Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-12-04

one OF the special Providences that's
been helpin' along this last voyage Of
mine. Ny second mate was a Hyan-
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 you | owned up. Know any
body named Coffin there7' says he.
owned up TO that, too Well, he says.
I met her husband last trip was In
the Glory OF the Wave | stared at
him. Met his ghost. you mean
says He's been dead for years. and
a good thing. too. Fell overheard and.
not bein' used TO water II killed him
But he wouldn't have II So 1 used
to know Anse Coffin in New Bedford
he says. Knew him wells | know
you. And when We was in port at
Havre dropped in at gin mill down
by the water front and he come I'D
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 regular dock rat to
look at. but twas him sure enough.
We had long talk He said he was
comm back 10 Tt zmet some day. Had
a wife there. be said / told him.
sarcastic. that she'd be glad 10 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 10 promise not TO tell
any Cape folks that I'd seen him. and
amt till now
Well you can imagine how | relt
when Cahoon spun me that yarn. First
wouldn't blieve il and then did
II explained things. just as you say.
John. could see now why Keziah
gave me my walkin' papers. could
see how she'd been sacridcin' her
life for that scum"
Did you tell her-Aunt Keziah-
when you met her at the Narrows?"
NO. But | shall tell her when
see her again. She shsn't spoil her
life-a woman like that, by the Lord,
what a woman,-for any such crazy
notion | swore it when | heard the
story and I've sworn IL 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 vas pacing the floor now. his
face set Ike granite. Ellery rose. his I
own face beaming. Here was his
chance At last he could pay 10 this 1
man and keziah a part OF the debt be
owed
Nat stopped in his stride. Welt" .
be exclaimed Il almost forgot. after
all heziah sent note to you. I've
got 1t in my pocket She gave It to
me when 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 | don't
understand 1t yet We was together
all the afternoon. / was feelin' so
good at seem her that | took her IN
der my wing and We cruised all over
mat town together. Got dinner at the
tavern and she went with me 10 buy
myself new hat. and all that. At
nrst she didn't seem TO want 10. but
hen. after I'd coaxed a while. she
I'D She was lookin' pretty sad and
worn out. when | first met her.
-nought; but she seemed 10 get over
i and We had fine time. II remind
20 me OF the days when | used to get
nome from voyage and we were to
sether. Then. when twas time for
me night train we went down to the
lepot. She gave me this note and
-old 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. says. But
what are you sayin' good.by for?'
Because I'm not goin' to Trumet
with you says she. I'm goln' to the
city. I've got some business to see
70 there. Good-by.'
. l was set back. with all my can
Fas fappin'. I told her I'd 20 to Bos-
-on with her and we'd come home to
Irumet together tomorrow. that's to-
lay. But she said no. I must come
1ere and ease your mind and Grace's.
must do IT. So at last I agreed to,
'ayin' I'd see her in little while. She
went on the up train and took the
Town one. Hired a team In Sand.
wien and another In Bayport and got
70 the tavern about eleven. That's
ne yarn. And here's your note.
Maybe It tells where she's gone and
why"
The minister took the note and
ore open the envelope. Within was
single sheet of paper. He read a
ew lines. stopped. and uttered an ex-
,lamation
CTo BE coNTINUED)