The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-07
The Daily Short Story
relatives. and his serene capture o

T0i8tlvOU, anu MS serene capture OF
Little Pearl Floyd had resulted in
an unreasoning jealousy and chilli
ness toward the innocent cause of
their miscArrying plans. They did
not know that Pearl Was not mar
rying the surly, sandy man for his
money, but because she really
cared for him and wanted with all
her heart to make q happy home
for one who had confided to her
that he was plain lonesome and be-
sides, that he cared for her a whole
lot. Not knowing, the Circlers flung
their singing darts in Pearls d.
rection. "Why don't you let him
get the household stuff" someone
questioned.
ITS q girls privilege to buy as
nice supply Of things as she can
afford, you know" said Pearl Floyd
simply. but her voice was tremb-
ling. She quietly slid out Of the
door and left the Circlers to talk
about and around their linen prob
lem. and finally leave, with the
matter laid ON the table.
The prospect doomed that the
first fall meeting would descend
upon the village Sewing Circle.
new linen clothless. The president
was the only member who appear
ed relieved that, owing to her man
fold objections, no decision had
been reached. you'll find out it's
wiser not to plan to buy the
cloths" she gloated as she babe her
sister Circlefs goodby. 4
The fall meeting was to be the
regular basket lunch, to which each
member could bring q guest. The
day WAS one Of those crimson
gold days. with the crisp tang Of
winter cutting through the glorv
Every member was present, and
every member sensed Z subtle mys-
terry in the air. The guests felt the
curiosity tingling to their finger
tips. They could hardly wait for
the president to call the meeting
to order.
Mrs. Ormann Pierce welcomed
her sister Circlefs and their guests.
Then she raised her voice slightly,
and made her speech.
Sisters. you will remember that
at our last meeting We discussed
the matter Of buying linen lunch
con cloths for this room and we
finally decided to do nothing about
It. l wish to tell you ct this time
my reason for insisting that with
the scarcity and high cost Of linen
that plan vas wisest.
She drew from beneath the table
4 good sized parcel. passed it to
the treasurer, and. asked her to ex-
/! hibit the contents to the Village
Sewing Circle. The treasurer I'M
tied the strings. while the suspense
in the air rose to concert pitch.
| And when the revelation came,
exclamAtions of dismay and delight
were about evenly divided. For the
parcel contained nothing more or
less than dozen he1nstitched
luncheon cloths made from isorse
exquisite old linen sheets, and con-
tributed to the Circle by its presi-
dent, Mrs. Ormann Pierce.
| Its good of you. You've made
them Ill for us. All this summer.
That's why you didn't want US to
buy anything. It's such a sur
prise, and-but-" came voices
from all sides, and forthwith, from
various and sundfy corners each
and every other member Of the Viii
Iage Sewing Circle produced IN
all linen luncheon cloth which che
hsd pfidefully and secretly discov-
cred during her summer jaunts
'fither and yon In various out OF
! the way country stores after the
manner timidly recommended al
the last meeting by little Pearl
Floyd
| For . few moments the voices Of
the Grclers buszed doubtfully
while all eyes turned in the difec-
ton Of Jason LAdd's fancee, sittin
tsnstfully bseide Inn IN tie oornef