Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-15
: ~N~N~O~N~~~~~o
The Daily Short StoIy|
WE'D MET BEFORE. (
BY EL1zABErH FRY PAGE. Ss


home Of Mrs. Alton Aston met very
striking woman. There was something
strangely familiar TO me about her
eyes, but all else was so strange that
1 decided that they only reminded me
OF the sparkling orbs of some one
whom had known, for pride myself
upon my memory of faces, figures,
walks, voices, etc, and though had
not yet heard her speak l was convinc'
ed that she was n total stranger, as !
never could have forgotten that superb
creature-never in the world.
Then l turned To my companion and,
Indicating my charmer. asked: WHO Is
that magnificent looking woman? She
is decidedly the beauty of this gather
ing OF beautiful women"
''Why, that is Mrs. Phillips" she
said, raising her lorgnette and looking
toward her. You must meet her by all
means. She is undoubtedly looking her
best this afternoon, but. my dear-ah
she is coming toward us" And so she
was. My heart beat II little faster at
the prospect of meeting the object of
my admiration.
self comfortably for n little chat, and
my elderly friend, seeing me in good
hands. left us. We were chatting away
in the most delightful fashion when
suddenly she paused and, looking crit
ically at me, said in her refined and
agreeable tones: do you know, L be-
lieve L have met you before. There is
something very familiar about your
face, your voice and your laughter. II
worries me. L never fail TO remember
any one"
1 told her that l felt the same way
with regard 10 her, but l was positive
we hadn't met and had decided that
she only reminded me forcibly of some
one else. Perhaps that is it," she said.
though I'm not quite satisfied. Per-
haps we have met in some other state
of existence"
The afternoon passed pleasantly, and
as we went bowling home in the twi-
light the face, voice, figure and name of
Mrs. Phillips haunted me. That night
L dreamed that we had been children
together and had waded ankle deep in
clear, running water, and L awoke more
puzzled than ever.
Several days passed. and one hot aft
ernoon l made myself comfortable, as
to apparel, for Il siesta, but went wan
dering about the house. pillow in hand,
looking for a cool spot, and finally
landed on a cot in my sisters room.
Warm, isn't it?' she said.
well, / should say SO" I replied.
MY room is like the hot room IN a
Russian bathhouse." At these words
Z 4
dian ghost dance about the room.
chanting gleefully, Il know now, I
know now. Who would have thought
it," then going of into shrieks of
laughter
My sister looked almost frightened
and called out: Nell, for mercy's sake, |
what's the matter? Stop that nonsense
and let me into the fun
do you remember my beautiful Mrs. |
Phillips whom / met at AIston's gar
den party? Well, l had met her before
and I've just remembered where. You |
know last winter when 1 had grip so
badly and some one advised me to go 10 |
the Russian bath and sweat the cold |
out? Ha, ha, It's too ridiculous. I was |
lying i'm my steamer chair, with my
feet in Il bucket of hot water, my sheet !
wrapped gracefully around me and a |
cold compress on my head, when in |
walked a figure that made me smile, |
even under those circumstances. She |
stood in the door and viewed the land |
scape DER. ana | took her i'm. Thin |
brown hair. straight as Il yardStick |
and drawn up on top of her head i'm Il |
little knot about the size of a hickory |
nut, sallow complexion, long, bony |
frame, fiat chest and the ugliest feet L |
ever saw. The only redeeming thing /
about her was her fine brown eyes. and |
when she spoke her voice was melodi-
Gus, refined and magnetic.
The chair next me was the only va
cent one, so she took possession of it
and then called To the attendant,
Sarah, bring me cup OF hot water to
drink Here you are, Mrs. Phillips,
she replied as she returned with it.
"As we lay there trying in every
way to induce n Precipitation we eX-
views on many subjects, from
the efficacy of the Russian bath to lit
erature, music and art. l found her
charming and thought what shame
it was that she was not more attractive
and looked with some par
donable vanity at my white, smooth
skin and plump proportions. She, be
ing accustomed To the baths. progress
ed rapidly from room to room, and L
never saw her again until we met
clothed and in our right minds at the
garden party, where 1 was the unat-
tractive chrysalis, she the gorgeous
butterfly.
Talk about artistsi L shall take off
my hat to every mininer's sign l see
herafter. and when pass the counters
In the dry goods stores where various
wire and other aids to feminine per-
lection of form are kept 1 shall rever-
emily bow the knee. Here's to beauti-
full Mrs. Phillips. Sunny South.
Dividend in a Failed Bank Case.
IL. .-t.,r, NJ L. --l,hl cnmnfrOl.