Gilpin observer., 1913-01-09
"Did. hey. That's rrumet. sure


the gang of neighbs RS that l knew
would be sailin' into our yard, the
who lie feet loaded to the gunwale with
questions. Wanted to See you first.
keziah."
Mrs. Coffin pulled forward one of
the kitchen chairs. He seated himself
on it and it groaned under his
weight.
"Whew!" he whistled. Never made
to stand rough weather. was it? Well,
amt you glad?"
Keziah' looked at him gravely.
"Yon know I'm glad, Nat" she said.
80? l hoped you would be, but
did want to hear you say it. Now you
come to anchor yourself and let's
have talk. I've been countin' on 1t
ever since we set topsls off Surinam."
The housekeeper took the other
chair.
Il beg your pardon, KeZiah,". he
said. I'm dough head, that's fact
hadn't forgot about Sol, but was so
glad to be home again and to see dad
and Grace and the old town and you
that everything else few out of my
mind. Poor Sol! liked him."
He liked you. too. No wonder, con.
siderin' what you did to-"
"Belay! Never mind that Poor
chap!. Well. he's rid of his sufferin's
at last. Tell me about it, II you can
without bringin' all the trouble back
too plain"
So she told him of her brothers
sickness and death, of having to give
up the old home, and, finally, Of her
acceptance of the housekeeper's posi-
ton. He listened, at first with SYM
pathy and then with suppressed indig
nation.
by the jumpin' Moses!" he ex
claimed. And Elkanah was goin' to
turn you out of house and home. The
mean, pompous old"
Hush! hush, he's in there with Mr..
Ellery"
Who? Elkanah?"
Yes; they're in the study"
so he's talkin' to the new parson,
hey? Bossin' him, too, I'll bet"
Il amt SO sure Mr. Ellery's young,
but he's got mind of his own"
Captain Hammond chuckled and
slapped his knee.
"Ho, ho!" he laughed. I've been
hearin' somethin' about that mind
Went to the chapel last night, under
stand, and he and dad had set-to. Oh.
I heard about 1t! Wish might have
been there"
How does your father act about
it?"
Bout the way red-hot stove acts
when you spill water on it; every time
he thinks of the minister he sizzles.
Ho. no! ] do wish ! could have been
there"
What does Grace say?"
"Oh. she doesn't say much !
wouldn't wonder if she felt the way
do, though we both keep quiet. I'll
tell you. between ourselves and the
ships pump. that ] sort of glory In
the young chaps spunk"
"Goodl So do l. like him.
Her friend leaned forward
"Keziah." be said earnestly. there's
no sense in your slavin' yourself to
death here. ] can think of good deal
pleasanter berth than that. Pleasant |
er for me, anyhow. and I'd do my best
TO make 1t pleasant for you. You've
only got to say the word and No?
Well. then all can do is hope through |
another voyage"
please don't. Nat. You know"
mo. 7 don't know"
well. perhaps you don't But
know ! like you. Nat. ] count on yon
as the straightest. truest friend I've
got; and ] want to keep on countin
on you just that way. Mayn't ~"
Course you can, Keziah. But"
Then don't say another word.
please"
"Keziah. when you set your foot |
down you're pretty stubborn; but I've
got somethin' of foot myself You re-
member you said so few minutes
ago. Hi. hum! Well. speakin' of dad
me that I'm kind of worried |
about him"
You are? Why? Isn't he well?"
pretty we'll. but he ain'I strong. and |
he gets too excited over things like
last nights foolishness. Grace tells
me that the doctor says he must be
careful or he'll drop off some Of these
days. He had shock five or six yeare
ago. little one. and I've been anxious
about him ever since"
You mustn't worry. How did Grace
look to your
Like the harbor light on stormy
night. She's a brick, that girl, and !
gets prettier every minute. Wonder
to me some OF the young chaps down |
here don't carry her of nv main
strength. She'll make somebody q
good wife"
"Um.hm. Have-have you ever
thought Of her that way yourself?"
"Keziah. that's enough of that Are
you and dad in partnership to get me
spliced and out Of the way? He was
at me this mornin' along the same
line. Don't say anything like that
again, even in fun. You know why"
"Al1 right all right Now fell me