The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-12-09
JACK FROST TAKES A HAND.
BY Ruth w, Baker.
Copyright, 1921, ny Wheeler Syn
dicate Incl

| Copyright, 1921, ny Wheeler Syn
| dictate, Inc.l
| Pauline rose impatiently from the
great davenport. Why should it be
| so difficult to make a decision?
| Surely she could not love two men
| equally well? She could be happy
with Claiming of that she was sure,
! but alas, Jim S voice had great power
to thrill her. The sound of his
step on the stair could cause her
heart to beat suffocatingly. Last
night, at the country club dance,
both men had asked the right to
place on the third finger of her left
hand the shining circlet which
means but one thing. She thought
whimsically, that it was unfortun-
ate that she could marry but one.
The girl was no coquette. She
instinctiyely shrank from the
thought of bringing unhappiness to
anyone. But, which one should she
marry? Claiming was coming this
afternoon for his answer. and she
was no nearer to knowing what
that answer was to be than she had
been the night before. Restlessly
she wandered from room to room,
Feadjusting a chair here. a curtain
there. Even the clock on the man.
tel seemed to be ticking. Which
one, which one?' From a bowl on
the piano she drew a rose. Should
she thus decide her future, with the
soft, fragrant petals? 81 love him.
love him mott" With a laugh she
thrust the flower back again into
the bowl.
How childish" she thought, as
she moved across the room to the
window. There she stood watching
the children who were sliding on
the icy walk. Their hearty laugh
ter rang through the clear, frosty
air, and Pauline smiled in ready
sympathy. She would have liked
to have Joined in their sport.
A familiar figure rounded the
corner and she caught her breath.
1t was Jim! Oh, surely he wasn't
coming to see her nowl Surely he
must remember that he was not to
come until evening! He must not
be there when Charming arrived!
Hastily she rang for her maid.
Hester" she said. 81 am at home |
to no one but Mr.. Charming"
Very well, Miss Pauline"
The girl turned again to the win |
dow. The man was rapidly ap-
the house and she noted /
with sense of pleasure the air of
distinction about him. She remem-
bered how proud she had been of
her handsome escort last night
Charming was a dear, but he lacked
the assurance, the clever wit that
made the other man stand out from
his fellows. A wave of pity swept
over her. and instantly she knew
hat she had made a decision. She
was sorry for Claiming because
she must hurt him by marrying
Jim,
AS the hurrying man reached the
stone steps one of the children,
With squea1 of pure joy, slid along
he sidewalk and lost her balance
lirectly before Jim. Pauline, watch
ng from the window, could not
uppress her laughter The digni-
ield James, of all people. to be sit
ing, crimson with embarrassment
IN an icy sidewalk directly before
Ter housei A moment later her
nirth changed to CONSERVATION,
hen quickly to anger, for, having
truggled to his feet, Jim had seiz-
d the innocent cause of his igno-
ninious tumble and was energetic
lily shaking her.
Now run home. every one OF
ou." he cried furiousIy. and like I
rabbits the children