Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-25
The Argus Daily Short Story
The Governors Pardon-By Agnes G. Brogan.
Copyrighted. by Literary

The snow had been falling steadily
for three days. and the long. low house
at the edge of the woods was almost
buried from sight.
A tall young man wearing a fur lined
overcOat was busily engaged in remov-
ing heavy drifts from the wide veran-
das and in tunneling a pathway to the
door. A great st. Bernard dog watch
ed the performance with dignfed ap-
prevail.
1t was a strange house to be placed
alone in all this vast eXpanse of snowy
landscape. built of logs. yet with white
pillars supporting the veranda and
over the doorway a rustic sign bear
ing the words. The bungalow" Be
hind the house. also built OF logs, was
a garage or small stable.
The man stopped his labor to pat
the dogs head. No walk for us to-
day. old man." he said. We must
content ourselves with rereading the
day before yesterdays paper"
The dog followed his master into the
house. one long room of which reached
from end TO end. The man threw
more logs into the fireplace and as the
day grew darker lit great lamp and
glanced again at the discarded paper
as though longing for the sound of
human voice. He read aloud. and the
dog tapped his tail understandingly.
Here is a society notice. Laddie We
can't get away from society. you see,
though we live in snowy solitude:
Miss Antoinette Marion Drew has left
fNx f.N-. 80
Upon her return invitations will be is
sued for her marriage to Governor
James p. White And, after the strenu-
Gus work of landing Governor White,
Laddie. no doubt Miss Drew. whoever
she may be. deserves a rest"
The man yawned and cast the paper
from him.
A loud knocking echoed through the
house. He hesitated moment. then.
frowning. opened the door. girl
stood before him in the lamplight, a
girl with white face peeping out from
the scarlet hood of her cloak.
May l come in?" she asked. 1--WE
have lost our way. and it is so very
cold"
Certainly" the man responded;
come in at once. You said we" He
peered questioningly into the darkness.
My horse the girl explained
Have you any place to put poor Billy
until we are warmed and restedY'
IF you will step in" the man said.
81 Will attend to the horse presently"
The girl seated herself before the fire
as he drew on his overcoat and lighted
a lantern Fortunately there are a
stable and some fodder" he said. land
If Billy does not object to a stale meal
we may make him fairly comfortable"
The girl removed her cloak and set
tied back into the leather chair with
sigh of comfort as the cheering
warmth brought the rose color flooding
back to cheeks and lips.
She told him that she was staying
with Aunt Martha and Uncle Ben
down near the village. He remember
ed the old red farmhouse which she
described and offered to drive her safe
" there when the storm had abated.
but the wind ratified the windows and
shook the house to it's very founda
ton, and later when he had forced the
horse and sleigh to the roadway he
staggered back blindly through the
pelting ice to the house.
You can't CO." he told the girl. who
stood ready in her scarlet cloak. 1T
would be impossible tonight. There is
just one thing to be done-you must
stay here with Laddie. who viii '''iard
you well. while the horse and / vi try
to find our way to the farmhouse to
assure your people of your safety. If
should not return until morning you
must not be alarmed. You must keep
warm. and, above all things, do not
let the FIRE die out He turned to look
at her as she still sat silent. II am
sorry that you must do this" he add
ed. sorry to leave you alone"
The girl came and stood looking up
at him. You must not think of me-
she said. lis it safe for you to go?''
'Quite safe" he answered smilingly.
Impulsively the girl put forth her
hand. and the man clasped it. Good
night" she said I'VE will be anxious
ly waiting for you, Laddie and l."
IL have been examining the doors
and windows" the. girl replied, land