Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-04-13

same 800 feet to traverse to get to the corner
where l had told Charlie to wait for me-
Happening TO glance back as shut the gate
saw stream of light from the open front
door which made me drop down ON my knees
in hurry.
"Whoever it is, l thought las the light still
shone out on the midnight darkness bright
and clear, ''they seem bound to stay there all
night. l must try and creep down, for l
| don't want TO keep Charlie waiting so long. ~
Moving slowly down the path on my hands
and knees ! soon got beyond the range of
light; jumping up quickly ran down TO the
| corner.
| "Hello" said Charlie, as I came up to him
all out Of breath. "Here you are, at last,
heyf had about given you up; was afraid
| you might have been caught. By Jove! but
| you are a brick, and Pm awfully glad to
| have you go, ;" tucking my hand comfortably
under his arm. I'VE viii have good time,
l guess, providing they don't discover your
flight and come after YOU
| "Oh, don't you worry" answer lightly;
II fixed up dummy In my bed and Kitten is
going to help keep the old lady Off the track. "
"How have you fixed it about getting ing'
inquired Charlie.
''Oh, Kit is going to tie string to her fin
ger and lot it hang out of the window, and
when get back will give it jerk hard
enough to wake her up and then she will
come down and let me in. Seer
"Well, sayl" gasped Charlie; ''you have
got head, haven't you"
at is to be hoped have" I reply serenely
~ intend having a good time before 60
home; it's my last night here, you know,
! raalinc at hin, from, y,pdar INV avahroxyS In
see what he thinks of such intelligence
His face falls considerably as l speak for
you may know that Charlie and l are ac-
knowledged sweethearts) Slipping his arm
around my waist he says tenderly: What
am going to do, Sharley, when you goa !
| won't be able to stand it here them
Don't begin TO get moonshiny,," I an
| swer, laughing, for although like him very
much It don't dampen my joy at leaving very
much to think he will be left behind
Then, seeing the genuine pain on his face, /
say surprisedly: 'Why, 1 didn't know you
cared so much; I am very sorry, Charlie, but
it can't be helped, you know"
| well, l know one thing" he says decided
| ly; when am through college l win make
1t my business to take trip out west and see
If my little sweetheart has forgotten me-"
81 hope you WILL" l say quietly, putting
| my other hand on his arm, "for we are
awfully young yet to be making love to one
another; don't you think sos l don't think ii
wise to worry ourselves over such things yet
awhile When you are older you may see
some one you will like great deal better"
Then, as Charlie bursts into hearty laugh
say responsibility: II don't see what you
are laughing at; is 1t so very funnyl"
when look at your grave face and lister
fba foil
lips, and then thought of tho lark you art
having now, it was too much for me, sale
Charlie still smiling broadly. ..rs..
Then, as the ridiculous aspect of the cas-,
struck me, join in and we laugh together a.
only two very foolishly happy young peopl,
can.
As / stood under the window that nigh
about o'clock after Charlie had seen me- safely
home, gave the string gentle pull. Waiting
a few moments and hearing nothing, pulled
again, this time little harder In few mo
ments the door opened very softly. Hearing
it creep in very gently, not daring to wins
per to Kit for fear of being heard.
As we tread silently up stairs and get t.
the study door, the white robed figure at my
side says in the tones that have struck terror
to many heart:
'Step into this room, Miss Charlotte.
wish to speak to you
1t was so entirely unexpected, and I wa
already So nervous, that l almost screamed il
my fright.
Following her into tho dimly lighted study
/ stood before the teacher of our class, tn,
doctor, and my midnight conductor, Mrs
| Wagner.
well" said the old lady, turning to me
| xuit ~ ,,,lx- oh, ba-.
are capable of, nov, we would like an ex
PLANTATION of this performance if you please
At this my ebbing courage began to re
vive so cordially detested her that / woulC
not give her the small satisfaction of seeing
that was afraid
(which particular part is it you wish ex
planned, MADAME say, quietly.
You will find out which part, to you
sorrow, she says, her face hvid with ange
at my reply, ''H you don't answer my ques
ton properly"
"You will excuse me, madam" / say
boldly, as begin to realize my position; -
am going to leave to-morrow-that you cam
prevent-and consequently your punishment
can't be- very severe, SO l absolutely refuse t,
answer at ALL"
Having delivered this bombshell calml,
await results. There could not have beel
more amazement had genuine bombshel
exploded in their midst, for none of us ha
ever dared defy Mrs. Wagner before.
''Maria" said the doctor quickly to hi
wife, who sat speechless in her chair, mis-
Bartlett ard yourself had better retire an
leave Charlotte to me-"
with pleasure" snapped the old lady; 90
hope you will enjoy the task. As for me,
shall take what punishment can out of he
and forbid any OF her girl friends biddin
her good-by when she takes her departure to
: morrow, and, followed closely by the teacher
she left the room.
Doctor" l say, turning impetuousfy to
ward him with my voice full of tears, ''cai
she keep me from saying good-by to the girlsY
"Well, l don't know really" stammereC
the doctor; you know her authority has t,
be upheld, and have nothing to do with he
department; but l will see what can do,
he added hastily, as he saw how badly felt
Poor doctorl I'm afraid he was q sadl,
henpecked old man.
~ do not want 10 scold you, Sharley," h
continued, but / would like very much t
know where you have been"
81 don't mind telling you so much,n an
swered, rather shamefacedly. II went t,
the ball at the city hall with Charlie"
"Well, really" began the doctor, in amaze
ment. ats even worse than l thought
LOOK here, DOCTOR" 1 say, desperately
"please don't scold, there's a dear; I'm goin,
home tomorrow, and you ought to forgiv
me.n
well, WE'LL suppose may as well" re
piled the doctor with half smile; 'but i
you were not going home tomorrow (tryin,
to be STERN you would have to bear the full
penalty Of your offense."
| ss'Thank Goodness Pm eroipn I y,,,,fto
piously as 1 get up to go, which remark tn
& doctor evidently heard, as the smile deepene,
somewhat as he said good night.
The next morning as l stood ready to go
looked around disconsolately, for l felt tn
| ahsence of the Girls and their loving mod h,