Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-05

You shan't step outside this room till
you tell me where you're goin.' he
said when he found his voice.
II have no wish to keep 1t secret. 1
am going to see if Mrs Mason will
keep me tonight Tomorrow / shall
walk down the river and get work Mt
the mills. but on my way shall stop ut
the Boyntons' to tell Ivory am ready
to marry him as soon as he's ready to
take me-"
This was enough to stir the blood OF
the deacon into one last fury.
Il might have guessed it If l hadn't
been blind as bat an deaf rs an adj
der." And he gave the table another
ringing blow before he leaned on II 70
gather strength. "Of course 1t would
be one o that crazy Boynton crew
you'd take up with" he roared. Moth
in would suit either o you girls but
choosin the biggest enemies I've got
in the whole villaGe!
You've never taken pains TO make
ANYTHING but enemies, so what could
we do:"
You might as we'll go to live on the
poor farm. Aaran BoyntOn was dis
reputable hound. Lois Boynton is as
crazy rs a loon. the boy is IL nobody's
child. an Ivory's no better than a com
mon pauper.'
Ivory brave. strong. honorable
man and Il scholar too. l can work
for him and help him earn and save.
as have YOU"
How longs this been Coin' on:'
The deacon was choEin=. but he meant
To N Of flIp.rS WllIi,- lt1
had the chance.
1T hasn't gone on at all. He mas
never said word 10 ne. and ! have
always obeyed your will in these mat
tiers. but you cant hide love any more
than you can hide hate. know Ivory
loves me- so I'm Soin" to tell him that
my duty is done here and | am ready
to help him
Coin to throw yourself ut his head.
/ be youE" sneered the deacon. by the
/ Lord. ! don't know where you two
girls got these loose ways q thinkin
an actin Mebbe he won't take YOU.
an then where'll you be: You won't
git under my roof again when you've
once left il, you can make UP your
mind to that
IF You have any doubts about ivo-
rvs being willing To take me yoId
better drive along behind me and listen
while ask him"
Waitstilrs tone had in exultant thrill
of certainty in it. She threw UP her
head. gloryinG in what she was about
10 do. II she laid aside her usual re
serve and voiced her thoughts openly
it was not in the hope of convincing
her father. but for the bliss of putting
them into words and intoxicating her
self by the sound of them.
Come after me If YOU Will father,
and watch the welcome | shall get.
oh, l have no fear Of being turned out
by Ivory Boynton. I can hardly wait
10 give him the Joy l shall be bringing.
| It's selfish to rob him of the chance TO
speak first. but I'll do it!' And before
Deacon Baxter could cross the room
Waitstlll was out of the kitchen door
into the shed and flying down Town
House hill like an arrow shot free
from the bow
The deacon followed close behind.
hardly knowing why. but he was no
match for the girl. and at last he stood
helpless on the steps of the shed. shak-
ing his fist and hurting terrible words
inter her. words that ii was fortunate
for her peace of mind she could not
hear.
"A curse upon you both" he cried
snvagcly. Not satisfied with disobey-
in an defyin' me. you've put me To
shame. an now you'll be settin' the
neighbors agin me an ruiniu' my
trade. II YOU was frcczin' in the snow
| wouldn't heave II blanket To YOU.
II you was starvin' / wouldn't lin"
either OF you crust Never shall YOU
darken my doors again. an never shall
you git n penny a. my money, not IL
have to throw it into the river TO
spite you"
Here his breath failed. and he STUN
bled out into the barn whimpernS
between his broken sentences like
whipped child.
Here ] am with nobody to milk. nor
feed the hens: nobody 10 churn tomor-
row, nor do the chores: poor mis-
able creetcr. deserted 10y my children.
with nobody 10 do IA hands turn 'thout
bein' paid for every step they rake.
I'll give 'em what they deserve.
don' know what, but I'll be even with