The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-07
The Daily Short Story

The hulk of an old schooner
| which the winds of the previous
! winter had washed far in on the
beach was soon reached and she
seated herself on a spar, motioni lg
him to a seat near her.
Great place for a tete a tote, or
condolences he remarked. as ne
stretched himself on the sands at
her feet. May 1 smoker"
1T is lovely here" she returned.
Smoke all you wish. and now for
the promised condolences"
Ladies first" contentedly puff
fing away at his cigaret
Please do not think the chains
of matrimOny have anything to do
with my reckless mood this morn
ing" and the dainty color rose to
her cheeks. Jack $50 funny all
absent husbands are called jack
is the best pal ever, but doubtless
in about all cases, after a few years,
there are little things which get
on your nerves at times, things
which We could not or would not
see during the first months of our
LIdI IlGu I1f SS- ou1N lTluSS, uul
they get our nerves, just the same.
But, really. we are very congenial.
You said 'congenial,' not still
very much in love- Tell US one of
the little things you refer to-"
"Oh, well. at our ages, we should
have passed the sentimental stage.
of course, and maybe the thing that
gets on my nerves most is the fact
that Jack will prop the morning
paper up in front of him during
breakfast and really is dead, to all
intents and purposes, till it is time
for him to snatch a kiss and bolt
for the car. What, doubtless, mast
men do, really ought not to annoy
me, for l probably do things which
annoy him"
Right" he calculated. Now,
my-but that reminds me; l just
met an old fame of mine on the
boardwalk. Fancied myself madly
in love with her long ago"
Presume that was the reason
for your reckless mood; your wish
ing to accompany me this morn
ing" she interrupted.
Hardly" He grinned boyishly. |
She had grown-fat-'' with an
glance at her shapely, |
silken clad ankles. Her husband |
was with her, acting Is nursemaid
to a peke' pup He looks worried.
Jove, but l bet she has developed
a temper"
She smiled family. But the lit
tie things you said your"
ooh. yes One thing she just
loves to do, and that is to bangle
one of her pumps from the tip of
her toes when she is reading or
sewing l watch the performance,
have for years, and make wagers
in her mind how much longer it
will balance before it falls to the
floor. She-'
Dad. mother" breathlessly ex-
claimed a girl of 10, accompanied
oy sturdy boy of s, as they came
'unning around from the back of
he old boat, where have you
been? Did you forget that you
promised to go bathing with US this
1 told Miss Weston l
BET you were here. Run back,
1eley, and tell nurse we have
ound Them
SOhiS Oh' WE'LL Sdlu Tue man, as IT,.
lie sprang to his feet and COM
brushing the sand from his
clothing Il completely forgot that
We promised the children we
you'd go bathing with them. Get ;
our bathing things on, kids; we J
will join you in no time"
Jack, dear'' she said, as they
aced toward the hotel, you are '
he best old pal and husband ever.
md you may prop that paper up {
before you every morning for /
veil, centuries. I'll never say a il
word" II
Listen, sweetheart; bangle that !
blamed pump all you want to- Gee, Z
tut l am glad it was you whom I !
promised to love, honor and cher ,
sh instead of the one on the board I