The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-01-17

that fool row we had-and 'twas all
my fault and l know it-you never
would have let that da-that miser-
able Anse Coffin come near you. I'm
goin to have you. Coffin is dead these
ten years. When ! heard he was
drowned off there in Singapore. all |
could say was. Serve him right And
say it now. l come home then more
determined to get you. Say yes, and
let's be happy. Do"
I'D like to, Nat. only wish l could.
But 'twouldn't be any use. can't do
it,"
He snatched his hat from the table
and strobe toward the door. Turning,
he looked at her.
"All right" he said chokingly. "Aa
right Good-by."
His steps sounded on the oilcloth of
the kitchen. Then the back door
slammed He was gone.
Ke2iah started, as If the slam oil, the
door had been an electric shock And
she cried. tears Of utter loneliness
and despair.
The clouds thickened as the after
noon passed. There came knock at
the dning-room door.
Keziah sprang from her chair,
smoothed her hair, hastily wiped her
eyes and went to admit the visitor,
whoever he or she may be. She was
glad of the shadows, they prevented
her face from being seen too plainly.
Good afternoon" she said opening
the door. "Oh! it's you. is it?"
Yes" admitted Abishai Pepper,
standing on the stone step, and shift
ing uneasily from one foot to the
other. yes, Keziah. it's-it's me,
thank you. I only wanted to see Mr..
Ellery"
Hes out. Good day"
81 wanted TO ask his advice about
somethin'. It's a secret Only him
and me know about it. Good-by. III
! find Mr. Ellery."
Il wouldn't go to the Danielses'. If
was you. Elkanah might not like TO
have you chasin' after his visitors"
ooh, the minister aiR't at the Dan
ielses not as lates this, he amt.
know where he is. I know where he
goes Sunday afternoons-and why he
goes, too Mr.. Ellery and mes good
| friends. We understand each other
Look here. Ryan Pepper! What are
you talkin' about?"
Il just said / knew where Mr.. Ell
cry goes every Sunday afternoon. He
don't know anybody knows, but I DO.
That's all there is to it. shan't tell.
So"
Tell? Do you mean there's some
thiG' Mr.. Ellery wouldn't want told?
Don't you dare will see Laviny!"
NO. no. no. no 'Tain't nothin much.
Just know where he goes after he
leaves Elkanah's and who he goes to
meet. I Lordy l hadn't ought to
said that! L Keziah Coffin, don't
you ever tell l told you. I've said
moren l meant to. If it comes out
there'd be the biggest row in the
church there ever was. And I'd be re-
sponsible! ! would! I'd have to go
on the witness stand and then Laviny
would find out how I Oh, oh, oh.
what shall do?"
What is it?" she persisted. "What
would bring on the row in the church?
Who does Mr.. Ellery meet? Out with
it! What do you mean?"
Il mean that the minister meets
that Van Horne girl every Sunday aft
ernoon after he leaves Elkanah's.
There, now! It's out, and I don't give
darn if they hang me for it,"
Keziah turned white. She seized
Mr.. Pepper by the lapel of his Sunday
coat and shook him.
Grace Van Hornet" she cried. "Mr.
Ellery meets Grace Van Horne on
Sunday afternoons? Where?"
Down in them pines back of Pet
er's pastur' on the aidge of the
bank over the beach. He's met her
there every Sunday for the last six
weeks-longer, for what | know. I've
watched IN. l amt lynn! It's So I'll
bet you anything they're there now,
walkin' up and down and talkin'. What
would l want to lie for? You come
with me this minute and I'll show 'em
to you"
Dish Pepper" she said slowly and
fiercely shaking her finger in his face,
you go straight home and stay there.
Don't you breathe word to Twin
soul of what you say you've seen.
Don't even think Of it, or-or dream
it. If you do I'll iii march straight
to Laviny and tell her that you asked
me to marry you. l will, as sure as
you're shakin' in front of me this min
ute. Now you swear to me to keep
still. Swear!"
How - how'll l swear?" begged
Ryan What do you say when you
swear? I'll say it, Keziah! I'll say
anything! I'll"
"All right. Then mind you remem-
Der. Now clear out quick. l want to
think. l must think Go! Get out of
my sight"
Ryan went, glad to escape. but
frightened to the soul Of him. Kc2ian
watched him until he turned from the
main road into the lighthouse lane.
Then, certain that he really was going
straight home, she re-entered the par
sonage and sat down on the nearest
chair. For ten minutes she sat there,
striving to grasp the situation. Then
she arose and, putting on her bonnet
and shawl, Secked the dining-room
door and went out through the kitchen.
She was going to the pine grove by
the shore, going to find out for her
self If Kyan's astonishing story was
true.