Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-13
The Daily
Short Story
HER pRESENTMENT.
By F, 4, Mitchell.


telle Harrington to her friend, Belle
Stanford:
-. l have not before this found an
opportunity to write you since leayiry
you last September, though I have had
something especially important to Tell
you, You will remember that when
left you l said 81 have presentimen,
that I will meet my fate" have since
made up my mind that presentiments
like dreams, foretell the opposite.
met a man. the very day parted from
you. but instead of being a lover be
treated me abominably. He accuses
me of stealing his scarfpin.
When the train reached Beverly II
was quite dark. The station was bad.
ly lighted, and you know my eyesight
is not of the best. The oculist says
must wear glasses. but glasses are not
becoming to me and I will not. When
| left the car / saw young man esi-
IDENTIFY looking for some one he expect
ed to arrive on the train. I was abso-
lutely sure he was Will. FASTENED to
Inn land threw my arms about his
neck. He disengaged them and looked
at me like a thunder cloud.
pardon me-excuse me" STAN
mered. 81 thought you were my broth
err"
He lifted his hat politely and all
would have been we'll if had not
| looked down to avoid his gaze and
seen something gIisten on the floor. I
picked it up and was looking to sea
what it was when the man said In a
/ freezing tone:
'I'll trouble you for my scarfpin'
your scarfpin," | replied. II
thought it was something l dropped.
ITS my scarfpin and would advise
you to return it Immediately. There
is a policeman over there"
! | stood feeling like snow image
| To think that the fellow should have
mistaken me for a thief. Then, hand
ing him the pin. said: "If you do not
know lady when you see one GER
tainly know a gentleman. | would not
advise you ever to pose for one"
This brought him to his senses He
began an apology, but / turned away
from him and, seeing Will coming to-
ward me, Joined him. But didn't kiss
him till was sure he was my brother
We left the station together, got into
the car and went home. I hope 1t will
be my fate to meet this man again
Won't / give him piece OF my mind
80
Mr.. Arthur Troop to his chum, Alec
Harding:
BY the by. I was at the station
: the other evening looking for my sis
ter, Cornelia. When the train came in
a strange girl alghted and, making
straight for me. threw her arms about
my neck and kissed me. My scsrfpin
fell on the floor and l thought she had
put up job on me. She said she
thought / was her brother. l made an
ass of myself, threatening to call a
! policeman.
4 few evenings after this went to
, dinner and dance at Mrs. Van Win
kIes. Who should be seated at the din
. ner opposite me but the girl had in
1 suited She looked at me as though
she considered me only to be touched
with a pair OF tongs.
After dinner 1 inquired who she was
Mrs. Van Wrinkle, at least temporarily
and the affair was given for her
/ Wasn't it odd, though, that she had
: given me bid, not knowing that | was
' the fellow who had insulted herr As
soon as ] knew that she was in heI
own home, SO to speak, l laid my plan
: When the dancing commenced
marched up to her and asked her Il
dance with me.
AS expected, she turned her bacl
on me. Since then | have stopped wor
rying about her. I'll tell you sons
more bye-and-bye -.
Miss Harrington to Miss Stanford:
-. When | last wrote you l sait
:. ! would like to meet again the maj
\ who accused me Of being a thief Well
a ] have met him and he proved himsel
: a better diplomat than l. Indeed, in
stead of crushing him, he crushed me
Aunt Sarah gave dinner and dane
for me, and who should be one OF th'
= guests but this young man. His nam
is Troop. After dinner. while we wer'
, dancing, he had the assurance to asl
. me to dance with him, l turned N!
poNh Ol1 NM anu away Win q
the dignity I could muster. Everybod!
in the room saw me do it.
o This lady called me to her and ask
! ed me what it all meant. When | toll
II her she said that I must apologize Il
= Mr.. Troop for refusing TO dance viii
y, him, he being one of my own guests
u This upset me completely. for m,
i adviser was thoroughbred and vel
: yersed in social requirements. | sim
= ply could not do it. But ! did as well
] went to Mr.. Troop and asked him t
y dance with ME. We sailed away, Meth
. ef OF US referring to what had gont
y before. l had thought that / couio
not do such a thing and survive, but
after it was done and he was Sc
II deferential and attentive to NE va
II well satisfied with myself.
u Mr.. Troop to Mr.. Harding:
,e -. I haven't told you the result 0
I my having accused lady of being
IS thief. Well, instead of apologizing {
her she apologized TO ne. am dea
in love with her and if I cant win he
II I'm going to Jump in the canal.
81 Miss Harrington to Miss Stanford
g. -. ] am engaged to Mr.. Trool
sr After all, l believe there is somethin
Is IN presentiments. I did meet my fat
ir didn't I? -.