The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-26
The Daily Short Short Story

itor. WELL" she thought, "he
looks dark enough Tor one of those
foreign peddlers, but he certainly
doesn't talk like one. I'll run in
and get him a cup of coffee to
warm him up a bit before he goes"
She was back in a moment with a
cup of steaming liquid. and. tap
ping the young man on the Shout
der. she offered it to him.
Here, drink this" she said. I'm
sorry l couldn't stop to look at any
of your wares, but this has been
very busy day for me. Have you
made many sales today"
mo, not one" answered Max,
quite truthfully. and he drank the
coffee with relish. Then, with many
thanks, he beat a hasty retreat
around to the front of the house
once more.
This time his mother was on the
veranda and she greeted him af-
fectionately, but he managed to
make her understand that a bath
and SOME clean linen were the most
essential things in his life at that
particular moment, and SO he
escaped to his room.
He descended about an hour lat
er, locking very different in his din
ner clothes, and his mothers pride
shone in her eyes as she met him.
And, Max" she said, there's the
loveliest girl here. l want you to
meet her."
'Now mother" he demonstrated.
But, Max, dear, this one is diff
ferent-yes, she really is She in
sisted, as he smiled unbelievingly-
shes not one of those social but
treflies' that you are always object
ing to-this girl, Anne Cabot, is a
graduate of a domestic science COL
lege, and she knows no end of
things. But wait-she's promised
to sit at our table tonight, and
you'll have a chance to see for
yourself. All; there's the bell for
dinner now"
well, no sign of your divinity
yet, mother" said Max when they
were we'll started on their meal.
Perhaps" hopefully - shes
changed her mind"
mo, l see her coming now" said
Mrs. Harding. and straight to their
table came the lady Of his after
Moons adventure.
He had a moment to recover from
the shock of recognizing her before
she reached them, but not so the
girl, and, lifting her eyes to &C
knowledge the introduction, the
color flooded into her face and her
eyes asked innumefable questions
as she recalled the events of the
afternoon. But Anne Cabot was
nothing if not self-possessed, and
very son her usual calm manner
returned.
did you know that Katie, the
cook, left this afternoon" she ask
ed, looking at Mrs. Harding.
Gracious, no." gasped that lady
to whom meal time was the most
important hour of the day. isn't
this help proposition getting to be
unbearable! Now what are we 60
ing to do! Who got the SUPERB
Il did," said the girl quietly
"You see, Mr.. Gates, who owns the
hotel, has known me since l was g
little girl, and when he asked me
to help him out I couldn't bear tc
refuse him. Besides. it was a good
chance for me to test out my col.
lege training"
well, 1t certainly was fine Of
you. my dear" said the elder WON.
an. at the same time flashing ar
"I-told-you-so" look at her son.
| Just then a waitress approached
and placed the coffee service be.
fore Anne Cabot The girl raised
the silver coffee pot and poured
daintily.
I'm rather a connoisseur wher
It comes to coffee. Miss Cabot" sale
Max. breaking his long silence
and" meaningly. II certainly like
the way you serve it2'
Tho girl flushed. but her eyes
twinkled as she lifted them to his
How many Jumps" she asked
sas Che bald the sugar tongs poised