Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-12-04
CHAPTER XIX.
In Which the Minister Receives
lctter.

In Which the Minister Receives
Letter.
John Ellery was uneasy. Physically
be was very much better. so much
better that be was permitted to SIT
up q while each day. But mentally
he was disturbed and excited. exactly
the condition which the doctor said
he must not be in Keziah and Grace
had gone away and LETT him, and he
could not understand why.
Mrs. Higgins. lke's mother. was at
( the shanty and she did her best TO
soothe and quiet him. She was a
kind soul and capable, in her way. but
i she could not answer his questions
+ satisfactorily.
He rose from the chair and started
toward the living room He would not
be put OF again He would be an
swsred His hand was on the latch
OF the door when that door was
opened. Dr. Parker came in
The doctor vas smiling broadly
His rudy face vas actually beaming
He held ont his hand. seized the min
ister's, and shook IT,
Good morning. Mr.. Ellery." he said
It's a glorious day Yes. sir. a bully
day. Hey? isn't it,"
Ellery's answer was a question
Doctor he said. why have Mrs.
Coffin anG-and Miss Van Horne
gomez Has anything happened? I
know something has. and you must
tell ne what. Don't Try to put ne OF
or give ne eyasive answers. want
10 know why they have gone"
Parker looked at him keenly.
"Humph." he grunted. III have TO
get into Mrs. Higgins's wig. You sit
still No. I'm not going to tell you
anything. You sit where you are and
maybe the newsT come TO you. II
you move 1t won't. Going TO obey or
ders? Good, I'll see you by and by.
NJ. Ellery."
He walked ont OF the room. It
seemed 70 Ellery that he sat in that
chair for ten thousand years before
the door again opened And then
-Grace," he cried. 20 Grace. you
you've come back"
She was blushing red. her face was
radiant with quiet happiness. but her
eyes were moist. She crossed the
room. bent over and kissed him on the
forehead.
Yes. John" she said; I've come
back Yes, dear. I've come back to
to you"
Outside the shsnty. on the side
farthest from the light and its group
Of buildings. the doctor and Captain
Nat Hammond were talking with Mrs.
Higgins. The latter was wildly excit-
ed and bubbling with joy.
It's splendid" she exclaimed. It's
almost too fine to believe. Now we'll
keep our minister. won't WEI"
Mrs. Higgins turned to Captain Nat.
It's kind Of hard for you. Nat" she
added But it's awful noble and self
sacridcin' and everybody'1l say 80. OF
course there wouldn't be much salts
faction in hayin' a wife you knew
cared more for another man. But still
it's awful noble of you to give her up."
The captain looked at the doctor
and laughed quietly.
Don't let my nobility weigh on
your mind, Mrs. Higgins" he said.
I'D made up my mind to do this very
thing afore ever l got back 10 Trumet
That IL, II Oracle was willin'. And
when found she was not only willin'
but joyful. well. | decided to offer
up the sacrifice right of"
You did? You did? Why. how
you talk. | never heard of such a
thing in my born days"
oh, we'll, I What Is it, Grace?"
She was standing In the doorway
and reckoning to him. Her cheeks
were crimson. the breeze was tossing
her hair about her forehead. and she
made picture that even the prac-
teal, unromantic doctor appreciated.
The captain went to meet her.
What is it?" he asked
Nat" she whispered, will Won
come in? He wants to see Won"
John Ellery was still seated in the
chair by the window. but he no longer
looked like an invalid. There was no
worry or care In his countenanca
now, merely a wondrous 10y and
serene happiness.
He held out his hands and the can
tain shook them heartily.
"Mr. Ellery." he said. "as thew used
to say at the circus, Here we arr
again And you and have been do.
ing all kinds of circus acrobatics since
we shook last, hey? I'm glad you,re
pretty nigh out Of the sick bay-and
the doctor says you are"
Captain" began Ellery. Hammond
interrupted him.
Hold onl" he said. Delay right
there. If you and l are to cruise in
the same family-and that's what I
near is likely to happen-I calIate
Wen heavs overheard the cap'ns and
Misters. My names Nathaniel
Nat for short"