The Delta independent., 1913-02-14
ut 'twouldn't be any use. can't do

He snatched his hat from the table
and strobe toward the door. Turning,
he looked at her.
All right" he said chokingly. "An
right. Good-by."
His steps sounded on the oilcloth of
the kitchen. Then the back door
slammed. He was gone.
Keziah started, as if the slam of the
door had been an electric shock And
she cried, tears of utter loneliness
and despair
The clouds thickened as the after
noon passed. There came a knock al
the dining-room door.
keziah sprang from her chair,
smoothed her hair. hastily wiped he1
eyes and went to admit the visitor,
whoever he or she may be. She was
glad of the shadows, they prevented
her face from being seen too plainly.
Good afternoon" she said opening
the door. "Oh! it's you, is it?"
YES" admitted Abishai Pepper
standing on the stone step. and shift
ing uneasily from one foot to the
other. "Yes. Keziah, it's-it's me-
thank you. l only wanted to see Mr.
Ellery."
Hes out. Good day."
Il wanted to ask his advice about
somethin'. It's secret Only him
and me know about it. Good-by. I'll
ind Mr.. Ellery."
Il wouldn't go to the Danielses', If
was you. Elkanah might not like to
have you chasin' after his visitors"
"Oh, the minister amt at the Dan.
.elses', not as late's this, he amt.
know where he is. l know where he
goes Sunday afternoons-and why he
goes. too. Mr.. Ellery and mes good
friends. We understand each other"
Look here. Ryan Pepper! What are
you talkin' about?"
'T just said I knew where Mr.. Ell.
cry goes every Sunday afternoon. He
don't know anybody knows, but 1 do
That's all there is to it. l shan't tell
So"
Tell? Do you mean there's some
thin Mr.. Ellery wouldn't want toldi
Don't you dare will see Laviny!"
No, no. no. no. 'Tain't noin' much
just know where he goes after he
leaves Elkanah's and who he goes to
meet. I Lordy! I hadn't ought to
said that! / Keziah Coffin, don't
you ever tell told you I've said
more'n l meant to. If it comes out
there'd be the biggest row in the
church there ever was. And I'd be re
sponsible! / would! I'd have to &c
on the witness stand and then Laviny
would find out how l. Oh, oh, oh!
what shall do?"
What is it?" she persisted. "What
would bring on the row in the churchi
Who does Mr.. Ellery meet? Out with
it! What do you mean?"
Il mean that the minister meets !
that Van Horne girl every Sunday aft |
ernoon after he leaves Elkanah's |
There. now! It's out, and don't give |
darn if they hang me for it."
Keziah turned white. She seized |
Mr.. Pepper by the lapel Of his Sunday |,
coat and shook him.
Grace Van Hornet" she cried "Mr. |
Ellery meets Grace Van Horne on
Sunday afternoons? Where?"
Down in them pines back of Pet. |
er's pastur' on the aidge of the |
bank over the beach. He's met her |
there every Sunday for the last six |
weeks-longer, for what l know. I've
watched m. I amt lynn! It's so. I'll |
bet you anything they're there now,
walkin' up and down and talkin' What |
would l want to lie for? You come |
with me this minute and I'll show 'em |
to you"
"'Bish Pepper" she said slowly and
fiercely, shaking her finger in his face,
"you go straight home and stay there.
Don't you breathe a word to a livin'
soul OF what you say you've seen.
Don't even think of it, or-or dream ,
1t. II you do I'll Ill march straight /
to Laviny and tell her that you asked |
me to marry you. / will, as sure as
you're shakin' in front of me this min
ute. Now you swear to me TO keep
still. Swear,"
How how'll 1 swear?" begged
Ryan. What do you say when you
swear? I'll say it, Keziah I'll say
I'LL"
"All right. Then mind you remem-
ber. Now clear out quick. / want to
think ! must think. Go! Get out Of
my sight!"
Ryan went, glad to escape, but
frightened to the soul OF him. Keziah
watched him until he turned from the
main road into the lighthouse lane.
Then. certain that he really was going
straight home, she re-entered the par
sonage and sat down on the nearest
chair. For ten minutes she sat there,
striving to grasp the situation. Then
she arose and. putting on her bonne.
and shawl. locked the dining room
door and went out through the kitchen.
She was going to the pine grove by
the shore. going to find out for her
self II Kyan's astonishing story was
true.
The pines were a deep green blotch