The Delta independent., 1913-01-10

ner sewing IN ner nanQ. Inc renOVa-
( ton of the parsonage had % far pro-
gressed that she could now md time
| for little sewing, after the dinner
dishes were done
"Keziah," said the captain Sompous
ly, 1--WE expect you to look out for Mr.
Ellery in every respect. The parish
committee expects that-yes.'
"I'll try" said Mrs. Coffin shortly.
Yes Well, that's all You can go
We must be going, too, Mr.. Ellery.
Please consider our house at your dis
posal any time. Be neighborly-hum
-ha!-be neighborly."
YES" purred Annabel do come
and see us often. Congenial society
is very scarce in Trumet, for me espe-
cially. We can read together. Are
you fond of Moore, Mr.. Ellery? 1 just
dote on him."
The last "hum-ha" was partially
drowned by the click of the gate. Ke-
ziah closed the dining-room door.
Mrs. Coffin" said the minister. 81
Be sure of that. I'm perfectly salts.
fed"
Keziah sat down in the rocker and
her needle moved very briskly for
moment Then she said, without
looking up:
That's good. l own up I like to
hear you say it. And / am glad there
are some things l do like about this
new place of mine. Because-well,
because there's likely to be others that
shant like at all
On Friday evening the minister
conducted his first prayer meeting.
Before it, and afterwards, he heard
good deal concerning the Come
Cutters. He learned that Captain
Eben Hammond had preached against
him in the chapel on Sunday. Most
of his own pari. hioners seemed to
think it good joke.
The sun of the following Thursday
morning rose behind a curtain of fog
as dense as that of the day upon
which Ellery arrived. A fiat calm in
the forenoon, the wind changed about
three o'clock. and. beginning with
sharp and sudden squall from the
northwest, blew hard and steady. Yet
the fog still cloaked everything and
refused to be blown away.
Coin out in this, Mr.. Ellery!" ex-
claimed Keziah, in amazement. as the
minister put on his hat and coat about
seven that evening. "Sakes alivel
you won't be able to see the way to
the gate. It's as dark as a niggers
pocket and thicker than young ones
In poor mans family, as my father
used to say. You'll be wet through.
Where in the world are you bound for
this night?"
The minister equivocated. He said
felt like walk
well, take an umbrella, then" was
the housekeeper's advice. You'll
need it before you get back. l callate."
1t was dark enough and thick
enough, in all conscience. The main
road was a black, wet void. through
which CLEANS from lighted windows
were big vague, yellow blotcbes. The
umbrella was useful in the same way
that blind mans cane is useful, in
feeling the way. Two or three strag
glers who met the minister carried
lanterns. John Ellery stumbled on
through the mist till he reached the
Corners" where the store was located
and the roads forked. There, he
turned to the right, into the way
called locally "Hammond's Turn-cff"
A short distance down the "Turn-off'
stocd small. brown-shingled buildinG
Its windows alight. Opposite its door.
on either side of the road, grew
spreading hornbeam tree surrounded
by cluster OF swamp blackberry
busbes. n the black shadow of the
Mr E11nrv ctiH Ia
was debating in his mind question:
shoulG he or should he not enter that
building?
AS he stooG there. groups of people
emerged from the fog and darkness
and passed in at the door. Some of
them he had seen during his fortnight
In Trumet. Others were strangers TO
him. A lantern danced and wabbled
up the "Turn-off'' from the direction
of the bay shore and the packet wharf.
1t drew near, and he saw that 1t was
carried by an old man with long, white
hair and chin beard, who walked with
a slight limp. Beside him was a thin
woman wearing a black poke bonnet
and a shawl. In the rear of the pair
came another woman. young woman.
Judging by the way she was dressed
and her 1.-THE. vigorous step. The trio
halted on the platform of the building.
The old man blew out the lantern.
Then he threw the door open and a
stream Of yellow light poured over
the group.
The young woman was Grace Van
Horne. The minister recognized her
ut once. Undoubtedly. the old man
with the limp was her guardian. Cap
tain Chen Hammond. who, by common
report, had spoken of him, Ellery.
as hired priest"
The door closed. A few moments