Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-18


they are. Therei I've got to be go
inr. GamalieI viii be wanting his
milk"
With a pressure of Elsie's hand and
q defiant glance at the thin disap-
proving back Of her sister. Miss Ava
retta marched out Of the room
When she had disappeared through
the aisles of leafiess trees Mrs. Par
sons turned around. Il hope you're
not going to take any stock in that
foolishness, Elsie"
Mother. I'm going to have my
chance" she said quietly. I'm prom
Use to abide by whatever I dream
about tonight If I dream about Je-
rome Barclay Tn+eu you the truth"
I'll do the best can by you. Elsie,
whichever way you happen to Dream"
said Mrs. Parsons after a long pause.
Thank you, mother" said Elsie.
and then they talked of other matters
and Elsfe's lovers were not mentioned
again that afternoon
After supper there came a scratching
and mewing at the side door ITS
CamalieI" said Elsie as she arose TO
admit Miss Alvaretta's big black cat
"I suppose he's come over to spend the
night"
'sThe most ungrateful critter that
ever lived. remarked Mrs. Parsons as
she placed a saucer Of milk for the
unexpected guest. "AlvarettR waits
on that cat hand and foot and five
nights out of the week he runs over
here TO sleep I shouldn't think you'd
want him sleeping in your room, Ell
sic"
While she undressed Elsie thought
of the wedding cake and OF what she
might dream while its magic lay so
near her head, but she forgot 1t after
all until she was about to step into
bed. Then she CROPPED in the darkness
and found the twisted bit Of paper on
the bureau and tucked it under her
pillow.
She thought persistentiy OF Jerome
Barclay. while she tried to Danish him
from her mind, and so she fell asleep
and dreamed of him-clear, vivid
dreams Of automobile rides around the
surrounding country and into the ad-
jacent cities as Jerome Barclays wife;
dreams that were so real that she re-
membered every detail of each one
when she awoke to q realization that
her test had failed to grant her hearts
desire. Not once had she even thought
of Rob Harris in the misty land of
dreams.
G4maliel yawned sleepIy on his
cushion and bounced OF Indignantly
as the door was cautiously pushed
open and Mrs. Parsons face was
thrust in.
well, Elsie, what did you dreamY
she asked, with assumed lightness.
Elsie sat up in bed and swept the
fair hair back from her detected face.
Il dreamed of Jerome Barclay, moth
err" she said heroically. $50 I'll mar
~ him just as 1 said I would"
Mrs. Parsons advanced into the room
and picked up a scrap of paper from
the floor whats this?" she asked.
What did you do with the cake, FL
sie?"
The girl stared and then slipped her
hand hastily under the pillow and
drew forth screwed up piece of pa
per Here it is-no-why, mother, |
made a mistake and put curl paper
under the pillow instead Of the we'd
ding cakeI" The color came into her
cheeks and her eyes danced as they
had not done in months. She was
getting some of her old time spirit
back. There isn't any charm about
dreaming on a curl paper, is there,
motherY" she asked demurely.
"No, there isn't" said Mrs. Parsons
shortly. Elsie, believe that Cana
liel ate that cake. See, this is the pa
per with a few crumbs left In 1t.
found it near his cushion. There!
See him eat the rest OF it!' She look
ed resentfully at Gamaliel as he swal-
lowed the remaining crumbs and lick
ed his lips appreciatfvely.
II forgot to say, Elsie, that Rob
Harris is downstairs waiting to see
you. He says he can't 90 till he does.
1 expect your Aunt Alvaretta had
something to do about getting him
over here. He looks powerfully wor-
ried. He's got a little automobile to
attend to his business with. I've ask
ed Rob to stay to breakfast. You bet
ter hurry" She opened the door and
stumbled over the active GamalieL
'Drat that cat! Thieving old repro
bate.' she scoIded, departing. Pm
glad you dreamed what you did,
child" she called back.
Elsie snatched Gamaliel to her heart
and kissed him rapturously. You're
the dearest old thing, and you shall
wear a white ribbon" she whispered
in his perky ear. Then from below
there came q prolonged and familiar
whistle that was echoed in her heart
She crept to the window and answer
ed 1t happily. TREMENDOUSLY.
From across the orchard Aunt Al
varetta's voice sounded, calling:
"GamaNel! Gamalielw