The citizen., 1913-03-28


,er and Grace We're coming up the
isle and behind them cane Captain
Nat hammond and Keziah Colin MAJ
was smiling and self-possessed. Ney
ar be ore in his lie had be entered
he Regular meeting house as &
Worshiper, but he seemed to be bear
ns the ordeal braveiy 1t was Grace
lrst visit to the church, also. and she
was plainly embarrassed To ne stared
1t by eighty-odd pairs Of eyes, and to
catch whispered comments from the
starers' tongues, is likely to embar
rass one.
Yet the comments We're all friendly
Il declare!" whispered Mrs Prince
Il never see her look so pretty afore
| knew she was the best lookin' girl
II this town. but never realized she
vas such a beauty Well, there's
one thing sartin'-we've got the hand
somest parson and parsons wife in
this county, by about ten mile and
lour rows Of apple trees And there S
the ether bride that's gon' to be. !
never see keziah look so we'll nei-
ther"
The minister went up the stairs to
the pulpit He was still white and
tEin. but his eyes We're bright and his
voice clear He gave the opening
hymn and the service began.
They said it was the finest sermon
ever preached in that church, and per-
/ haps It was. When it was over be-
fore the benediction was pronounced,
Ellery stepped out from behind the
pulpit to the edge of the platform. He
looked over the friendly faces up
turned to his and, for an instant, it
seemed that he could not trust him
self to speak.
My friends" he said, 81 cannot let
you go without a personal word.
owe you so much, all of you. that moth
ing l can say will convey to you my
feeling of gratitude and love for this
congregation and this church. You
have stood by me all through. You
trusted me and believed in me-
came to Trumet stranger. | have
found here the truest friends a man
could hope to fnd-yes, and more
than friends. If I live, and while
live, shall hope to prove by the best
effort that is in me my realization Of
the great debt I owe you and my de-
sire to repay it, even though the pay
ment must, OF necessity, be so made
quate. God bless you all-and thank
You"
There was much hand shaking and
congratulation and the church emp
tied slowly. Among the last to leave
were the Peppers and Mr.. Pratt.
Layinia took the minister aside.
"Nr Ellery," she simpered, I've
that is, Caleb and me-will probly
want you to That is, we want you to
be the one"
Yes, Miss Pepper?"
"Oh, my sakes, you see 'Bishy
dear, come here a minute, won't you?"
Ryan approached-the picture Of
desolation
What do you want?" he asked gruf-
fly.
Heavens to Betsy! Don't look so
sour. A body'd think you was goin'
to be hung, to look at you. 'Bishy, you
tell Mr. Ellery all about It, there's a
dear He'll tell you, Mr. Ellery; and
remember we count on you. Neither
me nor Caleb won't have nobody else. "
She seized Mr.. Pratt by the arm
and led him hastily away. Ryan
looked after them.
"Hung?" he muttered. Il wish, by
godfreys mighty, had the hangin' Of
some folks! I'd put a tighter collar
on 'em than they've got now, bet
you."
The minister's lips twitched. He
knew what was coming. Hints of a
surprising nature had been circulating
about Trumet
What's the matter, Mr. Pepper%
he asked.
Matter? Matter enough! You know
what she's goin to do? She's goin'
to marry that"
The last word was emphasized by
furious gesticulation toward the
back of the gentleman from Sandwich.
"Whoo Mr Pratt? Is your sister
to marry him? indeed. l congratu-
late them both-and you. | suppose
Mr.. Pratt will take his bride home
TO Sandwich, and you. being here
Alcne. will be more free"
Free Ryan repeated the word
wrathiully. Free III be about as
free as a settin' hen under barrel,
will. Is feller Nee when he's got
two pickin' at him instead of one? l
thought l was goin' to have a little
peace and comfort; l thought that
same as you, Mr.. Ellery. I've had my
suspicious as to her and him for some
time. That day when | callated I'd
locked her up and come back to find
she's gone buggy ridin', | Thought
twas queer. When she went to con-
ference and left me alone | smelt a
rat. When she took to letter writin'
the smell got stronger; until the last
few weeks I've been sartin of the
game she was up to. When Laviny
come to me and told me what she was
goin' to do, was | obstinate? Did |
stand on my rights as head of the
family and tell her she couldn't do
it? No, stree, l didn't! was re-
signed. Bless you, Laviny,' says l.
When you goin to go away?' And
what do you s'pose she says to me-?
Why, that she want goin' away at all
That-that Pratt thing has sold out
.41no ,,, 30 Gopd ond 10