Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-29

or
To be sure. Emeline was an umpire
on all the arts of housekeeping: her
cookery was town talk. while she had
never become proficient in the art. but
there were other ways of reaching
mans heart. Serena knew. because
she had proved it twice.
In fact. neither lady had deceived the
other. Each knew the other. from
widely different motives. stood ready
at q moments notice to respond to
Peter Judd's call for housekeeper
Each knew that Clifton was wonder
ing which of the two widows who
lived on either side Of Peter would he
called eventually TO fill the departed
Sarah's place, for the custom prevailed
in Clifton when man was. in the Wis
dom of Providence, bereaved to hunt
out some widow. respected by the COM
munity. to undertake the duties of
housekeeper. and generally. after de-
cent Deriod of mourning, the twain be-
came one.
IF Serena makes up her mind 10
have Peter he'll have to give in. PM
losophized Mrs. Platt. shes already
married two that didn't in the least
want her. She's comfortably off. too,
and don't need to leave her home. L
wouldn't be so set against it II L
didn't know twas her that interfered
between him and Floretta Young
| more'n twenty years ago. Peter up
and married Sarah out of pure spite.
and FIoretta took that good for moth
| in. CIV Blakey. If ever two people
were cut out for one another. Peter
and Fioretta were. Well, as he's held
out again Serena for over a year ne
NAV escape for good. I'll not worry
any more"
| But she did. The chance and appar-
emily careless remarks that Serena let
fall. as if an understanding existed be-
tween herself and Peter Judd, fretted
Emeline's spirit. In the depths OF her
honest soul she believed that Peter
was regular caller at the Lamb
home. She waited for the announce
ment Of Sei'eGas engagement as Ior
blow that was sure to fall.
Still. when Il came she was not pre-
rared for II. One afternoon she had
Just taken her accustomed seat on the
norch when the gate opened. and MIS-.
Lamb swept up the path with an IN
usual air of Importance.
Land. amt ii hot" she exclaimed
such IL muss as I've got into" care
cuIIy arrangn., the folds of her new
organdie skirt before sitting down
uar tone rang with triumph. MIS-
P,att felt the change in the atmos
3herc. and all her world darkened.
There's all that house of Peters Il
be gone over this hot weather. Not
mite of cleaning since Sarah died. Suci
a looking place. And it must be all rid
Up by the middle of September. l JUS
run in 10 ask if your paint and white
wash brushes were in good order
Peter said as how you mentioned hav
.ng Il supply of 'cm when you Offered
10 keep house for him months ago
Ny, how red your face is. Emeline
You hadn't ought to wear pink. Now
if do say it. I've q complexion thati
stand any color.'
81 didn't exactly Offer stammeret
Mrs Plat, tears of modification smart
ing her eyes.
! "Oh. well. it is all past and don
with" interrupted Serena airily. g
just had to give in. He wouldn't TAX
Q n no Well. if you'll lend the brushe
D III be Goin'."
| Armed with the brushes. Serena de
Iparted. every movement of the organ
die proclaiming victory.
!. In the days that followed Mrs. Plat
e gave much time to sitting on the from
porch watching her friends progress
Y in the housecleaning line. Serena Gale
d seldom now. and the time passed slow
Il ly.
:. II just ran in to ask your opinio
+ Of these samples" began Serena on
|, day in September. "We're going t
It have new carpets for the double pal
l Tors. Don't you prefer the green?'
:. Serena wore her best dress. Il sha
o need new one soon." she said con
k placently. smoothing down its silke
folds.
@ 81 suppose the affair III come Of
@ soon," vcntured Mrs Plat after th
V merits of greens and reds in carpet
q had been duly canvassed. but Seren
il only smiled consciously as she gait
n cred up the samples and departed.
V 81 suppose it'll come off after ha
n vest" unused Mrs. Platt despondentl.
n meaning Peters wedding.
Ie One afternoon as Mrs. Plat was Sc
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