The Delta independent., 1913-01-24
SYNOPSIS.

of her brother. for whom she had kept
house. Grace Van Horne, ward of Capt.
Eben Hammond leader of the "Come-out-
sr religious sect. offers TO assist her %
clines. Kyan Pepper. widower. offers mar
riage. and is Indignantly refused.
CHAPTER II-Capt. Elkanah Daniels.
leader of the Regular church. offers Ke-
Hiah place as housekeeper for the new
minister, and she decides to remain In
Trumet.
CHAPTER III-Keziah takes charge of
Rev. John lcllery. the new minister. and
gives him advice to his conduct toward
seesnon pt bv tae
x,eAsiro
CHAPTER Iv-Ellery's presence is
terly resented by Eben Hammond. leader
guardian and Elery escorts her home in
the rain. Capt. Nat Hammond; Eben's
et into port safely through fog and storm.
Ellery hnds keziah writing letter to
some dn one; inSiosing @ money In respSnss & to
Informed of the arrival of Nat.
CHAPTER WHAT calls on Keziah. and
1t develops that they haYe been lovers
since youth. Daniels demonstrates with
Ellery for attending "Come-outer" meet
fog.
"Wellt" lie exclaimed. "wny oonl
you act surprised to see a feller? Here
I've been cruisin' from the Horn to
Barnegat and back again, and you act
as if I'd just dropped in to fetch the
cup of molasses l borrowed yesterday.
What do you mean by it?"
"Oh heard you'd made port"
Did. hey? That's Trumet. sure
pop. You amt the only one. l
sneaked off acrost lots SOS to dodge
the gang of neighbors that l knew
would be sailin' into our yard, the
whole feet loaded TO the gunwale with
questions. Wanted to see you first,
Keziah."
Mrs. Coffin pulled forward one of
the kitchen chairs. He seated himself
on it and it groaned under his
weight.
"Whew!" he whistled. Never made
to stand rough weather, was it? Well,
amt you glad?"
Keziah looked at him gravely.
'You know I'm glad. Nat" she said
$50? l hoped you would be, but
did want to hear you say it. Now you
come to anchor yourself and let's
have a talk. I've been countin' on 1t
ever since We set tops'ls off Surinam."
The housekeeper took the other
chair.
II beg your pardon, Keziah," he
said. I'm dough head. that's a fact.
hadn't forgot about Sol, but / was SO
glad to be home again and to see dad
and Grace and the old town and you
that everything else flew out OF my
mind Poor Sol! liked him"
"He liked you, too. No wonder, con-
siderin' what you did to"
Delay! Never mind that. Poor
chap! Well, he's rid of his sufferin's
at last Tell me about it, if you can
without bringin' all the trouble back
too plain"
So she told him of her brothers
sickness and death, of having to give
up the old home, and, finally, of her
acceptance of the housekeeper's posi-
ton. He listened, at first with SYM
pathy and then with suppressed indig-
nation.
"By the jumpin' Moses!" he eX-
claimed. And Elkanah was goin' to
turn you out of house and home. Tho
mean, pompous old"
Hush! hush, he's in there with Mr..
Ellery."
"Who? Elkanah?"
Yes; they're in the study"
$50 he's talkin' to the new parson.
hey? Bossin him, too, I'll bet"
81 amt so sure. Mr.. Ellery's young.
but he's got mind of his own"
Captain Hammond chuckled and
slapped his knee.
''Ho. ho!" he laughed. 1--WE been
hearin' somethin' about that mind.
Went to the chapel last night. l under.
stand, and he and dad had set-to. Oh.
heard about it! Wish might have
been there"
"How does your father act about
IT."
"'Bout the way a red-hot stove acts
when you spill water on 1t; every time
he thinks Of the minister he siZzles.
Ho, no! ] do wish could have been
there"
What does Grace say?"
"Oh. she doesn't say much.
wouldn't wonder If she felt the way
I do, though we both keep quiet. I'll
tell you. between ourselves and the
ships pump. that I sort of glory in
the young chaps spunk."
Good! So do ]. like him"
Her friend leaned forward.
"Keziah," he said earnestly, there's
no sense in your slavin' yourself tc
death here. / can think of good deal
pleasanter berth than that. Pleasant
er for me. anyhow, and I'd do my besi
to make 1t pleasant for you. You've
only got to say the word and No
Well, then all can do is hope through
another voyage"
"Please don't. Nat. You know"
mo, don't know"
'Well, perhaps you don't. But
know like you, Nat. I count on yot
rs tn straightest, truest friend I've
got; ID i want to keep on countin
~ net that UNIV Mavp,f