The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-28
CHAPTER lIl-Continued.

ii
Hshes were done.
aKeziah," said the captain pompous-
I'VE expect you to look out for Mr..
ulery in every respect. The parish
/. smmittee expects that-yes."
I I'll try" said Mrs. Coffin shortly.
Yes. Well. that's all. You can go
Ne must be going, too, Mr.. Ellery.
kIease consider our house at your dis
psal any time. Be neighborly-hum
-ha!-be neighborly."
"Yes," purred Annabel. do come
nd see us often. Cougenial society
very scarce in Trumet, for me espe-
s1saIly. We can read together. Are
4 Ion fond of Moore, Mr.. Ellery? ! just
note on him."
The last "hum-ha" was partially
drowned by the click Of the gate. Ke-
Lab closed the dining-room door.
Mrs. Coffin" said the minister. 81
liant trouble the parish committee.
i b sure of that. I'm perfectly salts
I'D"
4 Keziah sat down in the rocker and
|hr needle moved very briskly for a
llnoment. Then she said, without
booking up:
that's good. / own up like to
bear you say 1t. And am glad there
are some things l do like about this
new place Of mine. Because-well.
because there's likely to be others that
d shan't like at ALL"
On Friday evening the minister
pnducted his first prayer meeting.
before 1t. and afterwards. he heard
good deal concerning the Come
Dulers. He learned that Captain
Dsn Hammond had preached against
tn in the chapel on Sunday. Most
IL his own parishioners seemed to
III It good joke.
The sun of the following Thursday
Innning rose behind a curtain Of fog
dense a. that Of the day upon
1eh Elsry arrived. A fat calm in
forenoon. the Wind changed about
a1Bse o'clock, and, beginning with a
1nrp and sudden squall from the
J IDorth-west. blew hard and steady. Yet
Ihe fog still cloaked everything and
Irefused to be blown away.
Coin out In this,' Mr.. Ellery!" ex-
1o|daimed Keziah, in amazement, as the
n mister put on his hat and coat about
l1Iesen that evening. "Sakes alive!
= IN won't be able to see the way to
N 10 xly 81 20
4 Decket and thicker than young ones
b y poor mans family, as my father
= I'D to say. You'll be wet through.
: Whsre in the world are you bound for
e1IAis night?"
q The minister equivocated. He said
= had been In the house all day and
~ Ike q walk.
We'll. take an umbrella, then" was
- housekeepers advice. You'll
pesd 1t before you get back, l callate.' -
II was dark enough and thick
rough, In all conscience. The main
pad was a black, wet void. through
nich CLEANS from lighted windows
sre big vague, yellow blotches. The
nbrella was useful In the same way
At blind mans cane Is useful, In
sing the way. Two or three strag.
M who met the minister carried
Anferns. John Ellery stumbled on
nrough the mist till he reached the
2 corners" where the store was located
"a the roads forked. There, he
umed to the right, into the way
ahed locally "Hammond's Turn-off.
= snort distance down the "Turn-off'
= 'od small, brown-shingled building
, z windows alight. Opposite its door
= either side Of the road, grew q
= ading hornbeam tree surrounded
cluster Of swamp blackberry
Z shes. In the black shadow Of the
81 nosam Mr.. Ellery stood still. He
~ - Debating in his mind q question
y eald he or should he not enter tina,
ssAdins,
= y ne stood there, groups Of people
eed from the fog and darkness
= passed in at the door. Some Of
d be had seen during his fortnight
= nmet Others were strangers tc
A lantern danced and wabbled
NE "Turn-off' from the direction
8 ~ Day shore and the packet wharf
new near, and he saw that It was
oy an old man with long, white
snd chin beard. who walked with
u snt limp. Beside him was a thir
wearing black poke bonnie,
a shawl. In the rear Of the pai,
another woman. a young woman
Dy the way she was dressed
49, 1.-THE, vigorous step. The trio
On the platform of the building
= o.a man blew out the lantern
ne threw the door open and 8
: Il uoup. "sn' poured ovel
r - souns woman was Grace Var
The minister recognized he,
IN ~ Undoubtedly, the old mar
~ ~ limp was her guardian. Can
- 80 Hammond. who, by common
: hired priest" A'e'
eoor closed. A few moment,
. tsr the sound Of a soue.nn na
.sc came from within the building
~ and quavered and sroaneS
ssrs.. u suddenness that wa,
~. came the first yerse n,
-, win tremendous enthusi