Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-09-26

~ ~ JOo AAASeASiS anu We COluS u
feel almost as if was John, you've
got to stay here with me. You can't
go to that house. You can't go to
her"
Mrs. Coffin. what are you saying?
Do you know Have you"
Eyes, know all about 1t. know
about the meetin's in the pines and
all. oh, why didn't you trust me and
tell me? If you had, all would have
been SO much better!"
He looked at her in utter amaze.
ment. The blood rushed to his face.
you know that?" he whispered.
: Eyes, know"
did she tell"
mo, nobody told. That is, only a
little. got hint and l suspicioned
somethin' afore. The rest l saw with
my own eyes,"
He was now white, but his jaw shot
forward and his teeth closed.
III you do know" he said, you
must realize that my place is with
her. Now. when she is in trouble"
1T amt the congregation, john"
she said. Nor Trumet, nor your min
istry. That means more'n you think
1t does, now; but it amt that. You
mustn't go to her because-well, be-
cause she don't want you to-"
Doesn't want me? ] know better"
He laughed in supreme scorn.
"She doesn't want you. John. She
vnnIdnf
would send you away again, sure, sar-
tin sure. She would. And if you
didn't go when she sent you, you
wouldn't be the man hope you are.
John, you mustn't see Grace again.
She amt yours. She belongs to some
one else.
John, Grace Van Horne is goin' to
marry Cap'n Nat Hammond. There!
that's the livin' truth"
She led him over to the rocking.
chair and gently forced him into it. He
obeyed, although with no apparent
realization Of what he was doing. Still
with her hand on his shoulder she
went on speaking She told him of
her visit to the Hammond tavern, say
Ing nothing of Mr. Peppers call nor
OF her own experience in the grove.
She told of Captain Eben's seizure. Of
what the doctor said, and of the old
Come-Outers return to consciousness.
Then she described the scene in the
sick room and how Nat and Grace had
piighted troth. He listened, at first
stunned and stolid, then with grow.
Ing impatience.
SO you see," she said Its settled;
they're engaged, and DR.. Parker will
tell everybody OF the engagement this
very mornin'. 1t want any great sur.
prise to me. Those who have been
brought up together; twas the natu.
raj thing that was almost bound to
happen. Ebens heart was set on 1t
for years. And she'll have a good
husband. John. that know. And she'll
do her best to make him happy. He's
a good man and"
But l know
do you suppose she would come
to you II she knew it would be your
ruin?"
He hesitated. The last time they
met, ages before-no. only the previ.
GUS afternoon-she had told him II
was his happiness and his future only
that she thought of. He choked and
drew his hand across his eyes.
MRS. Coffin" he said, "you tell me
1t will be her ruin. You tell me 80.
You say she doesn't want me tell
YOU that the only thing that will keep
me from her Is hearing that from her
own lips. When she tells me to leave
her will, and not before
She'll tell you. John; she'll tell you.
And know Grace. She's made up her
mind and won't change it. But | do
ask you this: ask you not to go now
Wait little while, do. left her
asleep. worn out by what sh~' been
through and under the effects of the
Doctors sleepin' medicine. He said
she must rest or he was afraid her
brain would give out. For her sake,
then, wait little. Then, II you don't
hear from her, maybe can arrange 8
meetin' place where you can see her
without anyone's KNOWN it. I'll try
But do wait little while, for he1
sake. won't you?"
At last he was listening and hest
tating.
Won't you?" begged Keziah.
Yes" he answered slowly. "I'll
wait. I'll wait until noon, somehow, il
! can. I'll try. But not a minute
later. Not one. You don't know what
you're talking about, Mrs. Coffin"
Yes. do. | know well And
thank you for her sake"