Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-20
The Daily
Short Story
MOLLIE'S AWAKENING.

nlilP . piSfthlhS tyCSs w h~h -
looked like that, it was very diff
cult to refuse him anything; and 10
bind herself over for, perhaps, an
uncertain number OF years, was
more than Mollie intended to do.
In fact-she told herself she was
not even sure of her affection for
Philip. Certainly, marriage after
a long period of undivided deyo-
ton, presented at present; no al
Turing outlook.
Mollie did not think that she
wanted to be married at all. So
she avoided the mans earnest eyes
] bent upon her, as she determinedly
shook her head.
81 can't promise Phil" she said;
81 will agree to write you, all the
time you are away. and when the
war is over you will find me glad
to welcome your return. AS to
loving you, really. l don't know.
Sometimes when you make your
self delightfully."- pleasing, as you
well know how to do-why, l al
most fancy that do love you But
marriage requires more than fancy,
doesn't it? You may mistake your
own feelings also. When you are
away" Mollie dimpled, some
charming French girl may quite
/ put me out of your mind"
Her lover contemptuously ig-
nored this remark. Savagely he
snatched up his hat.
so l have failed in teaching you
| to care" he burst out, land that
has been my one purpose. In what
do l lack Mollie? Heaven knows
I'd do anything in the world to win
your favor"
MolIie sighed as she put her
ders, then smiling, she shook him
gently.
: Phil, DEAR" she said, some
times 1 think you have been too
good, too amenable. Your loyalty
should be better rewarded, know
| that"
There was nothing more to be
said. Mollie retreated to the duski-
ness of thesfront room, while Philip
opened the door and fled-where,
he~1id not much know or care.
Block after block he walked
restlessly, his honest heart sick
within him, for long had he loved
| Mollie-and well. Tonight in her
perverseness, tonight when he
/ faced the thought of leaving his
whole world behind, he loved her
more than ever before. The prom
! Use which he coveted from her lips
would have been as a spur to him
in that coming service beyond the
seas. Courage, his portion,
golden goal, shining through all
conflict-his hope of life with her.
And now that hope was gone
! forever.
And Moliie, though she did not
walk the streets, was also IN
happy. Perhaps a remorseful con-
science had awakened to chide her
J for encouraging the very attentions
she now cast aside.
Tomorrow he would leave for
camp, and then, for France; she
might-never see him again. So,
/ impulsively, she drew her dark
cloak about her and went out into
the night. She would give that
little old kid" whistle signal be-
meath his window, and he would
/ come down to her as he used to do
when they went to school together.
When his big hands clasped hers
/ she would explain to Phil how very
much his friendship would always
mean to her, even though she could
not return his love.
| But when Mollie in the darkness
stopped beneath the window which
| she knew to be her lovers, the
whistle signal died suddenly upon
| lips which parted in astonishment;
for back against the shrubbery she
discerned Pills tall f1gure-and he
was not alone.
A girl stood at the young mans
side, a trim figure of a girl with
| fair uncovered head, and presently,
as Mollie breathlessly fingered, the
girl raised her arms quickly and
cIasped them about the rough
tweed collar of that particular
overcoat which Mollie had always
loved. And as the girls arms chung
closely, Mo1lie saw the young mans
head bent low to meet her appraised
face.
Pills familiar hat screened the
caress, but with a poignant pain
Mollie knew that this was kiss of
parting. Weakly she sank down
upon the ground, her confused
senses trying to realize that Phil
-loved-another girl.
And as the truth came to Mollie,
the strange ache in her heart grew
and deepened. She had been sitting
beneath a tree. her tear-wet face
buried in her arms, when vorce
reused her.
Excuse me-" said the voice, I'm
afraid I nearly stumbled over you.
In the glare from the street light
MoIlie saw a tall man standing be-
fore her. His boyish face was per-
picked, and he wore the very tweed
coat and soft felt hat which had
lately so shockingly claimed her at
tention.
why" stammered Mollie, "I
thought you were Philip West"
The man laughed. That's be
cause I'm wearing his clothes I
guess" he explained I'm the
Vests chauffeur. you see. and when |
Mr.. Phil got into his regimentals |
he handed over all his buds to me. |
did you want anything. MISS"
Mollie drew a long breath, then |
she laughed shakily.
ct want Mr.. Phil. Will You tell |
him Just that? Say a young woman |
is waiting out here. and her mes
sage is, that she wants him"