The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-30


Copyright, 1921. by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)
1t was really a very special We'd
nesday, brimming over with some
thing blissful that was on the way.
Besides, it was the day before
Thanksgiving But Sam Otis. young
farmer from DanyHle. took his
usual stand opposite the gates of
track Is at the city west depot 10
wait for the noon train from the
east. just as if it were an ordinary
market-day Wednesday with moth
ing wonderful due TO happen at all.
For a year or more, Sam Otis had
kept this curious. futile tryst of his.
and, produce sold, here under the
I station roof, he had imagined he
was waiting to meet somebody he
thought a lot of. Of course nobody
knew that Sam was just making
believe. So nobody called him fool
ish. He wasn't, anyway. His up
to-date house and gardens in the
country. waiting for somebody; the
snug sum in the bank; the wise,
keen eyes proved that. But-Sam
was lonesome. He missed his moth
er, and he wasn't ashamed of it.
He didn't belong to anybody, and
heaven knew it didn't do any harm
to pretend, like a kid, that he did.
Besides, Thanksgiving time, Gee!
But it was worse than lonesome
then,
The u train crawled along track
IS, rolled, clanked. stopped. Sam
pressed nearer the gates 1t was
a pale sort of girl with frank smile
and strong little hands Sam was
waiting for today. He'd know her.
He'd dreamed about her-enough-
md heavensi There she was now.
getting off the second car. She
looked scared. as if she expected
somebody who wasn't there. How
ering OyeT her vas a too we'll
dressed youth with a too posses
sive smile. Sam squared his shoul-
ders and stepped through the open
gate, and theR-well. even Sam, in
spite of his dreams. was not who'll
ly prepared for what happened
next. The blue eyes looked at him
hard far an instant. Then the girl
smiled, and literally scampered
into his arms.
Glad to e you. Here's my
JOS bAAS SAA1A ACdSS
take me somewhere where there's
a pumpkin pie and a fireplace"
Sam didn't even wait to wither
the obnoxious youth.
Il knew you'd take care of me-"
said the girl. Il lie you
Thanks" breathed Sam, bliss
fully. Il like you, too. My names
Sam Otis"
He took her to the most Thanks
givingy" place on the street, all
browns and yellows and smiles.
Just like a real home with
folks" said the girl. 81 cook the
frilly things at the Lavender tea
room. My names Winnibel War
ner- My train goes at 4. l love the
movies" She stopped. 81 didn't
plan-this-until-I didn't plan it
ALL" she stammered. You'll
think-well-I don't know how to
say it"
Don't say it, then winnibeI.
I'd rather you didn't. I'm going to
look after you. So, if 0 don't
mind my doing it, why. what more !
is there to say"
81 guess there isn't anything"
said Winnibel, demurely. But I'm
when you know
Nothing to be afraid Of" said
Sam, sturdily.
Winnibel slid her little hand
across the table and squeezed
Sans quite feTociously. You're !
the incest man I ever saw"
so are you,'~ said Sam. ST
mean"
81 know what you mean" said
gently, and l like it."
Lucky you do" said Sam. be
cause I'm not going to stop mean
.ng it."
After the pie, whipped cream and
III: Don't forget my bag" warn
I'd WinnibeL. My spangIy dance
rock is in there. l made it. I'm
my way to visit my sister. She's
n school, and tonight's holiday
You're lucky to have a sister,"
laid Sam. Il haven't got anybody"
She's all I've got, and she's COL
ng to be married Christmas to a