Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-28

lily and filled the village streets with
q level measure of whiteness. The
lights Of the stores cleaned through
windows crowded with Christmas
wares and shot pale diffused rays
across the sidewalks.
In barrels grocery store a group Of
men were gathered around a glowing
coal stove.
81 hear that Walter Hoops has come
back" remarked Len Darrell.
81 wanter known Tie same express
sion of surprised incredulity ran around
the circle.
"Yep-came home tonight on the mail
train. Fender said he passed him walk
ing down from the station"
"He must have come back broke, then,
couldn't afford to ride down on the
stage on a night like this" remarked
Henry Slade contemptuousiy.
Fender said he didn't even have an
oyercoat on" added Darrell, giving
forth his information in delightful NOR
sells.
"Shucksr' exploded William Otis,
who was a third cousin removed of
Walter Hoops and consequently morti-
fed at these outspoken remarks. II
washed my hands of Walter long ago."
he explained to his companions.
"AIl Of US did," agreed Henry Slade
when a mans fool enough to lose ev-
cry inch Of ground that he's inherited,
he can't expect thrifty folks to hold
him up when it's all spent and he amt
got nothing"
''That's right, Henry. Walter didn't
oughter let himself be bamboozled out
of his property by them spectators.
He couldn't prove nothing against 'em.
They was mighty clever"
"WeN, he couldn't get his place back
again If he wanted to. Laidlaw was
telling me that 1t was sold to a rich
New York party for a summer home"
81 wonder If Walter will show up
in here" said William Otis uneasily.
Il dunno, but might as well be NOV
ing along now. Martha will be through
buying them presents"
Enough to do without taking on q
poor relation for Christmas" remarked
Henry Slade significantly as Otis bang
ed the door after his departure.
The group laughed heartily, and Their
little silence fell among them. In
days gone by-more prosperous days
for Walter Hoops-in his big hearted
generous way he had helped all OF
them, Endorsed notes, loaned money
md In nfhnr rrnuod a frion n
Many of the notes had been unpaid
and Walter had paid the money from
his own pocket and said nothing; 9th
ers he had helped in various ways
Not one man in the group gathered
in barrels store but had received
some favor at Walter Hoops generous
hand.
Now they were uneasy. What i
Walter should come into. the store and
presuming upon old ACQUAINTANCE, tr,
TO borrow money from them or expec
to be entertained over Christmas O.
for an indefinite time? A down a
heels friend could only be an inter
loper at this season. 1t would be tn
worst thing in the world to encourag
Walter Hoops in the belief that h
could squander his own heritage an
then expect to return to Compton an
live upon the savings of his NOR
frugal acquaintance.
, "Pm afraid Walter has been 8 ba
lot" murmured Henry Slade in SCI
justification Of his thoughts.
"He's made folks a lot of trouble,
added Len Darrell, frowning
Just look at Emily Wayland-se
I how he treated her. She had her wee
ding clothes all made, and he broke
off and went away. She amt neve
forgot 1t nuther." Dan Willis spok
resentfully.
THAT all happened eight years agt
guess Emily's got too much spun
to worry. about a Teller that's treate
her that way" remarked the blacl
smith
at would be just like him to go 1
her and expect Henry Slade we
saying when utter CONSERVATION fe
upon them, and they were dumb.
From the other side of the doub
store, which had a separate entranc
appeared Emily Wayland, with a sma
basket on her arm. She was vel
straight and slim, and her black ha
was mixed with gray, but she WI
still beautiful. Any woman with h,
], glorious dark eyes and her rich colo
ing Of cheek and lip could never ]
plain.
She must have overheard their r
marks, for they had all spoken loud
without reserve, forgetting the tn
partition that acted as a soundir
board. Her head was held very hig
and she glanced neither to the right n
: left as she passed down the store al
out Of the door. That was unusut
for Emily was always gracious al
sweet
The clerk who had waited upon h
came around the counter and glar,
d at the group of men around the stow
why didn't you fellers come rig
in and say what you had to say rig
TO her faceT he demanded ironically
"She couldn't hear" said Hem
Slade uneasily.
"WeIl, guess she did. If heard
guess she did"
Inc door opened slowly, and Il
naot nf r0ruh crrau CON nauno frs