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TWO
“The Story of Waitstill Baxter”
Kate liougls* Wiggin l* '.'y— r U"'"4r>j£-'
Author of “Rebecca * Sunnybrook Farm"
PROLOGUE.
Strength and intere.it of qui
lives in the New England <
three-quarters of a century a;
provide the framework of “Th
Story of Wattstitt Baxter. " The.
I» the skeleton. The flesh ani
blood of human beings, livin
and loving and moving in a worh
of their own that is a miniatur
piotare of the greater world ou
side, are also there. The star?
is a cross section of life as sect
and described by a woman wh
has been welt called “America'
greatest living woman novelist.'
Amid the hills of New Englan<
are many men and women liki
Waitstill and Patience Baxte
orut their father. Ivory Boyntoi
and his afflicted mother ana
funny Cephas Cole, who woai
hopefully, but with small chan c.
of success. They find their way
into books but seldom, for i.
takes a master hand to deeoribi
faithfully the doings of real
people. And that is the reason
why “The Story of Waitstill
Baxter" has won highest praisi
from orttice who know a good
book when they see one. 0
(Continued Frqm Yesterday.)
Horn hi* breuut ImuJ, uuil he atuii
bled out Into tbo liarn wblmpeiti,
lietwaen bit broken sentences like '
whipped child.
"Here I am with nobody to milk, no.
feed the hena; nobody to churn tomoi
row, nor do the chorea: a poor, nils
able creeter. deserted by my children
with nobody to do n baud’* turn' ’thoui
bein’ paid for every step they take:
I'll give 'em whut they deserve. 1
don' know what, but I’ll be even with
'em yet." And the deacon net hi* Bax
ter Jaw In a way that meant hla deter
ruination to atop at nothing.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Sentry Duty,
IVOBY BOYNTON drove home
from the wood* thnt name after
noon-by way of the bridge, In or
dor to buy some provisions at th'
brick store. When ho wa* still a loin,
distance from the bars that divided tin
lan* from the highroad he oapled n
dark clad little speck he kuew to b<
Rodman lennlng over the fence, wait
lng and longing a* usual for hi* home
coming, aud hla heart warmed at th.
thought of the boyish welcome tbal
uaver failed.
The sleigh slipped quickly over the
hard packed, shining road, ' and the
bell* rang merrily In the clear, cold
air. giving out a Joyous aound that had
no echo in Ivory's breast that day. He
had Inst hnd a vision of happiness
through another man’s eye*. Was he
always to stand outside the banqueting
table, ha wondered, and see other
feasting while he hungered?
Now the Rule speck bounded fro a,
the fence, flew down the road to mecl
the sleigh and jumped In by the driv
er a «M«
"I knew you’d come tonight," Rod
man cried eagerly. "I told Aunt Royn
ton you'd coma."
"How Is aha. well as common?"
"No, not a bit well since yesterflay
moraing. but Mrs. Mason says It's
Bottling worse than a cold. Mrs. Mn
son has just gone home, and we’ve
had a grand honsecleanlng today
Bha'e washed and Ironed and baked,
and ive've put Aunt Boynton In clean
sheets and pillowcases, and her room's
nice and warm, and I corned the cat
In and put U on her to keep her
company while I came to watch for
you. Aunt Boynton let Mrs. Mason
braid her hair and seemed to like her
brushing It. lt’a been dreadful lone
some, and, oh, I am glad you came
back, Ivory. Did you find any mor.
spruce gum where you went thl»
timer
"Pounds end pound*. Rod: enough to
bring me In nearly 1100, I chanced on
the greatest place I've found yet 1
fotknvi d the wake of an old whirlwind
that had left long furrows in th* forest
—l’ve told you how the thing worka
aad 1 tracked It* course by the gum
that had funned wherever the tree*
were wounded. It’s hard, lonely work
Rod. but It paya well."
"If I could have been there mayb.
we eouid have got more. I'm good at
Shinning up trees."
sometime we'll to gum pick lup
together. We’ll climb the tree* like
a couple of enta and take our knives
and scrape off the precious lump* that
are worth so much money to the drug
gist*. You’ve let down the bars, I
ace.”
“ ’Cause t knew you'd come tonight,''
said Bikinian. ‘‘T felt It In rny bones.
We're going to have a splendid sup
per."
“Are we? That's good news.” Ivor.v
tried to make his tone bright and In
tereated, though his heart waa like u
lump of lead In his breast. "It's tin
least I can do for the poor little chap,"
be thought, "when he stays as core
taker In this lonely spot I wonder If
I hadn’t better drive Into the born
Hod, and leeve the harness on Nick till
I go In and see mother? Ones* I will.’
