Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-23
The Daily Story
WHAT THEY HEARD-BY CLARISSA MACKI
Cupyrightea. 1913. by ASSOCIATED ll.erarx Bureau

4hS NAhIA INV
romanticr' sighed Fanny Wicks.
Il think we better have some re-
freshments now" said Mrs. Wright
nervously. and for once in her color
less life she used rare diplomacy in Sc
lecting her helpers.
With Mittie Loomis. Fanny Wicks,
Mrs. Beebe. Mrs. Sayles and Ellen
Spencer all cutting cake and passing
lemonade and plates. there was little
chance for these informers to add to
the stream of gossip they had started.
Indeed. the stream flowed briskly along
and was threatening to become a food
Of scandal when the side door opened
and Mrs. Bush trotted briskly in and
sat down in her empty chair.
Her little black eyes sparkled ma
liciously, and she famed herself with
a black mittened hand as she talked.
Thought I'd get here in time for
bite to eat. Mittie, is that poundcake?
Well, jest give me the end piece: l like
it best. And, yes, I'll take tea. Mrs.
Wright. Let the young folks have
lemonade"
Her middle aged companions uncon-
sciously bridled at being clasSed among
the younger generation. and so feel
ing Of good fellowship was established
when Mrs. Bush dropped a bombshell
in their midst
II saw Mrs. Pendleton at her front
gate, and l told her what you all was
saying about her." observed Mrs. Bush
coolly.
There was a moment of breathless
horror, and FIVE pairs OF eyes started
with guilty fear. Mittie Loomis found
her tongue first.
Aunt Louisa, you never did,"
81 did. l wanted to find out IL there
was a word OF truth in the hull thing
or whether folks had been listening ON
the telephone again.
There were five feeble protests, and
five pink faces were the cynosure OF
all eyes.
Mrs. Bush went on mercilessly:
Il told her, and she says. Mrs. Bush.
do. believe those good gossips have
been listening along the telephone line!'
And then she up and told me all about
it, and all l got to say is | don't see
how any sensible, God fearing woman
! can deliberately misconstrue some
| body else's innocent conversation and
| twist it into news that sets every
| body by the ears. / know some things
| amt never told. | met Mrs. Pendle-
tons brother. and he showed me a
| picture of his wife and children; had
| it in his vest pocket They're all COM
! ing up to spend two weeks pretty soon.
! So where's your romance about the
other man. Fanny Wicks? Fiddledee"
The silence was profound. while Mrs.
! Bush told the members of the sewing
society all about Mrs. Pendleton's busy
! day preparing for the unexpected
guest. She also related how she her
self had poked an inquisitive nose into
the Pendleton pantry and had seen n
goodly store of eatables there, and she
translated Mrs. Pendleton's remark to
her husband as being the exaggeratiou
of a good housekeeper when she ex-
poets compromising in the house
| to eat.
Then Mrs. Bush told another secret.
Mrs. Pendleton had given her permits
sion to tell them, and it was the sort
of secret that all women are interested
in. 1t brings tender smiles TO their
lips and warm maternal light to the
eyes. even to the eyes or such spinsters
as Mittie LOOMS and Fannie Wicks.
You can all make it up to Mrs. Pen
dleton by fixing something for the 1T
tie new baby that's expected" said
Mrs. Bush. her sharp voice softening
wonderfully under the influence of this
magical topic. Now, what can you
do, Mittie?'
"A knitted carriage robe, blue and
white" said Alittie eagerly. It'll be
lot OF work. but don't mind"
81 shall crochet three pairs of little
Shoes" said Ellen Spencer II know
pretty new pattern"
And you. Fanny Wicks?" asked
Mrs. Bush sharply, for Fanny liked TO
write poetry in her spare moments and
was not fond OF work in any form.
"Bibs," said Fanny dreamily. six
; little embroidered bibs. | saw some
patterns in the fashion sheet thls
month. They were so cute was wish
ing | knew some little one to make
them for"
81 shall embroider FELLOWSHIP" said
Mrs. Charlie Sayles brskly. and one
could almost see the beautifully work
ed pattern that would result from her
labors.
Il will make cap" said Mrs. Beebe,
her mind busy with the details OF this
interesting needlework.
Then, when everything's done. I
guess we might have a kind Of little
party for Mrs. Pendleton and give 'eln
to her. expect she will like that
; kind of a donation" said old Mrs
Bush. and she had forgotten TO be
snappish. and her black eyes beamed
youthfully.
Well. it is fact that now. when the
Pendletons' telephone bell rings. al
the receivers on that line remain OF
their respective hooks. but the fivs
subscribers always look a bit anxious
and say:
II hope nothing is the matter Will
that blessed baby"
= Sept. % In American