The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-01-25
Keziah was silent for a moment

And Grace herself! HOW uoes eho
eel about it? Has he spoken 10 her!
ct don't know. / guess likely ne
has. Perhaps that's why she's been so
sort of mournful lately. But never
mind whether he has or not; | won't
do il and | told him so. lie got req
hot in a jffy. l was ungrateful ana
stubborn and all sorts OF things. ana
helm a Hammond, with some OF the
Hammond balkiness in me, set my
foot down as hard as his. And We nad
II until-until-well, until l saw MIN
stagger and tremble so that | actually
got scared and feared he was goln 10
keel over where he stood. You no"
why | can't marry her, nor anyone
else in this round world but you.
Nat, | can't n AIRY you.
81 know, know. You're always
sayin' that. But you don't mean IL.
You can't mean it. Why, you and me
have been picked out for each other
by the Almighty, Keziah. / swear
believe Just that. We went together
when we were boy and girl, to parties
and such. We was promised when l
first went to sea. II It hadn't been for
that fool row we had-and twas all
nv fault and | know it-you never
would have let that da-that mlser-
| able Anse Coffin come near you. I'm
goin' to have you. Coffin is dead these
ten years. When | heard he was
drowned off there in Singapore, all
could say was. Serve him right! And
| say il now. come home then more
determined TO get you. say yes anu
let's be happy. Do"
I'D like to, Nat I only wish could.
But 'twouldn't be any use. | can't do
it."
He snatched his hat from the table
and strobe toward the door Turning
he looked at her.
"All right" he said chokingly. All
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.
il Keziah sprang from her chair
smoothed her hair, hastily wiped mel
: eyes and went to admit the visitor
Z whoever he or she may be. She wal
: 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,"
I Yes" admitted Abishai Pepper
y standing on the stone step. and shift
v ing uneasily from one foot to tn
u other. "Yes, Keziah, it's-it's me
s thank you. / only wanted to see MI
d Ellery."
e Hes out. Good day"
2 81 wanted to ask his advice abou
somethin'. It's a secret. Only hir
q and me know about 1t. Good-by. /
It find Mr.. Ellery."
81 wouldn't go to the Danielses',
IL was you. Elkanah might not like
" have you chasin' after his visitors"
"Oh, the minister amt at the Dal
v. ielses'. not as late's this, he amt.
il. know where he is. l know where
v, goes Sunday afternoons-and why /
in goes, too. Mr.. Ellery and mes goc
I'd friends. We understand each other
r, Look here, Ryan Pepper! What a
N. you talkin' about?"
is 81 Just said l knew where Mr.. Z
m cry goes every Sunday afternoon.
ID don't know anybody knows, but i q
Of. That's all there Is to 1t. ! shant tie
no So"
en- Tell? Do you mean there's som
thin Mr.. Ellery wouldn't want toll
OF Don't you dare will see Laviny!"
at mo, no, no, no. 'Tain't nothin' mue
IN. I lust know where he goes after
cy leaves Elkanah'S and who he goes
he meet. L Lordy! / hadn't ought
nd said that! L Keziah Coffin, do
he you ever tell told you. I've ss
,m more'n | meant to. II 1t comes G
ly. there'd be the biggest row in
church there ever was. And I'd be
of sponsible! ] would! I'd have to
ly. on the witness stand and then Law
'ot- would find out how I Oh, oh, @
nat what shall do?"
her What is it?" she persisted. WI
the would bring on the row in the churc
Who does Mr.. Ellery meet? Out W
|" It! What do you mean"
out 81 mean that the minister me
her that Van Horne girl every Sunday ;
ernoon after he leaves Elkanal
ply. There, now! It's out, and don't g
a darn il they hang me for it."
e. Keziah turned white. She sci
Mr.. Pepper by the lapel Of his Sum
"a coat and shook him.
M Grace Van Hornet" she cried. '
tW Ellery meets Grace Van Horne
WIN Sunday afternoons Where?"
xM Down in them pines back Of
;&z er's pastur' on the aidge OF
sx1 bank over the beach. He's met
:T3 there every Sunday for the last
nm weeks-longer, for what /. know.
8M watched m. / amt lynn! It's so.
lz1 bet you anything they're there r
lAd walkin' up and down and talkin'. "
IN would | want to lie for? You c.
N with me this minute and I'll show
M to you"
N "Bish Pepper" she said slowly
VI fiercely, shaking her finger in his
NI N you go straight home and stay I'll
w Don't you breathe a word to i
\, v soul Of what you say you've s
M Don't even think Of 1t. or-or dr.
MI it. If you do I'll Ill march stra