The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-06-12

Here. after a months wait, he found
opport,Snity to leave for New York
on an American ship, the Stars and
Stripes. And finally, after being away
from home for two years, he walked
into the office of his New York own
ers. deposited their gold on a table,
and cheerfully observed, well, here
/ am
But Trumet did not hear the yarn
Immediately. All that 1t heard and all
that it knew was contained in Cap
tain Mats brief telegram. Arrived
today. Will be home Thursday" That
was all, but it was enough, for in that
dispatch was explosive sufficient to
blow to atoms the doctors plans and
Keziah's. the great scheme which was
to bring happiness to John Ellery and
Grace Van Horne.
| DR.. Parker heard it, while on his
way to Mrs. Princes, and, neglecting
that old lady for the once, he turned
his horse and drove as fast as posi-
BILE to the shanty on the beach. Fast
as he drove. Captain Zebedee Mayo
got there ahead of him. Captain Zeb
was hitching his white and ancient
steed to the post as the doctor hove
in sight.
"By mighty" the captain exclaimed,
with sigh of relief, I'm glad enough
you've come, doctor. l hated to go
in there alone. You've heard, of
| course"
Say, amt 1t wonderful! I'm
tickled all up one side and sorry all
down t'other. Mats a true-blue Teller
and I'm glad enough that he amt
shark bait; but what about the minis
ter and her? She's promised to Nat,
you know. Are you goin' to tell Mr..
Ellery?"
Certainly not. And l hope he
hasn't been told. He's getting well
fast now, but he mustn't be worried,
or back he'll go again. We must see
Mrs. Coffin. Keziah Is our main hold.
That woman has got more sense than
all the rest of us put together"
But it was Grace, not Keziah, who
opened the shanty door in answer to
their knock. She was pale and greet
ed them calmly, but it was evident
that her calmness was the result of
sheer will power.
Wont you come in, doctor?" she
asked. Good afternoon, Captain
| Mayo"
DR.. Parker entered the building, but
| CAPTAIN Zeb remained outside, STAN
mering that he cal'lated he'd better
stay where he could keep an eye on
his horse. This was such q trans
parent excuse that it would have been
funny at any other time. No one
smiled now, however.
"Is-is Mrs Coffin-er-Keziah
aboard?" the captain asked.
mo, she isn't. She went to the
parsonage few hours ago. Mr.. Ellis
brought the mail and there was a let
ter in it for her. She said it was i'm.
portant and that she must go home
to see about some things. She'll be
back pretty soon, suppose"
Parker found his patient sleeping
soundly and had not disturbed him.
Returning to the living room he spoke
to Grace
"Humph!" he grunted, watching her
from under his brows, everything
seems to be all right in there He
mustn't be told anything that will up
set him. He's getting well fast and
want it to continue"
YES, understand"
"Huml Er--have you heard Has
anyone been here?"
"Yes. | have heard. The telegram
came and l answered It,"
you did? Well, it's a miracle and
we're all thankful, of course. Did
you-er-er@"
Doctor, must go home. ! mustn't
stay here any longer. You know why
not l must be at home when he
comes. You must get some one to
take my place Aunt Keziah will stay,
of course, and perhaps Mrs. Higgins
would come"
But stay through tomorrow, at any
rate. Nat won't get here until Thurs
day, and 1 may be able to find anoth-
er nurse by that time. And what l
shall say to him." motioning toward
the other room, II don't know"
Must you say anything? Just say
that l have been called away for a
few days on-on some business. Don't
tell him. Don't tell him the truth,
doctor, now. He is too weak and l
am afraid"
She stopped and turned away. The
doctor watched her pityingly. He
would have liked to say much more,
but he could not, under the circum-
stances. He stammered a good-by
and, with a question concerning Mrs.
Collins whereabouts, went out to join
Captain Zeb.
"Well?" queried the latter anxious
ly. "How is it? What's up? What's
the next tack?"
We'll go to the parsonage" was
the gloomy answer. eff anybody can
see a glimmer in this cussed muddle
Keziah Coffin can"
Keziah was on her knees in her
room, beside a trunk. the same trunk
she had been packing the day of the
minister's arrival In Trumet. She was
working frantically, sorting garments
from a pile, rejecting some and keep
ing others. She heard voices on the
walk below and went down to admit
the callers.
whats the matter, Keziah?" asked
DR.. Parker sharply, after look at her
face. "You look as if you'd been
through the war. Humph! l suppose
you've heard the news?"
Keziah brushed back the hair from
har forobood yves" she answered.