“Hbe's hot. Aunt Boynton, hot and
restless, but Mrs. Mason thinks that’s
all."
Ivory found hls mother feverish, and
her eye* were unnaturally bright, but
she was clear In mind and cheerful,
too, sitting up In bed to breathe the
better, while the Maltese oat snug
glcd under her arm aud purred peace
fully.
"The cat Is Rod’s Idea,” she said
smilingly, but In a very weak voice
“He la a great ntirse. 1 should nevei
have thought of the cat myself, but
she gives me more comfort than all
the medicine.”
Ivory and Itndinan drew up to th'
supper table, already set In the kltcb
on. but before Ivory took hls seat hi
softly closed the door that led Into tin
living room. They ate their bean
and brown bread and the mince pb
that had been the "splendid” feattiri
of the meal, as reported by the boy
snd when they hstl Unlshed and Rod
man was clearing the table Ivor.'
walked to the window, lighting bb
pipe tile while, and Stood soberly look
Ing out ou the snowy landscape. Om
could scarcely tell It was twilight, with
such sweeps of whiteness to catch ev
ery gleam of the dying day.
“Drop work a minute aud come here,
Itod,” ho said at length. "Can yon
keep a secret?”
"Course I cun! I’m chock full of ’en
now, and nobody could dig one of ’en
out o’ me with a pickax 1"
"Oh, well, If you’re full you natural
ly couldn’t hold another!"
"I could try to squeese It In If lt'a a
nice one," coaxed the boy.
”1 don’t, know whether you’ll think
It’s a nice one. Rod, for It breaks vi|
one of your plans. I’m not sure my
self how nice It Is, but It’s a very big
unexpected, startling one. Wbat d
you think—your favorite, Patty. hn>
gone and got married!”
"Patty! Married!" cried Rod. then
hastily putting hi* hand over hi*
mouth to hush hls too loud speaking.
"Yes She and Mnrk Wilson ran
away last Monday, drove over to A 1
lentown, N. 11., and were married
without telling a soul. Deacon Bax
ter discovered everything this after
noon, like the old fox thut ho is, and
turned Patty out of the house."
“Mean old skinflint!" exclaimed Rod
excitedly, all the Incipient manhood
rising In hls ten-year-old breast. “Is
she goue to live with the Wilsons?”
"The Wilsons don’t know yet that
Murk Is married to her, but I met him
driving like Jehu, Just after 1 had left
Patty, and told him everything that
had happened and did my best to cool
hltu down and keep him from murder
lug hla new father-in-law by showing
him it would serve no real purpose
now.”
’’Did he look married and all differ
ent?” asked Rod curiously. f
"Yea, be did, and more like a man
than ever he looked before In hls life
We talked everything over together,
and he went home at once t^break
the news to hla family without even
going to take a peep at Patty. I
couldn't bear to have them meet till tit
hed something cheerful to say to the
poor little soul. When I met her by
Uncle Bart's shop abe was trudging
aloug In the snow like a draggled but
terfly and crying like a baby."
Sympathetic tears dimmed Rodman’s
eyes. "I can’t bear to see girls cry.
Ivory. I Just can’t bear It, especial!.'
Patty.’’
’’Neither can I, Rod. I came pretty
near wiping her eyee. but pulled up
romeuberlng abe want a child, but t
married lady. Well, now we come t<
the point."
’’lsn’t Patty’s betng married tin
point ?"
"No, only part of lu Patty’s beta
sent awny from home leaves Waits! i
alone with the deacon, do you sc
And If Patty la your favorite, Waltsti
Is mine. 1 might as well own up t
• .
"She’s mine, too,” cried Rod. "They
are both my favorites, but I always
thought Patty was the sultablest for
me to marry If she’d wait for me.
Waitstill Is too grand for a boyP’
"She’s too grand for anybody, Rod.
There Isn’t a man alive that’s worthy
to strap on hir skates."
“Well, she’s too grand for anybody
except"— aud here Rod’s shy, wistful
voice trailed off Into discreet silence.
“Now, X had some talk with Patty,
BDd she thinks Waitstill will have na
trouble with her father Just at present.
She says he lavished so much rage
upon her that tlftrell be none left for
anybody else for a day or two. And,
moreover, that he will never dare to go
too far with WaJtstlll because she’s so
useful to him. I’m not afraid of hls
beating or Injuring her so long as he
keeps bis sober senses, if he’s ever
rightly had any. But I don’t like to
think of hls upbraiding her and break
ing her heart with his cruel talk juat
after ahe’a lost the sister that’s been
her only companion.” And Ivory’s
hand trembled as he tilled hls pipe. He
had no confidant but this quaint, ten
der hearted, old fashioned little lad, to
whom he had grown to speak hls mind
as If be were a man of hls own age.
and Rod, in the same way, had grad
ually learned to understand and sym
pntblze.
