Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-12

julep had been skillful. too-and tears
rose TO my eyes, and there l might
have been crying AT my own party if l
hadn't felt strong warm hand laid on
mine as it rested on my lap. and Dr.
Johns kind voice teased into my ears,
STEADY, Mrs. Peaches. there's the low
ing cup 10 come vet" he whispered.
l hated him, but held on to his thumb
tight for half a minute. He didn't
know what the matter really was. but
he understood what | needed. He al
ways does.
And after that everybody had good
time. the ginger barber and Judy as
much as anybody. and could see Aunt
Bette and Mrs. Johnson peeping in the
pantry door, having the time of their
lives too.
That dinner was going like an air
ship on a high wind. when something
happened to tangle its tail feathers and
/ can hardly write il for trembling
yet 1t was a simple little blue tele-
gram, but ii might have been nitro
glycerin on tear for the way it acted.
II was for me, but the ginger barber
handed it to Tom. and he opened it
and. looking at me over his full-after
many times emptied-glass, he solemn.
~ read it out loud. 1t said:
Landed this noon. Have your permits
sion to come 10 Hillsboro Immediately?
Answer. ALFRED.
1t was dreadful. Nobody said word
and Tom laid the telegram right down
in his plate, where it Immediately be-
gan to soak up the dressing of his sal.
ad. He was so white and shaky that
Pet looked at him in amazement. and
then I am sure she had the good sense
to find his hand under the cloth and
hold it, for his shoulder lowered against
hers and the color came back to his
face as he smiled down at her
don't believe I'll ever really get the
courage to look at Tom again until he
marries Pet, which he'll do now, I feel
sure.
And as for the judge and Ruth
Chester. l was glad they were sitting
beside each other. for | could avoid
that side of the table with my eyes
until had steadied myself a few sec
onds at least. The surprise made the
others ! had been dining seem statues
from the stone age. and only Mr.
Graves fork failed to hang fire. His
appetite is as strong as his nerves. and
Della HAYES looked at his composure
with the relief plain in her eyes.
Henrietta's smile in the judges di.
rection was doubtful But they were
not all my lovers, and why that awful
silence?
] couldn't say n word. and l am sure
don't know what | would have done
If it hadn't been for the doctor. He
leaned forward, and his deep eyes
i came out in their wonderful way and
seemed to collect every pair of eyes at
| the table, even the most astounded. rs
/ he raised his glass.
/ We all held our breaths and waited
| for him to speak.
NO wonder we are all stricken
dumb at Mrs. Carriers telegram" he
said in his deep voice that commands
everybody and everything. even the
( terrors of birth and death The
whole town will be paralyzed at the
news that its most distinguished citi-
zen is only going to give them two
days to get ready to receive him. |
can see the panic the brass band will
have now getting the brass shined
| up. and I want to he the one 70 tell
Mayor Pollard myself, SO as to sug-
| gest to him TO have at least n two
| hour speech Of welcome to hand out at
! the train. Wen make il one hot time: