Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-25
The Daily Story
Thornedale-By Edith " Ross.
Copyrighted. 1914. by Associated Literary gurear

~ every lncn lady. True. the Ia
lord talked great deal about j. 'a.'e
season they had had and tba = noe
they had made out OF Their
This seemed TO be mortifvin. - ~ -
wife and niece, for during these = -. q
they both concealed their feat,,s ,.- !.
hind their napkins. When thav W.
finished the meal and were r,s,n, .- ..ao
the table Mrs. Thorne said - s
niece: ~
"Lueila, think you had bette, =.
Mr.. Wingate out for an auto rid =
afternoon This IS a dull place u
Wingate, but wen do the best !. =
to keep you from being lonely, -
II shall consider myself under a.
obligations" replied the guest ~
When an hour later a runabon,
brought to the porte-cochere Miss Hrs
phrey took the wheel, and she ana =.
Wingate sped away merrily. Thee :.
turned only in time to dress for dim.
please charge up all the extras > -, !.
said to the landlord privately, .'tb. .nse
and any wine l order, and I'm -,
when 1 settle my bill"
You'll find everything charged, ss,,
Thorne, even the cigars"
Mr.. Wingate was SO delightfully."- on
tertained that he didn't fret about Il.
delay In the widows coming. He n,,~
ed tennis with Miss Humphrey IN n.
morning and rode In the auto with -,
in the afternoon. In the evening n.
four occupants Of the house ulavsd
cards, and the days sped by merrfy
One day Miss Humphrey said to he,
companion:
when do you expect Mrs. Over.
aker?"
Mrs. Overaker? Why, / expected
her on the 1st of the month. WhsY,
this-the 3dT'
This is the 9th"
You don't mean it 1 wonder what
is delaying her."
Delaying her? You don't expect be,
at all now, do you?
Mr.. Wfngate hoped in his heart that
she would not come, but he said that
something might have occurred 70
change her plans. That evening il
was evident to all except Mr.. Win.
gate that something of Importance was
at hand. A delicious dinner was served
Miss Humphrey was clad in costume
that the guest pronounced "blue
dream of heaven" After dinner the
landlord and landlady excused them.
selves and left the place, leaving Mr..
Wingate and their niece in the drawing
room. A perfume Of flowers came In
from the conservatory adjoining. Mr.
Wingate forgot all about the widow,
and-well, when Mr.. and Mrs. Thorne
returned be was engaged to Miss Hum.
phrey.
A supper was set in the dining room,
to which the four persons adjourned
Mrs. Thorne and her niece hung back
for a few whispered words. Then
there was the popping of a champagne
cork, and Mrs. Thorne, holding her
glass high, proposed the health Of the
newly engaged couple. Mr.. Thorne
kissed his niece and, Shaping his guest
on the back, said vociferously:
This is no hotel. This is the resi-
dence of your humble servant, Edward
Thorne, banker. But you've been vel
come, my boy, and we give you our
little Lu gladly. We've heard lots
about you from Mrs. Overaker, and all
to Yen. credit"
The expression on Wingate's face
was a mingling of surprise, shame and
happiness.
when do you expect Mrs. ovef.
aker?" he asked.
Tomorrow afternoon"
81 regret that my limit Of time to De
absent has expired and 1 shall not have
the pleasure of meeting her after alL
/ must go back to the city in the morn
ing"
$50 soon?" exclaimed the host and
hostess in a breath.
Don't detain a man from his puS
ness" said Luella. Il think Mr.. WE
gate is perfectly excusablea in golns
and If don't complain no one shou'a
We'll all 60" said the host
The next morning an automoohe Gun
tanning Mr.. and Mrs. Thorne, MES
Humphrey and Mr.. Wingate pulled gu.
from under the porte-cochere desuDea
for the city, Mr.. Thorne at the "ues-
They had been gone only a ieW n'ia
utes when u train passed on lne -"
way track beside them. -
"Supposing." said Mr.. Thorne' llA'
Mrs. Overaker should be ahead OF linN
and on that train"
Mr.. Wingate shuddered.
"Such a thing is possible" SAID M
Thorne. IF Mrs. Overaker IS on y.
train we shall meet her coming N'
the station"
Mr.. Wingate shuddered again. i,
1T vii! be embarrassing Tor m
continued the speaker. since l
to keep her during her stay mere. -.
"Ill turn off by this road, saio =
He did turn off. and Mr.. "ihs'
breathed sigh Of relief. -,
Mrs. Overaker did arrive py
train. and when she reached - -
dale she found 1t deserted. Mrs. 1nv
made an excuse TO the widow sue.
ladies' of breeding know how TO pi'.,
facture. Mr.. wingate needed ~
cuse. How could he meet the ~
at the Thornes' when the 1--WE
were not at home?
--------