“It’s dreadful lonesome on Town
House hill," said the boy In a hushed
tone.
"Dreadful lonesome," echoed Ivory
with a sigh; "and I don’t dare leave
mother until her fever dies down a
bit and she sleeps. Now, do yeu re
member the nlgbt that she was taken
111, and we shared the watch?”
Rodmau held hls breath. "Do yeu
mean you’re going to let me help just
as if I was big?" he asked, speaking
through a great lump in bis throat.
“There are only two of ua. Rod.
You’re rather young for this piece of
work, but you’re trusty you’re
trusty P
“Am I to keep watch on the deacon?"
"That’s It, and this Is my plan: Nick
will have hud hla feed. You're to drive
to the bridge when It gets a little dark
er and hitch In Uncle Bart’s horse
shed, covering Nick well. You’re to go
Into the brick store, and while you’re
getting some groceries wrapped up,
listen to anything the men say, to see
If they know what’s happened. When
you’ve hung about as long as you dare
leuve your bundle and say you’ll call
In again for it. Then see If Baxter’s
store Is open I don't believe It will
be, and If It Isn’t look for a light in
hls kitchen window, and prowl about
till you know that Waitstill and the
deacon have gone up to thrir bed
rooms. Then go to Uncle Bart's and
find out If Patty la there!”
Rod's eyes grew bigger and bigger.
"Shall I talk to herT” he asked, "and
wbnt'll I say?”
"No, Just ask If shW* there. If she’s
gone Mark has made It right with hls
family and taken her home. If she
hasn't why, God knows bow that mat
ter will be straightened out Anyhow,
she has a husband now, and he seems
to value her, aud Waitstill Is alone ou
the top of that wind swept hill!”
“I’ll go. I'll remember everything,"
cried Rodmau, In the seventh heaven
of delight at the responsibilities Ivory
was heaping upon hliu.
"Don’t stay beyond 8 o'clock, hut
come back and tell me everything
you've learned. Then. If mother grows
no worse. I’ll walk back to Uncle
Bart's shop aud spend the night there
Just—Just to be near, that's all.”
"Yon couldn't hear Waitstill, even If
she called," Rod said.
"Couldn’t I? A man’s ears are very
sharp under certain circumstances. I
believe If Waitstill needed help I could
hear her breathe! Resides, I shall be
tip and down the hill till 1 know all's
well, and at snnrlae I’ll go up and hide
behlud some of Raxter'a buildings till
I see him get hls breakfast and go to
the store. Now wash your dishes.”
Aud Ivory caught up hla cap from a
hook behind the door.
"Are you going to the barn?” asked
Rodman.
“No, only down to the gate for a
minute. Mark said that If be had a
good chance he'd send a boy with a
note and get him to put It under the
stone gate post It’s too soon to expect
It )>erhapt. but I can't seem to keep
still."
Rodman tied a gingham apron around
hls waist carried the teakettle to the
sink and poured the dtshpan full of
boiling water, then dipped the cupa
and platea in and out, wiped them and
replaced them on the table, gave the
bean platter a special palish and set
the half mince pie and the butter dlsb
In the cellarway.
"A boy has to do moat everything In
this family." be sighed to htmself. "I
don’t mind washing dlabea, except the
nasty frying pan and the sticky bean
pot, but what I'm going to do tonight
Is different"—bare be glowed and tin
gled with anticipation—"! know what
they call It lu the atory boeks—lt's
aant|f duty, and that’s braver work
for a boy than dish washing."
Which, bowgrer. depend* a good
deal upon clrcumatanooa and somewhat
on the polut of view.
OHAFTt* XXVII.
Tha Houa* of Aaron.
AFEEUXG mat tha day waa to
brln» (front thing* bad da wntsl
upon Waitsttll wban abe woka
tbat monitor, nod now it waa
coming true.
fTo Ba Onntlauad T«->m nrrnw t
THE AUGUSTA HERALD, AUGUSTA, GA.
jnr \lkwJi
I. i CALLS ON
FREKCH_PRES'T
Busy Day For the Colonel in
Paris. Goes to the Elysie
With Ambassador Herrick.
Peris. — Colonel Roosevelt today call
ed on President Poincare at the Pal
ace of the Elysee and conversed with
him nearly and hour. The presidential
palace presented a busy scene when
the colonel arrived In an automobile
with Ambassador Myron T. Herrick.
The president was occupied with the
reception of government officials
and statesmen in connection with the
eahtnet crisis and outside a crowd had
gathered to dlscues the political sit
uation.
