Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-10-09
Into the nall, the letter still In her

NO." was the answer ITS me
Nat. Are you busy. Keziah? want
to see you for minute"
The housekeeper hurriedly thrust
the letter into her waist.
"Ill be right down. Nat" she an
swered. I'm comm"
He was In the sitting room when
she entered. He was wearing his Sun
day suit Of blue and his soft hat was
on the center table. She held out her
hand and he shook 1t heartily.
Before he could speak she caught a
glimpse OF his face.
What Is it?" he asked. What is
the matter?"-
We'll, Keziah, it's trouble enough
Dad and / had fallin' out. We had
what was next door to a real quarrel
after dinner to-day. 1t would have been
a real one II l hadn't walked on and
left him. Keziah. he's dead Bet on my
marryin' Grace. Says II / don't he'll
know that | don't really care a tin
nickel for him, or for his wishes. or
what becomes OF the girl after he's
gone"
Keziah was silent for a moment.
Them she said slowly:
And Grace herself? How does she
feel about 1t? Has he spoken to herr"
Il don't know. l guess likely he
has. Perhaps that's why she's been so
sort of mournful lately. But never
mind whether he has or not; l won't
do 1t and | told him so. lie got red
hot in a jiffy. / was ungrateful and
stubborn and all sorts Of things. And
|, bein' a Hammond, with some of the
Hammond balkiness In me, l set my
foot down as hard as his. And we had
It until-until-well, until | saw him
stagger and tremble so that actually
got scared and feared he was goin' to
keel over where he stood. You now
why l can't marry her, nor anyone
else in this round world but you"
Nat, | can't IT AIRY you
Il know. / know. You're always
sayin' that. But you don't mean It.
You can't mean it. Why, you and me
have been picked out for each other
by the Almighty. Kezlah. l swear
believe Just that. We went together
when we were boy and girl, TO parties
and such. We was promised when
first went to sea. II It hadn't been for
that fool row we had-and twas all
my fault and | 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
DIR off In oil
could say was. Serve him right And
| say 1t now. come home then more
determined TO get you. Say yes. and
let's be happy. Do"
I'D like to, Nat I only wish | could
But 'twouldn't be any use. l can't dc
it."
He snatched his hat from the table
he looked at her.
"All right" he said chokingly. "Al
righ.. Good-by."
His steps sounded on the oilcloth o.
the kitchen. Then the back dool
slammed He was gone.
Keziah started, as II the slam Of thu
door had been an electric shock. Ant
! she cried tears of utter Loneliness
and despair.
The clouds thickened as the after
noon passed. There came a knock q
L the dining-roor' door
Keziah sprang from her chair
smoothed her hair. hastily wiped he
eyes and went to admit the visitor
whoever he or she may be. She wa
] ola Nf oh apf o
her face from being seen too plainl!
Good afternoon" she said, openin
. the door. "Oh! it's you. is it,"
= Yes" admitted Abishai Peppe
: standing on the stone step. and shift
= ing uneasily from one foot to tn
other. Yes, Keziah. it's-its MI
= thank you. l only wanted to see NJ
" Ellery."
;, He's out Good day"
= 81 wanted to ask his advice abo,
!. somethin'. It's a secret. Only hi
and me know about it. Good-by. I
2 find Mr. Ellery."
81 wouldn't go to the Danielses'.
was you. Elkanah might not like
have you chasin' after his visitors
"Oh, the minister amt at the Da
ielses', not as late's this. he amt.
know where he is. | know where
goes Sunday afternoons-and why
goes. too. Mr. Ellery and mes goc
friends. We understand each other
Look here. Ryan Pepper! What a
you talkin' about?"
Il Just said | knew where Mr.. f
cry goes every Sunday afternoon. I
don't know anybody knows. but I d
That's all there is to 1t. l shant te
\ So"
\ Tell? Do you mean there's som
! thin Mr. Ellery wouldn't want tolt
Don't you dare will see Laviny!"
D mo. no, no, no. 'Tain't nothin' muc
! Just know where he goes after
Il leaves Elkanah5 and who he goes
! meet. / Lordyl | hadn't ought
said that, / Keziah Coffin. dor
, you ever tell | told you. I've sa
y more'n | meant to. II 1t comes o
there'd be the biggest row in {
10 church there ever was. And ia he !
N sponsible, ] would! I'd have TO
on the witness stand and then Lavil