Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-12-12
into the hall. the letter still in her


to see you for minute"
The housekeeper hurriedly thrust
the letter into her waist.
"I'll be right down. Nat" she an.
swered. I'm comm"
He was in the sitting room when
she entered. He was wearing his Sun
day suit Of blue and his soft hat was
on the center table. She held out her
hand and he shook it heartily.
Before he could speak she caught a
glimpse of his face.
What is it?" he asked. What is
the matter?'-
We'll Keziah, it's trouble enough.
Dad and had faDlin out. We had
what was next door to real quarrel
after dinner to-day. 1t would have been
real one If hadn't walked off and
left him. Keziah, he's dead set on my
marryin' Grace. Says if | don't he'll
know that / don't really care a tin
nickel for him, or for his wishes, or
what becomes of the girl after he's
gone"
KeZiah was silent foT a moment.
Them she said slowly:
And Grace herself? How does she
feel about it? Has he spoken to her%
Il don't know. guess likely he
has. Perhaps that's why she's been so
sort of moHrnful lately. But neveO
mind whether he has or not; | won't
do it and | told him so. l-e got red
hot in a jiffy | was ungrateful and
stubborn and all sorts of things. And
|, bein' Hammond, with some of the
Hammond balkine9s in me, set my
foot Gown as hard as his. And we had
it until-until-well, until | saw him
gtagger and tremble so that actually
got scared and feared he was goin' to
keel over where he stood. You now
why | can't marry her, nor anyone
else in this round world but you"
Nat, | can't n AIRY you
81 know, l know. You're always
sayin' that. But you don't mean it.
You can't mean it. Why, you and me
have been picked out for each other
by the Almighty, Keziah. swear |
believe just that. We went together
when we were boy and girl to parties
and such. We was promised when
first went to sea. If it hadn't been for
that fool row we had-and twas all
my fault and I know it-you never
would have let that da-that miser-
able Anse Coffin come near you. I'm
goin' to have you. Coffin is dead these
ten years. When I heard he was
drowned off there in Singapore, all
could say was, Serve him right! And
| say it now. come home then more
determined to get you. Say yes, and
let's be happy. Dol"
I'D like to, Nat only wish | could.
But 'twouldn't be any use. can't do
it."
He snatched his hat from the table
and strobe toward the door. Turning,
he looked at her.
"All right" he said chokingly. "All
right. Good-by."
His steps sounded on the oilcloth Of
the kitchen. Then the back door
slammed He was gone.
Keziah started, as if the slam Of the
door had been an electric shock. And
she cried, tears of utter loneliness
and despair.
The clouds thickened as the after
noon passed. There came knock at
the dining-room door,
Keziah sprang from her chair,
smoothed her hair, hastily wiped her
eyes and went to admit the visitor,
whoever he or she may be. She was
glad of the shadows, they prevented
her face from being seen too plainly.
Good afternoon" she said, opening
the door. "Oh! it's you, is it,"
= Yes" admitted Abishai Pepper,
standing on the stone step, and shift
ing uneasily from one foot to the
other. Eyes, Keziah, it's-it's me,
thank you. only wanted to see Mr..
Ellery"
Hes out. Good day."
81 wanted to ask his advice about
somethin'. It's a secret. Only him
and me know about it. Good-by. I'll
find Mr. Ellery."
81 wouldn't go to the Danielses', If
Nuo SOus hight IOI llh6 W
have you chasin' after his visitors"
"Oh, the minister amt at the Dan
ielses', not as late's this, he amt
know where he is. l know where he
goes Sunday afternoons-and why he
goes, too. Mr.. Ellery and mes good |
friends. We understand each other"
Look here, Ryan Pepper! What are
you talSin' about?"
II just said knew where Mr.. ELL |
cry goes every Sunday afternoon. He
don't know anybody knows, but l do
That's all there is to it. shant tell
So"
Tell? Do you mean there's some
thin Mr.. Ellery wouldn't want told?
Don't you dare will see Laviny!"
mo, no, no, no. 'Tain't nothin' much.
Just know where he goes after he
leaves Elkanah'G and who he goes to
meet. I Lordy! l hadn't ought to
said that! L Keziah Coffin, don't |
you ever tell / told you. I've said
more'n l meant to. If it comes out
there'd be the biggest row in the
church there ever was. And I'd be re-
sponsible! would! I'd have to go
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