Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-18
DAILY SHORT STORY
A SCREENING MAMMA.
TOriginaIl

u shall come back
"When you are older, and then you
will not see me with the same eyes"
81 shall love you then as now"
That depends upon how long you
remain away"
IF 1 remain away twenty years
there Will be no change in me"
Such was the parting between Milton
Robbins, aged nineteen, and Alexia
Dyer, widow aged twenty five. He
was going to a distant city TO begin
a business career at SO a week and
was heartbroken because she would
not consent to an engagement.
For fifteen years Robbins devoted
himself exclusively TO two things
money making and writing letters TO
the woman he loved. He had a nat
uraI gift for the former and was not
half bad at the latter. Mrs. Dyer re
piled TO his effusions at intervals, but
at the end Of ten years dropped her
side OF the correspondence for a long
while When she resumed II, Robbins
was pleased that 4 rest seemed TO
have freshened her feelings. She re
sponded more heartily than before 10
the warmth he put into his own words.
At last he wrote that he was getting
his affairs in shape TO 60 and claim
his promise. The lady intimated mod
estly that her friends assured her that
hers was u remarkable case of wo-
man keeping her youth. and if when
he saw her he was of the same OPTION
and felt the same toward her as when
they parted she would consent TO marry
him. He replied that he did not love
her for her beauty and whether she
looked old or young he would claim
her promise.
When Robbins first saw his Alexia
after 50 many years separation ii was
in the cleaning of a summer evening.
1t did not occur to him that a woman
under the circumstances would choose
such light which would best conceal
the change in her. Nevertheless the
moment he saw her lie started. not at
the change, but at the want of change.
He knew the interval that had passed
and could not believe that time had
left her 80 nearly what she was. But
when she came forward covered with
bushes to welcome him with the same
peculiar gait, the same unique toss of
the head by which he would know her
among a hundred, he gave no thought
to changes or want OF changes, but
took her IN his arms.
When his first transports were over
Alexia said to him, Tell me. and tell
the truth, wherein am i changed!'
Robbins surveyed her critically. You
look" he said Il should say about five
orfnI -
Then, noticing that she was disap-
pointed. lie added. NO, only about two
years older"
At this she smiled the same sweet
smile he had loved so well, and he
went on: "One thing l notice in you.
grant is changed. Your voice was the
only feature in your makeup that did
not fancy II was a trife shrill. The
years have mellowed it into n rich CON
tralto."
This compliment seemed TO please her
Unfortunately She could not repFess a
self satisfied smile that lowered about
her lips She did not seem to tire of
such criticisms and asked for other of
her Improvements, and he, seeing that
to hear them pleased her, told her Of a
number.
And now he said at parting, II
take it that nothing remains but the
wedding | beg of you not to keep me
waiting. propose trip to Europe. l
have only Il limited time to spend
away from my business, and every day
spent here must be taken from our so
IouTn there.
If you care no more for display than
we can he married Immediately"
Very well. Let it be tomorrow
morning and wen take the steamer
hat sails at l O'Clock"
The couple were gone two months
when they returned to the brides
home. where they rested "A few days
before going to their new one. One
avening they were sitting side by side
| when Mrs Robbins said. Il wish you
| 20 tell me whether you are perfectly
| satisfied with me-
| y am more than satisfied. l am
| delighted When | knew you first |
| viii admit there were certain traits
| your character that at times grated
| IN my Seusibilitics. Time has not only
| pbliterated them but developed many
| attractive features that l did not even
| know YOU possessed
| And you love me better than my
| other self that YOU knew years ago?'
Far better. You always told me
| that middle aged men prefer younger
| women; that when | should be at my
| present age / would scorn a woman of
| your age. In reality. while / find that
you have changed but little physically,
your mind, your soul. Is greatly i'm
| proved"
He had hardly finished speaking
when pOrtere was pulled aside and
| Il middle aged lady came into the room.
| She was without hat and gloves, and
| seemed as much at home as if she had
always lived at the house.
My dear" said Mrs. Robbins, ris-
iRg. this is my mother"
Your mother" exclaimed Robbins.
astOufShei II didn't know you had