Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-06

ONCE W1QQOW WHtu SttIhchtibC ADtsASJ
called for her mail that February
morning.
Letter for you, Clem," shrilied Al
vira as she poked the missive through
the bars. Lawyers letter. guess
your rich uncle I'm Australy has died
and left you 100000"
Never had rich uncle, and he
didn't live in Australia, anyway. was
Clementine's tart retort as she took her
letter and went away.
AS the alert little form disappeared
from view the postmistress turned to
her assistant.
Another lawyer collecting letter.
she explained. "Clem Dilley's bust
ness is tottering TO ruin"
Josie Kicks, the little black eyed as
sistant, nodded sagely.
"If village folks would only trade
with Miss Dilley instead Of going way
| over to Bayport she might make hv-
| ing" she vouchsafed.
"Clem Dilley couldn't keep up stock
| that would satisfy Long River folks, :"
retorted Alvira. Mark my words, Josie.
| there's going to be a change in Glen
| Dilley's affairs pretty soon. She's look
ing worried to death"
There was to be a remarkab bic
change in Clementine Dilley's affairs
| IL she read the lawyers letter Alright.
| 1t was a wonderful letter and one
hardly to be believed, SO unexpected
was it. The letter read:
Dear MADAME have a client who is
anxious to invest some surplus funds in
a small but lucrative business, and after
investigation / authorized to make
you the following oner-viz: My client to
put 5000 into a partnership with you.
you TO manage the dry goods business
and the partnership to be silent one.
My client believes there will be a good
opening for profitable business that has
financial backing. If you will call upon
me some day this week I will go into the
details of the matter with you. Very re-
specially yours SIMON DAY.
Three days after Clementine DiIley's
return from New York there was a
sensation In Long River. Wagon after
wagon stopped before the door of her
little shop and unloaded great boxes Of
dry goods.
Clementine hired several girls to help
her, and soon the shop was transform
ed from it's former coziness into the
well stocked appearance Of city store
Clementine had a new front put in the
store and two large plate glass win
dows.
At last Clementine had an opening
day. She brought all the Towering
plants from her sunny windows, and
the store looked very attractive.
From that day Clementine Dilley's
business fourished nightly. Dozens
of people who had always traded in
Bayport, fifteen miles distant, drove up
to Clementine's door and made their
purchases there.
Clementine was very happy on that
day when she went down to New
York and presented her books for Mr..
Days inspection. The books proved
that Clementine was doing a splendid
business, and the lawyer said he was
sure that his client would have no
cause to regret his investment.
Clementine often wondered about the |
mysterious partner whose money en-
abled her to prop up a crumbling busi- |
ness. Why, at the end of five years |
she might be able to buy out her part
ner, and at the end of ten years she |
might retire from business altogether /
and enjoy the quiet domestic life for
which she had always yearned.
But now she was glad of the busi-
ness, for it kept her from being lonely.
At home there was nothing save a par
rot and two black cats, and at forty-f1ve
one yearns for human companionship.
Clementines friends were delighted
at her good fortune, although she was
not able to impart the details to any
one. When he heard that Clementine
Dilley was making money hand over
fist Deacon Marberry stumped
home to his bachelor fire.
side and stared at the almanac all the
evening-and never read a word.
The next day he dropped into Glenn
entines store and asked for collar but
tons. 1t happened to be the noon hour,
and Clementine was all alone.
Ten cents, Mr.. Marberry," said
briskly as she gave him
the small parcel.
The deacon fished out a wash leather
bag from his pocket, united the string
hat confined it. counted out the money
N coppersAnd then replaced the bag.
"Clem," he said hurriedly. 1.-The Scrip
lure says faint good for man TO be
ilone."
81 expect that's why dogs were ere
lted-and cats-and parrots returned
lem tartly. Dogs and cats are good
company
''Yes-yes-yes!' returned the dea-
'on impatiently, and then warily he
dded. 81 don't reckon you can guess
vho your silent partner is, Clementine.
an you?"
Clementine vas startled for a mo-
nent. There could be no mistaking
he deacon's meaning. He wanted her
o believe that he was the silent part
er whose name she did not know.
But she stinened her neck coldly.
II might guess. Deacon Marberry,"
he said.
He amt a thousand miles away
rom where l be standing this min
tie. went on the deacon craftily.
Il don't see him." said Cfementlne
,rfl nj -, I