The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-08-05
CHAPTER XIV.
.-..- CHAPTER XIV.
Patty 10 Shown the Door.
- EACoN BAXTER drove into
the barn and, fiinging blank
ct over the wheeling horse,
closed the door behind him


IL ct over the wheezing horse.
closed the door behind him
and hurried into the house without
even thinking to lay down his whip.
Opening the kitchen door and stop
ping outside long enough to kick the
snow from his heavy boots, he strobe
into the kitchen and confronted the
two girls. He looked at them sharply
before he spoke, scanning their flush
ed faces and tear stained eyes; then
he broke out savagely:
"Oh, you're both here; that's lucky.
Now stan up and answer to me.
What's this / hear ut the Mills about
Patience common talk outside the
storeT'
The time had come, then, and by
some strange fatality when Mark was
too far away to be Of service.
Tell me what you heard, father. and
/ can give you better answer" Pat
ty replied, hedging to gain time and
shaking inwardly.
'Bill Morrill, says his brother that
works in New Hampshire reports you
as ridin' through the streets OF Allen
town last Monday with young man."
There seemed but one reply to this,
30 Patty answered tremblingly: He
SAYS what's true. I was there"
"whatr' And 1t was plain from the
deacon's voice that he had really dis
believed the rumor. A whirlwind or
rage swept through him and shook
him from head to foot
"Do you mean to stan there an own
No TO me that you was thirty miles
away from home with a young manF
he shouted.
.If you ask me plain question I've
got to tell you the truth, father.
was"
How dare you carry on like that
and drag my name into scandal, you
worthless trollop, you? Who went
along with your I'll skin the hide on
him, whoever t was!'
Patty remained mute at this threat,
but waitstill caught her hand and
whispered: "Ter him all. dear, It's
got to come out Be brave, and III
stand by you"
"why are you interferin' and putin
in your meddlesome oarT' the deacon
said, turning to waitstill THE girl
would never "a been there II you'd at
tended to your business. She's nothin'
but a fool Of a young FLY. an you're
an old cart horse. 1t was your job to
look out for her. as your mother told
you to. Anybody might "a guessed
she needed watchin'w
"You shall not call my sister an old
cart horse! I'll not permit it!' cried
Patty, plucking up courage in her sis
ter's defense and. as usual, COMFORTING
herself trifie more like spitfire than
a true heroine Of tragedy.
Hush, Patty! Let him call me any
thing that he likes. 1t makes no diff
ference at such time"
"Waitstill knew nothing of my going
away till this afternoon" continued
Patty. 81 kept 1t secret from her on
purpose, because l was afraid she
would not approve went with Mark
Wilson, and-and | married him In
New Hampshire because we couldn't
do il at home without everybody's
knowledge. Now you know ALI?
do you mean to tell me you've gone
an married that reckless, wuthless.
horse trottin', card playin' sneak OF a
Wilson boy. that's courted every girl In
town? Married the son Of man that
has quarreled with me and insulted
me In public? BY the Lord Harry. I'll
crack this whip over your shoulders
once before I'm done with you! IL Id
used it years ago you might have been
an honest woman today instead OF a.
FoXwell Baxter had wholly lost con-
troll OF himself. and the temper, that