The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-11-27

compared with their relief ut parting
with the deacon.
Il know l hadn't ought to put the
care on you. Waitstill. and you only
fourteen" poor Mrs. Baxter sighed. as
the young girl was watching with her
n night when the end seemed draw.
ing ear. 1--we made out to live till
now when Patience is old enough to
dress herself and help round. but I'm
all beat out and cunt try any more"
do you e I'm to take your place.
be a mother to Patience and keen
house and everything?' asked Wait.
still quaveringly.
II don't see but you'll have to. up-
less your father marries again. He'll
lever hire help. you know that"
II won't have another mother in this
house." flashed the girl. There's been
three here and that's enough! II he
brings anybody home III take Pa.
thence and run away. as Job did. Or
If he leaves me alone III wash and
iron and scrub and cook till Patience
grows up. and then we'll 20 Or to-
gether and hide somewhere I'm four
teen. Oh. mother, how soon could !
be married and take Patience to live
with me? Do you think anybody will
ever want me?"
Don't marry for a home. Waitstill.
Your W mother did that. and so did
|. and we were both punished for it!
You've been a great help. and I've had
a sight Of comfort out Of the Oaby,
but l wouldn't go through it again. not
even for her! You're real smart and
capable for your age. and you've done
your full share Of the work every day.
even when you were at school. You
can get along all right"
II don't know how I'm going to do
everything alone" said the girl. fore
ing back her tears. you've always
made the brown bread. and mine will
never suit father. | suppose | can
wash, but l don't know how to iron
starched clothes. nor make pickles,
and Oh! | "a never kill Il rooster,
mother. it's no use to ask me to: I'm
not big enough to be the head of the
family"
Mrs. Baxter turned her pale. tired
face away from Waitstilrs appealing
eyes.
II know" she said family. II hats
to leave you to bear the brunt alone,
but l must! -" Take good care of
Patience and cont let her get into trou-
BILE. 80 You won't. will your"
I'll be careful" promised Waitstill,
sobbing quietly. "Ill do my BEST"
You've got more courage than ever l
had; don't you s'pose you can stiffen up
and defend yourself a little mite?
Your father'd ought to be opposed. for
his own good, but I've never seen any
body that dared do it," Then, after a
pause. she said with a fash of spirit.
"Anyhow. Waitstill, he's your father
after all. He's no blood relation of
mine, and l can't stand him another
day; that's the reason I'm willing to
die" j.
-
Ivory Boynton lifted the bars that
divided his land from the highroad and
walked slowly toward the house. 1t
was April. but there were still patches
Of SNOW here and there, fast melting
under a drizzling rain. It was a gray
world. a bleak, black and brown world.
above and below. The sky was leaden:
the road and the footpath were deep
In a muddy ooze 6ecked with white.
The tree trunks. black, with bare
branches, were outlined against the
gray sky; nevertheless, spring had
been on the way for a week. and a few
sunny days would bring the yearly
miracle for which all hearts were long
ing.
Ivory was season wise, and his quick
eye had caught many a sign as he
walked through the woods from his
schoolhouse. A new and different color
haunted the tree tops. and one had only
to look closely at the elm buds to see
that they were beginning to swell.
Some fat robins had been bouncing
about in the schoolyard at noon. and
the sparrows had been chirping and
twittering on the fence rails. Yes, the
winter vas over, and Ivory was glad.
for 1t had meant no coasting and skat-
ing and sleighing for him. but long
walks in deep snow or slush. long even
ings, good for study. but short days
and greater loneliness for his mother.
He could see her nov as he neared the
house. standing in the open doorway.
her hand shading her eyes, watching,
always watching. for some one who
never came.
Spring is on the way, mother, but it
isn't here yet, 30 don't stand there in
the rain." he called. Look at the nose
gay I gathered for you as l came
through the woods. Here are pussy
willows and red maple blossoms and
~may6owers. would you believe it,"
Lois Boynt0n took the handful of
budding things and shifted their fra
GRANGE.
You're late tonight. Ivory" she said.
I'D o1 urnnkoI hiC c,,D~os nwl- ~ kl-k