The Devils Lake world., 1922-12-06
The Repeated
Ceremony
By JOHN PALMER

90. 1888. western Newspaper union.I

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60. 1881. Western Newspaper Union)
Perhaps old Isaac Fletcher blamed
himself secretly for what had hap
pened, but he would never have ad-
mitted 1t.
Rhoda was his only child, his pride,
his happiness. That was at the root
Of his objection to young Seaton.
There was nothing the matter with
the young man-nothing at all. Only
Fletcher had put his foot down and
said she should not marry him.
He wanted to keep her at home to
make his life attractive and his home
comfortable. They had pleaded with
him in vain. When once old Isaac got
notion into his head it stayed there.
If you marry the fellow, you're no
longer daughter Of mine," said Isaac
Fletcher.
Then Rhoda disappeared.
Isaac found out where they were
living. He hardened his heart. If the
girl chose to disobey him, she mast
take the consequences. Young Seaton
was earning good salary with large
corporation. And in his selfishness old
Isaac reflected that he would have lost
Rhoda anyway.
Months went by, year, a whole
year-and on the anniversary of
Rhoda's leaving him she stood outside
his door with something in her arms.
Old Isaac had all the crude melo-
dramatic sense of selfish persons. He
was a sentimentalist. He had the
mind of a movie fan. Many people
have, because many people are ''movie
FANS"
Old Isaac went into the hall and saw
Rhoda standing under the hall light.
It was showing outside. The bundle
In her arms was baby.
"Fatherl" she said, with strangled
sob. "Will you turn your child and
her child out into the streets this
night?"
Deep within him old Isaac felt an
immense thrill Of satisfaction.
"You can come in," he said grudg-
ingly.
: In the parlor she uncovered the in
| fant's face. "See, little Thomas has
your eyes," she said.
Old Isaac felt something In him 60
out to the helpless mite.
| $50 he's turned you out, hey?" he
rasped. Sudden suspicion flashed into
his eyes. $50! Sol" he barked. "He's
put this shame on you and my name
He shall make an honest woman Of
you'll"
The old, old movie stunt, the an
cient gag that has come down from the
beginnings Of the world. Old Isaac
believed in it.
;. HE shall make an honest woman Of
you, or I'll send him to the red hell
! where he belongs!"
That was an original improvement
Of the stock situation. Old Isaac
plumed himself on his dramatic sense
you'll stay here" he said sternly,
"And you'll be man and wife within
twelve hours or he shall learn what II
means to sully the Fletcher honor"
He put on his hat. Rhoda clung to
him. "Father, what are you going to
i do7 There must be no violence!"
"Oh, he shall have his chance to
atone for the wrong he's done you i
said the old man grimly. Old Isaac
prided himself on being grim. I'm
going to have q talk with him, man K
man."
He went out into the snow. Inside
the parlor Rhoda sat with the chile
in her arms, smiling happily.
| An hour passed. There was the clicl
Of key in the lock, voices in the hall
Two men entered-three men. Ont
was Isaac, one was young Seaton, look
ing haggard and wan. The third wal
the parson.
Old Isaac turned to Seaton. "Lool
at her" he said in voice Of awfu
solemnity. (Isaac prided himself OF
his capacity for being solemn). "Ther'
sits the child whose life you hav'
ruined. Are you prepared to maxi
an honest woman of her by marrying
her, as you have sworn?'
II am" said Seaton.
The parson, a mild-mannered maj
fifty, looked at young Seaton. It al
most seemed as If the least winl
passed between them.
"Then-proceed with the repar
ation!" said old Isaac.
Rhoda and young Seaton stood u
side by side before the parson, ant
within the shortest reasonable tim
were firmly linked together in tn
bonds Of holy matrimony.
DhoIc A,,ro Iareo1f NJ hor 70