Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-02-06
CHAPTER XIX.
In Which the Minister Receives q
Letter.

IN WHICH Inc mlHIbtCT FNGS0iNOb
Letter.
John Ellery was uneasy. Physically
he was very much better. so much
better that he was permitted to BIZ
up a 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 left him, and he
could not understand why.
Mrs. Higgins, likes 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
she could not answer his questions
satisfactorily.
He rose from the chair and started
toward the living room. He would not
be put off again. He would be an
swered. His hand was on the latch
of the door when that door was
opened. DR.. Parker came in.
The doctor was smiling broadly.
His ruddy face was actually beaming.
He held out his hand, seized the min
ister's, and shook 1t.
Good morning, Mr.. Ellery," he said
TITS glorious day. Yes. sir, bully
day. Hey? isn't it,"
Ellery's answer was q question.
Doctor" he said. why have Mrs
Coffin and--and Miss Van Horne
gone? Has anything happened?
know something has, and you must
tell me what. Don't try to put me of
or give me evasive answers. want
to know why they have gone"
Parker looked at him keenly
"Humph!" he grunted. I'll 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 news'll come to you. II
you move It won't. Going to obey or
ders? Good! I'll see you by and by
Mr.. Ellery"
He walked out of the room. II
seemed to 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 shanty, 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. tits
almost too fine to believe. Now we'll
keep our minister, won't WEI"
Mrs. Higgins turned to Captain Nat
Its kind of hard for you, Nat" she
added. But it's awful noble and self
sacrificin and everybody'll say SO. OF
course there wouldn't be much salts
faction in havin' 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 OF
your mind, Mrs. Higgins" he said
I'D made up my mind to do this very
thing afore ever l got back to Trumet
That is, II Oracle was willin'. And
when found she was not only willin
but joyful, well, decided to Offer
up the sacrifice right off,"
"You did? You did? Why, how
you talkl never heard Of such 6
thing in my born days"
"Oh, we'll, L What is 1t, Gracef"
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 a picture that even the prac
teal, unromantic doctor appreciated.
The captain went to meet her.
What is it?" he asked.
NAT" she whispered, will yol
come INF He wants to see you"
John Ellery was still seated in tn,
chair by the window, but he no longe
looked like an invalid. There was NJ
worry or care in his countenanc,
now, merely q wondrous Joy ant
serene happiness.
He held out his hands and the cap
tain shook them heartily.
"Mr. Ellery," he said. "as they use,
to say at the circus, Here we ar
again And you and / have been dc
ing all kinds of circus acrobatics sine
we shook last, hey? I'm glad your
pretty nigh out Of the sick bay-an
the doctor says you are"
Captain" began Ellery. Harmon
interrupted him.
Hold oni" he said. Delay RICH
there. If you and 1 are to cruise 1
the same family-and that's what
hear is likely to happen-I cal1at
well heave overheard the cap'ns an
Misters. Ny names Nathaniel
! Nat for short"