The Chanute times., 1913-02-28

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world. I'm afraid. You ought to b
awful good to him. Gracie."
Il know it," was the hurried reply
where's Nat?"
Il don't know. Can't keep track o
him. Nights well try to put your fin
ger on a flea. He's here to-day ant
gone yesterday, as the Scriptur' says
He ate n little mite of supper. but no
much. and then off he puts"
She reached the gate by this time
and Grace shut off the flow of conver
sation by closing the door. Then she
took a candle from the row on the din
ing-room mantle, lighted 1t and went
up to her own room. Standing before
the oldfashioned Bureau with it's little
oval mirror. she hastily arranged her
nair. She did not wish to 60 to
prayer meeting at the chapel. but she
teit that she must. The Come-Outer
gatherings, with their noisy singing
and shouting, had grown more and
more repugnant to her.
She blew out the candle and came
out into the hall at the head Of the
stairs. She was about to descend when
she heard voices. The del of the din
ing room opened and closed. She felt
certain that Nat had returned and
wondered who was with him. Then
she heard her uncle's voice, speaking
sharply and with unwonted sternness.
Il don't know what It's you want to
see about" said Captain Eben. "You
say It's important; well, it's got to be
20 keep me from my meetin'. | ought
to be on the Lords business this
minute and nothin' worldly's goin' to
keep me from servin' Him. So speak
quick. What is it?"
The voice that answered was one
that Grace recognized. though she had
never before heard in it the note of
agitation and undignified excitement.
There were no ponderous pauses and
"Hum-ha's" now.
Don't be fool, Hammond!" It said.
"And don't stand there preaching.
Lock that door! Get a lamp! Are
you su-a there's nobody but US in the
house?"
Captain Elkanah Daniels! Captain
Elkanah visiting a Come-Outer! and
the leader of the Come Outers!!
Grace caught her breath. What in
the world She started to descend
and then thought flashed to her
mind. She stopped short.
81 amt the fool, Elkanah," she
heard her uncle retort sternly. "The
fools are them who are deef to the
call from on high. My foot was on the
threshold of His house when you led
me astray. It's never halted there
afore warn you"
stop! Shut up! Eben Hammond,
l tell you that your precious church
yes and mine, the Regular church Of
Trumet-will go to rack and ruin II
you and me don't pull together this
night"
And I tell you, Elkanah Daniels,
I'll have no blasphemy here. That lit
tie sanctuary up the road Is founded
on a rock and neither you nor any
OF your Phariseein' priest-worshipin'
crew can shake 1t. The AlmightyIl
protect His own. AS for the Reglar
church, that's no concern of mine"
But l tell you It's your concern.
Or II the church isn't. your own fam
lily Is"
There was an instant Of silence.
Grace, crouching on the stairs, noticed
the change in her uncle's voice as he
answered.
my own family?" he repeated slow
ly. my own And the RegTar
church What do you mean? Has
Nat"
mo, he amt. But that cussed girl
Of yours"
stop" shouted Captain Hammond. !
'Elkanah Daniels, for your own sake
now, be careful. If you dast to say a
word, another word like that, III"
''If dast! The hussy! But there's |
no use talkin' to you. You're rs crazy |
as Bedlemite. Either that, or you're |
in the game with her. II you are, |
warn you"
OtOps "hdl game. WHAT game /
do you mean? Gracie! My Oracle! |
What is it? For mercy sakes, El-
"Humph! l wondered IL I couldn't |
get some sense into you, finally. Lock
that door!"
81 will! will! But Ell-anah-"
Lock It! Give me the key!"
The click of the lock sounded
sharply.
where's the lamD?" demanded DAN
els. "And the matches? Don't stand
here shaking"
A smell of sulphur floated out into
he hall. Then the sickly glow Of the
fluid" lamp shone through the door
way.
What ails your" asked EIkanah.
Are you struck dumb? Now go and
zee II there's anybody else in the
house"
'But-but thee amt know there
lint Hannah's gone and Gracie's at
neetin' by this time"
She? Humphl Well. maybe she's
It meetin' and maybe she isn't May