Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-01-25
into the han. the letter sim in her

Nat Are you busy, Keziahz I want
to see you for minute
The housekeeper hurriedly thrust
the letter into her waist
iii be right down, Nat" she an
swered. I'm comm
He was in the sitting room when
she entered He was wearing his Sum
day suit of blue and his soft hat was
on the center table She held out her
hand and he shook it heartily.
Before he could speak she caught a
glimpse of his face
what is it?" he asked what is
the matter?''-
We'll, Kezfah, it's trouble enough.
Dad and 1 had fallin' out We had
what was next door to a real quarrel
after dinner to-day. 1t would have been
a real one il 1 hadn't walked OF and
left him. Keziah, he's dead set on my
marryin' Grace Says If / don't he'll
know that 1 don't really care a tin
nickel Tor him, or for his wishes. or
what becomes of the girl after he's
gone"
~Keziah was silent for a moment
Them she said slowly:
"And Grace herself? How does she
feel about it? Has he spoken to her?'
Il don't know. I guess likely he
has. Perhaps that's why she's been SO
sort Of mournful lately. But never
mind whether he has or not; 1 won't
do it and l told him so. lie got red
hot in a jiffy. I was ungrateful and
stubborn and all sorts of things And
i, bein' Hammond, with some of the
Hammond balkiness in me, 1 set my
foot down as hard as his. And we had
it until-until-well, until 1 saw him
stagger and tremble so that 1 actually
got scared and feared he was goin' to
keel over where he stood. You now
why 1. can't marry her, nor anyone
else in this round world but you
NAT, can't marry you.
Il know, l know. You're always
sayin' that. But you don't mean it.
You can't mean it, Why, you and me
have been picked out for each other
by the Almighty, Keziah. 1 swear 1
believe just that. We went together
when we were boy and girl, to PARTIES
and such. We was promised when 1
first went to sea. If it hadn't been for
that fool row We had-and twas all
my fault and I know it-you never
would have let that da-that miser-
able Anse Coffin come near you. I'm
goin' to have you. Coffin is dead these
ten years. When 1 heard he was
drowned off there in Singapore, all
could say was. Serve him right And
say it now. 1 come home then more
determined to get you. Say yes. and
let's be happy. Dol"
I'D like to, Nat 1 only wish I could.
But 'twouldn't be any use. l can't do
it."
He snatched his hat from the table
and strobe toward the door. Turning,
he looked at her
All right" he said chokingly. "All
right. Good-by"
His steps sounded on the oilcloth of
the kitchen. Then the back door
slammed He was gone
Keziah started, as if the slam of the
door had been an electric shock And
she cried, tears OF utter loneliness
and despair.
The clouds thickened as the after
noon passed. There came a knock at
the dining-roora door.
Keziah sprang from her chair.
smoothed her hair, hastily wiped her
eyes and went to admit the visitor,
whoever he or she may be. She was
glad of the shadows, they prevented
her face from being seen too plainly.
Good afternoon" she said, opening
the door. "Oh! it's you, is it?''
standing on the stone step, and shift
ing uneasily from one foot to the
other. Yes, Kezia,h, it's-it's me,
thank you. I only wanted to see Mr..
Ellery."
Hes out Good day"
81 wanted to ask his advice about
somethin'. It's secret. Only him
and me know about it. Good-by. I'll
find Mr. ElIery"
81 wouldn't go to the Danielses', IL
I was you. EIkanah might not like to
have you chasin' after his visitors"
"Oh, the minister amt at the Dan
ielses', not as late's this, he amt.
know where he is. / know where he
goes Sunday afternoons-and why he
goes. too. Mr.. Ellery and mes good
friends. We understand each other"
Look here. Ryan Pepper. WHAT are
you talkin' about ?"
81 just said / knew where Mr.. Ell
cry goes every Sunday afternoon. He
don't know anybody knows, but 1 do.
That's all there is to it 1 shan't tell.
So"
Tell? Do you mean there's some
thin Mr.. Ellery wouldn't want told ?
Don't you dare will see Lavinyi"
mo, no, no, no. 'Tain't nothin' much.
I Just know where he goes after he
leaves Elkanal'6 and who he goes to
meet. L Lordyi I hadn't ought to
| said thati l. Keziah Coffin, don't
you ever tell 1 told you I've said
/ r,ore'u 7 meant TO. If it comes out