Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-12-19
CHAPTER X.
In Which Captain Eben Receives
Caller.

a Caller
At the edge of the bluff. just where
the pines and the bayberry bushes
were thickest, where the narrow,
crooked little footpath dipped over the
rise and down to the pasture land and
the salt meadow, John Ellery and
Grace had halted in their walk The
minister's face was pale, but set and
determined, and he was speaking rap
idly.
81 can't help It," he said. 81 can't
help 1t. have made up my mind and
nothing can change it, nothing but
you. 1t rests with you. If you say
yes, then nothing else matters. Will
you say it?"
He was holding both her hands now.
and though she tried to withdraw
them, he would not let her.
viii your" he pleaded.
81 can't" she answered brokenly. 81
can't Think of your church and of
your people. What would they say
#"
81 don't care what they say"
She shook her head
Some of them might respect YOU"
she said. They would say you had
been led into this by me and were not
so much to blame. But /"
They shall respect my wife," he in
terrupted, swapping his teeth together
''or I'll know the reason why"
your uncle shall hear 1t from me
Wen go to him together. I'll tell him
myself He worships you"
yes, know. He does worship me-
That's why | am sure he had rather
see me dead than married to you. a
Regular, and a Regular minister.
know know he would never con-
sent. His heart is set on something
else. Nat"
Nat? Are you considering him,
too? Is he to stand between US?
What right has he to say"
Hush! hush! He hasn't said any
thing. But-but he and uncle have
quarreled just little didn't tell
you, but they have. And | think |
know the rear On. Nat is Uncle Eben 8
idol. II the quarrel should grow more
serious, | believe 1t would break his
heart | couldn't bear to be the cause
of that; should never forgive my
self"
"You the cause? How could you
be the cause of a quarrel between
those two? Grace, think of me-"
John" she said, 1T is OF you am
thinking. Everything else could =
might be overcome, perhaps But
must think of your future and youl
life. 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 hi:
embrace. receiving, If not responding
to his caresses. Then she gently bu
firmly freed herself He saw tina
there were tears in her eyes.
81 don't know" she sobbed "Oh
] don't know! | must think must
Wait, please wait, John. Perhaps b,
tomorrow ! can answer. I'll try-Il
try. Don't ask me again, now. lie
me think Oh, do"
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! musn
promise. Good night"
1t was after seven when Grac
reached the old tavern. The house
keeper, Mrs. Poundberry, was anxious
ly awaiting her. She wore her bonnie
and Sunday gown and was evidentl
ready to go.
"Supper's on the table and the XII
ties abilin' You better eat in
hurry, cause it's meetin' time nov
Your uncle, he started ten minute
ago. I'm agoin right along, too, Dr
amt goin' to meetin'; I'm agoin' u
to Betsy Els to stay all night. She