Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-22

e on and waved It as hfs wife nad |
waved her spoon and Ide her towel. |
From distance he looked just an or
binary farmer. but when he came near |
enough for me to make out his fea-
lures saw that he was very far from |
ordinary. He had a splendid head. the |
head of a statesman, and his face was |
clear and intellectual. with keen, kind
eyes.
He shook hands. too, with me and
Mr.. Brett, but first he wiped some
honey from his fingers on the side Of
his trousers. As he did it, it was a
dignified and laudable act There was
no reason why he should have been
glad to see me, perfect stranger, but
he seemed to be SO honestly pleased
that it warmed my heart. and made
me feel already at home in the sweet.
old. red brick farmhouse. which re-
minded me. In its soft colors, of great
bunch of wall flowers.
II reckon were going to be real good
friends" said he. IF we'd known just
how you was coming, Jim, I'd have
liked to meet you and her little lady
ship-the first ladyship we've had in
these parts. You didn't give us any
idea, though. and now see why. But
look here, mother. you might have
had the front door open. I'm afraid
the young lady from England will
think we're mighty informal"
II shouldn't wonder if that's just
about what she'll like to think, father"
said Mrs. Trowbridge, with her smile
that was SO motherly and friendly at
the same time. Miss WOODBURY.
would have been over to see you if she
could; she was just ready to jump for
joy when Patty ran across to tell her
you were coming. but Mis- Randall is
pretty sick, and Sally felt she couldn't
leave her yet awhile. So she sent you
her love, and she'll be along the minute
she can git away"
Just for an instant it struck me as
odd to hear this simple farm woman
! in her straight print calmly calling my
charming. dainty friend sally" as il
there could be no shadow of doubt in
any ones mind of their perfect social
equality. But in another second
could have boxed my own ears for my
ready-even in these few minutes-I
was beginning family to understand
some of the points at which Mr..
Brett had limited.
Maybe you'd like to go and have a
look at your ROOM" went on Mrs.
TrGwbridge. Patty and Ide have
picked you some flowers. and l hope
you'll find everything right
"Oh, Mis- Trowbridge, do let me
take her. exclaimed Patty.
Me too" cried Ide.
They're just like children. I guess
We'll have to humor them this once,
laughed Mr.. Brett's Cousin Fanny.
Il When | smiled at Patty, she cud
died her arm around me, and then ldt
promptly did the same. Thus inter
laced the procession moved into the
house.
The door of the veranda opens int
a ,cOzy sitting room. There is moth
: ing which you could point out a:
pretty in the furnishing and decoration
there is none, but the room has a de
licious, welcoming look and makes yot
want to live in it.
What q nice roomr' exclaimed t.
the girls, pausing for a glance around
They looked surprised.
, do you think 500" asked Patty
1--WE were afraid maybe you wouldn't
The things you're used to must be {
good deal handsomer. Everything's s,
old here
II love old things" said 1. Our hous,
at home is very old, and l wouldn'
have anything changed for worlds
even if it were to be made better"
"Why, that's kind of the way | feel
too" exclaimed Patty, giving my wais
a sympathetic squeeze Il like thi
| living room. but Ide doesn't admire 1
little bit"
'If l was Mis- Trowbridge, I'd al
stead Of keeping 1t shut up except TO
best just because Mr.. Trewbridgei
ma did before her. It's a real prett,
room.
/ thanked her, but thought we hat
better put off the treat until anothe
time, as we were on our way to m.
room. l was wondering how to defin
the difference between Patty and lde
saw that it was very marked, We
l didn't quite understand The tw'
girls appeared to be on the same foot
ing in the house, said to myself. blu
q Ide was far more snowy than Patty
seeming to put herself forward as
y she were afraid of not being noticed
}. and then she was dressed so muc
more deliberately. Perhaps, l thought
Patty was poor and in a more depend
e ent position than Ide.
The stairway, very steep and nal
e row, leads straight up from the 'flivin
e room,' which is apparently in the Ger
l. ter of the house and fills the place o
a hall. There are no balusters, but
e whitewashed wall ON either side. an
h only one person can go up at time
y At the top is landing, with a bar
J. painted floor. and doors opening fror
K it. One of the doors is mine, and a
d / they showed me in I could see tina
d Patty and Ide both waited breath
% lessly for my verdict, their faces lool
=