Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-23

else. W men the biggest or the work
of the forenoon was finished Mis-
Winslow ran down the road TO Ellen
Bourne's. In Old Trail Town they al.
ways speak OF II as running down. or
in. or over. in the morning with an
unconscious suiting of terms to in
formalities.
Ellen was cleaning her silver. She
had six OF each"-six knives. six
forks. six spoons. all plated and seldom
used. pewter with black handles serv-
ing for every day. The silver was
cleaned often. though 1t was never on
the table. save for company. and there
never had been any company since
Ellen had lost her little boy from
fever. Having no articulateneSs and
having no other outlet for emotion
she fed her grief by small abstentions
no guests. no diversions, no Snatches
of song about her work. Yet she was
sane enough and normal. only in dearth
OF sane and normal outlets for emo
ton, for energy. for personality she
had taken these strange directions for
yet embarrassed forces.
Mercy" observed Mis- Winslow.
warming her hands ut the cooking
stove. you got more energy
than family. guess you mean"
Ellen Bourne finished. Ellen was little
and fair. with slightly dropping head.
and eyebrows curved to a childlike
refiectiveness-
well, got considerable more family
than got energy" said Mis- Winslow.
so / guess We even it up. Seven IN
der fifteen eats up energy like so much
air"
Hey. king and country said ElIen's
old father, whiting by the fire, you
got family enough, Ellen. You got
your hands full of u.s. he rubbed his
hands through his thin outstanding sill
yer hair on his little pink head. and
his fine. pink face took on the look OF
father which rarely intruded, now, on
his settled look of old man.
II dunno what she'd do" said Ellen's
mother, with any more around here
to pick up after. We're cluttered up
enough as it is" She was an old lady
of whose outlines you took notice be-
fore your attention lay further upon
her-angled waist, chin, lips, forehead
put on her n succession of zigzags. But
her eyes were awake. and it was TO
be seen that she did not mean what she |
said and that she was looking anxious |
~ at Ellen in the hope of having de- |
ceived her daughter. Ellen smiled at |
her brightly. and was not deceived.
Il keep pretty busy" she said.
Mis- Abby Winslow, who was not |
deceived either. FASTENED to the sub
ject of Mary.
81 should think Mary Chavah had |
enough to do. too she said, but she's
going to take Lily's little boy. Had
you heard:"
No Ellen said. and stopped shaw
ing silver polish.
He's coming in two weeks" Mis-
winslow impaired. ''She told me so
herself. She's got his room fixed up
with owls on the wall paper. She's
bought him a wash basin with a rim
of puppies and a red stocking cap. l
saw her"
How old is he?" Ellen asked and
worked again.
II never thought to ask her." Mis-
Winslow confessed. He must be quite
a little fellow. But he's coming alone
from some place out west"
Hey. king and country" Ellens
father said: I'D hate to have boy
And keeping the house all upset"
Ellen's mother said. and asked Mis-
Winslow some question about Mary:
and when she turned to Ellen again.
Why. Ellen Bourne she said.
you've shaved up every bit of that
cleaning polish. and we're most done
cleaning
Ellen WIS looking at Mis- Winslow.
Te .,sl-l
her If can't do anything TO help"
Later i'm the day. happening in at
Mis- Mortimer Bates. Mis- Winslow
found Mis- Moran there before her and
isked what they had heard about
Mary Chavah." Something in that
word about pricks curiosity its sharp
,st. Have you heard about Mary
rhavah:" Its too bad about Mary
chavah." Isn't it queer about Mary
Each of these is like setting
lame to an edge Of tissue. Omit
about" from the language. and you I
bate most gossip. At Mis- Winslow's z
hrase both women's eyebrows curved Z
o another arc. L
Mis- WinslOw told them.
Amt that nice:" said Mis- Moran =,
,hole heartedly. Il couldn't bring up =
mother. not with my back. But I'm I
Ind Narv'S going 70 know what it is &
Mis- S70rrmer --.cc.> was glad. too.
ut being by nature II nunconformist,
he took exception. |
Its an awful undertaking for a y
ngle handed woman" she observed. n
But this sort of thing size said al
lost unconsciUusly. and the other two 4
omen regarded it with no more alarm n
Inv My Eaa$