The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-05-17
THE APPLE OF CONCORD.
By Florence B. Matthews.

BY Florence b. Matthews.
Copyright, 1921. by Wheeler Syn
dictate. Incl
Ssh! don't look. Mani" Dora
leaned both elbows on the table and
spoke in a low tone. There's a
man at the table behind you who
keeps looking and looking this way
1 think it's you he's looking at"
"Masher?" asked Nan, with lifted
eyebrows.
"Oh, no." answer Dora. positively
Hes much TOD old for that"
Maybe he knows me-" suggested
Nan, half turning, as if to look be-
hind her.
The two girls sat opposite each
other at one Of the small tables in
a cafeteria lunchr0om.. Dora, little
and blonde and vivacious, formed
direct contrast to her friend, whose
dark eyes and splendid colorinG
made her a striking figure in any
company.
The smaller girl leaned nearer
her companion and whispered warn
ingly: Hes coming over"
Nan glanced up carelessly from
under her big hat to see small
shabby-looking man trying fur.
lively to peer at her face. AS she
moved, however, he turned quickly
and, taking Ibis hat from its pee
made his way to the street. The
girls watched until the door swung
shut behindfhim. Then they turned
to their neglected lunch, dismissins
the shabby gentlemtn with an 81
s'pose he took you for somebody
else," from Dora
They were dawdling over their
dessert when Dora saw her compan-
ions eyes grow big with surprise
She turned and saw csming toward
them the same little man of mys.
terry. Straight to their table he
marched, set down shining, rosy
apple before Mans plate. touched
his hat, and without word was
gone; but not before the two girls
had seen that his eyes were full o.
tears.
They looked at each other epeech-
lessly for a moment, little awed
a little embarrassed and very cur
ious. poor mani" Dora's voice
broke the silence first. 'Of course
you must have reminded him OF
someone he knew"
And loved!"' added Nan, her dark
eyes soft with pity. She tucked the
apple into her bag. For all his
shabby clothes, he's q gentleman,
she unused. "and did you see how he
stopped and how thin he looked?
wonder who he is"
Come. we'll never get to the
movies if we sit here all day." cried
Dora, jumping up suddenly. what
did you get the afternoon of for!
Let's CO." And tho friends passed
out, arm in arm. the little incident
momentarily forgotten.
1t.was after the matinee, and the
two girls stood before Dora's
boarding House, talking earnestly.
1T hardly seems possible that this
is our last party. old chum," said
Nan wistfully, "and tomorrow"
The little blondes face .gloved,
"Oh, but, Nan, tomorrow I will be
Mrs. Jim,' and you are going to be
my best girl and Springfield isn't
SO awfully far away" Her face sob
cred and then her smile shone forth
again. Honest, I'll come back to
see you, I promise!"
Nan smiled bravely in answer. not
wishing to cloud the happiness Of
the little. bride. "Of course you
will. DEAR" she answered. and.
looking up at the sky, you're going
to have . perfect day. too, so lust
run along now and get your beauty
sleep, like good little girl" She
kissed the happy. upturned face and
waved gay good night before turn
ing slowly homeward. 'Homeward''
the word Knocked her; her lonely
rooms could hardly be called
home"
shes all I have" thought Nan.
and two big tears trembied upon her
lashes, but she winked. them back,
Since father went aWay-she'e Ill
| have and now she's going - b
uarried-my little chumis