The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-04-01

combinations: selecting here and there
and modifying II advisable, a trait OF
Grandpa or Grandma Foxwell. OF
Great Uncle or Great Aunt Baxter
borrowing qualities lavishly from her
own gentle born and gently bred moth.
er and carefully avoiding her respect
ed fathers stock. except perhaps 10
take dash Of his pluck and an ounce
of his persistence. Jed Morrill, re.
marked OF Deacon Baxter once, "when
Old Foxy wants anything he'll wait till
hell freezes over afore he'll give up"
Waitstlll had her fathers firm chin
but there the likeness ended. The
proud curve of her nostrils the clear
well opened eye with its deep fringe
OF lashes, the earnest mouth, all these
came from the mother who was little
more than dim memory.
Waitstill disdained any vague,
dreary. colorless theory of life and its
meaning. She had joined the church al
! fifteen. more or less because other girls
did and the parson had persuaded her.
| but out Of her hard life she had some
how framed a courageous philosophy
that kept her erect and uncrushed, no
matter how great her difficulties She
had no idea of bringing a poor. weak.
I draggled soul to her Maker at the last
day, saying. Here Is all | have man
aged to save out of what you gave
mer
Patty slept sweetly on the other side
Of the partition. the contemplation OF
her twopenny triumphs bringing a
smile to her childish lips. but even so a
good heart was there (still perhaps In
the process OF making. quick wit,
ready sympathy. natural charm; plen-
| ty. indeed. for the stronger sister to
cherish, protect and hold precious, as
she did with all her mind and soul.
There had always been a passionate
! loyalty in Waitstill's affection, wher-
ever 1t had been bestowed. Uncle Bart
delighted in telling an instance of IL
that occurred when she was a child OF
five. Maine had just separated ami
cably from her mother. Massachusetts.
and become an independent state. II
was in the middle Of March. but there
was no snow on the ground and the
village boys had built a bonfire ON a
plot Of land near Uncle Bart's joiner's
shop. There was large gathering in
celebration Of the historic event and
Waitstill crept down the hill with her
homemade rag doll in her arms. She
stood on the outskirts of the crowd. q
silent. absorbed little figure clad In a
shabby wooden coat. with a blue knit
hood framing her rosy face. Deborah.
her beloved. her only doll. was tightly
clasped In her arms. for Debby, like
her parent. had few pleasures and
must not be denied so great one as
this. Suddenly one of the thoughtless
young scamps in the group, wishing to
create a new sensation and add to the
general excitment. caught the doll
from the chllds arms and running for
ward with a wild warwhoOp. flung II
into the flames. Waitstill did not lose
an instant. She gave a scream OF an
guish and without giving any warning
II her intentions. probably without
realizing them herself. she dashed
through the little crowd into the bon
fire and snatched her cherished or
spring from the burning pile. The
whole thing was over In the twinkllng
Of an eye. for Uncle Bart was as quick
as the child and dragged her out OF the
imminent danger with no worse harm
done than good scorching.
He led the little creature up the hill
10 explain matters and protect her
from a scoldlng. She still held the doll
against her heaving breast. saying be-
tween the sobs: Il couldn't let my
Debby burn up. couldn't. Uncle
Bart. she's got nobody but me! Is my
Gress scorched so much I can't wear Il?
You'Il tell father how II was. Uncle
Bart. won't your"
Debby bore the marks OF her ad-
venture longer than her owner, for
she had been longer In the fire, but
stained and defaced as she was, she
was never replaced aud remained the
only doll OF waitstill's childhood. At
this very moment she lay softly and
safely In a bureau drawer ready to he
lifted out. some time. Waltstill fancied,
and shown tenderly 10 Patty's chill
nreu. OF her own possible children
sne meter thought There was but ons
man In the world who could ever be
the father OF them, and she was sepa-
rated from him by every obstacle that
could divide two hcman beings.