Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-04-05


cry member of the congregation was
present Even Mrs. Prince, feeble
but garrulous, was there Gaius
winslow, having delivered his brood
of children at the church door. made
a special trip in his carryall to fetch
the old lady. Captain Zebedee and
Mrs. Mayo beamed from their pew.
DR.. Parker and his wife smiled at
them across the aisle. Didama Rogers
new bonnet was a work of art and
her neck threatened to twist itself OF
as she turned to see each one who
came in
Lavinia Pepper sailed to the front.
She was dressed in a new black al
paca which rustled SO very much like
silk that nearsighted people might
have been deceived by it. With her
was a man, apparently suffering from
strangulation because of the height
and tightness of his collar. IT'S Ca
leb Pratt, from Sandwich" whispered
| Didama. Thankful Payne's relation.
you knoY. Have you heard what folks
are sayin'? I guess it's true. because
= Look at Kyani you'd think he was
goin' to his own funeral
There was a stir at the door All
heads swung in that direction-al1
but Mr.. Peppers, that is. The minis
| ter and Grace were coming up the
aisle and behind them came Captain
| Nat Hammond and Keziah Coffin Nat
| was smiling and self-possessed. New
er before in his life had he entered
| the Regular meeting house a
| worshiper, but he seemed to be bear
| ing the ordeal bravely. 1t was Grace's
| first visit to the church, also. and she
11ofn no Il
| at by eighty-odd pairs of eyes. and to
| catch whispered comments from the
starers' tongues, is likely TO embar-
rass one.
Yet the comments were all friendly.
81 declared whispered Mrs. Prince,
II never see her look so pretty afore.
| l knew she was the best lool1in' girl
! in this town, but never realized she
was such a beauty. Well, there's
one thing sartin'-we've got the hand
| soonest parson and parsons wife in
this county, by about ten mile and
| four rows of apple trees. And there's
| the other bride that's goin' to be. l
never see Keziah look so well nei-
| Their"
The minister went up the stairs to
| the pulpit. He was still white and
thin, but his eyes were bright and his
voice clear. He gave the opening
| hymn and the service began.
They said it was the finest sermon
ever preached in that church, and per-
haps it was. When it was over be-
fore the benediction was pronounced,
| Ellery stepped out from behind the
pulpit to the edge of the platform. He
looked over the friendly faces up
turned to his and, for an instant. it
seemed that he could not trust him
self to speak.
| MY friends he said, 81 cannot let
you go without a personal word.
owe you so much, all of you, that moth
| ing 1 can say will convey to you my
feeling of gratitude and love for this
congregation and this church. You
! have stood by me all through. You
trusted me and believed in me.
came to Trumet a stranger. l have
found here the truest friends a man
could hope to find-yes. and more
then friends. If L live, and while
| live, 1 shall hope to prove by the best
| effort that is In me my realization OF
the great debt I owe you and my de
| sire to repay it, even though the pay
ment must, of necessity, be so made
quate. God bless you ail-and thank
YOU"
There was much hand shaking and
| congratulation and the church emp
tied slowly. Among the last to leave
were the Peppers and Mr.. Pratt
Lavinia took the minister aside.
Mr.. Ellery,'' she simpered, Tive
| that is, Caleb and me-wi1 prob'ly
want you to That is, We want you to
be the one
Yes, Miss Pepper?'
| ooh, my sakes, you see 'Bishy
dear, come here a minute. won't you?''
! Ryan approached-the picture OF
desolation.
What do you want?" he asked gruf-
fly.
sour. a body'd think you was goIn'
to be hung. to look at you. 'Bishy, you
| tell Mr.. Ellery all about 1t, there's a
dear. He'll tell you, Mr. EIlery; and
remember We count on you. Neither
| me nor Caleb won't have nobody else
She seized Mr.. Pratt by the arm
and led him hastily away. Ryan
| looked after them
"Hung?" he muttered. 81 wish, by
godfreys mighty. had the hangin' of
some folksr I'd put tighter collar
| on 'em than they've got now, l bet
youi"
knew what was coming. Hints OF a
| surprising nature had been circulating
about Trumet
What's the matter. Mr. Pepper?"
he asked