Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-11-07
1nustrations bv
Ellsworth Youn3
Cepyris6t.49o9. by DAprletoa. q Company

cepyrisst.asos. by DAprlstoo Go
The young man smiled with serene
satisfaction. I'm not surprised" he
observed complacently. I'VE are
busy house, Mr-er-"
"Hammonds my name. Are you Mr..
Barker?"
moo, my name is Prince"
$50? Silent partner in the firm,
hey?"
moo. not exactly" Mr.. Prince was
slightly embarrassed. "No, am a.
salesman-at present. Was the mat
ter you wished to see Mr.. Stone about
Q very private one?"
"Middlin'."
''Well, l asked because Mr.. Stone
is busy man and we like to save
him all the-the-'
"Trouble you can, hey? That's nice
Of you, you must save him lot, Mr.
-er-King. was it?"
"No, Prince"
"sure and sartin', Prince, of course.
I knew twas connected with the roy.
u family. Well, Mr.. Prince. I'm afraid
even you can't help me nor him out
this time. I'm lookin' up friend Of
mine. widow lady from down the
Cape. She's a relation of Mr.. Stones,
and she's come to Boston during the
hast day or so. I thought likely he
might know where she was. that's all.
That would be little out Of your
latitude, hey?"
II don't know. Her name wasn't
CONN, was it?"
Captain Nat started. st certainly
was" he answered eagerly. "How'd
you know that?"
Mr.. Princes complacence was gu
perb. "Oh," he answered with con-
lescension. "Mr. Stone trusts me with
. good many Of his personal AFFAIRS"
II should think likely he would.
But about Mrs. Coffin? You was goin'
70 say?"
"she is with James Hallett & Co..
the tailors, on Washington street. Mr..
Stone found place for her there. l
believe. I-er-er-superinten the
carrying of her valise and What?"
''Nothin', nothin'. Hum! Hallett &
Co., tailors? What number Washin'-
ton street did you say?"
Mr.. Prince gave the number.
Thank you lot,' said Captain
Nat, with fervor "Good-by, Mr.. Prince.
Hope the next time ! come you'll be
In the firm. Good day. sir"
''Good day. Nothing else can do?
And you won't wait for Mr.. Stone?
Very good. Is there any message for
him that you would like to leave?"
"Hey?" Nat had started to go. but
now he paused and turned. There was
q grim twinkle in his eye. Messenger"
he repeated. why. ye-es. 1 don't
know but there is. You Just give Mr..
Stone Cap'n Hammond's compliments
and tell him I'm lookin' forward to
interviewin' him some time. Just tell
him that. will you?"
I'LL tell him. Glad to have met
you, Captain Hammond"
In the workshop of Hallet & Co.,
Keziah sat sewing busily. The win
dow near her was closed, stuck fast,
and through the dingy panes she
could see only roofs and chimneys.
The other women and girls near her
chatted and laughed, but she was 81
lent. She did not feel like talking,
certainly not like laughing. The gar.
ment she was at work on was coat,
q wedding coat, SO the foreman had
told her, with smile: therefore she
must be very particular. The narrow
stairway leading up to the workshop
ended in little boxed-in room where
the finished garments were hung to
await the final pressing. From be-
hind the closed door OF this room
came the sound Of voices. apparently
In heated argument. One OF these
voices was that of Larry, the errand
boy. Larry was speaking shrilly and
with emphasis. The other voice was
lower in key and the words were In.
audible.
mo. sir. you can't" declared Larry.
"You can't. tell you. The boss don't
lat nobody in there and Hold on!
Hold ont"
Tha other voice made short but
evidently earnest answer. Larry again
sspostulated. The workers looked up:
from their sewing. The door opened
and Larry appeared. flushed and ex-
cited.
Where's Mr.. Upham?" he Demand
Cd. "Mr. Upham!"
,Upham was the foreman OF the
workroom. At the moment Ae was
downstairs In conversation with the
head of the house. A half dozen gave
this information.
Whats the matter! Who is it"
asked several.
Il don't know who It's. It's man
and he's crazy, think. l told him
he couldn't come in here, but he Just
keeps a'comin'. He wants to see some
body named CofI1n and there amt no
Collins here"
Keziah's nearest neighbor leaned
toward her.
II guess it's somebody to see you."