The Delta independent., 1913-01-17
CHAPTER v.
In Which Old Friends Meet.

when EIlery came QOWn 10 Dredh-
last the rain was over. the wind had
gone down. and the morning sunshine
was pouring in at the dining-room
windows. Outside the lilacs were
in bud, the bluebirds We're singing,
and there was a sniff of real spring
In the air. The storm was at an end
and yet the young minister was con
scious of a troublesome feeling that
for him, it was just beginning.
However, he had determined while
dressing to make clean breast of il
to his housekeeper-a nominally clean
breast, that is. So, as they sat oppo.
site each other at the table. he began
his confession. The mullins scorched
in the oven and the coffeepot BOILED
over as to told his story, for keziat
was too much interested to think OF
trifies. Interested and astounded. for,
since Come-Outers had been Come-Out
ers and the split in the society took
place, no Regular minister had crossed
the threshold of a seceder's dwelling,
much less attended their services and
walked home with a member of their
congregation. She knew what this
amazing procedure was likely to mean.
if her parson did not.
Welt" she exclaimed when the re
cital was finished. Well"
lin afraid | was too hasty," OBJ
served Mr.. Ellery thoughtfully. Per
haps it would have been wiser not TO
have done IT."
Perhaps 'twould. Yes. wouldn't
wonder a mite"
1T will be talked about some, I sup
pose. Don't you think so?"
AT this moment one half OF Trumet
is talkin about it and runnin' out to
tell the other half. ] 5uess I'D better
hurry up with this breakfast. We're
goin' to have callers"
Strange to say. however. this proph.
ecy OF early morning visitors did not
prove true. Nine o'clock, then ten
and no visitor came to the parsonage,
Mrs. Coffin affirmed that she did not
I understand it, Where was Didamai
Where Lavinia Pepper? Had the ''Tru-
met Daily Advertiser" suspended pub
lication?
At half past ten the gate slammed.
Keziah peered from the window.
"Humph," she calculated Here
comes Elkanah and he's got storm sig
nails set, by the looks. He's comm
after you. Mr.. Ellery-"
y avery well.' was the calm reply:
'let him come"
"All right. Say, Mr.. Ellery. it's
none of my business. but ! wouldn't
say anything about your seein Grace
home. That's none of his business,
either. or anybody else's."
The head of the parish committee
stalked into the study and the. door
closed behind him. A rumble OF
voices in animated conversation sue
ceeded.
Mrs. Coffin went out into the kitchen
and resumed her business of making
a dried-apple pie.
She was looking down below the
door, which opened outward and was
swung partly back on its hinges. From
under the door projected a boot.
mans boot and one OF ample size.
Keziah's cheeks. already red from
the heat OF the stove, Redeemed still
more. Her lips twitched and her eyes
sparkled.
"Hum!" she said "They say you
can tel lDe oIu sofTdltH Dy MS lONt'
prints. even If you can't smell the
sulphur Anyhow, you can tell a Ham
mond by the size of his boots. Come
out from behind that door this min.
ute. Amt you ashamed of yourself ?"
The owner of the boot stepped forth
from behind the door and seized her
by both hands.
"Halloo, Keziah!" he cried joyfully.
my. but it's good to see you"
"Halloo, Natl" said Keziah heartily.
TITS kind of good to see you, too"
The rest Of him was in ksaping
with his boots. He was big and broad.
shouldered and bearded. His face,
above thtSbeard. was tanned to deep
reddish brown. and the corners OF his
eyes were marked with dozens OF tiny
wrinkles. He was dressed in blue
cloth and wore wide-brimmed, soft
felt hat. He entered the kitchen and
tossed the hat into corner.
ITO be Continued)