Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-07
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
The Short Cut-By Martha Cobb Sanford
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated Literary Press.

When Marjorie opened her sewing
room window to let in the brisk morn
ing breeze the picture she made in her
white dress, framed by the climbing
vines, was refreshing enough to make
any passer by look up a second time.
One did. though Marjorie was quite
unaware of the fact.
Her thoughts were as far away a;
the shadowy mountains beyond which
she had lived her old and happier life
For several years now Marjorie's world
had been on this side of the hills, so
she sighed; sat down by the open win
dow and began sewing interminable
yards of lace On strips of fine muslin.
The stitches were microscopic, as be-
fitted the troussesu of daughter of
the rich
Half an hour later whistle as spen-
taneous as u birds trill made her jump
I up and again look out of the window.
In the young man swinging down the
| road Marjorie recognized one of the
summer guests. He opened the gate
| and came down the path toward her
| window.
In her haste to escape being caught
| in the very act of provincial curiosity
Marjorie dropped her thimble. II
| struck stone on the edge of the wall
and. with metallic ring. bounded OF
into the garden. The young man res
| cued it most calamity.
! 1T isn't every day q young man finds
| thinbles growing fiji Il garden" be
| said, significantly dropping the silver
trifle into her hand.
| Now, Marjorie understood perfectly
| well his reference to Peter Pans call
| ing kisses thimbles. but she feignel
| ignorance. Diverting as such audacity
might be, she must not encourage it
wherefore she said THANK you witt
austere courtesy.
You are Miss Marjorie Phillips, arr
you not?" asked the nnperturbet
young man. II started out very early
this morning to find YOU
Marjorie glanced at the thimble
which unconsciously she had slipped
on its proper finger.
There's no denying the evidence,
she said, with pensive little smil
which crept straight into the youn:
mans heart
Il have 4 message for you. Mis-
Phillips. from my cousin. or, rather,
he corrected. smiling up at her. 81 re
quest to make. Julia-Miss Robbins
has friend visiting her and wants t
know at what time she may bring he
down this afternoon to see the thing
you are making. There; think SO
that right. Does it sound rationale"
"Quite intelligent" laughed Mario
rie. please tell Miss Robbins that til
exhibit will be ready any time after
&. which means
"Oh. know" broke in the loqu:
cious message bearer. st means tina
> mustn't bother you any longer.
Then he added mischievously: 81 cam
, by here an hour ago on my way to th
postofilee. but was too scared to com
in. 1t was lucky you dropped the thin
BILE just when you
But at the word ''thimble' Marjor
: took fight.
, well" called Julia Robbins as Owe
ton reached the steps of the luxuriou
~ appointed porch. did you deliy,
my message to the village sewir
grip
Before replying Overton lit Gig
, rette with exasperating deliberation.
Yes" he answered at length.
n gave your message to Miss Phillip
q and she says you and Miss Mortt
may come any time after2
Upon my word" exclaimed the q
tonished Julia. we may come al
4 Miss Phillips fndeedr'
Look here, Julia Robbins" return,
iOverton feelfngly, 81 think it's an OF
- rage for a little flower of girl Iii
that to- be sewing her eyes out. for a