The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-09-20
The Daily Short Story

his tie wasn't straight and his suit
hadn't been brushed, due to the fact
that feminine hands had always at
tended to him before. Nancy from
behind booth where she was
/ serving punch and cookies, saw all
and a delightful twinkle shone in
her eyes. o.
For the greater part Of the even
ing Henry remained alone, then
Mrs. Ed Gibson sought him out and
would not be satisfied until he pur-
chased mystery package OF her.
Then he must have his palm read,
and she led him to silken tent.
Mrs. Ed had a curious way of max
ing the opposite sex do whatever
she wished. So before he realized
it he was gently pushed between the
tinkling curtains and was being
asked to please take the little
seat"
On the tiny table an incense lamp
was burning, sending purple and
fragrant yapor about the little
room. Madame. truly of Romany
type, clad in long flowing cOlors
and wearing beaded Oriental ban
deau over her forehead and eyes,
reached across the table to take his
hand. Henry placed half a dollar
in her palm.
Il see at a glance re gentleman is
. troubled" said the little gypsy in
a musical yet serious tone OF voice
And it is re wife who causes il
all" She was studying the lines OF
his rough hand intently, and Henry
was fast becoming interested in
, spite of himself. "Ah, you think
she is Indifferent Of late, and you
worry much. II she Indifferent
} after all, you make her So"
Il make her SOL" Henry managed
< to say. Outside the silken tent the
crowd was laughing and moving
about as Joyous as in the earlier
part of the evening. But Henry
l heard not sound save the words
, of the little gypsy.
D Yes. you veery kind, veery nice
D to her, but you forget re kiss, S,
e love. re sweet embrace of which
r every wife need in order to max,
her content 1t is re happy secre
e every man must remember. Viii
r the gentleman take, to sooth q
|. mind%' And so saying, Madam
: poured him dainty little cup @
d tea.
s DO you really mean to say tina
o she is Indifferent to me" Henri,
e ventured to ask the question as h
n took the cup.
e "Sbe thinking about beins
y There's no more to tell now. Good
y night" And the little gypsy parte
i the silken curtains for Henry to e
i 1t was very late when the Elder
o arrived home. Both had been sill
/ lent all the way. Nancy went i'm
!" mediately up to bed without sayin
n as much as goodnight"
e Henry soon followed. He paused
n however, half way ND the stair,
> and smiled to himself. Why not tr
1t the little gypsy's advice?
Is Nancy was sitting before the III
: tie dresser, taking down her hail
j. He walked right over to where sh
It sat- and hwkwardly placing on
IS arm about her shoulders and
d hand under her chin, kissed he
it squarely upon the lips. Immed
g ately two arms stole up around hi
= neck and Nancy was sobbin
y against his coat sleeve. He kisse
= her again and again, calling he
l. my Nancy" and telling her no,
l. much she meant to him. And the,
when she became calm, he venture
e to ask her about her engagement i
n the city.
ID Nancy lifted her face and smile
J. into his eyes. "Why, Henry. yo
" weren't worried about that, wer
n you? had to meet Mr.. Brown. tn
n decorator, in order to makes al
y rangements for the carnival"
ID The mist in Henry's eyes cleare
ID and he held Nancy close.
1t was long past midnight vhe
At kimona clad figure crept soft
d down the stairs and out to the eal
% eye. From beneath the back se,
10 iof the car she drew forth q pacI
y age. On her way back she ranse
= before : silver framed photoErab