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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 I Pi I i i I |