The Delta independent., 1913-04-04

through the war. Ea.nlh! suppose
you've heard the news?"
keziah brushed back the hair from
her forehead. Yes" she answered
slowly I've heard it,
We'll, it's great news. and if II
wasn't for-if things weren't as they
are, I'd be growing hallelujahs this
minute. Trumet has got good man
safe and sound again, and the Lord
knows it needs all of that kind it can
get.'
YES"
"Yes. But there's the other matter.
I've been to see Grace. She didn't
say SO, but 1t was easy enough to
see; the man she promised to marry
and thought was dead, is alive. She's
girl of her word-she promised him
and she promised her dying uncle
and she'll marry him. And then what
will become of John Ellery? He'll &c
downhill so fast that a ships anchor
wouldn't hold him. If he doesn't die
I'll have to send him away somewhere,
and the Regular church will lose the
minister we've fought so hard for"
Yes" concurred Zebedee. "and
them blasted Danielses1l run the she
bang and the rest of usll have to sing
small, l tell you"
went on the doctor. do you see any
salvation?"
Yes, do
You do? Where?"
In Nat Hammond II he knows
Grace doesn't want to marry him, dc
you suppose he'll hold her to her
promise? But"-she hesitated-"doc.
tor you leave this to me- So far as
John and Grace are concerned you
needn't worry. I'll take it on myself
to see that they have each other, as
the Almighty meant 'em to. Leave
1t to me. Just leave it to me.
know / can do it,
Captain Elkanah Daniels and his
friend were feeling better and they
were busy Trumet had a new hero
now. On Wednesday the Boston papers
printed excerpts from Captain Ham.
mond's story, and these brief pre-
iiminary accounts aroused the admira.
ton of every citizen. 1t was proposed
to give him a reception. Elkanah was
the moving spirit in the preparations.
Captain Nat, so they learned by tele-
graphing, would arrive on the noon
train Thursday His was not to be a
prosaic progress by stage all the way
from Sandwich. special carriage,
drawn by the Daniels span and es-
corted by other vehicles. was to meet
the coach at Bayport and bring him
i, .Yft
All this was to be surprise. OF
course.
Wednesday afternoon the Daniels
following was cheered by the tidings
that Grace Van Horne had left the
beach and was at her old home, the
Hammond tavern. And Mrs. Pound
berry reported her busy as a bee
"gettin' things ready"
Thursday was perfect day, and
the reception committee was on hand
and waiting in front of the Bayporr
post Office. The special carriage, the
span brushed and curried until their
coats glistened In the sunshine, was
drawn up beside the platform. The
horses had little flags fastened 20
their brides, and there were other
anu Idieel VII tath biut VI lBt
dashboard. Captain Daniels. imposing
in HIS Sunday raiment. high-collared
coat stock, silk hat and gold-headed
cane, sat stiffly erect on the seat in
the rear. The other carriages were
alongside, among them Captain Zebe-
dee Mayos ancient chaise, the white
horse sound asleep between the shafts.
Captain Zeb had not been invited to
join the escort. but had Joined 1t
without an invitation. Ryan Pepper
was there also. not yet fully recov-
cred from the surprise which Lavinia's
gracious permission had given him.
Here she comes!" shouted Ezra
Simmons, the postmaster. Right On
time. too"
Sure enough! A cloud of dust in
the distance, rising on the spring
wind, and the rattle of rapidly turn
ing wheels. The reception committee
prepared for action. Captain Elkanah
descended from the carriage and moved
In stately dignity to the front OF the
post Office platform.
The stage. Its four horses at a trot,
swung up to the platform
"Hurrah!" shouted the committee,
its uninvited guests and the accom-
panying crowd Of Bayport men and
boys which had gathered to assist in
the welcome. "Hurrah!"
A passenger or two peered from the
coach window. The stage driver
ironically touched his cap.
Thank ye." he said. Thank ye
very much"
Captain Elkanah frowned his disap-
proval.