The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-07

own accord, bringing Wl1e Win niIu'
one Evelyn Gott of Ostable. Evelyn
could talk a bit herself, and her first
interview with Lavinia ended with the
latter's leaving the house in a rage.
swearing never to set foot In 1t again.
This oath she broke the day OF her
sister-in-law's funeral. Then she ap'
peared, after the ceremony, her bag
gage on the wagon with her. The be-
reaved one, who was sitting on the
front stoop of his dwelling with. SO
people say, a most resigned expression
on his meek countenance, looked up
and saw her.
MY land! Laviny," he exclaimed
turning pale. "Where'd you come
FROM"
Never mind where l come from,
observed his sister promptly. you
just be thankful I've come. II ever
a body needed some one to take care
of 'em, it's you. You can tote my
things right in" she added, turning
to her grinning driver, "and you
'Bishy, 60 right in with EN-. The IDEA
of your settin' outside takin' II easy
when your poor wife amt been buried
more'n an hour"
But-but-Laviny," protested poor
Ryan, speaking the truth unwittingiy'
81 couldn't take it easy afore she was
buried, could II"
go right In" was the answer
march,"
Abishai marched, and had marched
under his sisters orders ever since
She kept house for him, and did II
well, but her one fear was that some
female might again capture him, ana
she watched him with an eagle eye.
He was the town assessor and tax col
lector. but when he visited dwellings
containing single women or WIDOWS
Lavinia always accompanied him, to
help him in his figgerin'," she said.
Consequently, when he appeared, un'
chaperoned, on the walk leading 10
the side door of the Coffin homestead
Keziah and her friend were surprised
Hes dressed to kill" whispered
Grace, at the window. Even his tall
hat; and in this fog! do believe he's
coming counting, Aunt Keziah.
Mr.. Pepper entered diffidently.
Il" he began. We'll, the fact
is, 1 came out by myself. You see
Laviny's gone up to Sarah BIS to tall
church doin's. I-I-well, / kind OF
wanted to speak with you about some
thin, Keziah, SO Oh! l didn't see
you, Oracle Good mornin'."
He didn't seem overjoyed to see
Miss Van Horne, as 1t was. In fact
he redeemed perceptibly and backed
toward the door. The girl, her eyes
twinkling, took up her jacket and hat
"Ob! I'm not going to stop. Mr.
Pepper" she said. 81 was only help
ing Aunt Keziah a little, that's all.
must run on now"
Run on-nonsense!" declared Ke
ziah decisively. You're goin' to stay
right here and help US get that stove
pipe down. And 'Bishy1l help, too
Won't you, Dish"
The stovepipe was attached to the
"air-tight" In the dining room. 1t
the pipe-rose perpendicularly for
few feet and then extended horizon
tally, over the high-boy, until 1t en-
tered the wall. Ryan looked at 1t and
then at his Sunday clothes"
why, I'd be glad to, of course" ht
declared with dubious enthusiasm
But don't knows I'll have time. Per
haps I'd better come later and do 1t
Laviny. She
"Oh, Laviny can spare you for Q
few minutes, l guess; specially as she
don't know you're out. Better take
your coat of, hadn't you? Grace, fetcf
one Of those chairs for Ky-fol
Bishy to stand o."
Grace obediently brought the chair
It happened to be the one with
rickety leg, but its owner was help
ing the reluctant Abishai remove thu
long-tailed blue coat which had beer
his wedding garment and had adorned
his person on occasions Of ceremony
ever since. She did not notice tn,
chair.
ITS real good Of you to offer t.
help" she said. "Grace and / didn'
hardly dast to try 1t alone. That pipe'i
been up so long that I wouldn't won
der If twas chock-full of SCOT. II your,
careful, though, I don't believe you'll
get any on you. Never mind the floor
I'm goin' to wash that before leave.
Reluctantly, slowly, the unwilling
Mr.. Pepper suffered himself to be lie,
to the chair. He mounted it and gin
gerly took hold Of the pipe.
Better loosen 1t at the stove hol
first" advised Keziah. What was
you wanted to see me about, 'Bish?"
"Oh nothin', nothin'." was the hast,
response. "Nothin' Of any account
that is to say"
He turned redder than ever an,
wrenched at the pipe. 1t loosened a
its lower end and the wires holding
In suspension shook.
81 guess" observed the lady Of tn
house, that you'd better move tina
chest of drawers out SOS you can &c
behind it Grace, you help me. There
that's better. Now move your chair
Ryan stepped from the chair an
moved the latter to position betweel
the high-boy and the wall. Then h
remounted and gripped the pipe in tn
middle Of its horizontal section.
Don't be in such hurry" inter
rupted Keziah. Does stick in the chin
ney, don't It? Tell you what you ca
do. Grace; you can go IN the woodshe