Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-06
The Repeated
Ceremony
d. Is22 western Newspaper union)
By JOHN PALMER

q SSSSSSsSC
90. 1922. Western Newspaper union)
Perhaps old Isaac Fletcher blamed
himself secretly for what had hap
pened. but he would never have adj
lnitted It.
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 yonng manipulating 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 ard his home
comfortable. They had pleaded with
him in vain When once old Isaac g0t
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 ont where they were
living He hardened his heart. II the
girl chose to disobey him, she must
take the consequences. Young Seaton
was earning good salary with a lerge
corporation. And in his selfshness old
Isaac reflected that he would have lost
RhOda anyway
Months went by a year. whole
year-and on tie 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 sentlmentalist. He had the
mind of 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.
1t was showing outside. The bundle
In her arms was q baby.
Father" she said, with a strangled
sob. "Win 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-
lngly
In the parlor she uncovered the
fant's face. See, little Thomas has
your eyes" she said.
Old Isaac felt something in him go
ont to the helpless mite.
So he's turned you out, hey?' ne
rasped. Sudden suspicion flashed into
his eyes. so! Sol" he barked. He's
put this shame on you and my name.
He shall make an honest woman OF
your
The old, old movie" stunt, the an
eient gag that has come down from the
beginnings of the world Old Isaac
believed in it.
He shall make an honest woman OF
sou, or I'll send him to the red hell
where he 5elOngs!''
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 it
means to sully the Fletcher honor"
He put on his hat. Rhoda chung to
him. Father, what are you going to
q DO? There must be no violenceW
"Oh, he shall have his chance to
atone for the wrong he's done you!"
said the old man grlmly. Old Isaac
prided himself on being grim. I'm
going to have a talk with him, man to
man."
He went out into the snow. Inside
the parlor Rhoda sat with the child
IN her arms, smiling happily.
An hour passed. There was the click
ot key Ia the lock. voices In the hail
Two men entered--three men. One
vas Isaac, one was young Seaton, look
Ing haggard and wan. The third was
the parson.
Old Isaac turned to Seaton. Look
8 at her !" he said in voice OF awful
Solemnity. Qsaac prided himself Oh
his capacity for being solemnl There
sits the child whose life you have
ruined. Are you prepared to make
an honest woman of her by marrying
her. as you have sworng'
Il am" said Seaton.
The parson, a mild-manneged man
fifty, looked at young Seaton. 1t al
most seemed as If the least wink
passed. between them.
"Then-proceed with the repair
atom said old Isaac.
Rh0da and young Seaton stood M
side By side before the parson, and
within the shortest reasonable time
we're firmly linked together in the
bonds Of holy matrimony.
Rhoda flung herself at her fathers
feet Forgive and bless Us !" she fal.
tered.
Ln voice eheksa with emotion old