Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-28
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
"Anne's Way of Winning BY Martha Cobb Sanford
Copyrighted,
(Copyrighted 1908. by Jessie Morgan.)

mat very weak bluff, Bob, and |
as the mental, moral and matrimonial
adviser of this happy home 1 must in
sist on your ignoring the presence OF
the maid altogether"
"But you'll be making eyes at her
yourself in less than a week." Bob re-
torted, ''if we're fortunate enough to
keep her that long"
Jack shrugged his shoulders.
Il might like to. but / have more
discretion" he replied sententiously.
after all, we old bachelors are the
steady ones.'
On the other side of the dining room
door. doubled up with laughter. stood
Anne and Norah plotting the downfall
Of the discreet bachelor"
"No; he just takes breakfast with
u.s." whispered Norah.
'Then I'm coming over to wait on
the table every morning." whispered
Anne.
You can't" objected Norah, '.be.
cause on week days he breakfasts be-
fore we do. He has to start into town
earlier than Bob does"
$50 much the better" giggled Anne
The arrangement worked out smooth
ly enough for the next three mornings.
Jack and Anne got on capitally to-
gether, but all in quite a discreet and
proper way OF course.
On the fourth morning, however, as
Anne tripped quietly out of the dining
| room after serving him, Jack looked
| up just in time to catch her reflection
| In the sideboard mirror as she, uncon-
scious of this betrayal, blew him an
audacious kiss from the tips Of her
! fingers.
1t gave Jack a thrill that somehow
| for little thing. upset the equilibrium
| of his workaday world to most re-
markable degree. Nevertheless on the
| following day, for reasons best known
| to herself, Anne chose to be naughty.
| She neglected to bring him his cream
| for his coffee and the strip for his
waffies. He was obliged to ring for
her several times. Each time she was
| laughter than the last. and once.
through that same transparent go-be-
tween, he distinctly saw her make up
face at him. 1t was such n comical
little face that he nearly laughed out
| right. But he checked himself and de
cided to try a course of discipline in
stead.
"Anne," he said, and his voice sound
ed almost stern, 81 want you to dust
the piano keys. You may do it now.
They were so dusty last night it was
agony to play on them"
Anne stared at him a moment in I'M
concealed establishment, then flounced
into the kitchen. The next moment she
Haunted back again, ostentatiously
tapping a dust cloth.
=! At the first awful discordant crash
that followed close upon her disap
pearance Jack gritted his teeth and
held on to his chair. At the second he
the living room.
!, "If you could be little more care
full he suggested Jelly.
=. Anne shot him an inscrutable look
from the corner of her eye, sat dowI
after a flourish of the piano stool ant
began to dash off Chopin waltz will
a brilliancy of touch that left Jacl
speechlesS with establishment.
, After she had struck the last forts
, simo chord she remained motionless
her hands resting on the keys.
Jack came toward her until he stood
looking down upon her.
"Who are you?' he asked finally
"girl or witch or goddess"
Anne covered her blushing cheek:
/, with her hands.
Jack tried to take them down again
but she would not let him.
1T makes no difference who you are
:, Anne" he said at length huskily
"You need not tell me- All that mat
: tiers is that 1 love you, and all that
> want to know is do YOU
But Anne had run away from him
She ran straight into Norah, who wa
!, coming down the hall.
"Why, Anne Norris" Norah exclaim
ed. "What is the matter?"
!. For answer Anne pulled off her min
iature headgear and her ruff1ed aprol
: and said laconically. Introduce me-"
Then Norah guessed and, holdin
Anne's hand in a tight little squeeze
went back with her to the living room
"Mr. Cabot" she began dramatically
: forgetting to say good morning,
want you to know my very dear friend
!, Anne Morris. Anne, this is Mr.. JAG
Cabot, a bachelor friend of my hus
bands. Oh" she added, STOPPING jus
long enough to note the mingled cor
sternation and Joy upon Jacks count,
nance, 81 just must go and tell Bob"
"Tell him what?" flashed Anne. Bu
Norah had disappeared.
Cant you guess?" pleaded Jacl
holding out his arms to her. isn't
. going to be true-what Norah tel
Bob"
Anne let his arms close about he
I'm awfully afraid I've spoiled you,
whispered Anne roguishly.
Don't you worry about that" laugl
ed Jack. But this time I'm going |
!; get the kiss that saw in the mirror
Anne protested, but he got it.