Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-13
The Argus Daily Story
Her New YEARS. Gallery Clarissa Macl1e
Copyrighted 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

"Of course you're going to open the
house tomorrow as usual said Mrs.
Smith abruptly.
Estelle flushed and bent closer over
the pillowcase she was darning. No.
was her reply. THE house doesn't
belong to me any longer"
"Who owns itT" demanded Ellen
sternly.
THE man who owns tie mortgage.
Haskins Bros. are his agents"
And pretty pair Of rascals they
are.' cried Ellen Smith. suddenly
bursting into tears over Estelle's trou-
bles. I'm not going to ask you how
it happened. dare say you couldn't
keep H-not with Haskins Bros. in the
deal-only you know / shall expect
you to come and keep me company
until you decide what 10 do"
Estelle laughed and cried all at once
as she took Ellen's toll worn hands in
her own. Keep you company. indeed!
As If you could be lonesome with FIVE
children, But understand. and will
come. Ellen. am TO settle the mat
ter day after tomorrow. and after that
they will give me three months to va
cate. The place really does not be-
long to me after tonight.
"You will have to sell or some of
the furniture. I expect" muttered FL
len diffidently.
YES" admitted EsteIle sadly. You
know when father died. Ellen, he beg
ged me to hold on to the place at any
cost. He-he thought I might marry
some day. but, Of course, that is all
nonsense" Estelle blushed and turn
ed her head away; then, with proud
shake of her shoulders, she resumed:
There was tiny sum left in the
bank. so l mortgaged the house and
have been living on that. I know 1t is
thriftless. but there was no work for
me in Lanelea, and I promised father
to stay and always keep the house
open, but it will have to go now!'
And, of course, Henry Haskins will
; ingly let you have the money and was
nice about waiting for the interest be-
cause this is the finest property in
! Lanelea and worth waiting forr' cried
Ellen Smith bitterly. IF I had only
known before 1 might have helped
you"
With an i'll framed excuse she has
tened away, first exacting a promise
from Estelle to come to her house and
help receive. Although 1t was draw
ing near mealtime and her hungry
brood would be watching for her mo-
mentary arrival, Ellen Smith made
her way toward the courthouse, where
she was fortunate enough to find Judge
Mason still in his office.
Her interview with the rather stern
faced Judge lasted for an hour, and
when she left the Office her counte-
nance beamed with delight at salts
factorily accomplished duty. II al
ways knew there was somebody Estelle
might have married, and from his face
when / mentioned her name KNOW
New Years day dawned cold and
cloudy. There was not much inclina-
ton to leave warm stoves and go a.
calling, but still there was an incen-
tive in the form of alluring refresh
ments as we'll as alluring daughters in
l many households.
D Estelle shed bitter tears as she wan
dered through~the lonely rooms. repeo-
ping them with beloved forms. reliv-
ing old days when happiness had been
:. such a drug in her youthful market
that she had careleSsly flung some Of
r it aside Afterward she came to re-
$ alize that it was precious part of the
g delicate fabric Of bliss that Is woven
n into every ones life. Evan Mason had
s left Lanelea and returned only gear
5, ago, gray haired and with legal honors
e thrust upon him. She had avoided a
meeting with him, and so they had not
3 met.
'. Estelle had thought perhaps some
IS one might come. but the storm was ex-
cuse enough. and there were no paths
II dug around the Freeman place.
Ell Just as dusk fell there came re-
e sounding peal at the doorbel. Estelle
lighted the lamp in the library. where
II she had been sitting in the twilight
er and lighted the red shaded lamp in the
1t hall AS she opened the door a man
N came in as though driven before the
TO storm.
e. 1t was Evan Mason.
J. When they faced each other in the
Ia library the judge held out hand t.
the woman he had so hopelessly loved
ct in the past
y L came 10 DriHS YOU NEW ieuE
Mt gift. Estellc," he said gravely. The
d. mortgage on your house has been paid
ed Nay. do not refuse me. You must know
owe my career and everything have
III and am today to your fathers generos
ct ity. / only dare wish you might give
r. Inc New Years gift in return.
k "If only could began Esteile in
lie. pulsively, and then her eyes dropped
k beneath the meaning in his faithful
OF ones "If''- she faltered.
al IF you only loved me you could east
" make me happier than | could eve
e. hope to make you" he said. sIGilin;
be sadly.
ef "Ah-but did, do now" stammer
te- ed Estelle feeling the pressure of thu
he long deferred lips upon her own.
IN AS their eyes met each saw vision
he of the new year. and there was no sad
M ness Ia Ii.