The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-21
The Daily Short Story

'oozed happiness and suppressed
Joy.
Fair" was the somewhat surly
answer. What's for breakfast
He drew his gay silk dressing
gown about him. and seated him
self at the dainty breakfast table
With many a flourish and gay re.
mark his wife placed a tempting
breakfast before him consisting OF
! gra pefruit, hot biscuits, bacon and
eggs with her own special brew OF
! coffee. Her husband noticed that
the usually scanty cream pitcher
was filed to the brim.
! What's all the celebration
/ about?' he asked. as she settled at
last in the seat opposite him.
| Celebration? Oh. Alice turned
up last night. and we've got great
plans for today. And. By the way,
| dear. l shan't be home until very
! late tonight, and you'll have to get
your dinner in town. Sorry" And
up she hoped and disappeared
into the kitchen. a catchy song on
her lips. In thrice she was back
! bearing a jar of her own precious
marmalade, which was used only
on state occasions.
Say her husbands curiosity
was thoroughly asoused now
what's the big idea, Where'va go
in tonight that will keep you out
SO late o.
Well" Lois buttered hot bis
cult literally and then spread on
the forbidden msrmalade thickIy.
I've got an engagement that sim
ply can't be broken. that's ALL
He was still wondering about her
when he left for work. with her
kiss still warm on his lips. His
work was done in a rather slipshod
manner, and he left early. In spite
of the fact that he knew there
would be no one home. he did not
wish to stay in town, and he hur-
r1ed toward the station in time to
get the o'clock train His eve
ming was miserable. He ate spar
ingly from the ice box and dream
ed of the wonderful suppers Lois
usually prepared
He slumped down in the big chair
before the fire to wait for her
eleven, twelve, one, two, three-it
was haf past three when he heard
ner come in, hunming to herself.
In the semi-darkness she did not
see him, and he watched her for a
moment in silence. Good heavens,
but she was beautiful. Her gown
or shimmery silver cloth. caught
ailuringly at the waist with dull
blue velvet. was bewildering.
Lois!" he bFeathed. She start
ed bit, then came toward him and
perched on the arm OF his chair.
1000 gracious, Arthur. are Won
sun up? You poor boy, you Ought
70 De in bed, getting your sleepi"
Where have you been?" he ask
ed. testify.
Keeping that very irnportant on
gagemens I told you about this
morning. Come on. love nnet
get to bed, for I'll be as tired as The
IN the morning"
however, she showed no signs of
WEAKNESS when the brilliant morn
ing sun flooded the little dinine
room and glistened on her hair
AT O'Clock his telephone rane
and his wife's musical voice Ire
formed him that she was very sor-
~ but she'd be out again toniebt :
and would he mind getting his own
supper again? She thanked him /
and rang of.
Now. Arthur Warde was lust an |
PRIMARY man, with his numerous
'auits and shortcomings, but he
Also loved his pretty wife. He was
very much upset about her STRANGE !
Unheard OF for a dufi-
ful wife like Lois to go gaddine
IN. perhaps - dreadful thought
with another maas Couldn't he7
But he flushed VITA shame
hadn't he taken Margaret TO supper
.hree nights last week, and didn't
he take Evelyn to the "Follies ?-
He decided to keep quiet.
For nearly a month Lois kept up
Ter little farce. and often when in
ne secluCion Of Alice's arms did
he confess her reluctance to do It