Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-03-22

one OF the special <Providences that's
been helpin' along this last voyage of
mine. My second mate was a Eyan-
mis- man. name of Cahoon One day,
on that pesky island, when we was
eatin' dinner together, he says to me,
/ -Cap'n,' he says. you're from Trumet,
amt your I owned Up. Know any
body named Coffin there?' says he. I
| owned up to that, too. Well he says.
L met her husband last trip 1 was in
the Glory of the Wave I stared at
him Met ibis ghost, you mean
| says He's been dead for years. and
good thing. too. Fell overheard and,
not bein' used to water. it killed him.
But he wouldn't have 1t so. I used
to know Anse Coffin in New Bedford
he says. Knew him wells 1 know
you And when we was in port at
Havre dropped in at a gin mill down
by the water front and he come up
and touched me on the arm. thought
same as you, that he was dead, but
he want. He was three sheets in
the wind and a regular dock rat to
look at, but twas him sure enough
We had a long talk He said he was
comm back to Trumet some day. Had
wife there, he said. 1 told him,
sarcastic, that she'd be glad to see
him. He laughed and said maybe not,
but that she knew he was alive and
sent him money when he was hard
up Wanted me to promise not to tell
any Cape folks that I'd seen him. and
1 amt till now
We'll, you can imagine how I felt
when Cahoon spun me that yarn First
1 wouldn't b'lieve 1t and then 1 did.
1t explained things, just as you say,
john l could see now why Keziah
gave me my walkin' papers. 1 could
see how she'd been sacrifcin' her
life for that scum
Did you tell her-Aunt Keziah-
when you met her at the Narrows?'
mo. But 1 shall tell her when 1
see her again. She shan't spoil her
life-a woman like that by the Lord,
what woman,-for any such crazy
notion I swora it when 1 heard the
story and I've sworn it every day
since That's what settled my mind
about Grace. Keziah Coffin belongs
to me. She always has belonged to
me, even though my own pig-headed-
ness lost her in the old days"
He was pacing the floor now, his
face set like granite. Ellery rose, his
own face beaming. Here was his
chance At last he could pay to this
man and Kezieh a part OF the debt he
owed.
Nat stopped in his stride. WE'LL"
he exclaimed. Il almost forgot, after
all keziah sent a note to you. I've
got it in my pocket She gave it to
me whens she left me at Cohasset."
Left you? Why! didn't she come
back with you on the night train?"
No That's funny. too, and l don't
~ aT+c 4n
all the afternoon. 1 was feelin' so
good at SEEM her that took her I'M
der my wing and we cruised all over
that town together. Got dinner at the
tavern and she went with me to buy
myself new hat, and all that. At
first she didn't seem to want to, but
them. after I'd coaxed while, she
did She was lookin' pretty sad and
worn out, when 1 first met her, 1
thought; but she seemed to get over
1t and we had fine time. 1t remind
ed me of the days when 1 used to get
home from voyage and we were to-
gether. Then, when twas time for
the night train we went down to the
depot. She gave me this note and
told me to hand it to you today
Good-by. Nat she says. We've
had nice day. haven't we?'
We have, for a fact 1 says. But |
what are you sayin' good-by for?'
Because I'm not goin' to Trumet
with you,' says She I'm goin' to the |
city. I've got some business to see |
to there Good-by.'
Il was set back. with all my cam
vas fappin'- l told her I'd go to Bos-
ton with her and we'd come home to |
Trumet together tomorrow, that's to-
day But she said no. 1 must come
here and ease your mind and Grace's.
must do it. So at last / agreed to,
sayin' I'd see her in little while She +
went on the up train and 1 took the
down one Hired a team in Sand
wich and another in Bayport and got
to the tavern about eleven. That's
the yarn And here's your note.
Maybe 1t tells where she's gone and
why"
The minister took the note and
tore open the envelope. Within was
a single sheet of paper. He read a
few lines, stopped. and uttered an ex-