Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
The Daily Story
The Lilibridge Scandal-By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1914. by Associated Literary Bureau


Thanks" said Alfred, going rom.
to the screen door and letting himsel,
| inside.
AS he stood there hat In hand. sn,.
/ ing good naturally around at the "a
| miiiar old fashioned room, he VIA.
| startled at the actions of the two yood
| spinsters whose earnest gossip he had
interrupted.
Fenella few to the door throueb
which he had just entered and sIaw
med 1t tight shut and locked II. Tai
by pulled down the window sa,n
locked it and pulled the shade 10 ~
sill. Then from window to wipdo,,
of the little house few the two vor
en-, pulling down shades and dra vsn.
curtains until from without the niace
looked deserted.
whats up" demanded llfrsa
Quigg when they rushed breatblesxI,
back to the kitchen and caught him
by either arm.
They're coming. Alfred. and yore,
must hide" warned FeneiIa epsf
member, Tabby and I don't believe
word OF it. but you don't want 10 he
caught. Remember your poor parents
You just hide until the worst blows
over, and then wen know what TO do
I'm so thankful you came to my houss
first. You will be safe here No ono
would dream Of looking for you in
Fenella Mason's house. Gomez
So, half explaining. they dragged the
bewildered young man up the narrow
back stairway to the little closet in the
loft room over the kitchen. Here they
locked him in, confident that be coud
not suffocate, for the tiny diamond
shaped ventilator would let in sufficient
air.
They're a pair of crazy looms, and
may as well let them have their own
way until dark decided Alfred when
his indignation had cooled. Then /
can push out of this place and 20
home"
1t was drawing toward sunset, and
Fenella Mason and Tabby Way still
sat in Fenella's kitchen discussing the
fugitive concealed in the loft room
closet.
They had been up there once and
handed Alfred well laden tray Of
food, for which he had given them
scanty thanks.
I'm glad he came here first" Fenel {
la was saying for the hundredth time 7
that afternoon when there came 6
laundering knock at the Kitchen door.
Its themr' Kissed Tabby.
Fenella went to the door and peepei
through an opening in the shade
"'Tain't no one but Alfred's pa, tbs
deacon" she whispered. Guess bet
ter let him in"
She cautiously opened the door ane
permitted the amazed old man to en-
ter the darkened room.
What in tarnation pumpkins is the
matter with you, Fenny?" he asked
testify. Locked up here tight as
drum, You cd maids air the con
foundedest critters. You act as IL
hull regiment of manageable men wa,
lurking around the yard waiting tt
break into the house and elope witt
you, Have you seen Alfred?'
"Alfred?" gasped Fenella.
"Alfred?" echoed Tabitha.
Yes, Alfredr' barked the deacon
fiinging his cap down on the table
I'VE had a telegram from him sayini
he'd just got back from Patagonis
You know he went as first mate on
freight steamer Station master ha
just told me Alfred arrived on the L
o'clock train this morning and some n
body said they saw him coming int
your gate Ma and / are worn GU
waiting for him. Where is AlfredT
up Ia the loft room closet" sal
Fenella family.
"Why?" Numbered the deacon.
1t was Tabitha who told him tn
news of the bank robbery and how Al
fred Quigg. scapegrace son Of Deacoi
Quigg of Lilibridge. had become an alb
sconder and that the detectives wer
close on his trail.
"Boshi'' snorted the deacon whei
Tabby had concluded her tale. "lrea'
that publish in the paper myself
Name was Twigg. not Quigg. am
'twasn't this Lilibridge he was from
L was Lilibridge in Connection
Where's my Alfred-the best sailc
boy in the whole world?'
He stamped upstairs, and the tw
,hagrined women heard him arguinl
with Alfred. They talked for a Ion.
lime. and at last they heard the sount
II muffied laughter.
When father and son came down
tairs their eyes were twinklins
Come over to the house tonign'
iris said the deacon pleasantF
We're going TO have a little nous
for Alfred, and he's got Sons
title presents from furrin' parts 10
ach OF you. l declare. from what Al
red tells me, he amt forgot one
is old friends
Fenella Mason looked Tabitha Ws'
traight in the eye.
81 told you IL couldn't have been ou'
-lfred," she said proudly.
you was In a mighty hurry 10 no'
inn just the same" retorted Taoltba
STILL she added hopefully. III tne,s
admit been a mistake in the name
light have been him after allp'