Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-30


nut tsee. Rebecca Oswald sat with Idle
hands before the big loom. There was
a pungent smell Of green walnuts and
the peculiar odor of rankly growing
hollyhocks that latticed the window
with nuted pink cups.
Rebecca's lips were curved In a
bitter smile as she dreamed in the
mellow gloom of the shed Her slender
form. erect and motionless, was sharply
outlined against the light.
Within the shed everything was i'm
maculateiy clean and fresh with the
penetrating odor of cedar shingles.
The big loom filled one end Of the
room with its massive framework, and
In the corners were rolls of rag carpet
and several baskets filed with bright
hued rag strips.
Maria Oswald paused In the door
way. her round eyes peering sharply
at her sisters tense profile. "Rebec-
ca. what the land are you doing" she
asked sharply.
Rebecca started and turned her head.
81 wasn't doing anything, Maria. 1 was
resting awhile"
The older sister advanced and sat
down In a chair near the loom; her
keen eyes searched Rebecca's SEN
sitive. face and her own Redeemed with
indignation. 81 saw Ida Benjamin's
boy coming out OF the gate. What did
| he want?" she demanded
HE brought some rags; his mother
| wants some mats made-for Edna,
! said Rebecca quietly.
protested Maria.
81 must-if I don't, Ida viii say its
because of Edna marrying Myron."
IF that amt just like Ida Benja-
min-the spitefulest critter that ever
drew breath! Why didn't she take the
rags down to Peterkin?" Suddenly
Maria's disturbed countenance became
an urbane mask. Don't you dare cry,
Rebecca Oswald" she added fiercely;
shes coming nowr"
A shadow darkened the doorway
and Ida Benjamin entered. She was
a tall, strongly built woman, with
colorless hair rolled stifiy away from
her sallow skinned face. Cold blue
eyes were set unpleasantly close to q
prominent nose hooked above a bitter
mouth. She carried herself with the
proud insolence OF one whose weapons
are always unsheathed. Ida Benja
Minis keenest weapon Of attack and
defense lay behind the even rows Of
her false teeth. Now she rustled for
ward with an amplitude of starcheC
skirts
Busy as a bee, Rebecca. ! declare
you're always at it. amt you? II
take this chair, Maria. You needn'
get up" She beamed amiably upoI
the sisters.
Rebecca removed her foot from tn,
Robbie brought the rags. Ida Wha
color warp do you want?"
white, | guess. Do you think yol
can get them done by the LIST of Octo
Der? They are for Ednas new hous,
and She paused significantly.
why not take them down to Peter
kin? He's starving for work. and Re
becca's got all she can do" interpo
lated Maria acidly.
81 want nobody but Rebecca shout,
touch them" protested Ida Benjamin
Being Edna's wedding outfit, they ar
very special. and Rebecca makes sucl
pretty mats"
VERY well. Ida: 1 can make them
There's plenty of time before the Is
of October. Tell me how you wan
them made" said Rebecca quietly.
While the two women discussed tn
making of the rugs-or mats as the,
are called In Little River-Maria aros
and silently left the weaving shed.
Alone with Rebecca Oswald, Mrs
Benjamin dropped the ball of rags sh
had been displaying to the weave
and leaned back In her chair. We'll
Rebecca. hope you don't hold an.
hard feeling toward me and Edna.
she said. with malicious smile.
I'VE never have been intimat
friends. Ida; you know that" said Re
becca proudly. but why do you imag
inc that | should feel any especial en-
nifty toward you now?"
For an instant Ida Benjamin's sallov
face Redeemed: then. as II Rebecca'
question offered an opening for which
she had long waited. the color left he
cheeks sallow and strained. and sh
spoke coldly and deliberately:
you needn't pretend you don't minC
losing Myron White after keeping com
pany with him for FIVE years. O
course he's older than Edna. but tn
very minute he set eyes on her he los
his heart. You can't blame him. Re
becca; Edna's so young and fresh. Ant
you-and me. too-are not as young a
we used to be. There; you needn't red
den mp and look so proud. Rebecca
You might as well look the truth In tn
face as to pretend you don't care"
Have You got anything more 4
sayP asked Rebecca icily.
Ida Benjamin hesitated. An cage
question had burned her tongue 70
five years. To her coarse grained mia
there was no indelicacy IN the asking
OF such a question. but she did shrinl
from Rebecca's answer. She felt In
stinctively that Rebecca Oswald woul,
speak nothing but the truth. Her eager
ness now found vent in the question.
Sarah QuiGley says that years age
before ! married Jonah Benja min. b
courted you and wanted TO marry you