Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-12

over the violet ribbons. ana. WIN
sleigh bells juggling. they sped over
the snow toward what seemed Para
disc to them. the New Hampshire vii
laGe where they had been married
and where their new life would begin
So n few days later Waitstill receiv-
ed great parcel which relieved her
OF many feminine anXieties, and she
began TO shape and cut and stitch dur
ing all the hours she had to herself
They were not many. for every day
she trudged TO the Boynton farm am
began with youthful enthusiasm tn
household tasks that were so soon &
be hers by right.
Don't waste too much time an0
strength here. my dearest" said Ivory
do you suppose for a moment ] shall
keep you long on this lonely farm? l
am ready for admission to the bar or |
am fitted to teach in the best school in
New England. Nothing has held me
here but my mother, and in her pres
ent condition of mind we can safely
take her anywhere. We will never
live where there are so many memo
ries and associations TO sadden and
hamper us. but go where the best or
portunity offers and as soon as may
be. My wife will he a pearl of great
price," he added fondly, and ] intend
TO provide right setting for her."
Ivory was right. Waitstill Baxter
was indeed a jewel OF woman. She
had little knowledge but much wis
dom, and after all knowledge stands
for the leaves on a tree and wisdom
for the fruit There was infinite rich
ness in the girl, richness that had
been growing and ripening through the
years that she thought SO gray and
wasted.
Those lonely tasks, too hard for n
girls hands, those unrewarded drudg-
cries. those days of faithful labor in
and out of doors. those evenings Of
self sacrifice over the mending basket
the quiet avoidance of all that might
vex her fathers crusty temper. her pa
tience with his misery exactions, the
hourly holding back of the haSty word
all these had played their part: all
these had been somehow welded into
a strong, sunny, steady life wisdom.
there Is no better name for IT. and so
she had unconsciously the best of all
harvests to bring up dover to hus-
band who was worthy of her.
These were quietly happy days at
the farm. for Mrs. Boynton took new
If transient hold upon life that de-
ceived even the doctor. Rodman was
nearly as ardent lover as ivory, how
ering about Waitstill and exclaiming:
you never stay to supper. and it's so
lonesome evenings without you! Will
il never be time for you to come and
live with US, Waity. dear? The days
crawl so SLOWLY At which Ivory
would laugh, push him away and draw
Waitstill nearer to his own side. say
ing, IF you are in n hurry. you young
cormorant. what do you think of me?
I'VE can never wait two more days,
Rod: let us kidnap her. Let us take
the old bobsled and run over TO New
Hampshire where one can be married
the minute one feels like it We
could do it between sunrise and moon
rise and be at home for n late supper.
Would she be too tired TO bake the
biscuits for us. do you think? What
do you say. Rod. will you be best
man?' And there would be youthful.
unaccuStomed laughter floating out
from the kitchen or living room. bring
ing n smile of content to Lois Boyn-
toms face as she lay propped up in bed
with her open Bible beside her. He
binds up the broken hearted she
whispered to herself. He gives unto