Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-01-10


Cape. She's a relation of Mr.. Stones.
last day or so. / thought likely he
might know where she was. that's all.
That would be little out OF your
latitude, hey?"
Il don't know. Her name wasn't
Coffin, was it?"
Captain Nat started. at certainly
was" he answered eagerly. How'd
you know that?"
Mr.. Princes complacence was SUI
perb. oh" he answered with con-
deseension, "Mr. Stone trusts me with
a good many of his personal affairs"
81 should think likely he would.
But about Mrs. Coffin? You was goin'
tor say"
"She is with James Hallett & Co.,
the tailors. on Washington street. Mr..
Stone found place for her there, l
believe. I-er-er-superinte the
carrying of her valise and What?"
"Nothin', nothin. Hunt Hallett &
Co, tailors? What number Washin'-
ton street did you say?"
Mr.. Prince gave the number.
Thank you a lot" said Captain
Nat, with fervor. "Good,by. Mr.. Prince.
Hope the next time l come you'll be
in the firm. Good day, sir"
Good day. Nothing else can do?
And you won't wait for Mr.. Stone?
Very good. Is there any message for
him that you would like to leave?"
"Hey?" Nat had started to go, but
now he paused and turned. There was
a grim twinkle in his eye. Message ?"
he repeated. why, ye-es, l don't
know but there Is. You just give Mr..
and tell him I'm lookin' forward to
interviewin' him some time. Just tell
him that, will your"
I'm tell him. Glad to have met
you, Captain Hammond"
In the workshop Of Hallet & Co.,
Keziah sat sewing busily. The win
dow near her was closed, stuck fast,
and through the dingy panes she
could see only roofs and chimneys.
The other women and girls near her
chatted and laughed, but she was ST.
lent. She did not feel like talking.
certainly not like laughing. The gar
ment she was at work on was a coat,
told her, with a smile; therefore she
must be very particular. The narrow
stairway leading up to the workshop
ended in little boxed-in room where
the finished garments were hung to
await the final pressing. From be-
hind the closed door of this room
came the sound of voices, apparently
in heated argument. One of these
voices was that of Larry, the errand
boy. Larry was speaking shrilly and
with emphasis. The other voice was
lower in key and the words were in
audible.
mo, sir, you can't" declared Larry.
"You can't. / tell you. The boss don't
let nobody in there and Hold onl
Hold on!"
The other voice made short but
evidently earnest answer Larry again
expostulated. The workers looked up
from their sewing. The door opened
and Larry appeared, flushed and ex-
cited
Where's Mr.. Upham?" he demand
ed. Mr.. Upham!"
Upham was the foreman of the
workroom. AT the moment he was
downstairs in conversation with the
head of the house. A half dozen gave
this information.
Whats the matter? Who is it"
asked several
81 don't know who It's. It's a man
and he's crazy, l think. l told him
he couldn't come in here, but he just
keeps a'comin'. He wants to see some
body named Coffin and there amt no
Collins here"
Keziah's nearest neighbor leaned
toward her.
Il guess it's somebody to see YOU"
she said. Your name is Coffin, amt
tt?"
mo, no. That is, it can't be any
body to see me. / don't want to see
anybody. Tell him so, whoever it is
! can't see anybody. Matt"
"Keziah," he said, come here.
want you I'll tell you why in min
ute. Comet"
She hesitated. In a measure she
was relieved, for she had feared the
man at the door might be her hus-
band. But she was greatly agitated
and troubled. Everyone in the place
was looking at her.
Nat" she said. trying to speak
firmly. II can't sec you now. I'm very
busy. Please go away"
"Come!"
II can't come. Go away. Please!-
"Keziah, I'm waitin'. And I'm goin'
10 wait If ] stay here all night.
Come!"
She obeyed then. She could not
have a scene there. before all these
strangers. She stepped past him into
the little room. He followed and
closed the door.
Nat" she said, turning to him.
"why did you come? How could you
be so cruel, I"
He interrupted her, but not with
words. The next moment his arms
were about her and she was pressed
tight against the breast OF his blue
jacket.
"Keziah,- he whispered, I've come
10 take you home. Home for good.
No, stay where you are and III tell
you all about 1t. Praise be to Cod
we're OF the rocks at last. All that's
left is to tow you into port. and, by
the eyerlastin', that's what I'm here
fort"
When Upham came up the stairs af-
ter his long interview with 'the boss"
he found the door at the top closed
When he ratified the latch that door
WAS anouoH nv a stranger