第60章 IN WHICH KEZIAH BREAKS THE NEWS(5)

My folks did all they could to stop it;they told me he was dissipated,they said he had a bad name,they told me twa'n't a fit match.And his people,havin'money,was just as set against his takin'a poor girl.Both sides said ruin would come of it.But Imarried him.

Well,for the first year 'twa'n't so bad.Not happiness exactly,but not misery either.That come later.His people was well off and he'd never worked much of any.He did for a little while after we was married,but not for long.Then he begun to drink and carry on and lost his place.Pretty soon he begun to neglect me and at last went off to sea afore the mast.We was poor as poverty,but Icould have stood that;I did stand it.I took in sewin'and kept up an appearance,somehow.Never told a soul.His folks come patronizin'around and offered me money,so's I needn't disgrace them.I sent 'em rightabout in a hurry.Once in a while he'd come home,get tipsy and abuse me.Still I said nothin'.Thank God,there was no children;that's the one thing I've been thankful for.

You can't keep such things quiet always.People are bound to find out.They come to me and said,'Why don't you leave him?'but Iwouldn't.I could have divorced him easy enough,there was reasons plenty,but I wouldn't do that.Then word came that he was dead,drowned off in the East Indies somewheres.I come back here to keep house for Sol,my brother,and I kept house for him till he died and they offered me this place here at the parsonage.There!

that's my story,part of it,more'n I ever told a livin'soul afore,except Sol.She ceased speaking.The minister,who had sat silent by the window,apathetically listening or trying to listen,turned his head.

I apologize,Mrs.Coffin,he said dully,you have had trials,hard ones.But--But they ain't as hard as yours,you think?Well,I haven't quite finished yet.After word come of my husband's death,the other man come and wanted me to marry him.And I wanted to--oh,how I wanted to!I cared as much for him as I ever did;more,I guess.But Iwouldn't--I wouldn't,though it wrung my heart out to say no.Igive him up--why?'cause I thought I had a duty laid on me.Ellery sighed.I can see but one duty,he said.That is the duty given us by God,to marry the one we love.Keziah's agitation,which had grown as she told her story,suddenly flashed into flame.

Is that as fur as you can see?she asked fiercely.It's an easy duty,then--or looks easy now.I've got a harder one;it's to stand by the promise I gave and the man I married.He looked at her as if he thought she had lost her wits.

The man you married?he replied.Why,the man you married is dead.No,he ain't.You remember the letter you saw me readin'that night when you come back from Come-Outers'meetin'?Well,that letter was from him.He's alive.For the first time during the interview the minister rose to his feet,shocked out of his despair and apathy by this astounding revelation.

Alive?he repeated.Your husband ALIVE?Why,Mrs.Coffin,this is--She waved him to silence.Don't stop me now,she said.I've told so much;let me tell the rest.Yes,he's alive.Alive and knockin'round the world somewheres.Every little while he writes me for money and,if I have any,I send it to him.Why?Why 'cause I'm a coward,after all,I guess,and I'm scared he'll do what he says he will and come back.Perhaps you think I'm a fool to put up with it;that's what most folks would say if they knew it.They'd tell me I ought to divorce him.Well,I can't,ICAN'T.I walked into the mess blindfold;I married him in spite of warnin's and everything.I took him for better or for worse,and now that he's turned out worse,I must take my medicine.I can't live with him--that I can't do--but while HE lives I'll stay his wife and give him what money I can spare.That's the duty I told you was laid on me,and it's a hard one,but I don't run away from it.John Ellery was silent.What could he say?Keziah went on.

I don't run away from it,she exclaimed,and you mustn't run away from yours.Your church depends on you,they trust you.Are you goin'to show 'em their trust was misplaced?The girl you wanted is to marry another man,that's true,and it's mighty hard.

But she'll marry a good man,and,by and by,she'll be happy.Happy!he said scornfully.

Yes,happy.I know she'll be happy because I know she's doin' what'll be best for her and because I know him that's to be her husband.I've known him all my life;he's that other one that--that--and I give him up to her;yes,I give him up to her,and try to do it cheerful,because I know it's best for him.Hard for YOU?

Great Lord A'mighty!do you think it ain't hard for ME?I--I--She stopped short;then covering her face with her apron,she ran from the room.John Ellery heard her descending the stairs,sobbing as she went.

All that afternoon he remained in his chair by the window.It was six o'clock,supper time,when he entered the kitchen.Keziah,looking up from the ironing board,saw him.He was white and worn and grim,but he held out his hand to her.

Mrs.Coffin,he said,I'm not going away.You've shown me what devotion to duty really means.I shall stay here and go on with my work.Her face lit up.Will you?she said.I thought you would.I was sure you was that kind.