Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-26
The Argus Daily Story
Farwelrs Freak-By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1912. by Associated Literary Bureau.

IF father consents I'd like TO so at
once" went on Eve IF | do go you
will take a vacation when l return.
won't you. Aunt Jsuet?"
Miss Farwell leaned over and kissed
her niece Certainly. dear. I'd like
change myself. You go and have your
fins. -and then when you return I'll go
and have my hingr' she laughed COM
fortably. ~
II was settled that way. Neither
Abner Farwell nor his sister under
stood Ewes feverish desire to get away
from the ranch. but they helped her
all they could There were an exchange
Of kilograms with Aunt Sarah in New
York and a few hurried preparations
by the two women at the ranch. Then
early one morning Abuer Farweli
hitched the grays to the blackboard.
and. with Ewes trunk strapped on be-
hind, he took her to the nearest rail-
road station.
Her sudden departure was surprise
to the men on the ranch. Manv OF
them she had known since childhood.
and they had a warm place IN her
heart. All liked her sweet disposition
II they did not admire her rather plain
face. The new assistant foreman.
Webb, had never seen her at all so
swift was her going
As for Andy Morgan. this sudden
vanishing of the girl be had neartlessly
criticised remained a mystery. IL was
also a blow to his extreme vanity.
Ewes winter In New York heightened
into a year. and the pecsns were once
more hanging thickly in the groves.
and the same caressing wind was max
I ing music in the branches.
She came unannounced. A cattle
wagon from a distant ranch was at
! the station. Some expected freight had
! not arrived. and 1t was going away
empty when Eve hailed the driver.
Can you take me to Earwell'sT'
she asked the man. II didn't have
time to send word was coming"
Sure thingr' he answered cordially.
I'll tote your trunks. L reckon you
got q mighty lot of pretties in all those
big sairytogers."
Yes. | have" smiled Eve through
her thick veil.
II reckon you're some kin to the
Farwells." he suggested as they drove
along.
"why?" asked Eve. although she
could guess his bewilderment.
You look a lot like Farwell's girl.
Eve. | amt seen her in a month OF
Sundays"
Not for a year, Joe Flanders" laugh
ed Eve suddenly. Don't you recognize
old friends?"
Flanders stared amazedly. The face
he saw through the veil was wonder
fully round and fair. and Eve Farwell
had been thin as a rail. He shook his
head doubtfully. My gosh. you're
either ioshin' me or else you've been
fattenin' up some!" he blurted forth.
Eve threw back her head and laugh
err such a sweet. merry laugh that Joe
Flanders recognized her at once.
Nobody but Eve Farwell could
laugh like that" he admitted "It
you'd take OF that veil could identify
; you further"
Eve removed the veil and looked at
him With mischief in her red brown
eyes Joe Flanders stared until the
, tears came from his strained orbs.
Good heavens. girl, what have you
|, been doin? Why. you're dream of
beauty" ne gasped.
A lovely color flushed Ewes perfect
, complexion. She certainly had devel-
oppd wonderfully during that year in
. New York Dancing and gymnastics.
pleasure and happiness under the wise
guidance of Aunt Sarah's trained ex-
perience had changed "Farwell's freak"
, into a beauty. The red hair CLEANED
, and glistened like red gold against her
, white brow. and rhe arched dark eye
brows added TO the beauty Of the red
brown eyes beneath Her figure was
perfect now Surely Eve Farwell had
come into her heritage.
I'm glad you like me. joe" said
Eve wistfully
, Bless your heart Eve. I've always
, liked yon But this Is surprise.
, wonder II | spent year In New York
, they'd turn me out a ravin beauty.
What sayT'
When he left Eve at the FarweIl
ranch 1t was to see her swallowed up
, in the embrace of father aud aunt.
, Later at the supper table there was a
surprise in store for Andy Morgan.
> "Eve-Eve." he stammered as she
gave a cool little hand into his for a
, brief instant you're changed some. %
He stepped back as Webb came for
ward. and Mr. Farwel proudly made
the Introduction TO his daughter.
, Eve never forgot Webb's surprised
> glance that swept from her lovely face
a TO the chagrined countenance OF Andy
a Morgan.
Then Webb's straight glance came
: hack to her eyes and seemed to find
=, something there that satisfied him A
a thrill passed between them. but at the
moment they did not understand Its
- meaning
y. Afterward Eve knew that the old
a unworthy love had died that day when
: she sat high among the pecan branches
u, and heard Mark Webb's plain state
raent OF his attitude toward women
And she reioicPd that always she
;, would have this brave knight to de
f, fend her.