Gilpin observer., 1913-02-06

peaked lately. He amt long for this
world, I'm afraid You ought to be
awful good to him, Oracle"
II know It," was the hurried reply.
where's Nat?"
II don't know. Can't keep track of
him. Nights we'll try to put your fin-
ger on flea. He's here to-day and
gone yesterday. as the Scriptur' says.
He ate little mite of supper. but not
much. and then of he puts"
She reached the gate by this time.
and Grace shut on the flow Of conver-
sation by closing the door. Then she
TOOK candle from the row on the din
lng-room mantle, lighted 1t and went
up TO her own room. Standing before
the oldfashioned bureau with its little
oval mirror. she hastily arranged her
nair. She did not wish to go to
prayer meeting at the chapel. but she
felt that she must. The Come-Outer
gatherings. with their noisy singing
and shouting. had grown more and
more repugnant to her.
She blew out the candle and came
out into the hall at the head of the
stairs. She was about to descend when
she heard voices. The door of the din
Ing room opened and closed. She felt
certain that Nat had returned and
wondered who was with him. Then
she heard her uncle's voice, speaking
sharply and with unwonted sternness.
Il don't know what It's you want to
see about" said Captain Eben. you
say It's important; we'll, it's got to be
to keep me from my meetin' ought
to be on the Lords business this
minute and nothin' worldly's goin' to
keep me from servin' Him. So speak
quick. What is it,"
The voice that answered was one
that Grace recognized, though she had
never before heard in it the note of
agitation and undignifed excitement.
There were no ponderous pauses and
"Hum-ha's" now.
Don't be fool, Hammond!"i 1t said.
And don't stand there preaching.
Lock that door! Get a lamp! Are
YOU sure there's nobody but us in the
house?"
Captain Elkanah Daniels! Captain
Elkanah visiting a Come-Outer! and
the leader Of the Come -Outers!!
Grace caught her breath. What in
the world She started to descend
and then thought flashed to her
mind. She stopped short.
Il amt the fool, Elkanah," she
heard her uncle retort sternly. "The
fools are them who are deef to the
call from on high. My foot was on the
threshold Of His fouse when you led
me astray. It's never halted there
afore l warn you"
Stop! Shut up! Eben Hammond,
/ tell you that your precious church
yes and mine. the Regular church Of
Trumet-will go to rack and ruin II
you and me don't pull together this
night"
"And tell you, Elkanah Daniels,
I'll have no blasphemy here. That lit
tie sanctuary up the road is founded
on a rock and neither you nor any
of your Phariseein' priest-worshipin'
crew can shake 1t. The Almightyll
protect His own. AS for the Reg'lar
church. that's no concern Of mine"
But tell you It's your concern.
Or II the church isn't. your own fam
lily is"
There was an instant Of silence.
Grace. crouching on the stairs, noticed
the change In her uncle's voice as he
answered.
MY own family?" he repeated slow.
ly. MY own And the Reg'Iar
church What do you mean? Has
mo. he amt. But that cussed girl
OF yours"
"Stop!" shouted Captain Hammond.
''Elkanah Daniels, for your own sake
now. be careful. II you dast to say
word, another word like that, I'll"
"If dast! The hussy! But there's
no use talkin' to you. You're as crazy
as a Bedlamite. Either that. or you're
in the game with her. II you are,
warn you"
stop! What game? What game
do you mean? Oracle! My Oracle!
What is It? For mercy sakes. FL
kanah-"
'Humph! wondered IL l couldn't
get some sense into you. finally. Lock
that door!"
81 will! I Will But Elkanah-"
Lock It! Give me the key!"
The click Of the lock sounded
sharply.
Where's the lamp?' demanded Dan.
iels And the matches7 Don't stand
there shaking"
A smell of sulphur foated out into
the hall. Then the sickly glow Of the
fluid" lamp shone through the door
way
What ails your" asked Elkanah.
Are you struck dumb? Now 20 and
see II there's anybody else in the
house."
"But-but thee amt. / know there
amt. Hannah's gone and Gracie's at
meetin' by this time"
"shef Humphl Wen, maybe she's
Mt meptinf md yp vho sh<. Sc-px rR-u