Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-07
Il THOUGHT HE WAS AN ESCAPED LUNAr1c"

to me, but could get nothing out of
him except nonsense. Tom promised
to bring him out for the week end as
soon as he could get him. but Mr..
Irving was so popular and in such de
mand that Tom found it difficult to
/ find a time when he was disengaged.
| Very naturally l looked forward to
meeting Mr.. Irving and was anxious
to make a good impression upon him
! when he arrived. My favorite dress.
a dainty white voile, L kept fresh for
the purpose. On no account would L
wear it till the eventful day when L
should meet the man who might pos
sbly be my husband / wondered
whether he would like me and wheth-
er l would like him. Then L remem-
bered that men are less impressionable
than women in such matters, and
while was indulging in fancies about
him he probably never gave me
thought.
One day my aunt and cousins went
to the city for days shopping. They
kept no servant. doing all the work
themselves. Consequently, on this &C.
casion the work was left for me to do.
1 am not adapted by nature TO house
work as some women are. who can
cook a dinner in dinner dress. On the
contrary. I become hot, my clothes be-
come soiled and 1 am irritated. My aunt
and cousins did not get off till late. and
before had set the house to rights L
was obliged to prepare my lunch. l
spoiled what tried TO cook and drop
ped grease on my dress. Then. TO
Grown a crown of Sorrows sharp
ring came from the telephone, and
was warned by the authorities of the
lunatic asylum a few miles distant
that an inmate of the institution had
escaped. and all persons in the neigh
borhood were being notified in order
that they might look out for him.
10 What do you wish me to do /
asked. lin case he comes here-hold
him till your men come for him? Pm
alone and entirely unequal to the task
myself"
"Oh, no." was the reply. mot that!
The man is dangerous. We are mott
flying persons in order that they may
take precautions against being injured
by him."
"Oh. heavens, What Is he like?'
Medium height. dark hair and
wears a mustache only. He carries
4 suit case. having taken one that
doesn't belong to him In order TO make
the gatekeeper believe he was a men,
Der of the asylum staff or visitor.
He also has an umbrella. Don't be
frightened. Our men will soon take /
him i'm
The click that followed hanging up |
the receiver seemed TO leave me alone I
with the maniac. There had been pro- /
lection in talking With some one even .
over n phone. shut down every win !
dow and locked every door. Against 4
some of the doors 1 moved furniture /.
The front door had chain on il. /
which | put in place to prevent an
opening. As soon as had barricaded /
myself | sat down and Shivered.
After awhile | concluded that IL
iidn't do something 70 occupy nv
mind | would become a lupatic myself.
got up and cleared away the lunch n
dishes. l was so agitated that my 4
face became smudged with lampblack.
houGh l was unconscious of il. and l
spilled soup all over my dress. As
'oon as had cleared away the lunch
busted myself doing everything l
ould find TO do, even to sweeping floors
hat had been swept before. In this
way ! kept myself occupied till about
O'Clock in the afternoon, when the
* fell.
Looking out through the front win
low, there was the lunatic, suit case.
UMBRELLA and all. coming up the walk
the house. l caught AT dresser to
ave myself from falling and stood
here till heard the doorbell ring
hen was obliged TO steady myself