Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-11

| "NOtbing could De more ii"i'"
nate" said Miss Cynthia.
Maize agreed dejectedly. III she
, had come Mt any other time"
she will expect to be entertained.
Miss Cynthia chimed in.
Maize, tying on her veil before the
mirror. decided: 1--WE can have some
good times with the girls. But there
won't be any men. and Constantia
can't exist without men,"
Nonsense" said Miss Cynthia.
shell have to when she comes to Hill
ton"
Maize talked the situation over later
with Serena Sears.
You see, I met Constantia at the
seashore the summer I went with the
Merrills. and had lovely clothes. and
we lived at the best hotels and did
everything in the most approved way
81 told Constantia that when / was
at home with Aunt Cynthia I didn't
have all the advantages and that my
outing with the Merrills was just their
farewell treat before they went
abroad. But Constantia can't under
stand what life at Hilton is. and she
will expect a gay time"
well, it's an I'll wind that blows
nobody any good" said Serena senten-
tiously. perhaps she will hven US up
a bit"
"Constantia could liven up a nun
merry" Maize told her. but Hilton is
hopeless"
Letters coming from Constan tia told
Of her preparations.
"She is getting lots Of pretty clothes"
Maize reported to Serena. land where
is she going to wear them"
But Serena, true to her name, would
not worry. "She will delight our eyes
with then," she said. II haven't seen
an up to date gown for so long that
I'd rather gaze on it than on Rem
brandt
The day of Constantia's arrival Ma
zie put the big old fashioned house in
order, while Aunt Cynthia baked de-
lectable things.
Serena Sears came in the afternoon.
"If Constantia hasn't the good taste to
enjoy this lovely old room and Aunt
Cynthia's tea and mullins and cocoanut
cake she's benighted individual" said
she.
But think Of Constantia trailing pale
blue broadcloth on this old rug!" wall
ed Maize.
Maize walked to the station. but she
brought Constantia back in the only
cab the town afforded. 1t was shabby
and ramshackle, but the little horse
was plump. and so was the driver.
1--WE feed people and animals well in
Hilton" Maize explained to Constan-
tia. Eating is our only diversion"
Constantia dimpled. 81 think Hilton
is dear" she emphasized
But after they had driven little way
she said suddenly. "Mazie Langley, l
don't believe I have seen single man
since we left the station
There aren't any" Maize informed
her. 81 warned you. I told you in my
letters that Hilton was deadly dull"
Constantia's laugh rippled. "Oh. you
goosie." she said. las if 1 cared! 1t
will be a rest, If the girls are nice-a
sort of bachelor girls paradise"
Maize nodded. There is nothing for
men to do in these Hampshire hills"
she said. land except a few merchants
and the minister and the doctor there
aren't any"
well, 1 wish Bobbie Dwyer could
hear that" Constantia murmured.
"who is Bobbie Dwyer?" Maize de-
manded.
Robbie" Constantine explained. with
ella borate and strangely earnest scorn-
fulness, lis a lord of creation. l was
engaged to him until one day he tried
to dictate to me! Then. of course,
broke 1t off and told him there were
some worse things than being an old
maid. and he flung back at me that he
should live single. for he could never
trust n woman again. and then i told
him that an old maid was happier !
than a bachelor, and he said If tried !
It I'd find out, and, oh. 1 wish you had |
heard us! And in spite of the trag- |
edy of her recital Constantia laughed. |
And I'm glad there aren't any men /
nere--I hate themv'
Ma2ie's face glowed. I'VE will have |
4 lovely time if you feel that way"
she said.
Just then the ramShackle cab round |
I'd a curve. and there was the old |
iouSc. WIN auut ~ tue WIZ
low and the light shining out behind |
her, and they went in and had tea
ind mullins and little cakes, and Ma
lie Toasted her eyes on the picture
Constantia made in her modish gown.
The next day Serena Sears came
,ver.
''Mazie told Inc how pretty you
we're" she said quantity. land I told
Ter I'd rather see you than a picture
,ut you are better than whole art
gallery"
And that afternoon Il lot of girls
anne. pretty and futtering creatures.
Who hung about Constantia admir-
nGly.
Il love girls" she said when they
lad gone away.
That night more girls came. and In