put on their ascen- sion robes. The end of the worlds comin' for them, even though ft missed fire for the Millerites when they had their doin's a few years ago. You can stay here and wait. If 'twon't be too lonesome. We'll have supper when I get back"
 She threw a shawl over her shoul- ders, draped a white knitted cloud" over her head, and took from a nail key. attached by strong cord to a block of wood eight inches long.
 aElkanah left the key with me-" she observed. "No danger of losin' 1t, Is there. Might as well lose a lumber yard"
 They left the house and came out into the wet mist Then, turning to the right, in the direction which Tru- met. with unconscious irony, calls downtown" they climbed the long sloue where the main road mounts the outlying ridge of Cannon HiH. passed
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