Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-10-31

e .
"Listenl Listen to Mel AnseI coffin
Is Dead"
his friend, the tailor, and Keziah was
installed in the loft Of the latter's
Washington street shop, beside the
other women and girls who sewed and
sewed from seven in the morning un-
til six at night. Mr.. Stone had left
her there and come away, feeling that
an unpleasant matter was disposed
of. He had made some inquiries as to
where she intended staying, even add
ed half-hearted invitation to dinner
that evening at his home. But she
declined. ~
mo, thank you. Abner." she said.
I'm goin' to and a boardin' place and
I'd Just as soon nobody knew where
I. was for the present. And there's
one thing want to ask you: don't
tell soul am here. Not a soul. II
anyone should come askin' for me,
don't give 'em any satisfaction. I'll
tell you why some day. perhaps. I
can't now"
This was what troubled Mr.. Stone
as he sat in his Office Why should
this woman wish to have her. where
abouts kept secret? There was a
reason for this, of course. Was 1t a
respectable reason, or the other kind?
If the latter, his own name might be
associated with the scandal. He wish
ed, for the fiftieth time. that there
were no poor relations.
A boy came into the Office. "There
Is some one here to see you. Mr..
Stone" he said.
"Who is it?"
Il don't know, sir. Looks like
seafaring man. sea captain, should
say-but he won't give his name. Says
it's important and nobody but youth
do"
'Humph! All right. Tell him to
wait. I'll be out In minute"
Sea captains and ship owners were
Stone & Barker's best customers. The
senior partner emerged from the Of
fee with a smile on his face.
"Ah!" he said, extending his hand.
Glad to see you, Captain
Hammond" replied the visitor.
Same to you, Mr.. Stone"
Fine weather for this time OF
year."
Fine enough. Mr.. Stone.
Well, Captain Hammond, what can
we do for you? Going to sail soon?"
Not right away. Just made port,
less'n week ago. Home looks good
to me, for spell, anyhow"
$50? Yes, l have no doubt. Let
me see-where is your home, cap
tain? should remember. of course,
but"
Don't know why you should. This
is my first trip in your latitude, /
guess. My homes at Trumet"
"Trumet?" Mr.. Stones tone chang
ed
Yes. Trumet. down on the Cape.
Ever been there? We think it's about
as good place as there it,
"Hu-u-m! Trumet? Well, Captain
Hammond, you wished to see me. |
understand"
Yes. Fact is, Mr.. Stone, want
to ask you where can find Mrs. Ke-
ziah Coffin. She's relation of yours.
I b'lieve, and she's come to Boston
lately. Only yesterday or the day
afore. Can you tell me where she
is?"
why do you wish to see her?"
ooh, for reasons, personal ones.
She's a friend of mine"
II see. No. captain, can't tell you
where she Is. Good morning"
Captain Nat was greatly disappoint-
ed.
Hold on there. just minute" he
begged. This is important, you I'M
derstand, Mr. Stone. I'm mighty anx-
ious to find Kezi- Mrs. CONN. We
thought, some of her friends and /.
that most likely you'd know where
she was. Can't you give us any help
at all? Hasn't she been here?"
Good morning, Captain Hammond.
You must excuse me, I'm busy"
He went into the office and closed
the door. Captain Nat rubbed his
forehead desperately. He had been
almost sure that Abner Stone would
put him on Keziah's track. Grace had
thought SO, too. She remembered
what the housekeeper had told con-
corning her Boston cousin and how
the latter had found employment for
her when she contemplated leaving
Trlmet- after har brothers death.