Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-10-17

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"she Must Marry Him, Or He'll Die"
said weakly. "Some news for you
and-and-"
Cats foot!" snapped Keziah brisk
ly, don't start in tellin' me news
now. I've got my hands full as tits.
Newsll keep and you won't, If you
talk another minute"
She could manage him; it was with
Grace that she had her struggle. First.
and bluntly, she told the girl that her
leaving was useless. The secret was
out; 1t had been made public. Every
one knew she was in love with John
and he with her. Their engagement
was considered an established GER
tainty. Grace was greatly agitated
and very indignant.
"Who dared say so?" she demanded.
who dared say We were engaged?
It's not true. It's wicked lie and
Who is responsible, Aunt Keziah?"
well. suppose likely l am. much
as anybody, deary."
"You? You, Aunt Keziah?"
"Yup; me. You are in love with
him; at any rate, you said so. And
you're here with him, amt you? If
you two amt engaged you ought to
be-" She argued and pleaded and
coaxed, and, at last, when she began
to think she had prevailed, Grace
brought forward another objection.
She had given her word to her uncle.
How could she break that promise to
dying man? She would feel like q
traitor.
Traitor to who?" demanded the
housekeeper, losing patience. Not to
|, poor Nat. for he's gone. And don't you
suppose that he and Eben understand
things better now, where they are?
Do you suppose that Nat wouldn't
want you to be happy? l know he
would, for / knew him"
It was still unsettled when the long
talk was over. but Grace agreed not
to leave the minister at present. She
would stay where she was until he
was himself again, at least. ,Keziah
was satisfied with the preliminary
skirmish. She felt confident of win
ming the victory, and in the prospect
of happiness for others, she was al
most happy herself. Yet each time the
mail was brought to the shanty she
dreaded to look at it, and the sight of
stranger made her shake with fear.
Ansel Coffin had threatened to come
to Trumet. If he came, she had made
up her mind what to do.
The parish committee was to meet.
Captain Elkanah had announced his
intention of moving that John Ellery
be expelled from the Regular church.
There was to be no compromise, no
asking for resignation; he must be
discharged, thrown out in disgrace.
The county papers were full of the
squabble, but they merely reported
the news and did not take sides. The
fight was too even for that.
One afternoon a few days before
the date set for the meeting Elkanah
and two or three of his henchmen
were on the piazza OF the Dauiels
home. discussing the situation. They
were blue and downcast. Annabel
was In the sitting room. shedding
tears Of humiliation and jealous rage
on the haircloth sofa
Some one was talking excitedly on
the sidewalk beyond the lilac bushes
at the border of the Daniels property.
Voices answered Didama Rogers
darted out OF her yard and past the
house in the direction of the sounds.
Salters rose and walked down to the
gate. Emulous Sparrow, the fish ped
der, was seated in his cart, which was
surrounded by men and women. neigh
bors OF the Danielses. There was q
perfect storm and questionings and
e1acQlations. Saltsrs opened the gate
and Joined the group. A moment
later he came running back. up the
walk toward the piazza.
"Cap'n." he shouted. "Cap'n Elkan-
ah, here's news! What do you think7
A telegram's just come from Nat
Hammond. He's safe and sound In
New York. sAA he'll be here day after
tomorrow"
They could not believe 1t and rush.
cd out to hear more. Emulous, glow
ing with Importance, affirmed that 1t
was so. He had seen the telegram at
the store. 1t was for Grace Van
Horne and they were just going to
send boy over to the shanty with
it.
Captain Elkanah seized Salters by
the arm and led him out of the group.
The old mans face was alight with
savage joy and his voice shook with
eXultation.
"t'il tall vnr thing If means"