Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-13
The Argus Daily Story
Fair Play-By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1911 by Associated Literary Bureau

was not even laid for the evening
meal, while Ann Elizabeth sat in the
sitting room embroidering a center
piece with daintily placed stitches.
whats the matterY' demanded Ar
temus, in surprise. Had companyT
"No. why?" Ann looked up pleas
antly.
Nothing. only 1 thought 1t was
funny supper wasn't ready" said Ar
temus rather grumblingly.
why, you can have 1t now If you
want it" Ann spoke in a surprised
tone, just as If Artemus' request was
what she had been waiting for. She
hustled about the rooms, while her
husband lounged near the lamp read
ing the paper.
What you got?" he asked hungrily
as he came in response to her call.
Ham and eggs, pears and cake 1
was hoping you'd fry some parsnips.
You know I can never get enough or
them" he said in disappointed tone.
would you like some parsnipsl
Why didn't you ask meT' returned
Ann briskly. 'PIl fry some at once"
She fitted into the kitchen, and soon
the suffering brown slices were placed
before her husband.
Artemus ate his supper in silence.
There was something peculiar about
his wife's demeanor that he could not
understand.
He watched Ann furtively as she
flew about doing up the evenings
work. At last she came and sat down
near him and took out her embroidery
once more. Artemus looked at 1t re-
sentfully, almost jealousy. She had
told him It was TO be a wedding pres
ent for Jennie Beake. and Miss Beake
was to marry one Of Ann Elizabeth's
old admirers.
From these facts Artemus deducted
that, while his wife stitched at a cen
terpiece TO adorn the parlor table of
one Of her old lovers, he (Artemus, her
husband) sat before her with a large
hole in the toe OF his sock.
But Ann Elizabeth was absorbed in
her needlework and did not notice
that Artemus had worked or his slip
per and that the hole in his sock was
painfully in evidence. At last he spoke
rather Grossly:
Seems as if you might find time to
mend my clothes"
"Why, do mend them, Art. What
is 1t now?' Ann looked at him with
lifted brows.
Thar complained Artemus, wrig-
Cling the peeping toe. "It's COMPOUNDED
uncomfortable, l tell you"
at must be-" said Ann sympathet-
ically. "Want me to mend itT'
"Tf you please" said Artemus meekIy.
ba d
that night Mr.. Clark stared uncom.
prehendingly at the disorder that met
his gaze. The bed was just as he had
left it that morning. untidy. unmade.
His clothes were strewn about, and
there was a general air Of neglect over
the place that was very disheartening
to a man who had shaved all day and
who had waited for the last hour in
pleasant anticipation OF the comfort
able bed that awaited his weary body.
He stepped to the door of his wife's
room and looked in. All was in apple
pie order, Immediately clean, with
the white dimity spread turned down
from the inviting bed Ann stood be-
fore the window letting down her
shower of yellow hair. Artemus hes
1tated for n moment. He wondered IL
Ann had been too busy or tired to
make his bed, and yet she had never
found it a trying task before.
Suddenly Ann turned and saw him
there, hesitating. Did you want any
thing. Artemus p she asked pleasantly.
my bed" replied her husband. 81
guess you forgot it, Ann. 1t isn't
made"
"I'll make it now" said Ann with
out surprise or apology. passing into
his room. With a few deft move
ments she went to and fro, picking up
things, replacing them in wardrobe or
dresser. making the bed into a com
Portable couch.
much obliged" said Artemus awk-
wardly.
You're welcome" said Ann cheer
fully. Whenever you want anything,
Art, just ask for IT, and I'll do any
thing you want. Be sure and ask me.
Good night"
Artemus lay in puzzled wakefulness
for several hours. At last he broke
into sudden soft laughter. Cute" he
chuckled to himself Cunning as the
dickens. declare IL it isn't one on
me!'
AT DreaKIABC next morning Artemus
threw a bOmbshell into the
How would you like
to have a weekly allowance, AnnY he
asked. 81 mean some money every
week Of your own TO spend az you
please without asking anybody-ehY
Ann Elizabeth came around the ia
Bile and encircled her husbands head
with tender arms. You are the best
husband in the world, Artemus," she
said soIemnly.
you mean the husband Of the best
wife in the world" corrected Artemus
They looked into each others eyes
and smiled with perfect understand
ng. Thus ended another one of the
worlds bloodless battles.