Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-14
The Daily
Short Story
THE LITTLE APRON
(By Agnes G. Brogan)

I was here, that he had been COM
missioned to obtain certain papers
exposing a net work of plan, which
| if not forwarded before night to the
great commander. would mean
much loss to many French fronts.
! These valuable papers were 10
| be passed secretly to the officer,
| John Standish, by second Amer
| lean soldier, who would have
brought them thus far on their
/ Journey. His must have been an
adventurous errand, but John
Standish anticipated an even more
daring part.
The very atmosphere of the
quaint desolated village seemed
| eloquent of German spies, as the
officers drove his horse to the inn
stables.
When he passed into the long,
| Iowceiled room of the inn, few
were gathered about the small ia
i bIes. Near a shining counter sat
and smoked, a man of forbidding
countenance; but lowering about
the tables, with a small white ap-
ron tied around her waist, was a
laughing girl who very presence
seemed to Offset all gloom.
The officers eyes followed the
girl gratefully She was like a
ray of sunlight in a darkened Gel
lar
Waitress he called in his best
French, and followed the call with
a smile.
Immediately the girl was at his
| side, the old man of the inn watch
ing somberly.
Coffee, please" Standish re-
quested, "and a roll"
While she placed the things be-
fore him, he inquired casually for
the soldier he was seeking.
The pretty girls eyes widened,
then her voice rang out clearly so
that it reached the listening man.
Monsieur will give you the in
formation" Her French was soft
ly perfect.
Shambingly monsieur of the pipe
came across the room.
What is it?" he asked.
John Standish repeated his ques-
ton. He was looking for an Amer
lean soldier. Parsons was the
name-Fred Parsons"
/ ne UldH UOuutu Slowly. a guest
giving that name had appeared last
evening. He wore the uniform of
an American soldier and it was not
until Toinette had prepared to
serve his coffee that she noticed
the stain-a dull red stain, on the
mans coat. He had been wounded
in some inexplicable way on his
journey, and did not know of its
seriousness. Even to try to as
i suage the wound, the man had
died"
Dead" cried John Standish. He
jumped to his feet. And then"
The officer sank back into his
chair, his arm fell heavily against
the table while his lip whitened in
pain. "An old wound" he explain
ed at the girls glance of commiser-
alton. Il had fancied it well, but
the arm drags today like lead"
Perhaps" she suggested gently
st might help the poor arm to
have it suspended in a sling
IF you think so-"he mumbled
wondering. His free hand search
ed for his handkerchief, but with
her gay laugh the girl forestalled
him.
/ My apron" she said is of the
stoutest linen-see, with the long
strings an excellent sling. Mon
sieur," she called to the man.
this soldiers arm also is wound
ed. VIII you help me to bandage
it with my apron?"
Ungraciously. but as though not
daring to refuse, the surly one
obeyed.
you are stopping over tonight?''
he asked.
Standish arose aruptly. No" he
replied, II must now be on my
way"
As he stood in the doorway,
Toinette called to him. She wav-
ed something white on her hand.
Your handkerchief, monsieur"
she cried and brought it to him.
Thank you" he said. Even as
he spoke, the girl breathed a
swift, low English sentence.
''The papers are in the hem of
my apron" she said-'be careful"
She was gathering empty dishes
from the table he had occupied
and testing with the old man, as
Standish passed out into the twi-
light.
Before a rough shack at last he
halted, its flying flag pointing the
way. A uniformed figure anticipat-
ed him at the doorway, impatientIy
led him inside.
Quickly John Standish tore the
sling bandage from his arm. Ex-
citedly he bent over the square OF
heavy linen, ripping at its hem;
the papers were safe and intact,
the papers with their network of
plans.
Brisk orders were issued in the
shack. For awhile Toinette's lit
tie apron was forgotten. But later
when moonlight flooded the valley,
the officer picked it up and folded
il tenderly against his breast In
his heart was a purpose, strong as
its desire. to seek out again the
girl who had held for Parsons his
trust and had passed it on to him.
To his memory came one swift
English sentence spoken as only a
girl of his own country would
speak it, And to Standish there
in the moonlight came n sudden
realization, that Toinette was not
really French at all, but just a
clever woman, self-sacrificing, and
devoted in the service of the fara-
way land they both live.
NEW KAISER.