Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-09-12
she's all alone and"

| Hold on! Stop! I'll tell you where
the doctor is most likely. Up to Mrs.
Princes. She's been poorly and he's
prob'y been called there. Run! run
fast as ever you can and get him and
Ill go to Grace this minute The poor
thing! Don't tell anybody. Not soul
but the doctor. Half this town1l be
runnin' to find out If you do. and that
poor girl must be distracted already.
I'll go to her. You get DR.. Parker and
tell him to hurry"
11l tell him; don't you fret"
He was gone, running harder than
ever. A moment later Keziah fol-
lowed him, running also.
As she ran on, q rattle Of wheels
and the thud Of hoofs came from be-
hind her. Then a rocking chaise,
drawn by galloping horse, shot by.
DR.. Parker's carriage, she was sure.
The Higgins boy must have met the
doctor and delivered his message.
The horse and chaise were standing
by the front gate Of the tavern as she
pantingly drew near it. The side door
of the house was ajar and she opened
it softly and entered. The dining
room was empty. There was light
on the sitting-room table and low
voices came from the little bedroom
adjoining. Then, from the bedroom,
emerged DR.. Parker and Grace Van
Horne. The girl was white and there
were dark circles under her eyes. The
doctor was very grave
Keziah stepped forward and held
out both hands. Grace looked, recog-
n1zed her, and with cry ran toward
her. Keziah took her in her arms and
soothed her as If she were a child.
We'll, well, DEAR" went on Mrs.
Coffin hurriedly. "He will be better
soon, we'll hope. You mustn't give up
the ship, you know. Now you go and
lay down somewheres and I'll get my
things off and see what there is to do.
Some good strong tea might be good
for all hands. guess likely. Where's
Hannah Poundberry?"
"She's gone to her cousins to stay
all night. l suppose l ought to send
for her, but Il"
mo, no, you hadn't. Nights well
send for a poll parrot. the critter
would be just as much good and talk
less. I'll look out for things, me and
the doctor. ,Where's-where's Nat?"
He came In just after sent the
boy for the doctor. He's in there with
with him." indicating the bedroom.
Poor Natl"
keztah looked longingly toward the
door.
"Yes." she said slowly. "Poor fell
low, It's an awful shock to him. He
and his father are But there! you
lay down on that lounge!"
Grace, protesting that she couldn't
sit down. she couldn't leave uncle, and
there were so many things to do, was
at last persuaded by Keziah and the
doctor to rest for few moments in
the big rocker. Then Mrs. Coffin went
into the kitchen to prepare the tea.
AS she went. she beckoned to DIR.
Parker. who joined her a moment
later.
| well, doctor?" she asked anxiously.
| The stout. gray-haired old physician
he had practiced in Trumet for near
ly 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
Hes come to himself, doc" he
whispered. HE don't remember how
1t happened or anything. And he
wants us ALL Why! why. Keziah! are
you here? You can come In. too. I
know dad likes you and guess
Wait a minute; I'll ask him." He
stepped back into the bedroom. eyes,"
he nodded, returning, you come, too.
He wants you
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 now7"
The old face ON the pillow smiled
fsebly.
i Shes headed for home, I guess.
doo. said Captain Mhen. Bound for
home. and the harbor Light broad
abeem. callats."
"oh, mol you'll mako good many
voyages yst."
Not IN this huh, won't doctor.