Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-25
The Daily
Short Story
THE RECOHPESsE.
by Saidee Esteile BaIeem

In
staring fixedly down into the det+b.
of the rolling river lie noted thu,
she was not more than IS. her fafs
was colorless and her pose strain.
ed. Her hand slid along the iror
tubing as though seeking a I'm
clutch to lift herself over the al
struction for death plunge. In an
instant he was at her side:
My girl" he said gently, ARE
you in trouble?"
She threw up one hand 10 shield
her face at the kindly tones and he
words alphabetically expressed
Then she burst into an uncontroil-
able torrent Of sobs and tears
Strong did not at once break in M.
on the misery Of the poor creature
He relaxed his clasp. but stood near
to her.
You can trust me. as man hag-
ing a sister and one as dear h.
spoke finally. What can I do for
you?" Lucy Baird lifted her tear
stained face and her dimmed ewes
scanned his own.
Yes, could trust you" she said
brokenly, but of what avail. The
bitter end has come, and rather
that" and her hand swept toward
the river, than a continuation Of
struggle, homelessness and hunger
Why should you trouble about me-
You don't know me. / am nobody
/ came TO the city after father and
mother died, but l had no trade and
what work l did get was at starya-
ton rates. / know you mean kind
ly, but it will come to the river, or
worse, at the last"
Not If | can help it," declared
Strong encouragingIy. Il know what
trouble is. l am in the midst Of
struggles as vital as our own. Come.
let US see what the care and friend
ship of true hearts will do for you
One hour later Lucy Baird was
the welcome guest OF Mrs. Eunice
Bryan, the sister of Strong. The
next day a new friend appeared.
Miss Inez Bodley, his fiancee. Lucy
was divided between smiles and
tears, her honest, earnest heart
touched to its depths by the kind
ness of strangers who treated her
as a guest, rather than as mendi-
cant.
Gordon Strong had told this wait
that he, too, had his troubles, and
he did not exaggerate. This had
happened: he was abroad on bust
ness for his uncle. Robert Mills,
when he received news of his death
He had turned to the city to nd
out that Acton Blake, distant rela-
tive, had claimed heirship 10 the
estate of Mr.. Mills under a will sew
eral years old. Strong. knowing
full we'll that Blake was an IN
worthy profiigate and schemer who
had been utterly cast of by Mr..
Mills. at once prepared to contest
the will. That a later one in his
favor had been made there was the
positive evidence of its witnesses,
but the document could not be
found.
Blake had acted with due celeT-
ity before Strong reached the city
He had taken possession Of the Of
ce of Mr.. Mills and had sold It's
contents to get hold of ready cash.
When Strong located the purchaser
he found him TO be a cheap JUNK
man. The latter, questioned as TO
the contents OF desks and file cases,
informed Strong that he had dump
ed great masses of old documents
into his paper scrap heap. Strong
bought the entire contents OF the
paper bin. He removed them 10
the loft of a barn at the rear OF his
sisters home. He hoped that among
the papers OF his dead uncle some
document might come to light de-
spite the legality OF the claim Of
Blake.
Lucy begged for work to do to re-
pay her kind protectors and strong
explained her about the paper
refuse. She intelligently set about
the task of going through the same
Strong was busy elsewhere. ana
day after day his faithful helper
delved into the great heap.
Twice Lucy had noticed lurking
form in the alley at the rear OF the
loft, acting suspiciously. one eve
ming she came from the loft into the
house, laboring under the strain o.
some disturbing influence. sac
questioned Mrs. Bryan as TO Whea
her brother would be home, anu
when she learned that he was stay
ing late at his Office that evening
left the house.
She missed him at the Office. he
had evidently gone home ana sAs
FASTENED to return. Strong nau
reached home just as a great gov
illumed the rear of the lot, las
barn was in flames. Later ne Hhee
that an emiss8ry of Blake had -
the blaze Just then he was AIS
mayed at the fact that the pSpels
amid which he hoped 10 find some
important documents, were 0eStI0s.
ed.
He. Inez. and his sister Neis
rather dejectedly discussing the q.
cumstance when Lucy came rusH-
into the house. breathless ana ca
cited
Fire has ended your tasS'
Lucy" spoke Strong
But it was ended cried Luz,
See, only two hours since ! caH'e
across this"
This" was the latest VIII
Robert Mills, and as he easerH
scanned it Gordon Strong knew tns,
there need be no further delay
to his marriage, for he was r''p
man. Ia
bright little helper" he sa'a.
clasping the hand OF Lucy. Ne
look back\at that dark hour IN W.
life, when you realize how IL iT
YOU have done TO make US o.
happy"
thing soft that tripped him.