Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-10-23
Tn e d ailv
Short Story
THE RIGHT Man.
By Victor Dedeli6e.

I
neatly KNIT and with a card attached
( reading, Ladies Aid Society. BIuffton
Illinois, Monte proceeded to FIX tRe
pretty tri1e under his coat. slipped the
card into his pocket. and watched 5ha
goings en- among his fellow soldiers in
the big tent Of the regular army con-
tinGeut encamped on Texas soil
a great mass Of donations for The
boys In blue had come ia with the
morning train, was deposited in the big
tent and there was scramble choice
for the various packages.
1t was g joyous, animated scene and
every man was bettered and upiHted
by the cherry break in camp m0not0ny.
All kinds Of pretty handmade triGes
went the rounds. from pin cushions to
neckties. Monte Bruce went over To
his own tent and was about 10 throw
the card away when he noted on It's
reserve side Il penciled date and under
it the name. Wanda Beverly"
why. I've found a lady love-" he
chuckled He sat down and iudited
chatty. ingenious letter TO the donor
Or the neck scarf.
He had come across photograph OF
his lieutenant, Joyce Briscon, taken at
his best Of that really handsome and
daring young officer. invaded on &C.
count Of fever for 80 days and gone
north TO convaIesce. AudacioUsly
Monte inc1osed it and within a week
sisterly. hearts0me epistle came ia re-
turn.
Meanwhile the original Of the photo
graph was spending his furlOugb pleas
antty at Wadbam, not half hundred
miles from Button. Fate plays strange
capers with its victims
Criscom was passing a well-appolnt-
cd house when ne paused to comfort
little child al its gate She was seat
ed inside Of il. sobbing bitterly.
why, little one, whatever is The
troubie2" queried GrIscou.
"The-the gate slammed wept the
child, and killed my dolly my 600ful
Katyd}d, Only see" The child point
ed TO the doll in question. It's china
head was denuded of one cheek. ear
and eve which lay in brittle fragments
on the ground
Don't cry. little one" cheered Girls
com. Here. and with his penknlfe he
severed the loose threads that held the
dismantled head TO the body of the
doll "Iil take this 10 match for a new
one, and when you get up tomorrow
morning you1i End it on your door
step.
Griscon purchased Il new china head
IN the village and the next morning
turned from the street into the grounds
of the house where the child lived.
He did not go up the steps for hE
leaning over he was able to place the
package on the step. Just al that mo
ment the door opened a beautiful
young girl Of Is gazed strangely al
him lie dotted his cap
III found tiny mourner yesterda
outside here, bemoaning a great loss
explained Ggisc60 quickly, aud prom
tsed her new dolls head lit is H
that package
"Tes-yes excuse me-th8u-
you.
Griscom regarded the young lady
wonder II have seen shy girls. he
solil0quizad, but this young Iafa
beats them all Yes, she Is shy. uat
bewiJehiugIy lovely
So much 50. that Joyce Gree1H
could not Danish the memory OF tha#
chance meeting lie passed the house
next morning. Someone was pointing
aG one OF the upper windows. Abruptly
there was crash, the echo of break
ing glass and following 1t there Hoated
on gue air In pIaintive Wailiug accents
the words
ION. please. come. some onet Ola. let
me out.
Griscom rounded the house sHa
glanced 1T lis upper st0rs. AT shat
tered pane stood his little friend She
was closely huggIng her precious
dolly. with its new head iu place sud
convuIsed with tears
What's the trouble, little one he
called mp.
I'm locked in" m0urned the child
Sister has run over to ne.Enagr
and I came up to her room no put dolly
TO bed. and the door blew shut sad
/ was scared. Please let me out. won't
you2T
II certainly will" pledged Grt5lom.
Turning 10 leave the room, his eye
fell upon framed photograph ora .He
bureau II was draped with flags qt
the allies. He stared and marVeIa6.
My pictures. he fairly gaspsl Lit
tie one, ne spoke to his companion
whose picture fs that
oh. that's 3 poor soldier down iu
Texas. sister knows" came the 7n0-
cent response There she As now
Mia. called UP a voice from he-
low
I'm coming the answer foated
down promptly. you tell her This-
pered the little sprite to Gr5srom.
She won't seold me before you"
Miss Wanda Beverly had been ne
Wildered when she first saw the ar
igiual Of the photograph, she was fair
iy stunned as GFisc0m came down Tbs
Stairs, leading her sister by the hand
Please pardon me- she veatured
finally but have you a relative u the
army who who resembles YOU / aim
asking concerning q Mr. Monte Bruce.
The unmitigated rascal" burst
forth Briscom. but laughed Then
further explanations, and within iae
hour Wanda Beverly and Joyce Girls
com We're friends for life