Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-09

Ou, IL OILY i were d CIlCu LIE
girl as she threw out her arms pas
stonately, I'D show them! I'd But
I'm not only just a girl" Her arms
dropped listlessly to her side; then
suddenly her slight form stiffened.
"I'H do it anyhow" she added briefly
anyhow. It's all right, and that is
enough"
But she shrank from telling her pur-
pose to the family. Girls were cared
for in the aristocratic, conservative lit
tie town. Chaperons were popular. late
hours discountenanced, strangers were
quarantined for rigid Introduction and
scrutiny, girls did little work and only
of the domestic kinds in their own
homes, and the few who aspired at
some period Of their lives for higher
ways were speedily reduced TO lady
like department by the general disap-
prevail.
On the eventful morning, however,
mindful of this conservatism and the
possible consequences, she announced
bluntly: 'Pm going over to the court
house this morning. mother. Our case
comes up today, you know"
Her mother stared, but the girls face
was pale, her lips firm, and they all
knew what that meant. MoIlie would
have her way now if she had to break
through a stone wall to get it.
ITO the courthousei oh. Mollie! La
dies never go there, and you are only
young girl"
I'm the one who must look out for
the family now. mother" determined
ly. You know that. You're not strong
enough, and Elsie and Tom and Bess
are too young. If father were here he
would do it. Now I must take his
place. And you know this case in
wolves even the possession of our
home"
"But into the courthouse" family.
"And it couldn't do the least bit of
good. Judge Garner will have regard
for our interests. He was your fathers
friend"
But he's second cousin or something
to the other side. and you know what
partisans the people are here. And all
the lawyers have business or blood
connection of some sort with the
Thompsons. That's why advised you
not to engage any of them to represent
our case. They couldn't be disinter-
esteG if they tried and would want
big fee and then do us more harm than
good"
Judge Garner will have regard for
our interests" her mother repeated
doubtfulIy. HE wouldn't dare toto
give an unjust decision. And your
presence
Wouldn't help the case any. you
think" interrupted Mollie CURLY. Well.
perhaps not to the prejudiced. But I
shall make the experiment. and some
of those who don't believe in We
mans having an opinion shall be
forced to hear mine"
Not speak-you-in the courthouse.
Oh. Mollie Fraser! You'll be disgraced
foreverp'
you can't tell MolIie anything"
said seventeen-year-old Ben sourly.
''She's making herself the talk of the
town already with her tomboy bust
ness. But she can't boss me-"
Better for you If she could" cried
Elson. who was two years younger.
'Mollie's the finest girl In this town.
and her tomboy business is saving
this family, and that's straight If
you had a little more tomboy and a
little less cigarette in your makeup,
Ben, you might be willing to do some
of your own natural duties that you
are now shifting to Mollie's shoulders
1 say she's brick. and I'm going to
the courthouse with her. and If any
body looks~a sheer at her I'll punch
his head. And I'd do all the speaking
If could, only 1 don't know enough
I'm not afraid. Can't 1 go, Mollf"
anxiously.
"0f course you can. DEAR" with
pleased relief in her voice 81 shall be
glad to have company. for I've never
been inside. the courthouse. And it's
time now for US TO start. think
Thompson versus Fraser was the |
first case on the docket that morning. |
and befo-- MnlIie bed time to get |