Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-28
The Argus Daily Short Story
ARLETTA in PARSLEY F. A. COLLINS.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated Literary Press

The ornlolu clock on the mantel in
the pretty drawing room at Auteuil,
near Paris, with windows overlooking
the garden. never slept, although its
mistress. Mrs. Marion Bcnnings, did
regularly every evening that her sou
and herself spent alone.
She was Eodding now over ribbon
decorated basket containing some silk
en- hose she had been mending. the
ormoiu clock struck II. and Otto turn
ing around. pushed 81 book off to The
floor. The noise awolIe Mrs. BenninSs.
who sat up with start and remarked:
Il am OF TO bed. What stupid
evening, / haven't heard you speak
for an hour
You couldn't" said Otto. But rs
she stared at him Indignantly he made
haste to add, Because l haven't spo-
ken for an hour"
Mrs. Jennings got up slowly. and
letter fell from her lap. Otto hasten
ed to pick it up.
'"YCud better read it." said his
mother. My cousin, Harry Jones,
who is tremendously Vich. writes that
he is bringing hts motherless daughter
to Paris. Her name is Arletta. ard |
have heard she is pretty and accom-
plished. We must be very nice TO
them, particularly to the daughter.
She is an only child"
Then / congratulate her. I'm an
only child, too," remarked Otto.
Her husband viii be very fortu-
nate. Don't you agree with me-"
'I'Il withhold Judgment till l see the
young lady" said her son.
Left alone. Otto resumed the writing
Of his letter, which he WAS 10 address
probably his mother was already plan
ming TO marry him to Arletta, the
| daughter OF the wealthy Mr.. Jones.
But he made a bet with himself that
| it wouldn't come off.
Suddenly a woman's voice to the ac-
| companimentof n guitar came through
| the open window. 1t was soft, rich,
yet penetrating.
La Mute ecoute ct Sc pencil sur
| Slt.
Hello said Otto. "a strolling
singer, and good voice too" lie
| went TO the window and called cut,
"Qui vive?"
| ooh, dear" answered woman.
voice Outside, they told me you spoke
English
$50 / do, after fashion," said Otto,
| 10 r. o..
why, of course l do" said the
voice. I'm English; at least I'm Amer
| lean"
'The deuce you are! What are you
doing in our garden?"
II wish you would let me come in
and tell you, will your"
'Come in at once. Here, give me
your hand. It's only n step"
A pretty girl dressed in a Spanish
costume. as if for fancy ball, fol-
lowed the hand. Her costume was
rich and looked fresh. but she sank
into a chair by the window, exclaim-
ing:
"Oh, how good it seems to be able to
sit down again in a chair"
Have you walked all the way from
Paris?" asked Otto.
"From Paris and ever so much far
Their. Ny shoes are worn to sbreds
See?"
She stretched oct a tiny foot. Slip
per and silken hose were in shreds.
"I'ye been singing for two days.
said she, land, see, that is all tool
in"-showing him few sous-"ant
: I'm so hungry"
Hungry" cried Otto. dragging for
ward a little table with some cake:
: and wine The girl looked at 1t long
ingly, renarhing:
Cake. That's what everybody offers
me. and I'm dying for a-ham sand
wich."
''I'll forage for something more sub
stantial." cried Otto, starting toward
the door.
{ "Not till I explain. Walt, please,
said the girl. Are you an American?