Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-22
DAILY SHORT STORY.
CONTINUED from Page Four.)

TO drive over again. and he went home
with smile on his face for the first
time In weeks. When the day came
for him to head for Parkville again he
drove at slow pace past the Plum
Tree farm.
The Widow Grimes was out among
the cabbages killing slugs. She saw
him and waved her hand, but he look
ed straight ahead and never stopped.
This was to make her wonder what
was up. The other widow was ready.
and in an hour or so the old white
horse and democrat wagon came trot-
ting back. The Widow Grimes stood
In the open door. They saw that she
did. and Sam chuckled and cackled
and whispered to his companion:
ITS a world beaten, Mary. Lean on
me as If you loved me half to deathr'
Mary leaned. and two minutes later.
as they were square in front of the
house. he said:
"Now my arm goes around your
waist. The Wilder Grimes sees 1t.
Her heels are lifting up. / dasn't look
at her, but know that her face is as
red as beet. The demon has sudden
ly appeared. and she's saying to her
self that she'll kill any woman that
takes me away from her. Lord. Mary,
but / shall be grateful to you all the
rest of my days."
They drove up the road two miles
| and then turned about to repeat the
performance This time the Widow
| She pretended to be pulling some
weeds out Of the bed Of pinks. but II
was only pretense. She saw the Widow
| Spooner lean: she saw an arm &C
| around her waist; she almost heard
| whispers of love as the old wagon
| creaked along.
"Mary Spooner," said Sam Bottford
| as he helped her out of the wagon al
her own gate. I'm owing you a debt
I can never. never pay. You've helped
me through like the good woman you
are. AS | drive along back the Wild
der Grimes will be at the gate t.
blow me up. and after the blowing Il
| will be the preacher and Il marriage
| Nobody ever had such plan before
1t has worked without skipping a cog
| Don't you buy no taters this fall. II
see to it that you have ten bushels tt
start the winter on-yes. ten bushels
of taters and crock of butter"
And when shall | know how yol
came out?" she asked.
"Oh. you'll hear it talked Of in tive
or three days. and you'll hear that WI
are off on our wedding tour. Lord
Mary. hasn't it worked beautifully
beau-ti-ful-lyw
Two hours later. as the Widow
Spooner was eating her supper. sh,
heard the rattle of that democrat wag
on again and another "Whoaw ant
went to the door just as Sam Bottfort
reached the veranda and sat down OIL
the steps.
"For mercy's sake. but what ha!
happened:" she exclaimed.
"There won't be any wedding!' re
piled hollow voice.
"Nov
"Nor any bridal tourv'
"No.
"Nor any nothing"
But why. Sam, why?"
Because the Wilder Grimes ant
Abe johnson were married three day
ago! She was down to the gate to tel
me as drove back and to hope tina
my health was the same as usual"
The Widow Spooner turned he
head to hide smile.
II knew it all along. SAM" said she
but l thought you wouldn't ever
satisfied until you had tried every wa
you knew"
Samuel looked at her. Slowly
smile crept over his face.
ITO tell you the truth" said he. 81
nearly hollered for joy. Mary" h
said sharply. MARY. do you want m
to remain an old bachelorT'
i And after little while the WidoN