Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-07


bought at Levy's on his way home
from work that night Then he stood
away and admired the snowy white
ness of the rubber collar that looked
exactly like linen and saved many
laundry bill by its deceptive guise; he
stroked the glossy smoothness Of his
olive green striped suit; he stuck out
neat foot attired in pale blue sock
and shiny patent leather pumps and
smiled with satisfaction. 1t would be
a critical maiden. indeed, who would
not look with favor upon Mr.. Babcock
in this festal array, for he had health
and youth and a measure of good
looks. He was going to a party, and
he was in love. 1t showed in his face
and in his eyes.
Suddenly he reached into an obscure
corner Of the bureau drawer and drew
forth a tiny box. From this box there
issued a small gold ring, set with a
cheap red stone. Cornelius gaIed on
it with quickened breath. He had
planned to wear 1t on his little finger
that night. She would ask him about
it, and he would ask her to. wear 1t IL
she wanted to. 1t all seemed so sim
pie as he had planned 1t. and now he
scarcely dared place it on his hand.
Suddenly it found place on his finger,
and the stone flashed as he lifted
hand and turned out the gas.
AS he strobe through the dining room.
where the elder Cornelius sat reading
the evening paper. his mothers voice
halted his steps.
Where you going. Corny? My, but
you're dressed up" She beamed at
him over her spectacles.
His father lifted a shaggy gray head
and surveyed his son with apparent
scorn. what you rugged like niger
minstrel for?" he growled contemptu-
ously.
Cornelius writhed inwardly. His
face flushed, and he stammered con-
fusedly. I'm going to a party. I
guess l won't be home till late. Mary
Firms giving a Halloween party"
The Firms lived in upper New York,
and on this particular night their small
fat was filed to overlooking with a
merry company of young people.
All sorts of paper decorations hung
from the walls and chandeliers. Jack
o'-lanterns were suspended in the door
ways and swayed grinningly as tell
heads passed to and fro. In circle of
laughing young men and girls Mary
Finn was outlining her program for
the evenings fun.
We'll tell fortunes by melting lead
and dropping it in cold water, and we
can roast chestnuts on the gas stove.
There's a tub of water and apples to
duck for in the kitchen, and afterward
you peel the apples and throw the par
ing over your shoulder. 1t curls into
the initial of the one you're going to
marry. 1t doesr' Mary blushed charm
ingly, and Cornelius intercepted her
smile and took it to himself.
"And what else, Mary" A broad
shouldered young man with shock
of thick, dark hair moved forward and
obstructed Cornelius view of Mary
Finn.
Its for us girls to do" giggled
Mary. I'VE let down our hair at mid
night and take lighted candle and a
handglass and walk backward around
the house three times. Only this be-
ing a fat We'll have to walk up and
down the hall. 1 guess. If you're ever
going to get married you'll see the
face of your future husband in the
glass"
do you believe that, Mary?" asked
thin faced girl sharply. You seem
to take it like it was dead earnest.
but
ASK my mother" returned Mary
proudly. and genial Mrs. Finn nodded
complacently.
Its true, amt It Michael?" she
asked of Mr.. Finn, who murmured as
sent. II saw Mike as plain as could
be looking over my shoulder, and
married him. didn't I? Don't be so
skeptical. Kitty; 1t amt healthy. Keep
young and foolish as long as you can"
The thin faced Kitty smiled politely
and sat down near Cornelius. Things
don't come like that. do they?" she
asked him. 81 mean the things you
want to happen don't come so easy.
You have TO work TO make 'em coms
right"
II don't know. never thought
much about It," admitted Cornelius.
conscious that he had been wildly hop
ing that some reflection of his face
might be projected upon Mary Firms
mirror.
"Humphw calculated Kitty scorn-
fully as she moved away.
1t was a delightful evening. There
were much fun and merriment over the
fortune telling and the apple ducking.
| Cornelius was lifted to heights OF bliss
when Mary's pairing dropped over her
| shoulder and formed n distinct B--for
! Babcock, OF course. But he was piung
ed to the lowest depths when Re learn
ed that the broad shouldered young
mans name was Brady-Chisstopher
Brady-so he stood an equal chance
| with Cornelius.
But the hour Of midnight was to be
I the crucial test OF future partners
for life. Apple parings might fall In
| 10 all sorts OF angles that wonld be
mistaken or construed into any desired
| letters, but a face in a mirror-sureIJ