The Delta independent., 1913-02-14

know, 1t seems to me that Elkanah's
meals must go to your head. You
amt IN love, are you?"
The young man started, colored, and
was plainly embarrassed.
In love?" he repeated. I'm love
AIRS. Coffin?"
Eyes. in love. Annabel hasn't land
ed a male at last, has she? She's a
line over the side for long time"
The hearty laugh with which this
was received settled the question of
Annabers success. Keziah was re-
!ieved
well, I'm glad of that" she said.
II amt got any grudge against Anna
bel, but neither have got any against
you. I'll say this, though, for body
that amt in love you certainly stay
with the Danielses a long time. You
went there right after meetin' this
noon and now it's seven O'Clock and
you've just got home. And twas the
same last Sunday and the one before.
Been there all the time, have you?"
NO" he said slowly. mot all the
time. 1-I-er-went for a short
walk"
A1OAOiS ohO Sodio ihquii
that walk he had entered the study
and closed the door after him.
Sunday was a cloudy. warm day.
'muggy," so Captain Zeb described it.
After the morning service Mr.. Ellery.
as usual, went home with Captain
/ Daniels and Annabel. Keziah returned
20 the parsonage, ate a lonely dinner,
and went upstairs to her own room.
| Her trunk was in one corner of this
room and she unlocked it, taking from
compartment of the tray a rosewood
writing case, inlaid with mother-or
pearl, a present from her father, who
! mad brought it home from sea when
she was girl.
From the case she took packet Of
letters and a daguerreotype. The lat
ter was the portrait of a young man,
In high-collared coat, stock and fancy
waistcoat. Mrs. Coffin looked at the
! daguerreotype, sighed, shuddered, and
laid it aside. Then she opened the
packet Of letters. Selecting one from
the top of the pile, she read it slowly.
And, as she read, she sighed again.
She did not hear the back door Of
the parsonage open and close softly.
Nor did she hear the cautious foot
steps in the rooms below. What
aroused her from reading was her
own name, spoken at the foot of the
stairs.
"Keziah! Keziah, are you there?"
She started, sprang up. and ran out
Into the hall, the letter still in her
hand.
"Who is it?" she asked sharply.
"Mr. Ellery, is that you?"
NO." was the answer. "It's me
Nat. Are you busy. Keziah? l want
to see you for minute"
The housekeeper hurriedly thrust
the letter into her waist.
"I'll be right down, Nat" she an.
swered. I'm comm"
He was in the sitting room when
she entered. He was wearing his Sun.
day suit of blue and his soft hat was
on the center table. She held out her
hand and he shook it heartily
Before he could speak she caught a
glimpse of his face.
What is it?" he asked What is
the matter?"-
well, Keziah, it's trouble enough.
Dad and / had fallin' out. We had
what was next door to a real quarrel
after dinner to-day. 1t would have been
real one If hadn't walked off and
left him. Keziah, he's dead set on my
marryin' Grace. Says il / don't he'll
know that i don't really care a tin
nickel for him, or for his wishes, or
what becomes of the girl after he's
gone"
Keziah was silent for a moment.
Then he said slowly.
And Grace herself? How does she
feel about It? Has he spoken to herr"
/ Il don't know. l guess likely he
! has. Perhaps that's why she's been 80
sort of mournful lately. But never
mind whether he has or not; I won't
do 1t and ! told him so. He got red
hot in jiffy. / was ungrateful and
stubborn and all sorts Of things. And
l, bein' a Hammond. with some of the
Hammond balkiness in me, set my
foot down as hard as his. And we had
It until-until-well, until saw him
| stagger and tremble SO that l actually
got scared and feared he was goin' to
keel over where he stood. You know
why can't marry her, nor anyone
else in this round world but you"
NAT, can't marry you
II know, know. You're always
sayin' that. But you don't mean It,
You can't mean 1t. Why. you and mo
have been picked out for each other
by the Almighty. Keziah. swear
believe Just that. We went together
| when we were boy and girl. to parties
and such. We was promised when
nrst went to sea. II 1t hadn't been for
that fool row we had-and twas all
my fault and ! know it-you never
would have let that da-that miser.
able Anse Coffin come near you. I'm
goin' to have you. Coffin is dead these
| tan vaara Whom heard ho woo