Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-14
The Argus Daily Story
A Gift of Flowers-By T. A. Mitchell.
Copyrighted, 1912 by Associated Literary Bureau


with my friend Mary Morrison al her
by the sea. was about start
ing from the house when l received Il
telegram. as follows:
Tiny will meet you at the station. Bring
her along.
had heard Mary speak OF Tiny
Archibald. who rejoiced in the more
euphonious name OF Gwendolin. but
whose baby nickname had stuck TO her
through childhood and youth. l had
never seen her, but had been told that
she was a very attractive girl. But
how was to recognize her? Mary
had not told me that she would carry
her handkerchief in her left hand or
that she would wear spris of gera-
mum in her belt Doubtless she had
spoken Of Miss Archibald to me so Of
ten that she supposed l had met her
cousin.
went to the station expecting to find
young lady on the lookout for some
one she didn't know and in order Il
prepare for a little attention bought
some violets, which l carried in my
hand. | had no sooner entered the
waiting room than noticed an attrac-
tive looking woman walking back and
forth, staring at every man she passed.
l was sure she was the person was to
meet. so l walked up to her, lifted my
hat politely and was about 10 ask her
II she was not Miss Archibald when
she gave me a meaning look and said
in a quick low voice:
Not a word till we are on the train"
l confess l was surprised. What
could be the necessity for such mys-
terry since ! was simply to escort her
on short journey? However. it was
she who was making the mystery, not
/, ard 1t behooved me to do as she
said and find out the cause when she
chose to tell me. / relieved her of a
satchel she carried and conducted her
to a parlor car. When we were seated
1 politely handed her the violets. The
day was hot. and a window was open.
What did she do but throw the flowers
out on to a side track.
Never in my life have I been more
astonished at the reception of a gift
The expression on my face betrayed
how deeply felt the insult and the
lady FASTENED to explain. But the ex'
PLANTATION only added to my amaze
ment.
We are observed" she said: ''ths
violets will give us away"
Give us awayF
Yes: Mary knows that you were tC
carry violets, and she may have let II
( out
/ MARY knows! She mentioned moth
/ ing by which,
/ Hush! The man opposite is listen
ing"
/ OF all the receptions I ever had from
woman this certainly was the most re
markable. Surely there was somethin:
/ missing that would have made all Thu
clear. / have it. Mary has writer
me a letter that / have not receive ed
in which ! am expected to take part
The telegram was supplementary.
II suppose you know where you ar,
to take me-" said my companion in ,
low voice.
/ IL do" I replied. retiring within my
self and determined to let the stOr.
proceed without giving away the fac
that the only instructions I had re
ceived were to take her to Mary Nor
rison's seaside residence.
will Arthur meet US at the station
or somewhere elSe?"
This was point blank question tina
/ proposed to parry. al have not beer
instructed as to that. Doubtless w,
shall be advised when we arrive"
Surely"
pheasant" I remarked TO myself
this ease with which | satisfy tn
lady. | wonder If I'll get on as wei
with the rest of the questions she ask
me-
Il don't dare continue this any long
err" she said suddenly after looking
through the car suspiciously. IL vii
take another seat"
She did as she said she would do.
didn't mind her mysterious actions u
TO this point, but now to be deprive'
OF the company on which had count
ed was positively annoying. | though
| would give Up my part in the play
follow her and ask her what the dick
ems 1t all meant. ! was rising to do :
when she saw me and with knit brow
and a commanding look ordered Inc t
remain where ! was
The train stopped at station a
which a number of persons got on.
happened to look at Miss Archibald
and noticed that she had pulled THO
veil down over her face. didn't thin
very much Of this. for the car was fu
of dust. Not having any one TO tai
%. | lay back and closed my eyes.
boy selling candies went through til
train crying his wares. He ceased I
shout at the end OF the car where Mis-
Archibald was sitting. and not ion
sfterward I felt tap on my ghoulde
Looking up. there was the candy DO
holding mt pasteboard box to me.
Don't want any" said testify.
Lady at other end of the car ser
EN- TO you. sir"
took the box. removed the lid. an
there on top OF some bonbons lay
folded bit Of white paper. Opening
] read:
A.