Gilpin observer., 1913-04-03
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
In Which Mr.. Stone Washes His
Hands.
Mr.. Abner Stone, of Stone & Bark
er. marine outfitters and ship chan
dlers, with place of business on
Commercial street In Boston, and a
bank account which commanded re-
spect throughout the city, was feel
ing rather irritable and out OF sorts.
Poor relations are always a nuisance.
Mr.. Stone had washed his hands"
OF his cousin. Keziah Coffin. or
thought he had. After her brother
Solomon died she had written to him,
asking him to find her a position Of
some kind In Boston. II don't want
money, l don't want charity" wrote
Keziah. What want Is work. Can
you get 1t for me. Abner? write
because father used to tell Of what
you said to him about gratitude and
how you would never rest until you
had done something in return for what
he did for you"
Captain Ben Halls kindness was the
one thing Mr.. Stone forgot when he
| said no one had ever helped him. He
disliked to be reminded Of 1t. 1t was
long while ago and the captain was
dead. However, being reminded, he
had called upon friend in the tailor
ing line and had obtained for Keziah
the place Of sewing woman. She de-
cided to become housekeeper at the
Trumet parsonage and SO notified
him. Then he washed his hands Of
her.
But now he was compelled to soil
them again. Keziah had appeared at
his Office. without warning, and de-
manded that he find her a position.
| Demanded" was the proper word.
Certainly she had not begged. She
seemed to feel that her demand was
right and proper. and his acceding to
1t the least he could do.
What a fine place you've got here.
Abner!" she said. inspecting the ONCE
| and store. II declare it's finer than
the one you had when you first went
into business. afore you failed. wish
father could have lived to see 1t.
He'd have realized that his Judgment
was good. even though his investment
| wasn't"
Captain Hall had invested largely
in that first business, the one which
failed. Mr.. Stone changed the sub
ject. Later in the day he again sought
his friend. the tailor. and Keziah was
installed in the loft of the latter's
Washington street shop. beside the
| other women and girls who sewed and
sewed from seven In the morning un-
til six at night. Mr.. Stone had left
her there and come away. feeling that
| an unpleasant matter was disposed
| of. He had made some inquiries as to
where she intended staying. even add
| ed half-hearted invitation to dinner
that evening at his home. But she
declined.
mo. thank you. Abner." she said.
Pm goin' to find boardin' place and
I'd Just as soon nobody knew where
was for the present. And there's
one thing l want to ask you: don't
tell a soul | am here Not a soul. II
| anyone should come askin' for me,
don't give 'em any satisfaction. I'll
tell you why some day. perhaps.
can't now"
This was what troubled Mr.. Stone
| as he sat in his office Why should
this woman wish to have her where
abouts kept secret? There was a
reason for this, OF course. Was It a
respectable reason. or the other kind?
II the latter, his own name might be
To- nd hc al Il l.h
ed. for the fiftieth time. that there
were no poor relations.
A boy came into the ONCE. There
Is some one here to see you. Mr..
Stone" he said.
who is it,"
II dou't know, sir. Looks like a
seafaring man. sea captain. L should
say-but he won't give his name. Says
It's important and nobody but you'll
do"
"Humph! All right. Tell him to
wait. I'll be out in minute"
Sea captains and ship owners were
Stone & Barker's best customers. The
senior partner emerged from the Of.
fee with smile on his face.
"Ah!" he said, extending his hand.
"Glad to see you. Captain-er-"
Hammond" replied the visitor.
Same to you. Mr.. Stone"
Fine weather for this time Of
year"
Elmo enough. Mr. Stone"
well, Captain Hammond, what can
we do for you? Going to sail soon,"
mot right away. Just made port,
less'n week ago. Home looks good
to me. for spell. anyhow"
80? Yes. have no doubt. Let
me see-where Ia your home, cap
tainf I should remember. Of course,
but"