Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-05
The Daily
Short Story
THE STRANGE GIRL.
BY Mildred White.

| sorrow in her lovers suffering.
She counted the hours that 1t
must take for him to cross the
3, seas-counted them tearfully, hope
fully, and as the time grew inter
minable MoIlie reviewed the days
since he had left her, not one but
had been filled with thoughts or
| him. Courageous love was woven
into everything she knitted for
| Ned's comfort. Her own anXieties
were bravely omitted from the
cheerful pages she wrote him.
Pages of inspiration-they should
have been-and eloquent Of her
| pride in the soldier.
! Ned had responded as faithfully,
and the golden air castle, which
| was, after all. but a tiny bunga-
/ low where she might dwell as Ned's
wife, came to be to her a thing OF
reality. Ned had only to return
and they would plan its building
/ together.
The unexpected news of his
Homecoming found Mollie in a few
er of delightful anticipation, for
were not Ned's wounds healing?
And would not any service which
she might bestow be her greatest
pleasure? At last Ned came, more
serious, perhaps, than when he had
gone away; but could one pass
through the dreadful experience of
war without bearing its SOLDERING
marks?
Mollie received him tenderly. He
had sat, that first evening, regard
ing her as though in great content.
Mollie tried not to feel hurt when
he made no mention of the new lit
tie home which was to be. Her
vague trouble began when he end
ed abruptly his second visit with
the plea of needed rest. Mollie
agreed in quick sympathy. 1t was
Linda's gossip which really started
the trouble.
You'd better look out for your
soldier" laughed Linda. Il saw
him sauntering down the street
last night after none o'clock with
the mysterious one"
Mollie had laughed too, as her
checks suddenly famed. What had
Ned to do with the mysterious
one" as the town girls dubbed the
charming young woman who, IN
heralded and unknown, had come
to live among them.
Mrs. Prentiss, who had been glad
of the strangers companionship
during the absence of her only son
at war, insisted that the girl bore
letters of reference from the dean
of a nearby college, so Phyllis Dale
made her home with Mrs. Prem
!, tiss. But the town girls shrugged
their shoulders. Linda's brother
had met this Phyllis at college, she
said.
she was a regular college ,Yid-
ow, with half the boys following in
her train" he had said
Mrs. PTentiss' eyes snapped
when she heard the remark.
Reckon one wouldn't blame
boys for following to look at any
thing SO lovely" she said.
But poor little Mollie's trouble
deepened. All at once she felt her
self to be an insignificant person
in comparison with this modish
stranger. Her lips trembled as
again Ned excused himself upon
pTetense Of retiring early; but Ned
did not see the trembling lips. In
fact, he appeared OF late to be sad
Iy unseeing.
Then, one evening, she decided
suddenly and desperately to follow
the impulse which urged her. Ned
had failed to come this evening.
From her garden corner Mollie
saw Phyllis Dale still waiting. The
girls figure dropped, as though de-
spairingly. MoIlie went out direct
ly and spoke to her.
You are looking for my fiance,
Think" said Mollie. He has
not come tonight"
Yes" breathed the girl. She
turned quickly and looked straight
into Mollie's eyes, as the street
lamp shone upon them.
! All" said Phyllis Dale, u
should not have bound your lover
to secrecy concerning my unfor-
tunate affairs. | see now that you
are different from Linda, and the
rest. l am beside myself tonight
with anxiety until Ned comes. May
l confide in you?"
Dumbly Moilie nodded.
Il was married" the girl went
on, sharply, TO Jack Prentiss be
fore he left for France. You know,
perhaps, his mothers aversion 10
his marrying We were sweet
hearts, Jack and I, during college
days, when he and your Ned We're
chums. We decided not TO add to
I the sorrow of Jacks mother by
! confessing our marriage before he
! Went away. l hoped to win her al
lection later while he was gone
to tell the truth when it seemed
best-so | came here Our two
boys, the voice broke tremulous-
ly-''lay wounded in the hospital
side by side Ned was the more
fortunate in recovery. The nurse
| who cared for them both writes to
Ned when she can, giving news of
Jacks condition.
Through your fiancee alone I
! am able to hear. And Ned, he too
suffers, for next to you he loved
Jack"
Phyllis Dale turned swiftly.
| 'Ned!" she cried, what news .
Oh, I have confessed. to your little
| sweetheart. DO not be afraid TO
| speak"
And Ned. his eyes shining in evi-
dent relief and Joy, smiled at Jacks
wife as he drew Mollie close TO his
side
Jacks better. Phyllis" Ned said.
Hes coming home"
| ------------
BURLRSON ~ SUED,
New York. Dec. 5.-The Com
merciai Cable company filed an in
junction suit against Postmaster
] NN..N.