The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-04-05

| DIlt MT fepDtI % lhos 49,
ter and Grace were coming up III
aisle and behind them came Captal
Nat Hammond and Keziah Comm. Ma
was smiling and self-possessed. Ne'
or before in his life had he entere
the Regular meeting house as
worshiper, but he seemed to De Dear
ing the ordeal bravely. 1t was Grace
FIRST visit to the church, also, and sh'
WAS plainly embarrassed. To be stared
at by eighty-odd pairs OF eyes ana u
catch whispered comments from th'
starers' tongues. is likely to emDar
rass one.
Yet the comments were all friendly
81 DECLARE" whispered Mrs. Prince
~ never see her look so pretty afore
I knew she was the best lookin' cir
I'm 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.
never see Keziah look so well mel
| 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 1t was. When 1t 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, Il cannot let
you go without a personal word. l
owe you so much. all of you, that moth
ing l 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. | have
found here the truest friends a man
could hope to find-yes, and more
than friends. If | live, and while |
live, l shall hope to prove by the best
effort that is in me my realization of
the great debt l owe you and my de-
sire to repay 1t, even though the pay
ment must. OF necessity, be so made
quate. God bless you all-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, I've
that Is, Caleb and me-will prob'ly
want you to That is, We want you to
be the one"
Yes, Miss Pepper"
oh. my sakes, you see 'Bishy
dear. come here minute, won't you?"
Ryan approached-the picture OF
desolation.
What do you want?" he asked gruf-
fly.
Heavens to Betsy! Don't look SO
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. Ellery; 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. Il wish, by
godfreys mighty, had the hangip' of
some folks! I'd put a tighter collar
on 'em than they've got now. bet
you'll"
The minister's lips twitched. He
knew what was coming. Hints of a
surprising nature had been circulating
about Trumet.
What's the matter, Mr.. Pepper"
he asked.
Matter? Matter enough, You know
what she's goin' to do? She's goin'
to marry that"
The last word was emphasized by
a furious gesticulation toward the
back of the gentleman from Sandwich.
Who? Mr.. Pratt? Is your sister
to marry him? Indeed, I congratu.
late them both-and you. / suppose
Mr.. Pratt will take his bride home
to Sandwich. and you, being here
alone. will be more free"
"Free?" Ryan repeated the word |
Free! I'll be about as |
Tree as a settin' hen under a barrel.
will. Is Teller free when he's got |
two pickin' at him instead of one? I
thought l was goin' to have a little
peace and comfort; l thought that
same as you, Mr.. Ellery. I've had NV
suspicious as to her and him for some
lime. That day when l callated I'd
ocked her up and come back to find
she's gone buggy ridin', thought
twas queer. When she went to con.
erence and left me alone smelt a
at. When she took to letter writin'
he smell got stronger; until the last
ew weeks I've been sartin OF the
Jane she was up to- When Laviny
ome to me and told me what she was
'oin' to do, was / obstinate? Did
tand on my rights as head of the
amily and tell her she couldn't do
t? No, stree, I didn't was re-
igned, Bless you, Laviny,' says l.
When you goin' to go away? And
that do you s'pose she says to mep
Why, that she want goin' away at all.
'hat-that Pratt thing has sold ont
Is shoe store up to Sandwich ond 4.