The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-03-04

erection. and one OF them evinced the
fact by promptly running away 70
parts unknown. never 20 he heard from
afterward: while the other. a reckless
and unhappy lad. was drowned while
running on the logs In the river. Old
Foxy showed little outward sign OF his
loss.
His third wife. the one originally Sc
cured for a housekeeper. bore him n
girl. very much 20 his disgust. a girl
named Patience. and great was Wait
stills delight at this addition to the
dull household The mother was
timid. colorless, docile creature. but
Patience nevertheless was n sparkling,
bright eyed baby. who speedily became
the very center OF the universe 10 the
older child. SO the months and years
wore on drearily enough until when
Patience was eight the third Mrs.
Baxter succumbed after the manner Of
her predecessors aud Slipped away
from life that had grown ntulerable.
The trouble was diagnosed rs liver
complaint" but scarcity Of proper
food. no new frockS or kind words.
hard work and continual hullying nay
possibly have been contributory cauS,s.
DIR. Perry thought 80. for he had wit.
messed three most contented deaths Ia
the Baxter house. The ladies' were all
members Of the church aid had pre-
sumably made their peace with God.
but the good doctor fancied that their
pleasure In joining the angels was mild
compared with their relief at parting
with the deacon.
II know | hadn't ought to put the
care ON you. waitstill. and you only
fourteen" poor Mrs. Baxter sighed. as
the young girl was watching with her
one night when the end seemed draw
ing near. I've made out TO live till
now when Patience Is old enough TO
dress herself and help round, but I'm
all beat out and cant try any more"
do you mean I'm to take your place.
be a mother TO Patience and keep
house and everythingT' asked Wait
still quaveringly.
Il don't see but you'll have TO, I'M
less your father marries again. He'll
never hire help. you know that!'
IL won't have another mother In this
house" flashed the girl. There's been
three here and that's enough! IL he
brings anybody home Ill take Pa
tience and run away, as Job did. or
II he leaves me alone I'll wash and
iron and scrub and cook till Patience
grows up. and then wen go OF to-
gether and hide somewhere I'm four
teen. Oh. mother, how soon could
be married and take Patience TO live
with me? Do you think anybody will
ever want me?"
Don't marry for a home. Waitstill.
Your own mother did that. and 81 did
!. and we were both punished for it,
You've been n great help. and I've had
a sight OF comfort out OF the baby.
but wouldn't go through It again. not
even for her. You're real smart and
capable for your age. aud you've done
your full share OF the work every day.
even when you We're at school. You
can get along all right"
Il don't know how I'm going to do
everything alone" said the girl. fore
ing back her tears You've always
made the brown bread, and mine will
never suit father. suppose can
wash. but I don't know how 10 iron
starched clothes. nor make pickles.
and oh. ! can never kill rooster.
mother. it's no use to ask me to. I'm
al. 70 h., Of Nh.s
family"
Mrs. Baxter turned her pale. tired
face away from Waitstilrs appealing
eyes.
~ know" she said family. Il hate
to leave you Go bear the brunt alone.
but | must. Take good care OF
Patience and don't let her get into trou-
BILE. 80 You won't. will your
"IIl be careful" promised waitstill.
sobblng quietly. 'l'll do my best"
you've got more courage than ever
had: don't you s'pose you can stiffen up
and defend yourself a little mite?
Your fatherd ought TO be opposed. for
bis own good. but I've never seen any
body that dared do IT," Then. after
pause. she said with a dash OF spirit.
ANY how. Waitstlll. he's your father
after all. He's no blood relation OF
mine, and can't stand him another
lay; that's the reason I'm willing to
lie."
Ivory Boynton lifted the bars that
divided his land from the highroad and
walked slowly toward the house. IL
was April. but there were still patches
u snow here and there. fast melting
under a drizzling rain. II was a gray
world, a bleak. black and brown world.
above and below. The sky was leaden;
the road and the footpath were deep
IN a muddy ooze necked with white
The tree trunks. black. with bare
branches. were outlined against the
Kray sky; nevertheless, spring had
been on the way for a week, and few
sunny days would bring the yearly
miracle for which all hearts were long
ing.
Ivory was season wise. and his quick
eye had caught many a sign as he
n. A.