Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-04

donors: put them thereon purpose"
1.-The forgot them" declared the 9TH
er man as he turned to lay coat on
its proper heap. and Dick again bent !
to his task.
The pile Of clothing seemed forrni- |
dable but with half dozen men work
ing brisiily they had disposed of the
entire lot before the mounds of fem
inine wear were hfff sorted.
It was clear now. Alexander was
worse than forgotten. He could not
forget because he never seemed to
know anything.
The letters that were handed him he
failed to deliver and then lied ont OF 1t
when he was taxed. Now Nella was
argry because Dick had not answered
her gracious little note. and lie could
rot blame her when he knew that she
never had received any of his more re-
cent letters.
He slipped the package into his
pocket with a word of thanks to Chez
vcrs, and then he left the turmoil of
the rummage sale to look for Nella.
He met her just leaving her home.
and rs he came up the walk she re-
garded him curiously.
Il came to deliver my letters in per-
son ard to make certain CT their de-
livery" announced Dick. Can You
give me few nlinutes?"
Nella made no move to re-enter the
house, and Dick was tco wise to press
the point.
Il was helping Maude at the rum
mage sale" he explained. -.'Cheevers
found these letters in Aleyarder's old
overcoat. l might explain that when
left my letter-t',is thick one-Aleyan-
der was Just going out, and he hcd his
overcoat On when he cane to the door,
but he promised TO deliver 1t to you at
| once. His ideas of delivery seem to be
| TO stuff things in his pocket and for
| get all about them"
Nella started as she recognized her
| own letters. and hastily she glanced
| ever seine of them. She saw in q mo-
| ment what Dick had already realized,
! and her lips tremb,ed as size recalled
the misery she had suffered since the
| quarrel.
| She loved Dick very dearly. even
well enough to cffcr forgiveness when
{. she had felt that he was IL the wrong.
| and to have bin make no reply to the
| l.inGly letter had hurt both heart and
pride.
Now she could see that Dick had
promptly concealed his error and that
al the suffering led heen caused by
cce small and very black youlgster.
who he'd been brought horne from the
south LecauSe he had seemed so ''ec,2.
Il an afraid that Alexander viii
never make Il messenger for Cupid
said NclIa softly. Il am so sorry
Dick. that VIC trusted too much TO him
hut l had no idea that he VAS so care
less. Think CT the trouble that he has
caused US 10th. VIII you come in
and
Make up?" asked Dick promptly
TO be sure l will and only too GLAD
to do IL
She led the way into the house, aIt
rs the great hail door swung shut be
hind them he caught her in his arm:
and covered her face with kisses. 4
low chHckle from the far end of th'
hall disturbed them, and without :
word Dick darted down into the shad
ows
There followed wild yells and tn
sound Of strange expletives.. Dick cam
back flushed but smiling.
Il shook him some" he explained
''for both you and me. Wasn't it jus
like Alexander to be hanging around ::
"Ie will be sent home" declare,
: Nella. Eve cannot trust him again
You were a dear, Dick. that you didn'
kill him.
81 wanted to-" admitted Dick, "bul
: then. what's the use? I've got vol
again. Ard all because I helped Maud
l at the rummage sale. She said tina
charity. like virtue. was its own re
ward. but / didn't realize the higl
premium it paid"