Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-02-14

by the Almighty, Keziah. / swear l
believe just that. We went together
when we were boy and girl, to PARTIES
and such. We was promised when /
first went to sea. II 1t hadn't been for
that fool row we had-and twas all
my fault and 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 / heard he was
drowned off there In Singapore, all l
could say was. Serve him right! And
say it now. ! come home then more
determined to get you. Say yes, and
let's be happy. Dol"
I'D like to, Nat. I only wish could.
But 'twouldn't be any use. ! 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 knock at
the dining-room 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?"
YES" admitted, Abishai Pepper,
standing on the stone step, and shift
ing uneasily from one foot to the
other. yes, Keziah, it's-it's me,
thank you. l only wanted to see Mr.
Ellery."
He's out. Good day."
81 wanted to ask his advice about
somethin'. It's a secret. Only him
and me know about 1t. Good-by. I'll
find Mr.. Ellery."
Il wouldn't go to the Danielses', II
was you. Elkanah 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?"
II just said l knew where Mr.. Ell
cry goes every Sunday afternoon. He
don't know anybody knows, but do
That's all there is to 1t. / shan't tell.
So"
Tell? Do you mean there's some
thin Mr.. Ellery wouldn't want told
Don't you dare will see Laviny!"
mo, no, no. no. 'Tain't nothin' much.
Just know where he goes after he
leaves Elkanah's and who he goes to
meet. / Lordyi I hadn't ought to
said that! L Keziah Coffin, don't
you ever tell . told you. I've said
more'n / meant to. II it comes out
there'd be the biggest row in the
church there ever was. And I'd be re-
sponsible! would I'd have to go
on the witness stand and then Laviny
would find out how L Oh, oh. OH
what shall l do?"
What is it?" she persisted. What
would bring on the row in the church?
Who does Mr.. Ellery meet? Out with
it! What do you mean?"
II mean that the minister meets
that Van Horne girl every Sunday aft
ernoon after he leaves Elkanah's.
There, nowl It's out. and don't give
a darn IL they hang me for it."
Keziah turned white. She seized
Mr.. Pepper by the lapel Of his Sunday
coat and shook him.
Grace Van Hornet" she cried. Mr..
Ellery meets Grace Van Horne on
Sunday afternoons? WhereT'
Down in them pines back of Pet
er's pastur' on the aidge Of the
bank over the beach. He's met her
there every Sunday for the last six
weeks-longer, for what know. I've
watched m. amt lynn! It's so. I'll
bet you anything they're there now,
walkin' up and down and talkin'. What
would l want to lie for? You come
with me this minute and I'll show 'em
to you"
"'Bish Pepper" she said slowly and
fiercely, shaking her finger in his face,
you go straight home and stay there.
Don't you breathe a word to a livin'
soul Of what you say you've seen.
Don't even think Of 1t, or-or dream
it. II you do I'll Ill march straight
to Laviny and tell her that you asked
me to marry you. will, as sure as
you're shakin' in front of me this min
ute. Now you swear to me to keep
still. Swear!"
Ryan. What do you say when you
swear? I'll say 1t. Keziah! I'll say
I'll"
AL right Then mind you remem-
Der. Now clear out quick. l want to
think. l must think. Go! Get out Of
my sight"
Ryan went, glad to escape, but
frightened to the soul Of him. Keziah
watched him until he turned from the
main road into the lighthouse lane.
Then. certain that he really was going
straight home, she re-entered the par
sonage and sat down on the nearest
chair. For ten minutes she sat there,