Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-06

ence were she naturally gave il quick
glance. That Clarence saw Alice's re-
Election in the mirror was evident to
Bess from the expression on his face.
but she paid no attention 20 it, chatting
on as If she had seen nothing. What
she was saying her brother did not
heed. He was thinking of the girls
glance he had seen In the mirror be-
fore him.
Some one-a stranger-just passed
the door: Did you see anything?'
See anything? What do you meant"
Now. Halloween was in Clarence's
mind, and for a moment the idea that
he had seen his future wife dominated
him. But fear of being rallied for
such fancy deferred him from fol-
lowing the matter further.
Bess proceeded with what she had
been saying and knew that Hates
scheme had been successful. Soon aft
er this she went to Hates room, where
she found both Kate and their mother,
and the conspirators, especially Kate.
listened eagerly to what she had to re-
port concerning Clarence and the re-
Election and what he had said about 1t.
so far so. good" exclaimed Kate.
after listening to what her sister said.
'Now what"
"There is nothing more to be DONE"
said the mother. Clarence will meet
your friend at breakfast and
"And what?"
'It won't be easy TO explain the mat
ter. will it," Mrs. Rudd finished
thoughtfully.
Indeed it won't" Bess remarked.
I'm afraid, mother, we've got into a
| middle in consenting to aid Kate"
I'll keep Alice in her room in the
morning." said Kate. THAT will give
US time to make up a story or some
thing"
We'll simply make a Joke Of It, as
! was intended" said Mrs. Rudd. Come,
| girls; 60 to bed"
Clarence Rudd was as sure that he
on Halloween as he was Of his ex-
istence. But why had not Bess,
who was sitting with her face to the
open door. seen the flesh and blood as
he had seen the image? He was puz-
zled, but his mind chung to the correct
solution that the girl had been In the
house. Would she be there tomorrow?
He expected to see her at breakfast.
But when morning came and tho
stranger did not appear at the break
fast table, no member Of the family
making any reference to her. Clarence
was staggered. He studied the face
| - Ill . 10
| family, but gained no satisfaction.
! After breakfast he went out, and after
a conference of the conspirators, at
which 1t was decided that the guest
| must be informed Of the prank that
had been played, Kate carried a break
fast up to Alice and while II was being
eaten told the whole story.
II there was any fear that Alice
! would be displeased it was allayed at
| once.
There's but one way to carry out
your scheme to its proper end, Kate"
she said. II must go away from here
without your brother seeing me-"
"And thenf'
"And then-let me sect would be
a good plan for you to visit me and ar
range that he should come, too, while
you are with me-"
Mrs. Rudd endea vored to get the
girls TO bring the matter to an end
without, as she expressed II. running
any more risk. but Alice was obdurate
and insisted on having her way.
you put me into It," she said, with
out consulting me. There's lots OF fun
| ,.,t, 80
ed. think you should permit me to
handle 1t from now on"
1t was decided to let her have her
way. She left at once, and 1t was ar
ranged that Kate should visit her with
in a few weeks.
Clarence's natural reticence prevent
ed his saying anything about the face
he had seen OF Halloween, and the
secret of the conspiracy was kept from
him. In time Kate went to visit Alice
Archie and when about to return wrote
her brother that she had picked our
her friend for him. at the same time
suggesting that he come for his sister
and escort her home.
Alice Archie and Kate Budd agreed
that when Clarence appeared they
would keep mp their game. But when
his sister introduced him to the girl
whose image he had seen in his mirror
his expression was too much for them
Neither girl succeeded In keeping a
straight face. Kate burst out laugh
ing. and Alice. seeing that the end had
come. followed suit
II knew there was a prank being
played on me-" exclaimed Clarence,
prevaricating. for he knew SDthlng OF
the kind. Come: out with 1t. I must
have an explanation ut once"
The explanation was made, and Miss
Archie treated the affair as the joke II
was. but II had made an impression
on the impressible Clarence. He had
for weeks been dreaming of the face
he had seen on Halloween. and II
was not destined to fade. Years after
his sister had played her prank upon
him he married Alice Archie.