Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-07


and nodded. Awful, isn't lit" he
asked Il reckon you better come out
and see my mother, eh?"
Thank you: will" said Angela
gratefully. and she was surprised at
the feeling of relief that followed her
decision.
Just at sunset the ponies turned In
at wide gate ana went rollicking to-
ward 4 low, comfortable ranch house
perched on a knoll and surrounded by
beech trees. To Angela's delight
beautiful white haired old lady. ex-
quisitely neat in a lavender cotton
gown and white apron, came out to
meet them.
well. Gray. I see you've brought
me company" she smiled. scanning the
newcomer with uearsighted eyes.
II am afraid you will consider me
an intruder" cried Angela nervously
as she gave her hand to her driver and
jumped to the ground. "Your son was
very kind and
I'm very glad to see you. my dear"
interrupted Mrs. Dexter, kissing the
girl gently. After Gray has sent the
horses away he will explain all about
it. Come up to your room; you must
be very tired
You speak as though you had been
expecting me-" murmured Angela as
they entered the cool house and mount
ed the stairs.
I'VE who live in the loneliness are
always on the lookout for visitors"
no. ho nd
Here you are; now make yourself
comfortable and will bring you q cup
of tea"
wait, please" cried Angela. tossing
aside her hat and veil and, turning her
flushed face toward her hostess, add
ed, please let me tell you how hap
pened to come to this town before you
go any further"
VERY we'll, DEAR" and Mrs. Dexter
folded her hands and sat down while
Angela told the story of her life and
of its rude awakening to poverty and
the necessity for starting anew. She
faltered when she related how she had
foolishly left the point Of her destina-
ton to chance, and here q food OF
homesick tears drowned her speech.
Mrs. Dexter gathered her into moth
erly arms and kissed and crooned over
her, with now and then q murmured
chuckle of delight.
81 thought OF opening a millinery
shop" said Angela smiling through
her tears. 81 really am clever at hats.
But 1 suppose there are not many
women to wear them here"
Not very many, my dear, but we
will see what we can do. Wait until
Gray comes and
A masculine voice sang up the stair
way and announced that supper was
ready.
Come, Angela" said Mrs. Dexter,
giving the girl her hand. And, strange
~ happy In this new found friend, An
CELIA Long went down to the dining
room.
Gray Dexter gave her a pleasant
greeting, and Angela marveled at the
Ill concealed delight in her presence
that mother and son revealed In look
and word.
II am afraid you will think am
sort Of impostor," she said after
.
benefit.
Tell her, mother" laughed Gray,
with tender eyes on the girls lovely
face.
MY dear, 1t was wonder working
Providence that caused you to choose
to come to Angela, for 1t Is your own
town. Listen. Five years ago Gray
was working as bookkeeper in your
fathers factory. His health was very
poor, and the doctor ordered him to
adopt an open air life. 1t was that or
death. Gray could not afford to come.
for he had me to care for, but your
father interested himself in the case
and advanced the money to enable
Gray to come out here and buy the
ranch. We have been very successful,
and Gray has repaid all the money to
your father.
I'VE have been most grateful to your
father and, although unknown to you.
much interested in his daughter, whose
picture we saw once in society pa
| per. So, when the name of the town
was changed from Green Snake, Gray
| was asked to rename ii. and he called
1t Angela, after you, the daughter OF
the man who had given him life and
happiness and success.
Nov, don't you think this is your
own town."
Angela smiled at them through tears.
at is wonderful, wonderful" she muir
INJURED.
$50 you had better remain with me
until you decide what to do" went on
Mrs. Dexter. helping Angela to the
fluffy biscuits.
THANK you; 1 will" cried Angels
happily.
Gray Dexter looked at her rathel
shyly. He was thinking in his grea
heart that he might be able TO per
suade Angela that her vocation lay
there at the ranch. being a real daugh
ter to his mother and-his wife
And that's the way 1t turned on
after all.
July z IN American