Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-08

= diving to see what 1t contains. III NUS
be precious" she ratified on. ''becaus,
| it's registered and stamped with al
sorts of odd foreign characters"
Nellie Hilyer laughed as she tossed
/ her hat and jacket on the bed and car
| ried the interesting package to the win
| dow.
Its from my Uncle Dan. You re
member, Grace, I've told you about
him-how he has lived for many years
in China and is as rich as rich can be. y
Miss Lane nodded her golden head
and frowned Yes; I've heard all
about your rich Uncle Daniel. and
think he's a stingy old thing. Neli-so
there, If he wasn't he wouldn't per-
nit his niece to wither away in this
perfectly respectable but terribly
gloomy boarding house or to continue
the nerve racking occupation Of teach
ing grimy youngsters their A C's."
What would you have him do,
Grace?" smiled Nell.
II would have him send you a per-
fectly enormous draft on New York,
enough to enable you to buy rose
powered cottage in the country and to
raise chickens for the market. And.
Nell, 1 could go and live with you
and be your right hand man. Wouldn't
it be great?"
Nellie sighed profoundly.
1T would be lovely, Grace, but I'm
afraid he won't do a thing. You see,
he quarreled with my mother years
ago because she married my father,
and we never heard a word from him
for years and years. Then mother
died. and still never a word from I'm
Gle Dan. After fathers death, a year
ago, you know 1 was left entirely
alone and quite poor-those long i'll
nesses simply devoured the money
and now it seems Uncle Dan has re-
membered my birthday after ALL" She
looked dreamily down into the grubby
back yard of the city block.
Grace jumped up and pulled down
the yellow window shades and lighted
the gas jet.
Now that he has remembered, dear,
suppose you open it and see what it
contains" she urged. Perhaps he has
sent you the rose powered cottage aft
er ALL"
Nellie united the heavy cord that
bound the package and broke the red
seals that splotched it here and there
When the outer paper was removed
she found that there was layer after
layer of oiled yellow paper. and at last
there was revealed fat box covered
with brocaded silk. The silk covered
box was tied with golden cords. and
when these were removed the lifted |
,over brought to light most wonder |
,ul garment of green satin, stiff with /!
and glistening with gold |
bread.
Nellie held it up for her friend to see. |
A mandarin's coat" she said with a /
little choke in her voice. isn't it Won |
lerful?"
Grace was examining the coat with
ritical eyes. On the broad back of !
he garment was embroidered a garden |
Gene. and the fronts were equally
plendid On either flowing sleeve
here blazed Il golden sun. and as she
witched one OF the sleeves aside there
ounded a faint crackle from its vo-
folds.
She plunged her hand into the peck
t-like cavity and drew out rice paper
nvelope addressed to Miss Nellie
Iilyer"
Nellie opened the envelope and took
ut thin sheet of rice paper. Across
he top OF the sheet her uncle Dan
ad written a. few words: ITO Nellie
n her twenty-second birthday. from
ncle Dam Then he had added: BE
wv is a fairly good sample OF Chinese
oetry. Are you fond of poetry?"
Grace read the poem aloud.
The day is fair, like other days.
stroll in my garden.
Trough rose bordered paths I stray,
seking always for happiness and peace
of mind.
t last 1 walk straight into the heart OF
the sun dragon
am swallowed up and turned into a
glowing jewel of delight
How odd commented Grace when
lie had finished. 1T is without rhine
meter. and
But not without meaning" inter-
pted Nellie excitedly. Look. Grace
lc pointed at the outspread man
rims coat that was on the bed be-
re them. I've been looking ut that.
really think the poem applies to this {
rden scene on the back of the coat"
'Fiddle-de-dee" scoffed Miss Lane
she knelt beside her friend before ]
G green satin coat. II never vet saw
@ Chinese poem that ever appeared |
express anything save the utter I
of that upside down 1
nd 7
Read the poem again while trace V
t the story" urged Nellie. her finger i
the beginning OF the embroidered L
own path that trickled over the a
zen satin garden. D
Grace laughed and obeyed. 1t was
Their fun to indulge in these pretty s
lcieS after a hard days work in tie q
loolroOm. u
The day is fair. like other days." o
= began. n
See, Grace? The sun is shining. Y
Mt shows that the day is fair" in
rupted Nellie eagerly. "Strolling up
: brown path-see. my finger travels
ough the rose bordered paths-seek-
for happiness aud peace of mind.