The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-02-01
CHAPTER K.
In Which Captain Eben Receives
Caller.

In Which Captain Eben Receive
At the edge Of the bluff, just wher.
the pines and the bayberry bushes
were thickest, where the narrow
crooked little footpath dipped over tn.
hse and down to the pasture land anC
the salt meadow, John Ellery ant
Grace had allied in their walk. TIL,
minister's face was pale, but set ant
determined, and he was speaking rap
idly.
Il can't help It," he said. 81 cam
help 1t. / have made up my mind anC
nothing can change it, nothing bu
you. II rests with you. II you say
yes, then nothing else matters. Viii
you say it,"
He was holding both her hands now
and though she tried to withdraw
them. he would not let her.
viii you?" he pleaded.
II can't" she answered brokenly. 81
can't Think Of your church and OF
your people. What would they say
f."
II don't care what they say"
She shook her head.
Some Of them might respect you,"
she said. They would say you had
been led into this by me and were not
% much to blame. But T."
They shall respect my wife," he in
ferr,sntod epappinu bfs taath tocothor
"or I'll know the reason why"
T can't! I can't! My uncle"
Your uncle shall hear it from me.
Wen 90 to him together. I'll tell him
myself. He worships you"
b Yes, / know. He does worship me.
That's why | am sure he had rather
Gee me dead than married to you, a
Regular, and a Regular minister. I
mow-I know he would never con-
sent His heart is set on something
else. Nat"
Nat? Are you considering him,
TOO! Is he to stand between US?
What right has he to say"
Hush! hush! He hasn't said any,
ming. But-but he and uncle have
quarreled, just little. I didn't tell
you, but they have. And | think
NOW the reason. Nat is Uncle Eben's
IDOL. II the quarrel should grow more
ssrious, | believe 1t would break his
heart couldn't bear to be the cause
Of that; ! should never forgive my
SELF"
You the cause? How could you
ee the cause of a quarrel between
nose two? Grace, think Of me-"
John" she said, ut is of you I am
thinking. Everything else could -
night be overcome, perhaps. But I
must think Of your future and your
me. / must. That is why
de did not wait to hear more. He
seised her In his arms and kissed her.
Then you do care!" he cried JOY
mly. you will marry me?"
Tor an instant she lay quiet In his
smDrace, receiving, II not responding
bis caresses. Then she gently but
smly freed herself. He saw that
ners were tears in her eyes.
I don't know" she sobbed. "Oh,
Won't know! l must Think must!
wut, please wait, John. Perhaps by
morrow / can answer. I'll try-Ill
81, Don't ask me again, now. Let
- think. Oh, dol"
She started down the path. He hes
Ned, then ran after her.
Tomorrow" he questioned eager
Tomorrow, then, you'll say that
~ WIN"
Un, perhaps, perhaps! l mustn't
Homise. Good night"
was after seven when Grace
Aehed the old tavern. The house
per. Mrs. Poundberry, was anxious
waiting her. She wore her bonnet
u Sunday gown and was evidently
Nedy to 20.
supper's on the table and the kit
- abilin'. You better eat in a
M, cause It's meetin' time now.
w uncle, he started ten minutes
~ I'm agoin' right along, too, but
soin' to meetin'; I'm agoin' up
. 1etsy Els to stay all night. She's
spine in her back, as the Teller
nd amt feelin' good, so / told |
1e come and stay a little spell. |
uncle Eben's mighty feeble and |
s-,s lately. He amt long for this
s,s', I'm afraid. You ought to be
good to him, Oracle"
NOV It," was The hurried reply.
.seres Nat?"
~. on know. Can't keep track of
nights well try to put your fin
nea. He's here to-day and
~ yesterday. as the Scriptur' says.
- little mite of supper, but not
~ ana then OF he puts"
seacneA the gate by this time,