The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-10-25

| that. That door had been opened but
| once during the late pastors thirty
year tenantry. On the occasion Of his
funeral the mouruers came and went,
as was proper, By that solemn portal.
Mrs. Coffin thrust the key into the
| keyhole of the side door and essayed
TO turn it.
Humph!" she muttered, twisting to
no purpose; Il don't see why This
must be the right key, because
Wen, l declare, if it amt unlocked
already! That's some of Capn Ell
kanah's doin's. F'or a critter as fussy
and particular about some things, he's
careless enough ABOUT others. Mercy
we amt had any tramps around here
lately. Come in"
She led the way into the dining
room of the parsonage. Two of the
blinds shading the windows Of that
apartment had been opened when she
and Captain Daniels made their visit,
and the dim gray light made the room
more lonesome and forsaken In appear
ance than a deeper gloom could pos
slDly have done The black walnut
extension table in the center, closed to
It's smallest dimensions because Par
son Langley had eaten alone for so
many years; the black walnut chairs
set back against the wall at regular
intervals; the rug carpet and braided
mats-homemade donations from the
ladies' OF the parish-on the green
painted floor; the dolorous pictures on
the walls; Death Of Washington"
"Stoning OF Stephen" and a still more
deadly fruit piece" committed in oils
years ago by a now deceased boat
painter. The blinds and window be-
ing opened, more light entered the
room. Grace glanced about it curl
ously.
$50 this is going to be your new
home now, Aunt Keziah," she OBJ
served. How queer that seems"
"Um-h'm. Does seem queer, don't
it? Must seem queer to you to be so
near the headquarters Of everything
your uncle thinks is wicked. Smell of
birthstone any, does it," she asked
with smile
| She threw open another door. A
room gloomy with black walnut and
fragrant with camphor was dimly Wis
ible
"Cheerful's a tomb, amt it," was
Mrs Collins comment. well, We'll get
some light and air in here pretty
soon. Here's the front hall and there's
the front stairs. The parlor's off to
the left. We won't bother with that
yet a while. This little place in here
is what Mr.. Langley used to call his
study Halloa! how this door sticks!"
The door did stick, and no amount
Of Juggling could get it open, though
Grace added her efforts to those of Ke-
ziah.
"'Tain't locked commented Mrs.
Coffin, "cause there amt any lock on
it. l guess it's just swelled and stuck
from the damp. Though it's odd, l
don't remember Oh, Welli never
mind. Let's sweeten up this settin'
room a little Open a window Or two
want to do anything before it gets
dark. I'm goin' into the kitchen to get
a broom"
She hurried out. returning in a mo-
ment or two with broom and most
disguised expression.
"How's a body goin TO sweep with
that?" she demanded, exhibiting the
frayed utensi1, the business end Of
which was worn to a stub. More like
a shovel, enough sight. Well, there's
pretty nigh dust enough for a shovel
so maybe this'll take off the top lay
ers. S'pose I'll ever get this house fit
for Mr. Ellery to live in before he
comes? l wonder if he's particular
MANI
Grace, who was struggling with a re-
fractory window, paused for breath.
I'm sure l don't know" she re-
piled I've never seen him.
Nor I either. Sol was so bad the
Sunday he preached that l couldn't go
to meetin'. They say his sermon was
fine; all about those who go down to
the sea in ships That's what got the
parish committee, l guess; they're all
old salts. wonder if he's as fine-look-
in as they say?"
Miss Van Horne tossed her head
She was resting, prior to making an
other assault on the window.
81 don't care I know he'll be a con-
ceited little snippet and l shall hate
the sight of him. There! there!
Auntie, you mustn't mind me. l told
| you | was a selfish pig. But don't you
ask me to like this precious minister
of yours, because I shan't do it He
has no business to come and separate
me from the best friend I've got. I'd
| tell him so if he was here What
was that?"
| Both women looked at each other
with startled faces. They listened in
| tently.
why, want that FUNNY" whis-
pered Keziah. 81 thought I heard"
you did hear So did I. What do
| you suppose"
"S-s-s-h-h! 1t sounded from the
| front room somewhere. And yet there
can't be anybody in there, because
| My soul! there it's again. I'm goin'
| to find out"
She grasped the stubby broom by
the handle and moved determinedly to-
| ward the front hall. Grace seized her
| by the arm.
Don't you do it, auntiei" she whis-
| pered frantically. Don't you do it!
1t may be a tramp"
| "I don't ooro Whoovor Or Uhot-