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

have Oh, shall die! l wish was
dead!"
Then followed Mysteries and agony,
greedily listened to by Debby, whose
ear was at the crack of the door. Cap
tain Elkanah soothed and pleaded and
tried to pacify. 1t ended by his prom
Using to investigate and, if necessary.
take steps immejitly."
Lavinia Pepper sprung the mine on
her brother. Ryan was Mortified. He
had grown to be one Of Ellery's most
devoted worshipers.
One of the very first to hear of the
minister's illness was Keziah Coffin.
Mrs. Parker told her and Keziah start.
ed for the beach before the tale of
Grace's part in the nights happenings
reached the village. She did not wait
for a conveyance, hardly waited to
throw shawl over her shoulders, but
began TO cover the three miles on foot.
She had walked nearly two-thirds of
the distance when Captain Zeb Mayo
overlook her and gave her seat in
his chaise.
They said little during the drive, the
shock and anxiety forbidding CONVEX
sation. At the ropes was the same
group, larger now, and DIR. Parker's
horse was hitched to one Of the posts.
"You can't go in, Mrs. Coffin" said
Thoph Black. 1.-THE doctor give us his
orders not to let nobody get by. l
guess nobody wants to, but all the
same"
Keziah paid not the slightest atten-
ton to Mr.. Black. She stopped beneath
his arm, under the rope and was on
her way to the shanty before they real.
lied her intention. The living room
was empty, but at the sound of her
step some one came from the room
adjoining. That some one was Grace.
DR.. Parker appeared, holding up a
hand for silence
"Hush!" he cried. Hes quiet now
and l think he will sleep. Don't talk
here. Go outside, if you must talk
and suppose you must"
Grace led the way. Fortunately, the
door was on the side not visible from
the spot where Captain Zeb and the
rest were standing. Keziah, bewil-
dered and amazed at the girls pres
ence, followed dumbly.
Nov, auntie," whispered Grace,
turning to her, you want to know
how he is, Of course. Well, think he
is better. The doctor thinks SO, too.
But why did you come here?"
"Why did come? Why, because
my place was here. belonged here.
For the love Of mercy's sakes what
are you dom here? With him? And
the smallpox"
Hush. can't help it. don't care.
| don't care for anything any more.
I'm glad came. I'm glad l was the
one to find him and help him. No
matter what happens-to me-I'm
glad. I never was so glad before. I
love him, Aunt Keziah. can say it
to you, for you know it-you must
know it. / love him and he needed
me and l came. He was calling my
name when l found him. He might
have died there, alone in the wet and
cold. and saved him. Think what
tha. means to me-"
The door opened softly and Dr. Par
ker came out.
He's asleep" he said And he's
better, much better. And I'll tell you
something else, if you won't make too
much noise about THE hasn't got the
smallpox. He is pretty close to brain
fever, though, but guess he'll dodge
that this time, with care, On the
whole. Keziah, I'm glad you came.
This young lady," with a movement Of
the head toward Grace. has done her
part. She really saved his life, II I'm
not mistaken. Now, I think she can
80 away and leave him to you and me-.
I'll pretty nearly guarantee to have
him up and out Of this-this pesthole
In fortnight"
Here was joyful tidings, the better
tor being SO unexpected. Keziah
eaned against the boards and drew a
long breath. Grace said nothing, but,
after moment, she went into the
house.
That's a good thing, too," COM
mented Parker. watching her as she
went. II wanted to talk with you, Ke-
ziah Coffin, and right away. Now, then,
there's something up, something that
! don't know about, and rather guess
you do. Young women-even when
they're her kind and that's as good
kind as there is-don't risk smallpox
for any young man taey pick up cas-
ually."
Keziah considered. "All right, doc
tor" she said, when she reached a de-
cision, "all right; I'll tell you the
whole thing"
She went on to tell all she knew of
her parsons love story.
DR.. Parker listened.
"Hum!" he said thoughtfully, II See
What made her change her mind SO
suddenly? You say, or you gather
from what Mr.. Ellery told you, that
she had all but agreed to marry him
She cares for him, that's sure. Then
all at once, she throws him over and
apcapfc Nat Of oourco I,or ,,,olo,c