Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-14
They laughed when be enumerated

AoSy AouSo&o WIFI " euu3ef0too
the ircousruous articles.
Did ycu get any nice Christmas
books:" asked Jim
Yes" said ALEC. Zoo q. coo.''
My" said Mrs Higgins. They'll
never boy all that let +"
We'll, ell we can't sell we will send
back. Freight doesn I amount to much. "
Ee had also procured choice stock
% confectionery IT n very low price. s-d
DO decided that at the opening Maud
should tie in charge Of IL dressed in a
pretty ready made gown he had bought.
made of Lawn with RIFLES and ruch,rs,
with full waist and skirt and n belt.
he had also bought some cheap jewel.
~. Indeed everything was well adapted
to the country folk.
when Will the opening te.'' asked
'Lisbeth. 1t was strange how they had
fallen into the way 81 taking directions
from Alec and asking him every time
they did anything.
A week from Saturday would be
good time, don't you think:''
Silence gave consent. For a minute
or two no one spoke. They were simply
Il "
Lisbeth started sterply up. remarkipg
IN sharp tone as II rebuking herself.
Sitting here will never get those
pics baked. II we ere 10 have a sort of
fair here week from Saturday. there
will be pretty pile O: work to do
between now and then
Maud followed 'Lisbeth's example
and fell 90 work. and Alec went into
the store. followed by Jim. who had
lot more questions TO ask.
The pain had gone ont Of 'Lisbeth's
life now, fo- she saw George Marsfun
every day. aud she knew they would he
married within q year II everything
went well.
Her face was calm and placid. differ
ing from the old only in that the look
Of pain was CONC. and her manner had
the sane regularity and precision and
strict regard fer duty. though now she
never scoi6ed and was almost irdulgont
30 cihe- peoples faults. Between her
and George no ondearing elances ever
passed and a casual observer would have
thought him only a good friend Of the
family. But his face. like that 81 Lis
beth. seemed 90 be Of one wholly salts
fed with his lot. which IL had not been
fe.1-e. and Alec narrowly observing &c
Concluded that that was enough.
The DAYS that followed were filed
with hard work. and Maud took bold
ard did her part with faithful energy
The whole stock 81 the store was moved
out and the woodwork was all painted,
while the floor was covered with q sort
OF hard. washable paper. which was al.
most a. smooth as hard wood floor.
Tho tavern was thoroughly cleaned
also. and then n large amount Of cook.
Ing hsd 60 be done fos the opening -
When the goods Alec had arranged
fer arrived, toward the end Of the week,
they were displayed on tables and 9th.
erwise IN tho grea, hail above. The
books. with their bright bindings. were
arranged piciufcsqnciy Ia ono corner.
and Jim was 60 hay. charge q them.
He was very proud Of the assignment,
and devoted all hts leisure time Co learn.
ing the prices. which were pcycrtkclrs.
marked inside the cuvers. &c learned
something about them. ZOO. IN order q
give a description. shonld occasion dc.
na;sd. and with this object Ia view fol.
lowed Aloc abgut 20 constantly. nfl.ins
him serious Questions. thai DC Rad e. b.
asked 10 restrain himself, whici, he did.
much c.es.fail,.n.
The confectionery was aiso 90 have .
ric;uIesg=o cu-nc- opposite that Of th.
books. and Mnra was 90 he ia charge
She vss also 20 serve hot cocoa and sew
eral other drinks n: exactly THE prices d
tho materials. A cup Of cocoa with mill
and sugar cost I cent. and bottle ID
root beer. which lad been rrovioasi,
prepared. was given at the same low fir
ure.