Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-18
The Daily
Short Story
THE ALTERNATE
By Ella charIotte oefatedal

thOugh. WhaL 40 you want 70 find
a bank for, Alice?"
"oh, I've got some business 10 do
with it" announced Alice. very ser
iously.
There's Mr.. Burton said the
other. He was a banker, he lives
in the big old house on the mex,
corner. Maybe he'd do for your
business"
Il wouldn't wonder" replied
Alice thoughtfuliy. SHOW me now
Nellie, which corner it is?" and
the other pointed.
Guess I'll go and see that Mr..
Burton" said Alice, and went back
home. She lived with her mother in
in rather obscure quarters, the rear
rooms OF a cheap fat Her father
had work in the country, her
mother was doing outside seam
stress work Alice went to the
little alcoVe where she slept and
from her toy trunk unearthed q
little tin toy bank. Soon she left
the fiat, carefully locking the door
after her The Devons had been
in WatertoWn only a few weeks.
Affairs in a monetary sense had
not gone well with them for some
time past. Mr.. Devon had been
i'll for spell and had been offered
a position with a construction com
! pany. II was decided to remove 70
WatertoWn, which was nearer to
his work and he could visit his
.. l.
Alice proceeded to the big corner
house full Of excitement Of great
idea The massive front door OF
the old mansion stood open and she
crossed the threshold, entered a
spacious hallway and stool locs
ing curiously about her. Finally
her ear caught the echo of rustling
papers. The sounds directed her
TO an open door Beyond il an old
! man was seated before q desk.
which he was rummaging. He had
grim face that did not greatly en-
courage Alice, but she had come
"on business and plucked up the
courage to approach him boldly.
Please" she said, lis this Mr..
Burton, the banker?"
"Eh? Why"
Her challenger paused. He came
bolt upright in his chair. He grip
ped its arms in a strained spas
modic way, as though her appear
ance had aroused some strange
emotion in his breast.
who are you" he demanded, and
his tones were husky and unnat-
ural.
4 am Alice Devon" she replied.
Her host tremored. a lump seemed
to come in his throat. who sent
you here?" he next insisted, and
into his face came token OF
Kguarded suspicion.
no one" replied Alice "Only a
little girl friend told me you were
a banker, and I was looking for a
| bank"
What for" inquired old John
Burton.
why, you see. next Sunday IS
papa's birthday and he's coming
home. / want TO make him q little
present. OH there's such a pretty
necktie for so cents in a store near
us. and l want to buy it and sur
prise him. and 1 promised mamma
| wouldn't ever use any Of the
money I've been saving along. See.
and Alice showed her little bank.
There's 70 cents there Will you
keep the bank and lend me the 80
cents for a while, and III pay it
back with new pennies III save.
and then you can give the bank
back TO me-"
The pallor, the emotion displayed
Go - IL n
sided somewhat. A strange express
sion came into his eye, half amused.
Il declare" he muttered, you are
the strangest client / ever ran
across. Yes. little one. I'll let you
have the loan. provided YOU tell me-
something about yourself and your
your mother and father, and ali
that"
Alice had little to divulge as she
chatted on, except thar papa and
mamma were the very best and
kindest people in the world, aud
that papa had been sick and was
working now.
81 won't keep your bank as Sc
curity," spoke the old man with an
effort, land you can have the money
you need. I'm a lonesome old man
and I'm glad YOU came. Nai.'
little Alice, for minute. I want
to make you a little gift that I've
kept for a good many years. and
he rummaged in the desk ana
brought to light little square box.
From its velvety depths he IN
carthed an exquisite pearl necklace.
He clasped 1t about the throat OF
the daZzled, wondering child. he
kissed her tenderly. he restored %
her the toy bank. pressed hanA
note in her tiny palm, and said
Go home now, little Alice, ana
tell your dear mamma ! gave you
the necklace because IL really oe-
longs 10 her"
Alice did not know il. but john
Burton followed her g a distance
Her mother sat like one overcome
as she listened 20 the story o.
/ Alice's adventures. Her tears ,e.,
upon the necklace. Ii had helonsea
to her dead mother. and the MAJ
who had sent Ii was her iatne5
who In his pride and obsunacy n@5
disowned her when she marF'e0
! Clyde Devon
There was a knock az the door =.
the little fat that evening 'VH
Burton viewed his daughter, an -
Xious question in his eyes
answered it by throwing her arm
about his neck and resting lhets
weeping with hope and glaahese
knowing that the past was
deemed through the artless doius
A.