Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-04-30
DAILY. STOR Y,
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
lOriginal.l

was pretty woman of perhaps thirty.
with a little girl. The lady wore a
widows cap, SO / judged she was
widow, and the little girl was her
daughter Presently the two arose and
were going away. when | noticed lying
on the bench fat pock etbook. l called
to the lady, grasped the pOcketbook
and. rushing after her. handed ii to her,
with one of my most defereDtial bows.
She was astonished at her own care
lessness and profuse in her thanks.
l walked on with her and i'll the
course of conversation she told me
that she was from the country and not
familiar with city ways. That was APP
parent from her permitting me to join
her, though her little girl was some
thing of a chaperon. Considering the
lady'S age she was certainly unso-
phisticated. She had evidently been
warned as to the low state of morals
in the metropolis, but had not the
slightest idea how TO guard against
them. l assumed a sort of protector
ship, telling her that it WIS not exact
ly proper for Il lady to walk in the
park unattended. and if she would per-
NIT would very gladly he her escort.
She timidly accepted, as though not
quite certain whether ii would he safer
to do So or proceed alone.
Il will show YOU" said, "how care
full one must he here. DO you see that
girl ahead. walking with that youth
the girl with the shapely figure, lace
collar. white hat and ostrich feathers?
Well. the chances are. when | pass her,
she will smile at me-"
THE bold thing, / think III go out
by the first gate. l didn't know they
allowed such people in the parks"
When within few yards of the girl
ahead | cOughed. She turned and on
seeing me smiled n smile of surprise
and, giving the lady / was with Il hasty
glance. went on her way without no
ticing me further.
Upon my word" said my cOmpan-
ion in establishment. who would have
thought it? And such IL refined. inno-
cent face"
We slowed our steps. and the girl
and the youth went on. Once the girl
turned TO look at me for moment,
though / knew she was looking at the
woman / was with.
1.-Two TO one" | said to my compan-
ion, that if we pass her she will be
on her dignity and won't notice me.
Suppose we try her"
Without asking the lady's consent |
Increased my pace. She did the same,
and presently we passed the couple
ahead The youth looked at me with
an amused smile, but the girl paid no
attention to me whatever. She was not
even Indifferent; she was wrathful.
Did you notice how mad she look
ed:' | remarked. ''Thae was all put on.
Having given me smile to start me,
she assumes To he offended that |
should notice her. That's to tangle me
up all the more"
"Oh. dear, l don't wonder that people
say horrid things about the city. |
wouldn't live here for anything"
Its a pretty bad place, 1 admit"
Mamma said the little girl,
there's an ice cream sign. Can't we
go and get some:"
NO. Hush"'
Certainly we cam 1 said, and, as
Stunning the right to direct our move
ments, l turned in to The Inn," as
they called the restaurant We seated
Il
for refreshments when the girl with
the white ostrich feather came in with
her young attendant and took a table
very near us. She was evidently much
miffed about something and gave me a
whitening glance.
She keeps it up WELL" 1 said.
Just think of her boldness in follow
ing us in here
My companion was sitting with her
back partly toward the girl with the
white feather, but l noticed that the
latter was scrutiniZing her. Presently
the widow turned her face sidewise,
and the girl looked at 1t long and ear
nestly. Then, suddenly rising, she
came toward us and stood over the OBJ
ject of her interest.
Aren't you Helma WinsorY' she
asked.
The widow looked up and, seeing the
girl with the white feather standing
eyes, then. recognizing her, said, Yes;
and you are Bessie Dexter"
Il was. / am now the wife of that |
scamp who has been gallivanting with |
you. He didn't dream that he had |
up one Oh HIS VIE SCuOOl-
mates |
Why" said the widow, turning an |
indignant glance upon me, he's been |
you out as something awful" |
i was caught in my own trap. / sup |
pose 1 should have made apologies to |
both my wife and her old schoolmate, |
but the ludicrous features of the case |
overcame me, and, putting my head |
down on the table, 1 laughed immod-
erately.
"Oh, he's always playing his jokes.
Helma, you must come home to dinner
with us. / see by your cap that you
have been married and bereaved This
Is my brother Tom. We all walk In
the park afternoons. had an appoint
ment to meet this joker here, but 1
didn't expect to find him with one /
hadn't seen for ten years. You're not
bit. And this is your little