Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-12
The Daily
Short Story
"ESTABLISHED f77e.7
BY Victor RedcliTe

neatly fitting Bingham dress. Ilr
eyes were clOuded with a certain
gravity. but she smiled cheerful.
ANY letter." inquired her fata.
er eagerly.
Not in this mail, dear" respons-
ed Millieent.
Don't try to look happy when
you probably feel more ike cry
ing" almost roughly interrupted
the old man Hector has forgot
ten us, I reckon. He has probahI,
made his fortune and has come
back to spend it royalty on him
self"
That isn't like Hector" sad
Millicent, but har voice was low
and unsteady. Then her dainty lips
puckered and she passed into tn
living room.
What a dingy old structure
was-One-stOry, low ceiiinged, with
old fashioned windows and door
way, Outside swinging sign
formed in the shape Of = padlock
bore the inscription: Israel
Greene, Locksmith, Established
1776."
Israel Greene. patriot colonel.
had started in business al the close
Of the Revolutionary war. Two
generations had taken up the bust
ness in turn. There was now one
living direct descendant. Hector
Greene, and it was over him thai
the old Anthony was worrying.
When the father OF Hector had
died, Anthony, who had WORKED
with him boy and man for half
century, had stepped into his shoes
Hector did not take 10 the hum
drum, worn out business. The re-
turns from the business and An
thongs honest saving and scrap
ing supported himself and hif
child and afforded Hector an edu-
cation. His ambition was 10 be q
mechanical expert, and two years
previous he had become enc o. :
corps Of young engineers engaged
upon the construction Of an aerial
railroad in the Andes.
He had kissed Millicent good-by,
then a blushing lass Of sixteen, AMI
had whispered in her ear, "WaH
for me. darling!" aud later hal
earnestly remarked to her father
| love Millicent, and | do not ask
that We become engaged for sh1
is young and may change her mind,
but when | return 1 shall ask yoG
to give her to me as my wife"
Old Anthony and his daughter
lived comfortably, ii savIngIy. The
first year that Hector was in South
America he wrote to MiliiCent reg
ularly once a month. Then he ad-
vised her that great opportunity
in some Ecuador silver mines had
been afforded him and he was n
clined to risk all upon the specll-
lation.
Only twice they heard from
Hector during the ensuing six
months. Then the United States
declared war against its European
enemies and Anthony sent cable
gram to Hector, thrilling with the
profound patriotism of his intense
nature. 1t read Your country
needs you, as it did the Greenes
home and do your duty
There was no reply, Millieent
feared that the mandatory messaga
had offended Hector. Two months
went by and the absent one sent no
word She concurred with her
father in the sentiment that record.
tradition, duty should inspire the
last OF a loyal race with ardor ami
courage TO enter the lists. as his
forefathers had done.
Anthony and Millicent were seat
ed in the doorway of the little shop
a few evenings later. The old man
had heard that Hector had been
seen off and on for a month in a
and Millicent unjustly neglected.
Further, he could not understand
why Hector was wasting his tlme,
when every young man who felt
the patriotic Impulse was rushing
to the defense of his country Sud
denly Millicent sprang TO her feet
with a wild. ringing cry.
"Oh, father-he has COME"
Yes, the street lamp showed a
tall. athletic figure wearing long
overcoat and approaching them. L
was Hector. You dear old hero,
he cried to Anthony "Prettisr
than everi" he declared TO Mill
cent. as in turn he grasped the
hands of each. How erect AMI
manly he looked But a serious
gloom Swallowed the face OF An
thony.
Hector" he said. before We
welcome you home. let me Sho"
YOU something" and ne pointed 10
the swinging sign. Established
1875 by your great grandfather
who was a colonel in the Reyoiu-
tionary army. His son won his
laurels in the war of 1912. Your
father led a forloru hope at the
battle OF Pea Ridge in the CiVI
war. Son OF battle that You are
facing a new conflict where your
country calls, what have You %
say"
why. this" cried Hector. with
Shining eyes, and. divestiug himself
of the envelopinR coat. he stooc'
proud and valiant, in the uniform
OF a captain in the new American
army
Il have been a month arranging
for my commission II takes M
away from you and Mil.icenI
"Oh. my hero" she Whispered
and clung 10 him as he enclose
her in his arms.
...rhat dop,r know and they