The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-07-01
TIE Daily Shert Story

, ing the paper in her pocket, rush
ed out. Father, with frightened
face, was holding mother in his
arms.
Quick. Jane, run down to the
village for the doctor. Why didn't
| have that telephone put I'M" he
cried distractedly.
Jane held a long consultation
with her father the day after her
mothers collapse, and showed an
amazing amount of determination
and efficiency that filled him with
secret pride. He entered into her
plans and plots with as much zest
and interest as the most exacting
person could desire. Things had
suddenly looked very blank when
he had looked on the tired white
face of his wife, whom he loved
very dearly, even il he had seem
1ngly been unappreciative of the
help she had rendered him towards
success
Tired nerves and an overstrain-
ed heart" had been the doctors
verdict. Nothing really needed
but entire rest and change
Mrs. Wheeler had really been too
weak to demonstrate when they
had told her she must go away.
Efghteen-year-old Jane was hardly
able to carry on alone the hard
work that had been hers.
But arguing was useless and
strange things seemed to be going
on-perhaps the strangest to her
the soft blue blanket wrappers and
slippers to match that pa brought
in when she first sat up. Tears
came unbidden to her weary eyes.
Sometimes sickness was a blessing
in disguise.
1t was too weeks later that Jane
saw her mother comfortably es-
tablished in Aunt Selina's little
place, near. the water.
Til write every few days, and
don't you worry a bit. ma" she
said as she was leaving. Mary
Blake is going to stay with me and
help and We'll have lots of fun.
You know I've never had company
before"
True to her promise, Jane wrote,
but her letters were rather vague
full of the hot weather and urg-
ings for her mother to content ser
self as long as possible. The long
needed rest gave a tinge of pink to
Mrs. Wheeler's soft cheeks and
filled out the hollows in her neck. +;
Jane exclaimed with delight when
she saw the wonderful change.
She and her father came unexpect- !.
eddy and in a shining new car !:
which Jane proudly explained pa !;
had bought to celebrate mothers |
recovery.
Mrs Wheeler actually gasped as |
she sank back in its soft cushions. !;
Two hours comfortable riding
brought them to their own front !
door, |
Mrs. Wheeler's eyes opened with |;
amazement. The house in front Of |
her had some faint resemblance tc |
the one she had left, even as she !;
herself, in the soft travelling coat, |
must still bear a certain likeness
20 the tired woman in the hideous
house dress of weeks past. But
he change in the house had been
ust as wonderful. 1t had grown q
story taller, with pretty dorzner
showing white ruffled
IN front; q porch and
broad piazza gave it al air of re-
bose and comfort.
With happy faces they entered
ne new wide front door with its
brass knocker. ana through
'ooms newly papered ara daintily
even to 6 white tiled
bathroom. But the climax was the
lew kitchen. 4 new itzroleum On
ne floor. splendid range at one
ifde and hot and cold water fau-
cts giistening like polished gold
'ver white enamel sink.
Mrs. Wheeler dropped into the
dg rocker that seemed to hold
pen inviting arms and eazed with
happiness too deep for express
don at heg husband and their child.