The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1913-01-31
CHAPTER Iv.-fcontInued.l

CHAPTER iv.-(Contlnued.)
Ellery stood still in the rain an
watched her. He saw her pass tn
lighted windows and open door. Int
the yellow radiance she flashed AM
disappeared. A minute more and tn
bulky form Of Eben Hammond, Lantern
in hand. Southwestern on his head ant
his shoulders working themselves int
an oilskin coat, burst out Of the doc
and hurriedly limped down toward th'
shore. On the threshold, framed II
light, stood his ward, gazing aftel
him. And the minister gazed at her
From the bay came the sound O.
oars in rowlocks. A boat WAS ap
preaching the wharf. And suddenly
from the boat came hail.
'Halloo! Alloy, dad! Is that you 2
There was an answering shout from
the wharf; shout of Joy. Then 9
rattle OF oars and a clamor of talk
And Grace still stood IN the doorway
waiting.
The lantern bobbed up the slope
AS it reached the tavern gateway, the
minister saw that It was now carried
by tall, active man, who walked with
a seaman's stride and roll. Captain
Bben was close beside him. talking ex-
citedly.
They entered the yard.
Grace! Grace!" screamed Captain
Eben. Oracle, girl, look who's come!
Look"
The tall man ran forward.
"IIl, Graee!" he cried in deep.
hearty voice. rs that you? Amt you
igot word for your old messmate?"
The girl stepped out into the rain.
! "Whyl why, Natl" she cried.
The big man picked her up bodily
i'm his arms and carried her into the
house. Captain Eben followed and
the door closed.
John Ellery picked his way home
ward through the puddles and the
pouring rain.
He found Keziah In the sitting room,
seated by the table, evidently writing
a letter She looked tired and grave
for her
Welt" she exclaimed as be en-
tered. II guess you're soppln' now.
sartin sure There's a light In your
room. Take off your wet things and
throw 'em down to me, and I'll dry
'em in the kitchen. Better leave
your boots here now and stand that
umbrella In the sink. The kettles on
the stove; you'd better have somethin'
hot-ginger tea or somethin', 7 told
you not to go out such night as this.
Where in the world have you been2"
The minister said he would tell her
eli about 1t In the morning. Just
now he thought he had better go UP
snd take off his wet clothes.
Keziah dipped her pen in the ink
end went on with her letter.
81 inclose ten dollars" she wrote
at is all I can send you now. More
than ought to afford. Goodness
knows why | send anything. You don't
deserve 1t. But while l live and you
do can't"
The minister called from the land.
Ing.
Here is my coat" he said. THE
cuffs and lower part of the sleeves
are pretty wet. By the way, the pack
et came in tonight. They didn't ex-
pect her so soon on account of the
fog. There was a passenger aboard
whom 7 think must be that Nathaniel
Hammond you told me Of"
Kezah's pen stopped The wet
coat struck the hall floor with a soft
thump The tick of the clock sound
cd loud in the room. A sheet Of
wind-driven rain dashed the windows.
did you hear?" called the minister
81 said that Nathaniel Hammond.
Captain Eben's son. came on the pack
ct. didn't meet him, but I'm sure
II was be. Er-Mrs. Coffin, are you
there7 Do you hear me?"
The housekeeper laid the pen down
beside the unfinished letter.
"Yes," she said. 81 hear you. Good
night"
For minutes she sat there. leaning
back in her chair and staring at the
wall Then she rose, went into the
hall. picked up the coat and took 1t
out into the kitchen, where she hung
It on the clotheshorse by the cook
stove. After a while she returned to
the table and took UP the pen. Her
face in the lamplight looked more
tired and grave than ever.
CHAPTER v.