Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-03
The Argus Daily Story
The Mahogany Dresser-By Clarissa Maclie.
Copyrighted lsI1 by Associated Literary Bureau

pocketed the money.
The crowd shifted and changed ev-
cry little while, and the people who had
witnessed Susan's embarrassment had
either disappeared or forgotten her.
Probably they were quite accustomed
to witnessing disappointed purchasers
in the auction rooms.
After awhile Susan lost her interest
in the pastime of auctioneering. Moth
ing else that attracted her was put up,
and so she patted her veil into place
before dim old mirror and departed.
still clutching her money.
Hateful old thing She still nur-
tured resentment toward the success
full bidder. 81 don't suppose he really
wants the dresser, and it's the very
thing for the spare. room. I'm sure he
looks Just as mean as he acted. He
had a mean voice"
Susan Ames had $50 in her pocket
It was all her own money to spend as
she pleased. Fate had ordained that
she should not spend it on the ma
hogany dresser. and so. because she
felt sorry for herself, Susan proceeded
to extract some enjoyment from the
gloomy day.
She lunched in an expensive place
and ordered all the things she knew
would make her fat, although she loved
them. She bought herself q dream of
a waist that was positive bargain.
and If Susan Ames was not an authori
ty on furniture she understood the val
ne Of clothes, and we may assume that
she really did secure a bargain.
After the dissipation of purchasing
the waist, which she really didn't need,
Susan felt the necessity for refresh
ment of some sort and went to fash
ionable confectioners, where she spent
an uncomfortable sum of money on
tiny ice in large glass, but she had
the inestimable privilege Of gazing
upon many people whom she read
about in the society columns Of the
Sunday newspapers, only unfortunate
" she didn't know one from another,
and Just when she had concluded that
a particularly stunning looking man
must be none other than the far famed
polo player. Dildine Hankley, some
body addressed the gentleman in ques-
| ton as smith," and her structure Of
identity fell
After the refreshment Susan went to
the matinee and nibbled a box Of ex-
pensive chocolates and wept over the
trials of a charmingly gowned heroine.
Then Susan went home.
It was dusk when she reached the
suburb where they lived. She felt no
uneasiness at the lateness OF her re-
turn, for Hilda, the maid, was a jewel
and dinner would be ready and wait
ing. Susan had been particular to
take the train that her husband usual
he had not appeared.
well, Hilda." she said as the smil-
ing maid opened the front door, I'm
afraid Mr.. Ames missed the train"
"Oh, no. Missus Ames," smiled Hill
da. "Mr. Ames, he ban come home"
Indeed? Where is he?" Susan
glanced into parlor and library and
found them dark.
Hi, Susan, come up here" called
her husbands voice from the second
floor. I've got surprise for you"
Susan went, a strange premonition
assailing her as she slowly mounted
the stairs. Perhaps it was a queer lit
tie bark In her husbands voice as he
called that reminded her Of the man in
the auction room. That, coupled with
a surprise, was ominous.
Tom Ames stood In the doorway Of
the spare room, which was brilliantly
lighted. The offending oak dresser was
pushed into the hall, and there be-
tween the windows rested the mahog-
any and brass glory of the auction
room.
1t was the mahogany dresser
"Oh, Tom. where did you get ftr Su-
sans voice was weak and very near to
tears.
Bought it at auction. Had an hour
to spare and ran around to that place
you read about. / might have got It
for 500, but some fool of a woman bid
against me and boosted the price to
$3.50. Thirty-six bones / paid for 1t,
my dear and l hope you like itw
"Oh, Tom cried Mrs. AmeS. and
she few to his arms and cried and
wept at the awful queerness of things
in this world that might be so well or
dered IL men only confided more In
| WIVES. vi NOuIsS HIc Buy
anything about this to Tom, who be-
lieyed she was weeping with Joy, and
he was congratulating himself on being
one of those husbands who don't mind
paying $50 for an article that Is worth
only $50 when the purchase OF said ar
ticle can cause such pure Joy in the
heart of little wife.
So the Ameses were very happy over
the mahogany dresser even If 1t wasn't
solid mahogany. 1t was the kind feel
ing back OF IT that added to their en-
toyment.
OF course Susan never told her hus.
band about her share III the bidding.
and that she was the woman who had
raised the price on the dresser that her
husband was trying to buy for hR.
YES" Mrs. Ames signs to her
friends. yes, 10y dear, have one Sc
sret from my husband that shall new
tr. never tell"
And so ia: she hasn't told.