The Delta independent., 1913-02-21

he Did NOT Answer or LOOK Up.
But Ezekiel Bassett was leading, for
Captain Eben Hammond had not made
his appearance. Neither had Grace
Van Horne, for that matter, but Cap
tain Eben's absence was the most as
tonishing.
In the Regular parsonage Keziah
sat alone by the sitting-room table.
Prayer meeting ard supper she had
forgotten entirely. The minister had
not come home for his evening meal,
and food was furtheet from the house
keepers thoughts. What should she
do? What ought she to do? How
could she avert the disaster SO certain
to overwhelm those two young people
the moment their secret became
known?
She rose and again donned her bon
net and shawl. She was about to
blow out the lamp when she heard
one running along the sidewalk
in front Of the house. AS she listened,
the footsteps sounded on the path.
Whoever the runner was he was com
ing to the parsonage. She stepped
to the door and opened 1t.
The runner was a boy, Maria Hig'
gins boy Isaac, whose widowed moth.
er lived down by the shore. He did
the chores at the Hammond tavern
His freckIed face was dripping with
perspiration and he puffed and blew
like stranded whale.
Have ye-have ye," painted Ike
have ye seen the doctor anywheres
Mis- Coffin?"
who? DR.. Parker? Have I seen--
what in the world are you comm here
after the doctor for?"
"'Cause-'cause / didn't know where
else to come. ! been to his house and
he amt to home. Nobody amt tc
home. His wife, Mis- Parker. she's
gone up to Boston yes'day on the
coach, and-and it's all dark and the
house doors open and the shay's gone
go"
who's sick? Who wants him?"
"And-and-all the rest OF the
houses round here was shut up cause
everybody's to meetin'. ! peeked ir
at the meetin' house and he aim
there. and see your light and"
who's sick? Tell me that, won
you?"
"Cap'n Eben. He's awful sick.
cal'late he's goin' to die, and Graci'
She"
"Cap'n Eben? Eben Hammond
Dyin'? What are you talkin' about?'
Huh! huh!" puffed the messenge
impatiently. Didn't l toll ye? Capt.
Ebens adyin'. / seen him. All whit
and still and-and awful. And Oracle
she's all alone and"
Hold on! Stop! III tell you wher'
the doctor is most likely. Up to Mrs
Princes. She's been poorly and he
prob'y been called there. Run! rul
fast as ever you can and get him ant
I'll go to Grace this minute. The poo
thing! Don't tell anybody. Not sou
but the doctor. Half this town1l b.
runnin' to find out II you do. and tina
poor girl must be distracted already
III go to her. You get DIR. Parker an
tell him to hurry"
"I'll tell him; don't you fret"
He was gone, running harder tha
ever moment later Keziah TO
: lowed him. running also.
As she ran on, rattle of wheel
. and the thud Of hoofs came from bt
hind her. Then a rocking chaist
drawn by a galloping horse. shot b,
DIR. Parker's carriage, she was SURE
The Higgins boy must have met tn
doctor and delivered his message.
The horse and chaise were standin
by the front gate OF the tavern as sh
/, pantingly drew near it. The side doc
of the house was ajar and she opene
1t softly and entered. The dinin
room was empty. There was a llgf
on the sitting-room table and To-
i voices came from the little bedrool
adjoining. Then. from the bedroom
emerged DIR. Parker and Grace Va