The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-04-09
4 son-In-law any true father would be

"Why are you set against this match.
father?" argued Waitstill. striving to
make him hear reason. "Patty has
married into one of the best families
in the village. Mark Is gay and
thoughtless. but never has he been;seen
the worse for liquor. and never has he
done a thing for which a wife need
hang her head. 1t is something for a
young fellow Of four and twenty to be
able to provide for a wife and keep.
her in comfort, and when all is, said
and done it Is a true love match"
Patty seized this inopportune mo-
ment to forget her fathers presence
and the tragic nature Of the occasion
and, in her usual impetuous fashion,
flung her arms around Waitstill's neck
and gave her the hug of a young bear.
my own dear sister," she said. IL
don't mind anything 70 long as you
stand up for u.s."
Don't make her 80 tonight, father"
pleaded Waitstill. Don't send your
own child out into the cold. Remem-
Der her husband is away from home"
"She can find another up at the Mills
Is good as he is or better. or with
you, l say. you trumpery little baggage.
you!"
go, then, dear; it is better so. Un-
Gle Bart will keep you overnight. Run
up and get your things and Waitstill
sank into a chair. realizing the hope
lessness of the situation.
She'll not take anything from my
house. It's her husbands business to
find her in clothes"
They'll be better n than ever you
found me-" was Patty's response.
No heroics for her: no fainting fits
at being disowned; no Mysteries at be-
ing turned out Of house and home; no
prayers for mercy, but a quick retort
for every gibe from her father, and her
defiant attitude enraged the deacon the
more.
II won't speak again." he said, in a
tone that could not be mistaken. "Into
the street you go with the clothes you
stand up in or I'll do what l said
I'd do"
go, Patty! It's the only thing to be
done. Don't tremble, for nobody shall
touch a hair of your head. I can trust
you to find shelter tonight, and Mark
will take care of you tomorrow"
Patty buttoned her shabby coat and
tied on her hood as she walked from
the kitchen through the sitting room
toward the side door, her heart heav-
ing with shame and anger, and above
all, with a child's sense of helpless
ness at being parted from her sister.
Don't tell the neighbors any more
lies than you can help" called her ia
Their after her retreating form. AN If
any of EN- dare to come up here an
give me any of their imperdence they'll
be treated same as you. Come back
here, Waitstill. and don't go to slob-
BERN any goodbys over her. She
amt likely to get out O. the village for
some time if she's expectin' Msrk VIII
son to take her away"
II shall certainly 60 to the door with
my sister, said Waitstill coldly. suit
ing the action to the word. and follow
ing Patty out on the steps. shall you
tell Uncle Bart everything. dear, and
ask him to let you sle"p at his house?'
Both girls were trembling with ex-
element. Waitstill. pale as a ghost.
Patty flushed and fearful. with def
ant eyes and lips that quivered rebel
liously.
81 s'pose So" she answered dolefully.
though Aunt Abby hates me. on &C.
count Of Cephas. I'd rather 60 to DR..
Perry's. but l don't like to meet Phil.
There doesn't seem to be any good
place for me, but it's only for a night.
And you'll not let father prevent your
seeing Mark and me tomorrow, will
you? Are you afraid to stay alone?
I'll sit ON the steps all night If you say
the word"
mo, no. run along. Father has vent
ed his rage upon you. and I shall not
have any more trouble. God bless and
keep you, darling. Run along"
And you're not angry with me now,
Waity? You still love me? And you'll
forgive Mark and come to stay with
rs soon, soon, soon?"
well see, dear, when all this un-
happy business is settled. and you are
safe and happy in your own home. I
shall have much to tell you when we
meet tomorrow"
Patty had the most ardent love for
her elder sister, and something that re-
sembled reverence for her unsel1sh-
ness, her loyalty and her strength of
character. but if the truth were told,
she had no great opinion of Waitstill's
ability to feel righteous wrath, nor of
her power to avenge herself in the
face of rank injustice. 1t was the con-
viction Of her own superior inesse and
audacity that had sustained Patty all
through her late escapade. She felt
herself a lucky girl. indeed, to achieve
liberty and happiness for herself, but
doubly lucky if she had CHANGED to
open a way of escape for her more
docile and dutiful sister.
She would have been a tri6e aston
ished had she surmised the existence
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