Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-23
The Daily
Short Story
HIS FATE.
BY Gladys Ethel Saltsr


ing, happy and not much Of a boma
/ life 10 brag or"
/ Ward was stranger in Rusb.
Vile and sOjourning there brfaav
His companion was an old-ttpTs,
f. with whom he had a casual ~.
quaintance Re had been attractsa
+, by the Young girl, who had drives
up in front Of the main store wg,s
2 fiery horse attached to a buygg
Grace and agility marked her evsTv
movement. She paused TO stFoks
the head Of the horse and the AM.
NAL seemed to understand that -
was to behave himself until she 70.
turned. She came out Of the stors
finally and vas hailed at the eurb
by two young girls
you'll be sure to come, Nell7e
one OF them asked.
"Oh, | couldn't miss IT, Grand
father is away and I'm so happy n
think I had enough out Of the nilk
money ! earned to buy these" and
the speaker lovingly caressed a boY
she carried. you will surely cali
for me?"
Eyes, brother Is going 70 drive us
over and we'll pick you up on the
way"
I'D Ike 10 know this Young
miss" confessed Ward. as he stroll.
ed on alone He started down
country road. He covered several
miles and threw himself upon the
green sward to recuperate before
he essayed the return journey.
lulled his senses to somnolence. A
break upon the silence aroused him.
Coming down the road at full speed.
her hair flowing her eyes a-sparkle.
her lips parted in excited delight.
was Nell. Both she and the spirited
animal seemed TO enjoy burst Of
unrestrained liberty = She flashed
by the spot, the vehicle struck 3
rut and bounced high in the air. A
mock shrek rang out. then a 81.
very laugh echoed thrilling " and
the rig vanished. II had seemed TO
Ward that as the buggy bounced
out of the rut some object lifted in
the air and circled to the road He
went forward to explore this sup
position.
Why" he exclaimed, cts the
box the young lady had in the town.
Wonder what's in it?"
Removing the paper covering,
Ward beheld lying in a nest of tis-
sue paper a pair of dainty blue
slippers. He stood gazing at them,
weaving all kinds of sentimentallty
about them and their owner
She will be greatly disappointed
when she misses them" ruIninated
Ward. Possibly she may come
back searching for them.
He fingered about the spot for
lover an hour. Then Ward struck
his mind He repaired 10 a public
garage. He inquired as 10 the Bod
ley farm. II was dusk when he
started from the village. driving an
automobile, the lost package at his
side
The moon was just coming up as
Ward reached his destination. The
somber farmhouse showed only one
light, at its rear Ward left the ma
chine and made has way towards t.
Through an open window he viewed
Nell Bodley. She sat with forloFn
face, gazing into space, Across a
chair hung a flmy dress and some
tribes of ribbons and laves.
DO not be startled" spoke Ward
boldly. Il am a stranger. but ]
know some of your friends in the
town"
Nell had started to her feet She
looked half frightened.
Il have come as a sort Of fairy
godfather" went on Ward. You
are going to some social function
tonight. understand"
II was said Nell, but someone
stole purchase pad made out OF
the buggy"
NO" corrected Ward. You mean
a pair of Cinderella slippers? They
iolted out down the road. Here they
are"
You found them? Oh, how kind.
how good you are, cried Nell
But it is too late. | could not go
without them, and my friends have
gone on without me
Miss Bodley," spoke Ward, =
have an auto outside | will feel Il
an honor and a pleasure 10 drive
you wherever you wish 10 go !
will attend TO some necessary al
justing of the machine, and Will De
ready in five minutes.
She came out JUST as the tuh
moon sailed beyond the horizon N
its full splendor Albion Ws7d
fancied he had never seen so beau
tiful a creature Then dash down
the road and an arrival al farm
where a merry party were having
an fashioned barn dance.
The hostess of the evening com
ing out to welcome Nell, and al
Yised of the situation, insisted on
: Ward remaining as a guest.
II was a novel and charming eA-
perieDce for the city-bred youas
man Nell remained all night WIZ
her hostess, but by that time shs
and Ward well so we'll acquatnle.
| that il was understood he wou0
! call and see her the next day
cinderella. he said one aitFf,
noon. a week later. Il am callea
back to the city. VIII YOU mss
your fairy god father a
Her face fell She turned aslae
10 conceal the regretful tears
! Nell" he went on softly zoos
into my eyes and see il YOU canno!
guess what | wish to say 20 YOU %
truth and love. "
ness. Seeing regimeptal risallar
"a Ia