Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22

bic with that destructive volubility
which wearies and sickens. At inter
walls she glanced at Nick's puzzled,
amused face and clasped her hands
harder to keep from crying out.
All that week her mother discussed
her prospects and gave the advice her
own experiences warranted. Once Dena
cried in agony, But can't you see that
he may not even think of marrying
me?' and fell thereafter into fearful
silence.
But the following Saturday evening
he came again, and age in Mrs. Naugh-
ton sat in the roc-i End talked every
minute. Nick ard Dena rcr.ed with
out having said half a dozen words to
each other.
But this time Nick looked neither
puzzled nor amused. His eyes mar
rowed speculatively as he watched
Mrs. Naughton.
When at last he went away Dena
knew to certainty that he would
never come again. But each Saturday
evening her mother made her take up
her role and play it through. She had
to dress and sit and wait.
Tonight she would not-she would
not. For once In her life she would
| assert independence.
NOW run up and get ready" her
mother commanded as they rose from
the table. "I'll do the Dishes"
Dena turned and faced her desperate
~. I'm not going to change my
DRESS" she said breathlessly. I.
"You amt? Do you want him to
see you In your common clothesT'
HE won't see me-"
what do you mean? What ails
| you? Mrs. Naughton was astonished.
Dena turned YEARLY away. Il mean
| that he won't come again-ever," she
| said and escaped upstairs to her room
Mrs. Naughton looked after her, her
| restless eyes steady enough for once
and her restless tongue still
Dena heard her moving about; the
dishes ratified violently. Presently she
called from the foot of the stairs:
| I'm going out for spell"
| Dena was lying on her bed crying
now unrestrainedly. She lifted hel
head and managed to ask:
"Where?
"Over to Mis- Hendersons"
| Dena's head went down with g
groan. She knew that her mother
would drag her poor little secret fortf
and dissect it mercilessly before the
hungry eyes Of the old gossip who was
almost her only friend The outer
door opened, closed, and then all wa:
still. Dena cried until she could cry
no longer.
The doorbell tangled, and she sprans
off the bed, polished her cheeks hur
riedly with her damp handkerchief ant
ran downstairs. Her hands tremblet
as she opened the door, too daZed t.
realize who was waiting to enter.
Good evening, Dena," said a pleas
ant voice. May I come in?"
He put her aside gently, entered ant
closed the door himself. Dena stoo,
motionless with surprise and joy.
aren't you glad to see me? Di,
you think was never coming again :?
He took her hands and looked down a
her tenderly. Then Dena's voice came
and she looked up at him.
Eyes, I did think so. And l didn'
blame you, for 1 understood. OF
Dick"'
He took her into his arms. "But
found, dear, that nothing on cart
was sufficiently big obstacle to kee
me from loving you and wanting yo
and seeing you again to tell you so.
I come back in month for you, ca
you. will you be ready to go with me?
"Oh. Dick" Dena cried, and her 81
weeks Of trouble and doubt and despai
melted from her like garment {
snow in this new sunshine.
Good old fashioned cakes are mad
from Mrs. Austin's buckwheat floJ
cakes Fresh goods now at Ynur or