Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-10
The Daily Story
Asking Timely Elizabeth Gaines Wilcoxson
Copyrighted 1915 BY Associated Literary Bureau
Copyrighted. 1914 by Associated Literary Bureau


| found out where 1 was. was ~,
not to get legal separation at ths
time, but / learned you'd been sent =
! prison, and I knew you were ON, =
! the way, and came off up here vv,.t
I out doing it. You were given n 80
year term, 1 heard. What you're doira
out in four years 1 don't know"
He stared at her, and she read -.
covering fear with hard eyes.
This cOuntry's big, and I want -.
to move on. This is my place n,
not big enough for US both. You y,
derstand? If you'll keep in mind ws,,.
perfect strangers and get out of here
on the next boat
The fear oozed out Of his face
sort of whimpering hope took its plsea
You are hard, Joyce" he sniyeled
God knows, I've always loved your
1 never thought of anybody but YOU
Leave God out of it." ordered the
woman contemptuously. You neve,
thought of anybody but yourself IN
your life"
IT knew you'd be mad at me, joyce
as soon as 1 came in I'm going right
up to the mine and get a Job. I'M
show you 1 can work. won't eve,
leave you again"
"Oh, yes, you WILL she said grimly.
"and that right away. Just look at nv
handsr' she cried suddenly, throwing
them out before her with fierce ges.
ture. They were calloused and rough
and stiff. II suppose you remember
The man blinked and licked his lips.
II remember, Joyce" he said hum.
bly,. AZ thought maybe you'd teach
music. You could play right we'll"
AZ tried it for a year and starved"
IF you'll just give me one more
chance
"You can have all the chance in
the world-away from this place. l
shall not modest you, though 1 suspect
you've got no right to your freedom.
But you just get this once for all: You
are to move on at once. And mean
while we are strangers. 1 don't now
you. You are
McGehee entered, and she turned alb
ruptly and poured a cup Of coffee,
which with food she placed before the
man already seated, naming as she did
so the price of the meal.
AS he passed, McGehee bestowed
upon the presence a glance of curiosi-
ty and dislike, then sauntered on to his
accustomed place. With deliberation
that savored of malice Mrs. Taylor
filed a cup and plate and set them be-
fore him.
He looked at the food with mingled
amusement and protest.
do have to eat every hour"
Folks don't come in here except TO
eat" she pointed out.
"Oh, very WELL" drawled McGehee
and began to stir in his cup.
He stirred slowly and slipped the eof-
fee and nibbled the sandwich, but he
did not attempt conversation until the
presence at the far end of the room
was gone.
As the man went out Valor gave him
another scrutiny and looked inquiring-
" at Mrs. Taylor. 1t struck him when
he came in that she and the man were
having words, and the thought came
back to him.
But the morning was now growing
late, and she was getting ready for the
noon rush, and somehow, though he
could not nave told why, the atnoS-
phere seemed subtly against any more
half earnest testing.
So he moodily formed big interro-
CATION point in the center Of his place
with breadcrumbs, put n coin, the
price CT the meal, under his cup swung
his legs over the bench and went out
He did not come back the next hour,
nor the next, as he had promised. The
lamp was suddenly in turmoil over
The disaster at the Crown mine. Me-
fehee, with others, gave the rest OF the
lay to caring for the five men wound
ID by the explosion and burying the
.hree who were killed.
He claimed he was an expert pow
Ter man, just what they were looking
'or He lied. He hadn't been there
wenty minutes before-oh, WELL ne
got his too. But that didn't make II
my easier for the rest of 'em. 1t was
hat fellow who was eating here yes
erday morning when l came in for my
econd breakfast. You remember him
He had entirely forgotten his In
'ression of the day before.
II remember him. It's those he leit
l pity the most. The Others
re dead"
Her face looked ineXpressibly weary
lie noted her unusual expression.
You aren't sick. are you:' be asked
With sudden perpleXity.
She shook her head.
mo. Thinking of the mine accideh'
ept me awake. That's all. she said.
Ea!or McGehee took occasion TO on
erve:
"Since I wasted so mech time yesteI'
ay guess I'll just stay right here tiH
on tell me your name and If you are
widow"
Her eyes met his. and never had he'
mile been so enigmatic.
There's time 10 ask and time u
nSwer. My name is Joyce. and an
widow" she said.
Aug. 10 IN American