Cinematograph operators took pic
tures of the colonel as he passed in and
out. He rode through the Champs
Klysees and also went to the lgntvre
to see Da Vinci’s "Mona Elsa.”
Colonel Itoosovelt received many
visitors today, including Phtlipe Buu
au-Varilla, and T. P. O’Connor, thi»
Irish political leader.
Guest of Honor.
Paris- Col. Theodore Roosevelt was
guest of honor at a luncheon given by
Gabriel Hanotaux, former minister of
foreign affairs. Among those present
were Alexander Felix Rtbot, who has
been thrice Frnpch Premier; Gen.
Henri ,1. Rrugere. who visited the
United States on a mission for the
French government during Mr. Roose
velt's presidency: Gen Chas Man gin,
who has recently done brilliant mili
tary service in Morocco; Henri Ran
dan, the historian; Emile Boutroux,
the philosopher and academician, and
Ambassador Myron T. Herrick.
2 Dead in Close Range
Duel; Gun and Knife Used
Poplarvills, Mias.—ln n due! fought
at close range here Saturday John
!*♦ and Boyd ladnrr, farmers, were
killed, lamer shot lee live times, but
meanwhile I>ec (hit leidnrr's throat
with a knife. c tragedy waa saul
to have hern caused by the renewal
ol a family feud. I'll rt her trouble la
feared.
Men’s Best English
Blue Serge Suits
sls Value
at
$9.75
SCHNEIDER'S
A Tremendous Bargain in Ladies’ High CI AA
Class Waists, New $1.50 and $2 Blouses v *
Fresh, crisp and new. Shown for the ftrat time on the morning of this Dollar Bala, and at ona-thifd
to one-half less than actual value. Beautiful models, showing many of the new tinted voiles, ovar*pflni?d
in dainty Dresden effects in various combinations. Blouses of sheer voiles and fine crepes in white,
trimmed in a bountiful variety of styles, with laces and embroideries. Low neck models with loti3 and
short sleeves. Drop shoulder effects with corded or hemstitched seams. A collection second to none, snowit
this eason. Full $l5O and $2.00 values. Special, each SI 00
Manufacturers’ Stock of Summer Dresses
AT LESS THAN COST PRICEB
Dresses of Linens, Voiles and French Crepes, in white, black and whits, pink, lavendsr, green, llsht
blue. Made in exquisite and up-to-date styles. Trimmed in pretty laces, silks and ribbons. Homo of them
are made in neat tailored effects for street and outing wear. Others in more elaborately trimmed style# for
afternoon and dressy occasions.
Just a few weeks earlier we sold many Dresses like these at SIO.OO, $12.60 and slt.oo. Sale pfiee
tomorrow S 4 75
$1.50 House Dresses for 98c
Gingham and Lawn House Dresses with collar and cuffs trimmed in solid contrasting colors, 2*4
Sleeves, front fastenings with pearl buttons — made in the season’s best of style—sizes 84 to 4s, light or (lark
background in colors or blue, pink, lavender, and tan; $1.50 value, choice Q^O
Mi ’flflßfffifirßirT mm* I iiiii i i tiii ■■■ ■■■ ■
Women’s Untrimmed Hats at 95c
Regularly $2.50 to $3.00 Will Be Trimmed Free of Charge
A large Jobbing millinery house over-bought and to quickly bring stocks to normal proportion* they
sold us their over pin*, nt a clean-up price.
These untrimmed tuita are black, burnt and white and are deslrnhla, practical shapes—sailors, tur
bans :ind dress shapus; they came In their origtnnl hoses—never been unpacked and before being marker
for this sgle. Regularly *1.60 to 11.00, here at 95*- The picture shows soma of tha atylaa.
QOLDEN BROS.
Ladies’ Outfitters T 054 Broad St.
Clothes For Men
oi Distinctive Taste
MP ]LT who apppreciate quality, fit
XJI IN and style happily combined
with comfort and a distinc'
tive swagger in the clothes they wear, at this
season of the year, will find Here a wide range
of summer weight fabrics that will fulfil
every requirement. Each garment possessing
the hand marks of the most expert and pains
taking workmanship and popularity. Priced at
sls to $35
SUMMER.
CLOTHES FOR THE BOY
An important essential to your boy’s com
fort at this season of the is the clothes
he wears. Clothes like these that combine
comfort with durability and style will please
both you and him. Priced at
$5 to sls
HATS, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR AND SUM
MER FURNISHINGS FOR MEN and BOYS.
MS CREARY’S
•yxsv- . .r, v. •a* ■ . •* * 1
“Home of Good Clothes.”
• SUNDAY, JUNE 7. N
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