Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-14
st0r0on. ~ " ml0VUok

ter. But ne noticed that the girls shoes
were very dusty. and her skirts, that
scarcely came below the ankles, were
dusty too. Moreover, she had remark
ably graceful figure that was finely out
lined against the bright sky beyond.
She paused moment and looked at
Alec, and lie stared back with sunset
blinded eyes. At last she took a step
forward and said in low. almost faint.
voice:
Il am here
why, Maudrr he exclaimed and
was Immediately embarrassed to think
he had called her By her first name. but
si:o took it rs "a matter OF course.
Il didn't recognize you against the
bright light. How did you Gomez" sud-
denly thinking that there was at this
hoCr 10 coach OF even train TO the near
might have walked Eve miles.
Il walked -
"What! All tic vay:'
YES. I've run away. Il was the only
way / could corae, and l was bound to
come. ! showed you- la.,er to father.
ard he said c0:lidr't go. II was use
less TO talk about 1t. So didn't speak
to mother, but this morning early !
came away"
You ran away" queried Alec in
establishment SO manifest that Maud
shrank back as if she thought he we,e
condeInning her.
Won't they follow you:"
They don't know where I've gone.
didn't tell tfen where you were work
ing"
He noticed that her lips were culver
Ing and tSna il her She .r hn5
this cold, quiz=icnl enc. Alec under
stood in a momens now heartless he
had seemed.
You must be tired and hungry. Eus
I'm glad you've come"
He held out his hand, ard she placed
hors within il. he gave it warn aHd
cordial pressure that made her face
| brighten Immediately.
We'll take coed caro- Of yea" he
added kindly, and she even smiled.
Come cut in the kitchen and 'Lisbeth
will give you something to e.: and show
| You To your ROOM"
She followed him meekiy, and "a
soon as lie had presented her 10 'I-ishetf,
! Alec made her sit down. No: till then
had she realized low tired She WAS.
When she heard that tie girl had y lked
% miles, 'Lisbeth said with quick s0lic:.
tude:
"Gou must 60 right TO bed afteg
you We had something 70 cat, auG you
mustn't think of aer:ins up till day
after tomorrow or you II he sick. -
Maud smiled. and protested that she
wasn't tired, int IL was too evideu,
that she had dragged herself On nile
after mile at last when she could barely
stand.
Supper was Just ready, and when sLe
had washed her face and hands in tho
kitchen sink Maud sat down with tho
rest. 1t was pleasant family ga.,iar.
ing, and she seemed to feel already tte
difference between the atmosphere and
that of her own home. She Frightened
all through thu meal, and 1t was evil
dent that she was much pleased TO thinl
of having polite young man like Alex
and kind yonng woman like 'Listetf
for her employers. Alec noticed that s,is
was little shy Of 'Lisbeth, and wen
dered il the two would get on well TO.
gether. Iustinctively she looked to hin
Tor protection, and ne resolved il a.:
heart to be 2 good friend to her.
When supper was finished, 'Lisbetf
said in tone OF kindly command Il
Maud:
Now you 60 right up stairs and tax,
- 4 -, - Il
come and rub you. l know how Vol
must ache. And we can t have you get
ting rheumatism. Twill show you th,
way
Maud protested against the rubbing
and said she was not very tired. Lis
beth's kindness embarrassed Lor, an,
she did net Yet know just how to view
her. But she followed 'Lisbeth and dis
not even say good night to Alec, VIII,
returned 10 the store TO think over j,
wonder the strange things he had head
She was really beautiful, he thought
and much less angular than most O. IA,
country women.
The next morning Maud did no. ID
PEAR for breakfast. 'Lisbeth said she mac
been very restless all night, ard liz,
seemed nc. to sleep till after ,ridni sns
But she was sleeping at breskfcs. time
She said she meant 10 keep the girl il
bed all day. She simply wondered kov
} she could have walked % miles in 5,
short a time. Maud hsd said that
J farmer had given her long ride, bat j
could net have been above fTe CT 81,
miles. and all the rest CT the way III
had walked. She had started long hefor
slnrise and had kept steadily o. to re
destination, scarcely stopping 20 lest O
est, and all day she had only had TO ca
few sandwiches she had trough, wit.
; her.
Alec farcied 'Lisbeth was taking
; real interest in Maud as she had III INN
and no thought that sugursd well fG
their future relations.
the day but Gre sitter Msud's ar.:va
, was Sunday. SIZE came down II b-sak
fast looking rather Pale, bn. with
bright face. Her shyness and honesick
ness seemed rapidly wearing away ucce
the genial kindness of Alec Znd 'Lisbssh
After breakfast she insisted oa helping