Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-25
The Argus Daily. Story
The Best Presently Clarissa Mackie.
copyrighted ISLE. Dy Associated Literary Bureau

knew she would not be there. If his
instinct had warned him thus, a con-
versation he had overheard only en-
phasized that knowledge
Have the Heggs Gomez" Ann Dbl
BILE had asked Mrs. Deacon Fremont
In stage whisper.
Laws. no, Ann. don't expect they
will. either" returned Mrs Fremont.
why not? Silas always brought
something at donation parties. He
sent Eve bushels of potaters to the last
one we had"
He won't now. Ann" said Mrs. FIRE.
mont. lowering her voice, because pa
called there and Silas said he wouldn't
send a potater.''
Maybe he'll send something else.
Potatoes amt been very good this
year anyway" retorted the optimistic
Ann.
Maybe he won't I should think
you'd remember another reason than
that" Mrs. Fremont spoke mysteri-
ously.
prised If they did come. but should
have thought Silas would have sent
something"
Hes getting queer since Martha
died"
Getting queerT" shifted Ann Dibble.
Hes always been as queer as Dicks
hatbandv They say he's acted more
human since she died"
He wasn't never real cruel, Ann.
He was only severe. l expect he only
thought he was doing the best by Fran
ces when
| Good landr' Ann Dibble jumped
nervously as the minister's tall form
brushed past them with a hurried apol-
ogy. WAS that him standing there
! back of usg'
1T must have been," acknowledged
/ the chagrined Mrs. Fremont. Some
how l got the notion it was foolish
/ Peter Wood"
II hope be won't take no oefense at
( what we said" worried Ann Dibble.
"'Twan't anything bad" she added
hopefully. Folks have got to talk
about Silas Hegg once in awhile"
And Frances, too" reminded Mrs.
Fremont in self extenuation of her
uSullOn Oh tue girl y udLue.
Contrary to rybody's expectations.
Silas Hegg did appear at the Christ
mas party. He came all alone. and
he did not so at once to the minister
and offer his greetings. Instead he lin
gered as long as possible, chatting here
and there in a subdued sort of way,
quite different from his former aggres-
sive attitude. The young minister saw
him in the distance, and his heart con-
tracted with pain. He wondered If
Frances had come, too. and he found
himself peering over the heads of the
people for a glimpse of the girls fair
face.
1t was not to be seen.
Then jealousy smote him. He won
dered IL Frances Hegg had grown tired
of waiting for him. He wondered If
somebody else had succeeded him in
her affections and then he scored him
self severely for doubling her at all.
At last Silas Hegg met him face to
face and could no longer avoid speak
ing to him. Frank Bradberry'S face
was grave and pale as he shook hands
with the big farmer, and he felt
pang of sympathy at the mans great
grief over the loss of his wife. Martha.
Somehow since Martha died I've
learned lots of things, Mr.. Bradberry,"
said Sllas meekly. Il used to think
that money was everything. but I've
found it amt. I've found I'm pretty
unhappy man without my wife, even
If I've got a comfortable balance in
the bank"
The minister did not find it difficult
to speak words of comfort to Frances
stricken father When they parted a
new understanding had sprung up be-
tween them.
81 amt brought a gift with me. Mr..
Bradberry," said Silas as he turned
away to permit some OF the company
to take their farewels of the minister.
for the hour was late, but I'm going
to stay awhile, and maybe you'll walk
over to my house and get it."
Certainly said the clergy man.
thinking of a basket Of choice apples
or grapes, of which fruits Silas had
been very liberal before the courtship
of Frances really began.
There were many backward glances
and covert whispers after the prayer
was over and the company went home.
''Silas Hegg's the last one there!'
81 wonder what's upT'
That was the burden OF the remarks.
|. The minister and Silas walked ST.
lently across the fields. taking the
short cut to the Hegg farm. light
was burning In the sitting room as
they mounted the steps Of the porch
, and the minister found himself shak-
ing as with chill
Silas opened the door and entered
Frances. pale and sweet as ever hr
had seen her in his dreams, arose from
low chair. startled and wide eyed at
sight of her lover. She swayed a little
and her father stepped forward and
supported her in his strong arms
"Mr. Bradberry." he said brokenly,
J 'here's my Christmas gift to you Take
my daughter" and as he gave Frances
; into the minister's willing arms Silas
, Hegg's eyes were full of tears