Gilpin observer., 1913-03-27

one Of the special Providences that's
been helpin' along this last voyage of
mine. My second mate was Hyan-
mis- man. name Of Cahoon. One day,
on that pesky island, when we was
eatin' dinner together. he says to me,
'Cap'n,' he says. you're from Trumet,
amt your I owned up. Know any
body named Coffin therer says he. I
owned up to that, too. Well he says,
I met her husband last trip 1 was in
the Glory of the Wave stared at
him. Met his ghost, you mean I
says. He's been dead for years, and
good thing, too. Fell overheard and,
not bein' used to water. 1t killed him.
But he wouldn't have 1t SO. I used
to know Anse Coffin in New Bedford
he says. Knew him wells I know
you And when we was in port at
Havre dropped in at gin mill down
by the water front and he come up
and touched me on the arm. thought
same as you, that he was dead, but
he want. He was three sheets in
the wind and reg'lar dock rat to
look at, but twas him sure enough.
We had long talk. He said he was
comm back to Trumet some day. Had
wife there, he said. I told hims
sarcastic, that she'd be glad to see
him. He laughed and said maybe not,
but that she knew he was alive and
sent him money when he was hard
up. Wanted me to promise not to tell
any Cape folks that I'd seen him. and
1 amt till now
well. you can imagine how I felt
when Cahoon spun me that yarn. First
l wouldn't b'lieve It and then 1 did.
It explained things. just as you say,
John. I could see now why Keziah
gave me my walkin' papers. 1 could
life for that scum"
Did you tell her-Aunt Keziah-
when you met her at the Narrows?
mo. But l shall tell her when
see her again. She shan't spoil her
life-a woman like that! by the Lord!
what woman!-for any such crazy
notion. I swore It when ! heard the
story and I've sworn 1t every day
SINCE That's what settled my mind
about Grace. Keziah CONN belongs
to me. She always has belonged to
me. even though my own pig-headed.
ness lost her in the old days"
He was pacing the floor now, his
face set like granite. Ellery rose, his
own face beaming. Here was his
chance. At last he could pay to this
man and Keziah a part of the debt he
owed.
Nat stopped in his stride. "Well!"
he exclaimed. II almost forgot, after
all. Keziah sent a note to you. I've
got it in my pocket. She gave it td
me when she left me at Cohasset"
Left you? Why! didn't she come
back with you on the night train?"
mo. That's funny. too, and don't
understand 1t yet. We was together
all the afternoon. I was feelin' SO
good at seein' her that took her un-
der my wing and we cruised all over
that town together. Got dinner at the
tavern and she went with me to buy
myself a new hat, and all that. At
first she didn't seem to want to, but
then. after I'd coaxed a while. she
did. She was lookin' pretty sad and
worn out, when l first met her,
thought: but she seemed to get over
1T and we had fine time. II remin6
ed me Of the days when 1 used to get
home from voyage and we were to-
gether. Then. when twas time for
tie night train we went down to the
depot. She gave me this note and
told me to hand 1t to you today.
'Good-by. Nat she says We've
had nice day. haven't we?'
I'VE have, for a fact l says. But
what are you sayin' good-by for?'
because I'm not goin' to Trumet
with you,' says she. I'm goin' to the
city. I've got some business to sec
to there. Good-by.'
Il was set back. with all my can.
vas fiappin'. i told her I'd go to Bos-
ton with her and we'd come home to
Trumet together tomorrow, that's to.
day. But she said no. must come
here and ease your mind and Grace's.
I must do It. So at last agreed to.
sayin' I'd see her In little while. She
went on the up train and took the
down one. Hired a team in Sand
wich and another In Bayport and got
to the tavern about eleven. That's
the yarn. And here's your note.
Maybe It tells where she's gone and
why"
The minister took the note and
tore open the envelope. Within was
single sheet of paper. He read a
few lines. stopped. and uttered an ex
clamation.
Cro BE CoNTINUED)