The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-12-20
CHAPTER Xi.-(Continued)


The stout, gray-haired old physician
he had practiced in Trumet for near
iy thirty years-shook his head.
Not single chance" he whispered.
HE may possibly live till morning.
but doubt If he lasts an hour. It's
his heart. I've expected it at any
time"
Captain Nat was standing at the
door OF the bedroom. His face was
drawn and he had seemingly grown
years older since noon.
He's come to himself, doc" he
whispered. "He don't remember how
1t happened or anything. And he
wants us all. Why! why, Keziahi are
you here? You can come In, too. I
know dad likes you and l guess
Wait q minute; III ask him" He
stepped back into the bedroom. "Yes,"
he nodded, returning. you come, too.
He wants you"
The little room, Captain Eben's own.
was more like shippers cabin than
chamber on land. In the corner
stood the captains big boots and his
oilskins hung about them His Sun
day cane was there also. And on the
bureau was worn, heavy Bible
DR.. Parker brushed by the others
and bent over the bed
We'll, cap'n," he said cheerily,
'how's she headed? How are you feel
Ing now?"
The old face on the pillow smiled
seebly.
She's headed for home, l guess,
doc" said Captain Eben Bound for
home. and the harbor light broad
abeam, cal'late."
oh. no. you'll make a good many
voyages yet"
Not In this hulk, | won't, doctor. I
hope III have new command pretty
soon. I'm trustin' In my owners and I
guess they'll do the fair thing by me-
Halloo, Oracle, girl! Well, your old
nncle's on his beam ends, amt he?"
Grace glanced fearfully at his face
When he spoke her name she shrank
back, as IL she feared what he might
say But he only smiled as, with the
tears streaming down her face, she
bent over and kissed him.
There! there!" he protested. "You
mustn't cry. What are you cryin'
about me for? I'm fit and ready for
the sea I'm goin' to sail" His eyes
wandered from his son to Mrs Coffin
For an instant he seemed puzzled
Then he said
'Evenin.' Keziah. 1 don't know
why you're here, but"
arI
that you was sick, Eben. So come
right down. to help If l could"
Thank We. You're a good-hearted
woman. Keziah, even though you amt
seen the true light yet And you're
housekeeper for that hired priest-a-
s." He paused, and a troubled look
came over his face
What is it, dad?" asked Nat.
Il Where's Oracle? She's here,
amt she?"
Yes, uncle. I'm here Here l am"
said the girl. His fingers CROPPED for
her hand and seized it.
Yes, yes, you're here" murmured
Captain Eben. "I-I-for a minute or
SO. II had an awful dream about you.
Oracle. | dreamed Never mind.
Doc, answer me this now, true and
honest, man to man: Can you keep
me here for just a little spell longer?
Can you? Try! Ten minutes, say.
Can your"
~0f course l can. Cap'n Hammond,
what are you"
Delay, l tell you. Yes, guess twas
a dream. 1t had to be, but twas so
sort Of real that L How long have
1 been this way?"
''Oh, little while! Now just"
Hush! Don't pull your hand away,
Oracle. Nat, give me yours That's
it. Nov | put them two hands to-
gether. See. doctor? See, Keziah?''
Don't, uncle, DON'T" pleaded Grace.
FDon't worry about me- Think of
yourself, please"
"S-sh-sh! Don't put me off. Just
listen. | want you to marry my boy,
after I'm gone. l want you to say you
Rill-say it now, SOS I can hear 1t.
Will you, Gracie?'
Grace would have withdrawn her
hand, but he would not let her He
clung to it and to that of his son with
all his falling strength.
viii you, Gracie?" he begged. Its
the last ,hing I'm goin. TO ask of you.