The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-12-27
He liked you, too. No wonder, co.,

| 14llSly.
Who? Elkanah?"
Yes; they're in the study"
SO he's talkin' to the new parson,
hey? Bossin' him, too, I'll bet"
i amt so sure. Mr.. Ellery's young,
but he's got mind of his own"
Captain Hammond chuckled and
slapped his knee.
"Ho, ho!" he laughed. I've been
hearin somethin' about that mind.
Went to the chapel last night, under
stand, and he and dad had a set-to. Oh,
heard about it! Wish I might have
been there"
How does your father act about
it?"
Bout the way a red-hot stove acts
when you spill water on it; every time
he thinks Of the minister he sizzles.
Ho, no! do wish l could have been
! there"
What does Grace say?"
"Oh. she doesn't say much I
wouldn't wonder If she felt the way
| do, though we both keep quiet. I'll
tell you, between ourselves and the
ships pump, that I sort Of glory IN
the young chaps spunk."
Good! So do |. like him"
Her friend leaned forward.
"Keziah" he said earnestly, there's
| no sense in your slavin' yourself to
death here. can think OF good deal
| pleasanter berth than that. Pleasant
er fer me, anyhow, and I'd do my best
to make it pleasant for you. You've
only got to say the word and No?
Well, then all can do is hope through
another voyage"
Please don't, Nat. You know"
NO, | don't know"
We'll, perhaps you don't. But I
know. | like you, Nat. count on you
as the straightest, truest friend I've
got; and I want to keep on countin'
on you just that way. Mayn't II"
Course you can, Keziah. But
Then don't say another word,
please"
"Ke2iah. when you set your foot
down you're pretty stubborn; but I've
sot somethin' Of foot myself. You re-
member you said so a few minutes
ago Hi, hunt Well. speakin' Of dad
reminds me that I'm kind Of worried
about him"
You are? Why? Isn't he well?"
Pretty well, hut he amt strong, and
he gets too excited over things like
last nights foolishness. Grace tells
me that the doctor says he must be
careful or he'll drop off some of these
days. He had shock five or six years
ago, little one, and I've been anxious
about him ever since"
You mustn't worry How did Grace
look to you?"
Like the harbot light on a stormy
night. She's a brick. that girl, and
gets prettier every minute. Wonder
to me some of the young chaps down
here don't carry her off by main
strength. She'll make somebody
good wife"
"Um-hm. Have-have you ever
thought Of her that way YOURSELF"
"Keziah, that's enough of that. Are
you and dad in partnership to get me
spliced and out Of the way? He was
at NE this mornin' along the same
line Don't say anything like that
again. even in fun. You know why"
All right, all right. Now tell me
about yourself. Have you had good
voyage? How do you like your own
ers? How did Eech Foster ever get
the packet in through yesterdays
fog?"
Voyage was all right. Some rug,
ged weather on the trip out, but home
ward bound we slid along like slush
bucket on a creased plank. Owners
are all right. Good people as ever I
sailed for As for Zach and the pack
ct Ho, no! Somebody's comm. I'm
goin' to clear out. I don't want TO be
put through my catechtsm yet a
while"
NO. you mustn't go. l want you to
meet Mr.. Ellery You sit out on the
wash bench by the back door till get
rid of whoever It's that's comm.
Scoot!"
Nat "scooted," stopping to snatch up
his hat as he ran. Keziah went into
the dining room and admitted Captain
Zebedee Mayo, who was painting from
the exertion OF his walk.
'Whew" pulled Captain Zeb, mop
ping his forehead. How be you, Ke-
ziah? What? You amt all alone!
Thought you'd have a cabin full Of
CAB machines by this time. Have they
been and gomez"
mo, they haven't been. / Ny
land, my pie"
She rushed into the kitchen and
snatched the pastry from the oven.
Her new caller followed her.
so they amt been, hey2" he said.
That's queer"
"Elka=ah's here. He's in there with
the minister now"
He is? Givin' the young Teller Hail
Columby, l callste. Well, now, he
shan't He, he! When they told me
go-fetch-it what was due him at the
chapel last night riz up and hoorayed
tell my wife shut the windows She
said the neighbors all thought I was
loony, anyhow, and l needn't prove it
to EN-. He, he! But Elkanah amt
got any funny bone. He's as solemn
as a stuffed owl, and he'll Well, I'm
goin to put my oar in, I'm parish COM
mittee, too, l cal'late, and I've got
somethin' to say, even if l want chris
ened Daniels. Here goes!"
4. L