The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-01-31
CHAPTER xI.-(continuad.)

The stout, gray-haired old physician
he had practiced in Trumet for near
" thirty years-shook his head.
Not single chance" he whispered.
"He may possibly live till morning,
but ] doubt if he lasts an hour. It's
his heart. I've expected it at any
time"
Captain Nat was standing at the
door of the bedroom. His face was
drawn and he had seemingly grown
years older since noon.
He's come to himself, doc" he
whispered. "He don't remember how
1t happened or anything. And he
wants us all Why! why, Keziah. are
you here? You can come in, too |
know dad likes you and l guess
Wait minute; I'll ask him" He
stepped back into the bedroom. Yes"
be nodded, returning, you come, too
He wants you"
The little room, Captain Eben's own.
was more like a shippers cabin than
chamber on land. In the corner
stood the captains big boots and his
oilskins hung about them. His Sun
day cane was there also. And on the
bureau was worn, heavy Bible
DR.. Parker brushed by the others
and bent over the bed.
well, cap'n," he said cheerily,
"how's she headed? How are you feel.
Ing now"
The old face on the pillow smiled
feebly.
"Shes headed for home, guess,
doc" said Captain Eben. Bound for
home, and the harbor light broad
abeam, callate"
"Oh, no! you'll make a good many
voyages yet"
mot in this hulk, won't, doctor.
soon I'm trustin' in my owners and
guess they'll do the fair thing by me.
Halloo, Oracle, girl! Well, your old
uncle's on his beam ends, amt he?"
Grace glanced fearfully at his face.
When he spoke her name she shrank
back, as if she feared what he might
say. But he only smiled as, with the
tears streaming down her face, she
bent over and kissed him.
There! there!" he protested. You
mustn't cry. What are you cryin'
about me for? I'm fit and ready for
the sea I'm goin' to sail" His eyes
wandered from his son to Mrs. Coffin.
For an instant. he seemed puzzled. |
Then he said
Evenin, Keziah. l don't know
why you're here, but"
Il heard that Grace was alone and !
That you was sick, Eben. So l come |
right down, to help if could"
Thank We. You're a good-hearted |
woman, Keziah, even though you amt |
seen the true light yet And you're |
laousekeeper for that hired priest-a-
a" He paused, ard troubled look !
came over his face.
What is it, dad?" asked Nat.
Il Where's Oracle? She's here. |
amt she?"
Yes, uncle, I'm here. Here am" |
said the girl. His fingers CROPPED for |
her hand and seized it.
Yes. yes, you're here" murmured
Captain Eben. "I-I-for a minute or |
so, II had an awful dream about you, !
Oracle. | dreamed Never mind !
Doc, answer me this now, true and !
honest, man to man: Can you keep !
NE here for just little spell longer? !
Can you? Try! Ten minutes, say.
Can your"
"Of course can. Cap'n Hammond, |
what are you"
Delay, tell you Yes, guess twas
dream. 1t had to be, but twas so
sort of real that + How long have
| been this way?"
oh, little while! Now just"
Hush! Don't pull your hand away, |
Gracie. Nat, give me yours. That's |
1t. Now l put them two hands to-
gether. See, doctor? See, Keziah?"
Don't, uncle, dont!" pleaded Grace
Don't worry about me. Think of
yourself, please"
"S-sh-sh! Don't put me off, Just
hsten. l want you to marry my boy, |
after I'm gone. want you to say you
will-say it now. SOS l can hear it.
VIII you, Gracie?"
Grace would have withdrawn her
hand, but he would not let her. He
chung to 1t and to that of his son with |
all his failing strength.
VIII you, Gracie?" he begged. 'It's |
the last thing I'm goin' to ask of you.