The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-02-01

have We seen the doctor anywheres
Mis- Coffin?"
Who? DR.. Parker? Hate seen -
what in the world are you comm here
after the doctor for?"
'Cause-'cause | didn't know where
else to come. | been to his house and
he amt to hons. Nobody amt to
home. His wife, Mis- Parker, she's
gone up to Boston yes'day on the
coach, and-and it's all dark and the
house doors open and the shays gone,
so"
Who's sick? Who wants him."
"And-and-all the rest OF the
houses round here was shut up cause
everybody's TO meetin'. | peeked in
at the meetin' house and he amt
there, and I see your light and"
Who's sick? Tell me that, won't
you?"
"Cap'n Eben. He's awful sick. !
caPlate he's goin' to die, and Oracle
She"
"Cap'n Eben? Eben Hammond.
Dyin'? What are you talkin' about?"
Huh! HUH" pulled the messenger
impatiently. Didn't | tell ye? Cap'n
Eben's adyin' l seen him. All white
and still and-and awful. And Oracle,
she's all alone and"
Hold on! Stop! I'll tell you where
the doctor is most likely. Up to Mrs.
Princes. She's been poorly and he's
prob'y been called there. Run! run
fast as ever YOU can and get him and
Ill go to Grace this minute. The poor
thing! Don't tell anybody. Not soul
but the doctor. Half this town1l be
runnin' to find out if you do, and that
poor girl must be distracted already.
I'll go to her. You get DR.. Parker and
tell him to hurry"
''Ill tell him; don't you fret"
He was gone. running harder than
ever. A moment later Keziah fol-
lowed him, running also.
AS she ran on, rattle of wheels
and the thud of hoofs came from be-
hind her. Then a rocking chaise,
drawn by a galloping horse, shot by.
DR.. Parker's carriage, she was sure
The Higgins boy must have met the
doctor and delivered his message.
The horse and chaise were standing
by the front gate of the tavern as she
pantingly drew near It. The side door
Of the house was ajar and she opened
it softly and entered The dining
room was empty. There was a light
on the sitting-room table and low
voices came from the little bedroom
adjoining. Then, from the bedroom.
emerged DR.. Parker and Grace Van
Horne. The girl was white and there
were dark circles under her eyes. The
doctor was very grave.
Keziah stepped forward and held
out both hands. Grace looked, recog.
nized her, and with cry ran toward
her. Keziah took her in her arms and
soothed her as if she were a child.
We'll, well. DEAR" went on Mrs.
Coffin hurriedly. "He will be better
soon, we'll hope. You mustn't give up
the ship. you know. Now you 60 and
Il
things off and see what there is to do.
Some good strong tea might be good
for all hands. guess likely. Where's
Hannah Poundberry?"
She's gone to her cousins to star
all night. l suppose ought to send
for her, but /"
mo, no, you hadn't. Nights well
send for a poll parrot, the critter
would be just as much good and talk |
less. I'll look out for things. me and
the doctor. Where's-where's Matt"
He came in just after l Sent the |
boy for the doctor. He's in there with |
with him." indicating the bedroom.
Poor Natl"
keziah looked longingly toward the
door.
YES" she said slowly. Poor fel-
low, It's an awful shock to him. He
and his father are But there! you
ay down on that loungel"
Grace, protesting that she couldn't
sit down. she couldn't leave uncle, and
here were so many things to do, was
1t last persuaded by Keziah and the
1octor to rest for few moments in
he big rocker. Then Mrs. Coffin went
INTO the kitchen to prepare the tea.
As she went, she beckoned to DIR.
Parker, who Joined her a moment
alter.
CTO BE CoNTINUED)