Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-16
The p ally
Short Story.
A QUIET ROMANCE.
~ Eileen Charlotte Nhitesida

CGANl. 4G WdS sAtlcitSI Win tnN
pleasures Of life, had picked at this
and that dainty with jaded appetite
and now sat back. wondering what hs
had come in for.
At q table opposite was a fair young
girl and her aged mother They were
poor. their attire. though neat ana
clean, showed that. but there was an
expression on the wrsnkled face telling
Of novelty intensely enjoyed. and If
pride in the shining eyes Of the girl
betraying pleasure at being able 10
thus vary the monotony Of a treadmill
life by giving to q beloved mother what
she considered a treat
Tyrrell Hoyt envied the old woman
the keen zest with which she enioved
the meal Its cost for the two Of them
would not amount to one-halT tha
charge for his own expensive rensst
yet every stage of the MODEST sumner
was full Of delight to mother and
daughter. For the moment al least
they were supremely happy. Tvrreli
Hoyt sighed iny0luntariiy. Long since
the spur Of interest, of appreciation
had left him. He valued the shallow
ness Of society at its true worth ana
life had become a bore In most Of {ts
aspects. His face grew serious. his
eyes humid as the old lady onposite
him brought back memories Of his own
mother.
The young lady noted the expression
on his face 1t was a token Of inter
est, Of veneration Of respect. She
recognized and appreciated the finer
emotions depicted
He noted later, when the girl came
TO pay for the meal that She fairly
depleted her little purse. He expert
-enced a sense of infinite pity and
pathOs Some careless waiter had
dropped a piece Of fruit. The old ladv
Mrs DavenaI- slipped upon if. Sac
would have fallen 20 the floor had not
Hoyt caught her fragile form.
Il thank YOU spoke Mrs DaveBaI
sweetly, This is my fftieth birthday
so / ana not as steady on my feet as
in younger years.
Your birthday" repeated Howl
Madam. because you have made me
think Of my own dear dead mother.
please allow me TO offer d tribute Of
my interest in so auspicious an event.
Hoyt deity stepped to the flower
stand that was a feature Of the res
taurant, selected a beautiful cluster
Of roses and pressed them into the
hand of Mrs. Davenal The quick
grateful tears sprung to her eyes.
"Ob, sir she 3uuered "lt seems
as if you are putting the climax 10 the
brightest day Of life
Irene Dayenal utte-ad a. few words
Of thanks, but they were heartfelt and
expressive. She could not ignore the
manifest respect of the act of this
man, stranger though be was She
took her mothers arm and passed On
The incident had impressed HaF5
strongly He was NO Haroun al Ras
cbid, but had Il not hoen that to fol-
loss those two might nave annoyed ar
alarmed them. he would have sought
10 learn who they were and where they
lived His soul had lifted. appealed
10 By this exhibition Of motherlv 1eH-
derness and fIial affection. He was
filled with a clearer mental atmoa-
phere than he had known for years.
He noticed a card OH the table which
the pair had just left. uoyt picked
IL up and persued it. 1t bore a name
and an address. evidently those of the
old lady. given to ner by her thought
ful daughter probably $50 DE would
be identified If they became separated
and anything happened TO her.
Before @Tsfke tas- had F-s-s-..E
fei Hoyt he'd visited the vicinity 81
the home OF the Davenals. Tie found
that the young lady supported her
mother by work hard and late III
sewing shop. Her enc thought was IT
her mother, and even that little bIrth-
day celebration had drawn seriously
on her little money store.
IErrell HOyt put himself iu the way
OF the Old lady one day She paused
as he lifted his hat eourteousIy. reeog-
uizing him.
Surely you arc tho kind gentleman
who gave me my birthday roses" sua
said. oh. sir, hey lasted for q week
and we pressed and preserved thea
later. We viii not soon forget you"
There was nothing dramatic on gu-
usual IN what followed IL was ON.
an everyday romance, VITA a beaura
ending Tyrreli H0yt became a well
Gene guest at the humble DsTena,
home II was the occasion of the hrsr
day OF vacation loyal Flooding Irene
had taken in two years, that be begged
OF his friends that they would aIlae
him TO direct thaiF outing.
He drove them in his automobile for
TWO hours along quiet country roads
He invited them into his country
home in charge OF caretafer. There
was repast on the lawn and then as
the delighted Mrs Davenal dozed in
a hammock, Hoyi stro,led uita Irene
among the gorgeous flower beds Of tine
estate
How happy you have made nam
man. spoke Irene fselinelv. "Thf-
place is an earthly paradise Ior aa-
after her hard life in the city"
Fsoyt drew nearer to her.
You have but ia say The word
Irene, he spoke, his voice sent.anf
with IeTveut emotion. "a1d motaer
shall continue to enjoy her Eden. Jstt
yes, or no."
Voice, eyes and soul answered him.
and he clasped % his breast his o#u
hearts idol.