The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-12-18
The Daily Short Story
JOHN-AND A SUGAR BOWL.
By pn D. Ide. \
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler

JOHN-AND A SUGAR BOWL.
By pn D. Ide.
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler
Syndicate, inc.)
If Agatha Price had not slipped
on that last icy step, and been
forced to reiinquish her hold on the
tiny parcel she carried, this story
would doubtless have remained I'M
told.
But Agatha did slip flor it was
February after a genuine freeze-up,
when no amount of sand could OBJ
literate completely the treacherous
coating Of ice), and as she stood
blindly looking down at the many
pieces of crystal on the pavement
it was indeed the blacklist February
in all her IS years.
There it lay, Sal Leavitt's treas
ured silver and copper lustre sugar
bowl, in a hundred jagged frag-
ments. dancing swiftly before the
little spinster's tear-dimmed eyes.
She glanced around. panic-stricken
lest anyone had seen the accident,
then with dry sob she gathered
the bits together and went back
into the house.
What should she, do? It was but
yesterday that she had borrowed
the bowl! The Price pride demand
ed that she have only the best of
china and silver in event of the
Boston relatives impromptu ar
rival for tea, and Sal had seemed
glad to lend her treasure for the
occasion. Recently, too, Agatha had
learned OF its true value, and here
it was. broken beyond repair, and
she the culprit!
Frantically the trembling wom-
an searched her mind to recall some
place where she could purchase an
other. True, she had little ready
money, but her few rare jewels, sell
dom worn Of late, must be sacri-
| ficed-for Agatha was firm in that
decision that she find q duplicate
before the town, or even Sally,
learned Of her carelessness.
Guess there'll be no new stove
for me this year, nor a coat, either"
she whispered. Serves me right,
although l never was a hand to
smash things. wonder where
can find another"
Suddenly her face frightened,
only to pale once more as she real
lied the impossibility of her
scheme.
Il do believe John Marston has
some Of this china. He often spoke
of his mothers collection"
And the more she thought the
surer she was that years ago she
had seen the Marston lustre ware
Here was brilliant idea, but .
brave one! Once Agatha and John
had been almost more than friends
lin the sweet, happy days of youth
But now? He was the towns
wealthiest citizen, living alone il
his luxury, while the little spinstel
toiled to keep body and soul to
gether. Years had passed since
their trivial quarrel, yet the breach
had not been healed and they seem
ed to live in different spheses. Nov
she wondered at her daring! Couls
she ever face the disgrace, as I
seemed to her, of crossing tn,
threshold Of John Marston's home
Gathering her loose change
Agatha drew on her coat and de
seconded the steps, with the deter
minati0n to do as she had rashl!
planned. for pride could have n,
bearing now.
/ It did not take long to reach tn
massive Marston residence, and
looking neither to the right nor tn
left, Agatha crossed the piazza an,
rang the bell. Tie echo Of 1t sen
a CULVER up and down her spine
but she resolutely lifted her hea,
as the butler opened. the door an
: ushered her into the dim receptio,
room.
/ Why should she tremble so
Would the dread ordeal never b
over? Agatha made . last attemp
q Tor composure rs q. step sounded O
the stair. Turning, she faced tn
tall. handsome John Marston. Ig
nofinE- his pr0ffered nand and tn
gesture to be seated, the WQma
!. stated her errana
Marston was silent for min
ute. He, too. was far from calm
Why. yes. Ax-Miss Price," he re
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