Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-26

Elizabeth Hardcastle Yorke of Rich
mond, Va, has moved to the exclusive
town of Vaudeville. She was a widow
of twenty and was Il descendant
Of the first families of Virginia, and
never for Il minute did she let you for
get the deep blue of her blood the de-
votion of her late lamented husband
nor the amount of money she once had.
Vaudeville turned up its nose figura-
lively when she settled in its midst,
while the Inhabitants did the same
thing literally. Elizabeth's manner
was too imperious for their northern
independence: she laughed too much
for widow bowed in grief. and the
fact that her old colored nanny called
her Miss Lizbeth" made them almost
doubt whether Il Mr.. Yorke had ever
existed.
The only thing which could be said
in her favor was that she attended
church regularly and contributed lib
orally to all the festivals. Such was
the tolerant situation when the Rev.
DR.. Botcher called TO make his paro-
chial visit
I'm so glad you came to see me"
Elizabeth was saying. Il always did
love ministers. They're so old fash
,, Toned and queer"
The Rev. DR.. Botcher had been twirl-
ing his cane as an inspiration to start
ing an agreeable bit of conversation.
At this speech he stopped twirling it
and graSped it's handle somewhat
| firmly.
REALLY, do you?' was the sum to-
tai of his answer.
Supper is just this minute ready,
DOCTOR" continued Elizabeth. Lay
down that foolish Old cane and come
| in and have some of mammy's blue
| berry cakes They'll just make you
| wish you never had to go home"
The man made some weak comment
about not expecting to stay, but he was
swept into the cool dining room and
was eating cake and slipping iced tea
before he. could demonstrate.
! 81 really came to see about those
flowers planted along the line of your
lawn" began the doctor.
| Aren't they just too lovely?" chimcd
| in Elizabeth. My husband used TO
say | had a most artistic eye for col
| Or
"Yes, they are pretty; but. you see,
they are planted on the lawn that be-
longs to Mrs. Murray-over your line,
you see"
Eyes. 1 believe she has been saying
something TO that effect" said the
charming widow. But 1 thought ii
was awfully nice Of me to fix up her
place so prettily even if it was en-
croachment Don't your
"well, / hadn't looked at 1t that
way" agreed her divine company
"But really l must be going home, as
/ we have prayer meeting tonight"
Mrs. Yorke babe her visitor good night
and urged him to drop in again any
time he was hungry for cakes. Eliza
i beth was smiling to herself with some
thing of satisfaction when she heard
footsteps on her porch. She went t
the open door and met Mr.. Murray
husband. and evidently the much lesser
half of Mrs. Murray, her next dool
neighbor.
"How perfectly lovely of you to call
Mr.. Murray exclaimed Elizabeth a.
she extended her hand to add to he
cordial welcome.
"Er-yes-that is, came over abou
that row of dahlias you planted owe
there on our
4 "oh. that's all right" interrupte,
Elizabeth. you're quite welcome t
them. You see, have so many. and
want my neighbors to enjoy some o
them. But, dear me. do sit down an,
I'll call nanny to give us somethin
TO eat" And she disappeared, to re
turn in few minutes.
Il At her heels came the dear old man
! my laden with tray of raspberr
shrub and huge cocoanut cake tina
Hooked like a bali Of snow.