Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-10-31

Captain Mayo's big house-the fines
in Trumet, with the exception OF the
Daniels mansion-and descended into
the hollow beyond Here, at the cor
ner where the Lighthouse Lane" be
gins its winding way over the rolling
knobs and dunes to the light and the
fish shanties on the ocean side" stood
the plain, neutrality-suspicious. meet
ing house of the Regular society. Di
rectly opposite was the little parson
age, also very straight up and down
Both were painted white with green
blinds. This statement is superfuous
to those who remember Cape architec.
ture at this period; practically every
building from Sandwich to Province.
town was white and green.
They entered the yard, through the
gap in the white fence, and went
around the house, past the dripping
evergreens and the bare, wet lilac
bushes, to the side door, the lock of
which Kezlah's key fitted. There was
a lock on the front door, Of course,
but no one thought of meddling with
that. That door had been opened but
once during the late pastors thirty
year tenantry. On the occasion of his
funeral the mourners came and went.
Mrs. Coffin thrust the key into the
keyhole Of the side door and essayed
to turn it.
"Humph!" she muttered, twisting to
no purpose; 81 don't see why This
must be the right key, because
Well, l declare, if it amt unlocked
already! That's some Of Cap'n Ell
kanahs doin's. For a critter as fussy
and particular about some things, he's
careless enough about others. Mercy
we amt had any tramps around here
lately Come in"
She led the way into the dining
room of the parsonage. Two Of the
blinds shading the windows of that
apartment had been opened when she
and Captain Daniels made their visit,
and the dim gray light made the room
more lonesome and forsaken in appear
ance than a deeper gloom could pos
sibly have done. The black walnut
extension table in the center, closed to
its smallest dimensions because Par.
son Langley had eaten alone for so
many years; the black walnut chairs
set back against the wall at regular
intervals; the rug carpet and braided
mats-homemade donations from the
ladies Of the parish-on the green
painted floor; the dolorous pictures on
the walls; Death of Washington"
"Stoning of Stephen" and still more
deadly fruit piece" committed in oils
years ago by now deceased boat
| painter. The blinds and window be-
ing opened, more light entered the
room. Grace glanced about it curl
ously. ~,
$50 this is going to be your new
home now, Aunt Keziah," she OBJ
served. How queer that seems"
"Um-h'm. Does seem queer, don't
it? Must seem queer to you to be so
near the headquarters of everything
your uncle thinks is wicked. Smell of
birthstone any, does it?" she asked
with smile.
She threw open another door. A
room gloomy with black walnut and
| fragrant with camphor was dimly Wis
ible.
"Cheerfurs tomb, amt it," was
Mrs. Collins comment. well, We'll get
some light and air in here pretty
soon. Here's the front hall and there's
the front stairs. The parlor's off to
the left. We won't bother with that
yet a while. This little place in here
is what Mr.. Langley used to call his
study Halloa! how this door sticks!"
The door did stick, and no amount
Of Juggling could get it open, though
Grace added her efforts to those of Ke-
ziah.
"Tain't locked" commented Mrs.
Coffin, cause there amt any lock on
it. l guess it's lust swelled and stuck
from the damp. Though It's odd, l
don't remember Oh, well! never
mind Let's sweeten up this settin'
room little. Open a window or two
want to do anything before it gets
dark. I'm goin' into the kitchen to get
broom"
She hurried out, returning in a mo-
ment or two with broom and a most
disguised expression.
"How's a body goin to sweep with
that?" she demanded, exhibiting the
frayed utensil, the business end Of
which was worn to stub. More like
shovel, enough sight. Well, there's
pretty nigh dust enough for a shovel,
so maybe this'll take off the top lay
ers. S'pose I'll ever get this house fit
for Mr.. Ellery to live in before he
comes? l wonder If he's a particular
mann
Grace, who was struggling with a re-
fractory window, paused for breath.
I'm sure l don't know" she re-
piled. 1--WE never seen him"
Nor l either. Sol was so bad the
Sunday he preached that l couldn't go
to meetin'. They say his sermon was
fine; all about those who go down to
the sea in ships. That's what got the
parish committee, guess; they're all
old salts. wonder II he's as fine-look-
in as they say?"
Miss Van Horne tossed her head.
She was resting, prior to making an
other assault on the window.
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