Gilpin observer., 1913-03-13

Captain Zebedee. having shipped
with the insurgents, worked for them
from sunrise to sunset and after. Zeb
was something Of politician and
knew whom to "get at" He sought
his fellows on the parish committee
and labored with them. Mrs. Mayo
and the doctors wife championed tho
cause at sewing circle. They were
lively, those sewing meetings, and the
fur flew. Didama Rogers and Lavinia
Pepper were everywhere and ready to
agree with whichever side seemed
likely to win.
It was by no means a one-sided
struggle. Captain Elkanah, spurred
on by the furious Annabel, marshaled
his forces and proclaimed that Ellery,
having disgraced the Regular Society,
should no longer occupy its pulpit.
He limited concerning a good-sized
contribution toward parish house.
something the society needed. II FL
lery was discharged, the contribution
would probably be made. not other
wise. And this was point worth
considering.
Daniels also wrote to his influential
friends of the National Regular So
ciety. But Captain Zebedee had fore
stalled him there and both letters
were laid on the table to await fur
ther developments. AS for the Come
Cutters, they were wild with rage and
Grace was formally read out of their
communion.
Meantime Keziah, installed as head
nurse at the shanty, was having her
troubles. The minister was getting
better. slowly but surely getting bet
ter. THE danger Of brain fever was
at an end, but he was very weak and
must not be excited, SO the doctor
said.
He. had expressed wish to talk
thing to tell you, Aunt Keziah," he
said weakly. Some news for you
and-and-"
Cats foot!" snapped Keziah brisk
ly. don't start in tellin' me news
now. I've got my hands full as it's.
News'll keep and you won't, If you
talk another minute"
She could manage him; 1t was with
Grace that she had her struggle. First,
and bluntly, she told the girl that her
leaving was, useless. The secret was
out; 1t had been made public. Every
one knew she was in love with John
was considered an established GER
tainty. Grace was greatly agitated
and very indignant.
who dared say so?" she demanded.
who dared say we were engaged?
It's not true. It's a wicked lie and
Who is responsible. Aunt Keziah?"
We'll, l suppose likely am. much
as anybody, deary."
you? You. Aunt Keziah?'
"Yup; me. You are in love with
him; at any rate, you said SO. And
you're here with him, amt you? II
you two amt engaged you ought to
be-" She argued and pleaded and
coaxed. and, at last, when she began
to think she had prevailed, Grace
brought forward another objection.
She had given her word to her uncle.
How could she break that promise to
a dying man? She would feel like a
traitor.
Traitor to who?" demanded the
housekeeper, losing patience. mot to
poor Nat, for he's gone. And don't you
suppose that he and Eben understand
things better now. where they are?
Do you suppose that Nat wouldn't
want you to be happy? know he
would. for knew him."
It was still unsettled when the long
talk was over. but Grace agreed not
to leave the minister at present. She
would stay where she was until he
was himself again, at least. Keziah
was satisfied with the preliminary
skirmish. She felt confident Of win
ming the victory, and in the prospect
of happiness for others. she was al.
most happy herself. Yet each time the
mail was brought to the shanty she
dreaded to look at 1t, and the sight Of
Ansel Coffir had threatened to come
to Trumet. II he came. she had made
up her mind what to do.
The parish committee was to meet.
Captain Elkanah had announced his
intention of moving that John Ellery
be expelled from the Regular church.
There was to be no compromise, no
asking for a resignation; he must be
discharged, thrown out In disgrace.
The county papers were full Of the
squabble. but they merely reported
the news and did not take sides. The
fight was too even for that.
One afternoon few days before
the date get for the meeting Elkanah
and two or three of his henchmen
we're on the piazza OF the Daniels
home. discussing the situation. They
we're blue and downcast. Annabel
was In the sitting room, shedding
tears Of humiliation and Jealous rage
on the haircloth sofa.
tTo BE coNTINUED.)