Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-17

And she did. But the people spoke
Of II afterward-how Lucy Barton had
been late at church and had run away
from II before anybody had a chance
to say how do you do. They wondered
where Timothy was. but they ceased
to wonder when some one reported
that Timothy had been observed cut
ting brush while the church bells were
ringing
On Monday Timothy dressed himself
in his sabbath clothes and walked
sedately to church. creating no little
excitement as he passed along the viii
lage street
Somebody must be dead-there's
Timothy Barton all dressed in his best
black cried one.
"'Tain't Lucy. for l saw her hang
ing out her wash" observed another.
Hes gone into the churchyard. and
I declare TO man II he amt going
into church or trying to- Curious
faces peered over clotheslines and
from window corners as Timothy
Barton creaked up the steps OF the
church, tried the door and then turned
away and went back home.
81 shan't rest a mite till find out-'
declared Mrs. Clarence Sayles. twist
ing the last clothespin into its place
on the line and wrapping her red
hands In her bingham apron. 81 told
Clarence that something was up when
Timothy didn't so to church yester-
day"
I'll bet the Barton temper is at the
bottom of itw said her sisterin-law.
Bessie Sayles.
But somehow they never really ar
rived at the true solution of the trou-
BILE, although Timothy's actions were
eccentric for another seven days.
Meantime Lucy had had a consulta-
ton with her pastor and came away
with renewed courage. The Rev. Mr..
Pudderson employed up to the minute
methods in settling the difficulties of
his parish He did not offer to pray
with Timothy. He knew that that
would only add fuel to the mans OBJ
stinacy.
ITS the only way you can break
through 1t. Mrs. Barton" he said as
he shook hands with her at the door.
Lucy was very busy in her room that
evening. At breakfast the next morn
ing Timothy. eating his pancakes in
sullen silence, did not notice that his
wifes hair was dressed with unusual
care, and he could not guess that under
the clean print wrapper she wore was
hidden her best dress.
Timothy was cutting cordwood now
adays. and when he had finally dis
appeared in the woods his wife had
finished her last household task. slipped
Off the wrapper and made ready to go
out. She did not wear her fur cloak
the one Timothy had given her as a
wedding present-but she did wear a
warm cloak that had been hers before
they were married.
She had a note all written. and she
left 1t on the kitchen table where he
could read 1t when he returned at din
ner time. By the time she WIS ready
, the station stage had backed up to the
door. and Lucy entered 1t, carrying a
! small travelling bag. Mrs. Clarence
| Sayles and her sister-in-law, Bessie.
had another topic to wonder over.
| At noon Timothy tramped up to the
kitchen door. propped his ak against
the house and went In. At sight Of the
| clean, dinnerless kitchen a look of
! wonder came into his face. A vague
! fear clutched at his heart. Something
must have happened to Lucy! She
/ was sick. He had defled God and man
and the almanac, and punishment
| would be hist
A quick tour of the little house fail
ed to divulGe the whereabouts OF his
en- he found the note. He grew very
pale and leaned against the wall while
/ he read IT. The handwriting was
/ very trembly. as II Lucy had been agl-
| tated when she wrote the note
Dear Timothy" 1t read, according
to my marriage certificate we were
married on Feb 90. 1908 IL. as you
say. your almanac is correct there
wasn't any Feb 20 in 1908. and so we
weren't ever married at all. Such be-
ing the case l am going away to stay
with my cousin. Lydia Beems, in Cen
tervi!e. Goodby. Your friend, Lucy
/ Beems
"P S.-Of course II your calendar
was last years. everything would be
all right-same as before"
| All that long afternoon Timothy
Barton sat and stared at the calendars
on the kitchen wall. They all bore tn A..
figures "l9l1." and yet this was the
year 1912.
1t was over small matters like these
that the Bartons had worn themselves
out-had broken hearts and warped
| lives.
Timothy struggled bravely with his
! inherent ohstinacy.
At sunget he tore the out Of date
calendars and almanacs from the wall
and stuffed them in the fire He went
out and harnessed Brownie TO the top
buggy. and he put In plenty Of fur
robes for warmth. for IT was a long
ride to Centcrville
He was going to bring his wife home.
He was going to give IN
The Barton obstinacy had succumS-
ed to love for a woman