The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-08-12
By KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN
CHAPTER XIV.
haitstill Speaks Her Mind.

er made any demonstration of
their affection in his presence,
Deacon Baxter had fair idea
of their mutual dependence upon each
other; not that he placed the slightest
value on Waitstill's opinion of him or
cared In the smallest degree what she
or any one else in the universe thought
of his conduct, but she certainly did
appear to advantage when contrasted
with the pert little hussy who had
just left the premises; also Waitstill
doomed large In his household com
forts and economies, having q clear
head, a sure hand and being one of
the steady going. reliable sort that can
be counted on In emergencies, not, like
Patty, going of at half cock ut the
smallest provocation. Yes, Waitstill.
as a product Of his mastery training
for the last seven years. had settled
down, not without some trouble and
friction, into a tolerably dependable
pack horse, and he intended in the fu-
ture to use some care in making per-
manent so valuable an aid and ally.
She did not pursue nor attract the Op-
posite sex, as his younger daughter
apparently did; so by continuing his
policy of keeping all young men rigidly
at a distance he could count confident
" on having Waitstill serve his pur-
poses for the next fifteen or twenty
years or as long as he himself should
continue to ornament and enrich the
earth
He would go to Saco the very next
day and cut Patty out of his WILL ar
ranging his property so that Waitstill
should be the chief legatee as long as
che continued TO live obediently under
his roof He intended to make the
last point clear IL he had TO consult ev-
cry lawyer in York county, for he
wouldn't take risks on any woman
alive. II he must leave his money
anywhere-and II was with bitter
pang that he faced the memorable con-
viction that he could neither live for
ever nor take his savings with him to
the realms of bliss prepared for men,
bers of the orthodox church In good
and regular standing-if he must leave
his money behind him, he would dig
hole in the ground and bury 1t rather
than let 1t go TO any one who had an
gered him in his lifetime.
These were the thoughts that caused
him TO relax his iron grip and smile as
he sat by the window smoking bis
corncob pipe and taking one Of his very
rare periods OF rest.
Presently he glanced at the clock.
"It's only quarter past T." he said. 81
thought I was later. but the snow
makes II so light you can't tedge the
tune. The moon fulls tonight, don't
It? Yes; come to think OF II, ] know
1t does. Amt you settin' out supper a
little mite early. WaitstillT'
This was longer and more amiable
speech than he had made In years. but
Waitstill never glanced at him as she
said: 1T is a little early, but l want
to get II ready before leave"
BE you goin' out? Mind. l won't
have you follerin' Patience round.
You'll only upset what I've done, an
anyhow ! want you to keep away from
the neighbors for a few days, till all
this blows over"
He spoke firmly, though for him
mildly. for he still had the uneasy
feeling that he stood on the brink of a
volcano. and. as a matter OF fact. he
tumbled into II the very next moment
The meager supper was spread-a
plate Of cold soda biscuits. a dried ap-
pie pie and the usual brown teapot
were In evidence. and as her father
ceased speaking waitstin opened the
door Of the brick oven where the bean
pot reposed. set a chair by the table.
and turning. took up her coat (her
mothers old riding cloak. Il was). and
calmly put II on. reaching then Tor her
hood and her squirrel tippet