Putnam patriot., 1912-09-27

thought. Don't stop to argue KeZfah I've got most fifteen hundred dollars in the bank. Laviny keeps the pass book in her bureau, but you could get 1t from her. own my house. I'm a man of good character. You're poor but don't let that stand in the way Anyhow, you're first-rate housekeep- CT. And really do think an awful lot of you"
 Mrs. Coffin stepped no farther in the direction of the kitchen. Instead. she strode toward the riokety chair and its occupant. Ryan grasped the pipe with both hands.
 You iserable-impudent- began the lady
 Why, Keziah, don't you want to 2" He spoke as if the possibility of re- fusal had never entered his mind. 'I callated you'd be glad. You wouldn't have to go away then, nor My soul and body! some ones knockin at the doorl And this dummed pipes fetched loose!"
 The last sentence was a smothered shriek. Keziah needed not. Neither did she heed the knock at the door. Her hands were opening and closing convulsively.
 Be glad!" she repeated. "Glad to marry a good-for-nothin' sand-peep like youi Yea sassy Get down off that chair and out of this house! Get down this minute!"
 q can't! This stovepipe's loose, tell you. Be reason'ble, Keziah. Do don't you touch me! I'll fall if you do. Please, Keziah!- o Lordy! I knew 1t. Laviny!"
 The door opened. On the threshold, arms akimbo and lips set tight, stood Lavinta Pepper. Her brothers knees gave way; In their collapse they struck the chair back; the rickety leg wabbled. Ryan grasped at the pipe to save himself and. the next moment, chair, sections of stovepipe, and MT. Pepper disappeared with a mighty crash behind the highboy. A cloud of soot arose and obscured the view.
 Keziah, too indignant even to laugh, glared at the wreck. In the doorway of the kitchen Grace Van Horne, ham, mer in hand, leaned against the jamb, her handkerchief at her mouth and tears in her eyes. Lavinia, majestic and rigid, dominated the scene. From behind the high-boy came coughs, sneezes and emphatic ejaculations
 Miss Pepper was the first to speak.
 "Abshai Pepper" she commanded. ''come out of that this minute"
 There was a sound of scrambling. More soot fioated in the air. Then around the corner of the high-boy ap- peared Mir. Pepper, crawling on his hands and knees. His hair was streaked with black; his shirt front and collar and shirt sleeves were spot ted and smeared with black; and from his blackened cheeks his red whiskers famed like the last glowing embers in a f1re-searred ruin.
 q was just tryin to help Keziah take down her stovepipe," he ex- plained You see, she didn't have no man to-"
 'Yes, I see. Well, I judge you got it down Now you go out to the sink and wash your face Heavens and earth! Look at them clothes!"
 T do hope you didn't hurt yourself, Abishai,9 . said the sympathetic Keziah. Then, as remembrance of what had led to the upset came to her, she add ed: Though I will say twas your own fault and nobody else's."
 Lavinia whirled on her.
 Dear mel Amt we innocent! We've got plenty of money, we have. Widowers with property ain't no at traction to us. Everybody knows that -oh, yes! And they never talk of such a thing-oh, no! Folks don't say that-that-- We'll" with snarl in the direction of the kitchen, "are you anywheres nigh clean yet? Get your coat and hat on and come home with me"
 She jerked her brother into the blue coat, jammed the tall hat down upon his head, and. seizing him by the arni' stalked to the door
 Good day. marm," she said. T do hope the next widower you get to take down your stovepipe-yes, lndeed' hal hall hope you'll have better luck with him. Though I don't know who 'twould be; there ain't no more idiots in town that I know of Good day, ana thank you kindly for your attentions to our family"
 Keziah turned from the door she had closed behind her visitor.
 "Welli" she calculated. well!
 Steps, measured. dignifed steps, sounded on the walk. From without came "Hum-hs!" a portentous com bination of cough and grunt- Grace lodged back from the window ana hastily began donning her hat ana jacket
 Its Capn Elkansh." she whispered. 'T must go. This seems to be your busy morning, Aunt Keziah. I-here she choked again-"rsally. l oioht know you were so popular.
 Keziah opened the door Captain Elkanah Daniels. prosperous, pompous and unbending, crossed the thresnoio. Richest man in the village, retired shipowner, pillar of the Regular church and leading member of its parish com mittee, Captain Elkanah looked me part. He removed his hat. cleared nis throat behind his black stock, ana spoke with impressive deliberation.
 "Keziah," he said. "Keziah, l came to see you on 8 somewhat important matter I have a proposal l wish to make you"
 He must have been surprised at the effect of his words. Keziah's face was a picture, a crimson picture or para iyzed amazement. As for Miss van Horne, that young lady gave vent to