The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-25
coPYR'eHT 1907

IoItei. Donl know when I've enjoyed a
visit more" He rose, shifting at the air.
whats that you're bakin', Maria? Cook
les? Blame if they don't smell temptin'"
Come down and try Them" she invited,
can see if they taste 500
WELL [ will bite at one before / go
aboard" said Captain Amos. "I'm due
now, if I'm goin' to dismantle the old boat
any before noon; but fresh baked cooky'd
stop me on the way to my weddin'''
For half an hour, Henry, lying in the
room above, heard their murmured talk and
laughter, and grimly smiled as he thought of
his friends haste. For the first time he felt
an unaccountable loneliness. He wondered
at the amending stream of Captain Amos's
talk, and strained his ears to catch the indis-
tlngulshable sound; he was little envious
Amos always could take more words to say
nothin' than any person ever knew" once he
muttered to himself impatiently, as a burst of
laughter came up the stairs. Then he won
dered if it was nonsense; Amos was no mans
fool. He was glad when at last he heard his
voice pass from the door.
He came again the next afternoon, and it
was clear that he had no intention of re-
preaching himself this time for the careless
ness Of his dress. He wore, too, the air of
ceremonial calling-on ladies. Indeed,
Henry's first knowledge of his presence was
the sound of his voice outside on the lawn,
whittier he had conducted Mrs. Ketchum,
whose ideas of the balm o Gilead tree agreed
with his own.
Presently the voices passed on, and the
sick man sur1nised that they were discussing
Captain Amos's proposed arbor, and his
curiosity became unbearable. He was also
lonely, and craved the companionship of the
cheerful people below. Summoning his
courage, he crept groaning from the bed, and
walked to the south window, the blinds of
which were closed.
Yes, they were discussing the grape-arbor,
Henry saw at once. Captain Amos was pa
cling of the ground, while Mrs. Ketchum fol
lowed him with a childlike interest in his
action. As they stood together above the
spot where Captain Amos dug his heel in the
sod, Henry tried to catch their murmured
talk, but failed. It seemed intimate
They passed around to the back of the
house, and for half an hour the watcher
waited for their return; then he heard their
voices at the front of the house, and went to d
west window. Captain Amos was passing out
the front gate. Even as the sick man won
dered, the captain stopped short and with a
laugh turned back. Henry hurried back to
the bed as he heard footsteps on the stairs
Captain Amos was still chuckling as he
entered the room.
Here l fixed up to come over an pay you
little visit and cheer you up, but l got so
interested in that there grape-arbor l was
talkin' to you about, that blame if didn't
cart Maria all over the place, an was just
a-goin', before I thought what I came for.
Guess my minds sort O. like a bottle-holds
only one thing at time" He hitched his
chair nearer the bed and said with new air
of solicitude, "How you feelin' to-day,
Henry"
"Middlin'," replied the sick man. 81
amt in no pain. How'd Maria take to the
arbor?"
Like duck to water" Captain Amos
said enthusiastically. "Why, she wanted to
get to work at once. But kind o. discour-
aged her for the present"
Well, was kind O. considerin' it, too"