The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-04-16

q COupIC VI CuJS NV u n " huAVCO
and scrape )f the precious Jumps that
are worth s. much money to the drug
gists. You've let down the bars. I
see"
"'Cause ! knew you'd come tonight"
said Itodman Il felt it in my bones.
! We're going to have Il splendid sup
per-"
Are we? That's good news" Ivory
| tried to make his tone bright and in
terested. though his heart was like a
Jump of lead in his breast. IT'S the
least | can do for the poor little chap"
he thought. when he stays as care
taker in this lonely spot. | wonder if
| hadn't better drive into the barn.
/ Rod, and leave the harness on Nick till
l go in and see mother: Guess | will"
shes hot. Aunt Boynton. hot and
restless, but Mrs. Mason thinks that's
ALL"
Ivory found his mother feverish. and
her eyes were unnaturally bright. but
she was clear in mind and cheerful.
too, sitting up in bed to breathe the
better. while the Maltese cat snug
gled under her arm and purred peace
fully.
''The cat is Rods idea" she said
smilingly, but in a very weak voice.
"IIe is a great nurse. l should never
have thought of the cat myself. but
she gives me more comfort than all
the incidence"
Ivory and Rodman drew up to the
supper table. already set in the kitch-
en-. but before Ivory took his seat he
softly closed the door that led into the
living room. They ate their beans
and brown bread and the mince pie
that had been the 'splcndid" feature
Of the meal. as reported by the boy,
and when they had finished and Rod
man was clearing the table Ivory
walked to the window. lighting his
pipe the while, and stood sOberly look
ing out on the snowy landscape. One
could scarcely tell it was twilight, with
such sweeps of Wilderness to catch ev-
cry CLEAN of the dying day
Drop work a minute and come here,
Rod he said ut length. Can you
keep a secret?"
Course l can! I'm chock full of 'em
now. and nobody could dig n of 'em
out o. me with a pickaX"
"Oh. well. if you're full you natural
ly couldn't hold another"
81 could try to squeeze it in if it's a
nice one" coaxed the boy.
81 don't know whether you'll think
it's a nice one. Rod. for it breaks up
one of our plans. Pm not sure my
self now nice it is, but it's a very big,
unexpected. startling one. What do
you think-your favorite. Patty. has
gone and got married."
PATTY! Married." cried Rod, then
hastily putting his hand over his
mouth to hush his too loud speaking.
Yes She and Mark Wilson ran
away last Monday. drove over to Al
Ientown. n. H.. and were married
without telling Il soul. Deacon BaX-
ter discovered everything this after
noon. like the old fox that he is. and
turned Patty out OF the house"
Mean old skinfint!" exclaimed Rod
excitedly. all the incipient manhood
rising in his ~ten-year-old breast. lis
she gone to live with the WilsOns|
THE Wilson's don't know yet that
Mark is married to her, but | met him
driving like jehu. just after l had left
Patty. and told him everything that
had happened and did my best to cool
him down and keep him from murder
ing his new father-in-law by showing
him it would serve no real purpose
now"
Ibid he look married and all differ
ent?" asked Rod c%uriously.
Eyes. he did. and more like a man
than eve he looked before in his life.
We talked everything eel together.
and he went home at once to break
the news to his family without even
going to take a peep at Patty. !
couldn't bear to have them meet till he
had something cheerful to say to the
Uncle Bart's shop she was trudging
along in the snow like a draggled but
terfy and crying like a baby"
Sympathetic tears dimmed ROdman's
eyes. II can't bear to see girls cry.
Ivory. l just can't bear it. especially
Patty"
Neither can |. Rod. l came pretty
near wiping her eyes. but pulled up,
remembering she want a child. but a
married lady. Well. now we come to
the point"
Isn't Patty's being married the
~point?"
"No. only part of it. Patty's being
sent away from home leaves Waitstill
alone with the deacon. do you see?
And If Patty is your favorite. Waitstill
is mine. | might as well w up to
that"
She's mine. too" cried Rod. They
are both my favorites. but l always
thought Patty was the suitablest for
me to marry if she'd wait for me
Waitstill is too grand for a boy!"
she's too grand for anybody. Rod.
There isn't a man alive that's worthy
tn utrop on hnr SEofoc"