Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-09

that she had a mind to break up any
way and go to Annals. She's tired of
waiting for Eunice to get married"
1T would be just like Susan Rock
well to do it, too" said MI. orter.
II wonder what would become of
Eunice them"
Susan said her niece could be mar
ried from Annals house just as well as
here"
Il don't believe Eunice would go to
Annals
Perhaps she'd have to; but. just the
same. if Noah Rand was my son I'd
just give him a piece of my mind. The
idea of keeping girl waiting five
years. Mrs. Porter watched Eunice
Rockwell'S slender. erect form until it
disappeared through the doorway of
Noah Rands grocery store She's
gone to NOah's. | wonder what for"
added Mrs. Porter
Noah Rand asked himself the same
question when he saw Eunice enter the
store. This was the first time she had
ever visited the store since their en-
gagement five years ago, and he
thought at once that something must
have happened to Aunt Susan Rock
well, with whom Eunice made her
| home.
"Howdy do. Eunice:" asked Noah.
, blushing up to the roots of his light
hair Anything the matter with Aunt
! SuSanT
she's quite WELL" said Eunice, with
a queer strained note in her voice. II
just stopped in to say that she's going
to the city TO live with Anna" She
did not look mt Noah. Her brown eyes
were studying the packages of cereals
/ piled on the shelves.
( Good Lord"' Noah was startled.
when is she going"" he asked blankly
Tomorrow morning I'm on my way
| to tell Homer to have the stage stop
for the 9:24," Eunice still stared at the
/ cereals Surely. she thought, surely
| Noah would ask her why Aunt Susan
/ was going. or else he would say some
thing about their being married mt
once. Eunice had stepped forth from
her deep reserve and given him an
/ opening. Would he take the oppor-
tunity?
'She hasn't. she isn't breaking upT''
asked Noah feebly. He knew there
was something that he ought to say.
that should have been said years ago;
but. as he had done before. he put II
off until his next visit. Time enough
then. He simply couldn't ask Eunice to
name their marriage day when his err
rand boy was sitting I'm the rear room
with one eye on the store.
She's not breaking mp just now"
said Eunice coOlly. Il shall attend to
that after she has gone | must be
going now. There's plenty to do"
III see you tomorrow night. Flu.
nice" said Noah in relieved tone. al.
though his manner was apologize
"Goodby." was Eunice's quiet reply
"Gondby," said Noah.
Her errand Mt HOrners accomplished
Eunice Rockwell hurried home. with
all her gentle nature stirred to its
depths. SIZE was frightened at the
white hot anger that filed her heart.
She felt that she hated Noah Rand for
placing her in such a position. All
Little River WAS looking on and com
menting on their needlessly long en-
gagement. Besides, garrulous Aunt
Susan only added fuel to the flaming
tongues Of gossip by her open dissatis-
faction at the delayed marriage.
1t was not until after Aunt Susan
had rocked away in the ramshackle
stage with her big trunk, balancing
her stout form on the other side Of the
vehicle. that Eunice sat down in the
disordered sitting room and asked her
self what was 10 be done about Noah
Rand