The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1913-01-31
~pid. heyi That's rrumet, sur

|
questions. Wanted to see you first
| Keziah."
I Mrs. Coffin pulled forward one Of
the kitchen chairs. He seated himself
on it and 1t 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? Noped you would be, but l
did want TO hear you say It. Now you
come to anchor yourself and let's
have talk. I've been ceuntin' on 1t
ever since we set topsls off Surinam."
The housekeeper took the other
chair.
II beg your pardon, Keziah," he
said. "l'm dough head, that's fact.
I hadn't forgot about Sol, but was 80
glad to be home again and to see dad
and Grace and the old town and you
that everything else few 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, II 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. The
mean, pompous old"
Hush hush, he's in there with Mr..
Ellery."
who? Elkanah?"
Yes; they're in the study"
so he's talkin' to the new parson.
hey? Bossin' him, too, I'll bet"
81 amt 30 sure. Mr. Ellery's young,
but he's got mind of his own"
Captain Hammond chuckled and
slapped his knee.
"Ho, ho!" he laughed. I've been
hearin' somethin' about that mind.
Went to the chapel last night. ] under
stand, and he and dad had set-to. Oh,
I heard about It! Wish ! might have
been there"
How does your father act about
III"
Bout the way q red-hot stove acts
when you spill water on It.; every time
he thinks of the minister he sizzles.
Ho. no! do wish could have been
there"
What does Grace say?"
ooh. she doesn't say much
wouldn't wonder IL she felt the way |
do, though we both keep quiet I'll
tell you. between ourselves and the
ships pump. that sort OF glory In
The young chaps spunk."
Good So do l. like him"
Her friend leaned forward.
"Keziah," he said earnestly, there's
no sense In your slavin' yourself to
death here. ] can think Of good deal
pleasanter berth than that. Pleasant
Or for me, anyhow, and I'd do my best
% make It pleasant for you. You've
only got to say the word and MOI
Well, then all can do is hope through
mother voyage"
please don't, Nat. You know"
mo. don't know"
We'll perhaps you don't But
NOW. like you, Nat. I count on you
10 the straightest. truest friend I've
rot; and ] want to keep on countin
IN you Just that way. Mayn't II"
"Course you can, Keziah. But"
Then don't say another word,
please"
"Keziah, when you set your foot
Town you're pretty stubborn; but I've
rot somethin' of foot myself. You re-
member you said so a few minutes
Igo. HI. huml Well, speakin' Of dad
,eminds me that I'm kind of worried
bout him"
you are? Why? Isn't he well?"
Pretty we'll, but he amt strong. and
le gets too excited over things like
asst nights foolishness. Grace tells
ne that the doctor says he must be
,areful or he'll drop of some Of these
lays. He had shock five or six years
lgo, little one. and I've been anxious
bout him ever since"
you mustn't worry. How did Grace
ook to your"
Like the harbor light on stormy
light. She's a brick, that girl, and
yets prettier every minute. Wonder
o me some of the young chaps down
lere don't carry her Off by main
trength She'll make somebody a
rood wife"
"Um-hm. Have-have you ever
bought Of her that way yourselff"
"Keziah, that's enough of that Are
Tou and dad in partnership TO get me
pliced-and out Of the way2 He was
It me this mornin' along the same
inc. Don't say anything like that
gain, even in fun You know why"
"All right, all right Now tell me
bout yourself. Have you had good
-ovape7 How do Won like your own.