The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-02-08
CHAPTER X.-(continued.)

We'll, doctor?" she asked anxiously.
The stout. gray-hair ed old physician
he had practiced In Trumet for near
ly thirty years-shook his head.
Not single chance" he whispered.
He may possibly live till morning,
but / doubt II 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.
Hes 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 / guess
Wait minute; I'll ask him" He
stepped back into the Bedroom. YES"
he nodded, returning, you come, too.
He wants you"
The little room, Captain Eben's own,
was more like shippers cabin than
q chamber on land. In the corner
stood the captains big boots and his
>Qflskins hung about them. His Sun
day cane was there also. And on the
bureau was a worn, heavy Bible.
DR.. Parker brushed by the others
and bent over the bed.
We'll. 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, I cal1ate."
"0h, no! you'll make a good many
voyages yet"
Not in this hulk, won't, doctor. I
hope I'll have new command pretty
soon. I'm trustin' in my owners and I
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 II she feared what he might
say. But he only smiled as, with the
ties 70 streaming down her face, abe
bent over and kissed him.
There! there!" he protested. you
mustn't cry. What are you cryin'
about me for? I'm At 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. I 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 II I could"
Thank ye. You're a good-hearted
woman, Keziah. even though you amt
seen the true light yet. And you're
housekeeper for that hired priest-a-
a." He paused, and a troubled look
came over his face.
What is 1t, dad?" asked Nat.
II Where's Oracle? She's here,
amt she?-
Yes, uncle, I'm here. Here l am"
said the girl. His fingers CROPPED for
her hand and seized it.
Yes. yes, you're here" murmured
Captain Eben. 'T-I-for a minute OF
20. II had an awful dream about you
Oracle. dreamed Never mind
Doc, answer me this now, true and
honest, man to man: Can you keer
me here for just little spell longer,
Can your Try! Ten minutes, say
Can your"
"of course ! can. Cap'n Hammond
what are you"
Delay, tell you. Yes, guess twa.
dream. 1t had to be, but twas sc
sort Of real that + How long have
been this way?"
"Oh, a little whilel Now Just"
Hush! Don't pull your hand away
Oracle. Nat. give me yours. That's
It Now I 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"
6-sh-sh! Don't put me on. o Jus,
listen want you to marry my boy
after I'm gone. want you to say you
wfll-say it now, SOS I can hear 1t.
WIN you. Gracie?"
Grace would have withdrawn her
hand. but he would not let her. He
chung to II and to that Of his son with
al his FALLING strength.
WIN you. Gracie?" he begged. "It's
- laSt thing I'm Roin' To ask of VIM