Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-18
The Daily
Short Story
THE MYSTERIOUS GIFT.
BY George Elmer Cobb.

grace and beauty were radiant even
in the fitful gloom of spluttering
oil lamp. Dayton was waiting for
a southbound train, the little family
group, he gathered from their con-
yersation, for one bound in the op-
posite direction Elston had been
named as their destination and Day
ton was interested, for that WAS
where he resided.
He was a young man not md-e
than 80, but some adverse exp ~
ence seemed to have clouded his
life, to judge from a certain world
WEAKNESS in eyes and face. He was
courteous to those he came in con-
tact with, but making no close
friends or acquaintance.
From what Dayton overheard he
was able to surmise that the man
was Robert Lane, who had recently
failed in the city, broken down in
health, and he acted hopeless and
discouraged.
The little ones were the orphan
children of a married daughter.
What attracted the attention Of
Dayton was the infinite pains Of
his other daughter, whom he called
Airline, and of his wife to cheer him
and make him comfortable.
only a few hours more, father,
dear" spoke the young girl sooth-
ingIy, land we Will be in our new
home. Then you must take a long
rest and burden your poor, tired
soul with nothing for weeks and
weeks"
And what is to keep US all from
starving in the meantime?" asked
the old man with a dismal sigh.
"Oh, we have arranged for every
thingi" answered Airline brightly.
I'VE have been very fortunate to Sc
cure that cheap, pretty house in
EIston. The rent is scarcely any
thing; the agent has been kind in
seeing that our furniture was re-
ceived and put in place. | shall
find work, mamma can help out
with her sewing, and oh! the agent
writes me there is a large lot for
gardening and chicken houses and
buildings for a COW, and all that"
Which looks very fine" submit
ted the invalid, but it costs mon
ey to keep up such a place"
Yes, and fast as l earn money
we will proceed TO do it, if we have
to buy only one chicken at a time"
declared Airline buoyantly. "Oh!
indeed, it will be rare delight to
gradually build up our lives new
all over and forget our old trou-
bIes"
Their train arrived, and Dayton,
impelled by his strong human in
terest in these unfortunates, has
tened to relieve Airline of one of the
two satchels she carried. She be-
slowed a grateful word for the
courtesy Dayton stood watching
the train till it was gone.
The new life began for the Lanes
amid novel and engTOssing expert
ences. Even the depressed father
took an interest in life. They got
/ the garden plat ready for planting
meantime, and one morning little
! Edna came rushing into the house
( quivering with excitement.
"Oh, aunty!" she cried wildly,
the chicken house is just full of
the most beautiful hens and roost-
ers you ever saw"
Airline hurried out to the rear of
/ the lot She could scarcely believe
| her eyes. Nearly thirty of the fowl
J tribe were visible where there had
been emptiness. When had they
come-who the generous donor?
! The mystery puzzled and disturbed,
/ but as the days went on no explain
alton materialized and the Lanes
were content to enjoy the gifts that
! the gods had bestowed.
One day Dayton passed the house
and Airline learned that he was their
landlord. He bowed politely on that
/ occasion, on another paused to have
little chat with Mr.. Lane, and one
afternoon when there was a circus
! in town took the two little ones to
1 the entertainment He seemed to
/ experience a pleasure in Witnessing
the perfect harmony, industry and
! contertment of the happy home
! group.
| He smiled induIgently as Airline
/ told of her strange acquisition of
! live poultry, and one day the mys-
/ terry became so no longer Some
one had left the chicken yard gate
open. Arline's cherished brood was
gone. In great trepidation she ran
out into the rear lane. In the dis
lance she made out her disloyal
guests led by a majestic chanticleer
making for new feeding grounds
AS she caught up with them, breath
less and excited, they filed into the
garden and then into the chicken
yard of Rolfe Dayton.
He himself smiled at her pretty
confusion from the house porch
Airline was flushed and embarrassed
as the truth flashed over her mind.
You were the generous donor"
she burst forth in her impetuous
Way.
why not? With plenty to spare"
he challenged with a smile. II will
see that the truants are returned to
your excellent charge. In fact, |
will myself get them back where
they belong"
Which he did, and enjoyed the
fun and excitement of chase and
capture, and Airline Joined him, and
Dayton dallied at the Lane home,
the task accomplished, and came
again the next day, and the next
And so unconsciously had she
won .his wearied soul from its lone
illness that he realized that he had
found something worth living for
and told Airline so one day, and
she was glad.
ROYALTSTS NAME
KIN OF EX-RULER
TO AUSTRO GROWN