Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-04

! light fall OF snow on the ground, and |
the low hanging gray clouds promised
another furry of white fakes. The
men of the household had taken their
guns and disappeared in the direction
of the woods. Bob Lindsay had prom
ised them rabbit pie for the Thanks
giving dinner, and Mrs. Lindsay was
In her sitting room replanning the
menu with this gastronomic delight in
view.
~ don't believe 1t would hurt US one
bit to go down into the woods. OF
course don't like to see them shoot
the darling little fluffy rabbits, but it's
awfully stupid here" pouted Lena Gil
bert. looking wistfully through the
window at the gray. outside world.
why don't you go out. Lena? l
will go too. Want to come, Feliciaf"
Amy arose and stretched her supple
young form lazily. This fire feels
mighty good" she added regretfully.
Run along, do" urged Felicia. II
i went to finish this collar tonight, so
you can't lure me outdoors. l enjoyed
brisk walk before breakfast"
$50 did Langford," observed Amy
carelessly and then bit her lip.
To a disinterested observer all three
girls looked conscious at the mention
of Langford Dales name. Felicta's
dark head bent more closely above her
embroidery, and a deep rose color in
vaded her cheeks. Lena Gilbert grew
quite white. and her light blue eyes
scanned Felicia's charming face. Amy
Lindsay, whose guests they were, was
quite distressed at the suggestiveness
Of her careless remark.
"Come. Lena: put on your woolly cap.
The first fakes are flying now"
As Lena arose, strengthening her
slender form with a side glance at
Felicia Wendell. there came an inter
ruption to the plans. A maidservant
> tripped down the wide. curving stair
way with a folded bit of paper in her
hand.
"I beg pardon, Miss Amy" she said
with a pert toss of her head, but
what shall l do with this note? 1t
doesn't exactly tell who it's for"
Where did you find 1t, NoraT" she
asked.
"In the upper hall, ma'am. 1t might
have dropped from the basket Of
waste paper 1 had taken from the
rooms awhile ago"
Miss Lindsay looked doubtfully at
the outside of the twisted note. Real
ly, Nora, 1t may not be a note at all.
Very likely it is merely a bit of dis
carded paper" She tossed it toward
j, the fire, but it fell short on the hearth
rug, and Lena Gilbert picked 1t up.
Nora made a movement of protest
"Oh, ma am. do believe 1t is a note,
because it's signed and The girl
stopped short and Redeemed furiously
at Amy's look of surprised displeasure.
"Ah, you read it. Nora?"
How could | find out where 1t be
longed If didn't open It? And l was
right too" And Nora Brady, who
l knew that her term of service would
soon be ended. smiled as she ventured
2 this last impertinence and slipped
away to the rear Of the house. Lena
Gilbert tossed the twisted paper over
to Amy, who caught 1t deity.
= Very likely it's only a scrubbed
memorandum. Nora is always Great
ing mountains from moIehills. l am
D so glad that she is to marry the gar
$ dener and go away. To open it or not.
: that is the vital question" she ended
dramatically.
open it, goOsie, and then come out
DOORS" advised Lena impatiently. She
leaned against Amy's shoulder as the
latter slowly UNFINISHED the note and
spread 1t out so that it could be read.
1t ran thus:
TOar ~ IL ~ tk, .
obliterated the name)-There is something
l must tell you before / so. VIII you not
be reading in the library a half hour be-
fore dinner? Devotedly, LANG.
"Oh, oh. OH" cried Amy Lindsay
as the meaning of the note dawned
upon her. She crumpled it In her
hand and stared excitedly into Lena s
red face. What have l doneT'
only read my note. dear" said
Lena in a silky voice. and her slim
fingers drew the paper from Amy's
hand and tucked it into the bosom
/ of her gown. Il forgive you. Amy.
l. but don't let US talk about It, It's a
dead secret. you know" She shook
her finger archly at her doubtful
e hostess.
S Lena's face was sparkling with ex-
9 element and triumph as she gently
pushed Amy from the hall. Leave
that to me, Amy" she advised. with
It a ripping laugh. by by, Felicia,
t. she sang over her shoulder at the dark
haired girl sewing quietly by the fro
e 'Goodby." smiled Felicia, quite In
a different to the little scene about the
note Nora had found.
As she wove delicate stitches In the
i fine linen collar she was emDrodering
, her thoughts few to that early morn
ing walk in the wintry garden ShI
had stolen out all alone to drink in the
8 fresh cold air, to watch the bIuejays
g quarreling among the leafiess trees. Ia
e find beauty in every frost blighted
thing in the garden. for she knew that
Langford Dale loved her. and this was
= the happiest Thanksgiving day Of he'
b life. Then to overflow her brimming
cup Of happiness he had Joined her
and had been trying TO tell her Of his
n love when the breakfast bell had warn
ed them that the other members of the
nd 81