Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-07-12
The Light IN
the CLEARING
Bv IRVING BACHELLER
Copyright 1917. The Bobbs-nierrlI Co.

Wedrled by the dull routine and tho
reliable. Flooding respeetahility nj
that countryside The crime NJ
Amos had been a great help In ne
way but as a topic it was worn
out and would remain 80 until
court convened
ITS a lie-my uncle never sac
the pocketbook. Some money was
left TO him by a relative In Yer.
mont. That's how TT happened that
he bought a farm instead or Eoips
to the poorhouse when Grimshaw
put the screws on him"
81 knew that your uncle dldnt
do it," she went on Father and
mother couldn't tell you. So had
to-"
"Why couldn't your father and
mother tell me?"
They didn't dare. Mr.. Grimshaw
made them promise that they would
not speak to YOU or 10 any OF your
family. | heard them say that You
and your uncle did right Father
told mother that he never knew
man so honest as your Uncle Pea
body"
We went on in silence for a mo-
,nent.
81 guess you know now why I
couldn't let you go home with me
that night" she remarked.
Yes. and I think I know WHY
you wouldn't have anything more
to do with Henry Wills"
81 hate him. He said such hor-
rid things about you and your IN
Gle"
In a moment she asked: What
time is it?"
I>looked at my new watch and
answered: 1T wants ten minutes
of five"
THE stage is in long ago. They
will be coming up this road 10 meet
me. Father was going 10 take him
for a walk before supper
Just then We came upon the 81.
lent Woman sitting among the dan
delions by the roadside She held
cup in her hand with some honey
on its bottom and covered with
piece of glass
She is hunting bees" | said as
we stopped beside her
She rose and patted my shoulder
with a smile and threw a kiss to
Sally. Suddenly her face grew
stern. She pointed toward the VII
lage and then at Sally. Up went her
arm high above her head with one
finger extended in that ominous
gesture so familiar to me
sFGhn F11aanu tbaf Hhnwa fs cana
danger ahead Of you" I said.
The Silent Woman picked long
blade of grass and tipped its end
in the honey at the bottom Of the
cup. She came close TO Sally with
the blade of grass between her
thumb and finger.
She is fixing a charm, I said.
She smiled and nodded as she put
drop of honey on SaIly's upper
lip.
She held up her hands while her
lips moved as if she were blessing
us.
Il suppose it will not save me IL
brush it off" said Sally
We went on and in a moment
bee lighted on the honey. Nervous
ly she struck at il and then cried
out with pain.
The bee has stung you" I said
She covered her face with her
handkerchief and made no an
swer.
wait a minute-I1i get soma
clay" I said as I ran 70 the river
bank.
I found some clay and moistened
it with the water and returned.
There, look at me-" she groan-
ed. The bee hit my nose"
She covered her face, now de-
formed almost beyond recognition.
her nose having swollen 10 one OF
great size and redness.
You look like Rodney Barnes, I
said with a laugh as 7 applied the
clay to her afflicted nose.
And I feel like the old boy |
think my nose is trying 10 jump on
and run away y
The clay having been well ap-
Piled she began surveying herself
with a little hand mirror which she
had carried in the pocket OF her
riding coat
What a fright I ann She unused
But you are the best girl the
world"
Continued tomorrow