Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-10


horse and buggy to go to the Rushes,
but it's more'n 50 miles. you know Eff
you waited over till morning. you could
60 down by the 10 30 train from Ashton
Station
But must catch a train tonight if
it's possible. l don't mind paving for
it,"
WAL, there's Pavonia, 80 mile. Yen
might catch the l o'clock train. l reck-
on. You ken have my horse and buggy ef
you can make a bargain " it'll this
youngsteT here to go long and fetch the
team back. He has nothing TO do, and
b'lieve he likes riding
Alec was offered S. for the nights
job and accepted at once and immedi-
ately started to hitch up the horse. Pa
vonia! Could he hear that word with
out remembering the circus? And this
drive would take him directly past the
house Of the BENEFITS. Would he catch
glimpse of them? Now he cou!d stop
and return the dollar bill as he came
back. A strange thrill went through his
heart at the thought of seeing Maud
again, and now he did not dread meet
ing Mrs. Bennett. He could laugh in
her face. Eagerly he threw the harness
on the old mare and hauled her into the
shafts. She seemed far more reluctant
for this midnight journey than he and
moved with extreme slowness. But soon
she was harnessed and fast in the light.
open wagon, and a moment later the bi-
cycle rider was putting in his broken
wheel. and Mr.. Higgins was giving
Alec directions about the care of the
horse. They were to put up in Pavonia
for rest and feed and not start on the
return till late in the afternoon, when
the July heat had abated a little. max
ing the greater part of the journey in
the evening.
1t was hard drive that 80 miles in
the dark, especially as neither of tho
men knew the way very well. Often at
crossroads they got out and anxiously
| studied the guideboards by the light of
| matches. But in many cases tine old
painted signs were so weather worn that
the directions could not be distinguish
ed, and in other cases the fingers mani
testify pointed in wrong direction. It
was :, case of drive hard and trust in
God, and the result justified their faith,
for the 80 miles were made i'll a little
less than Six hours over a rough road
and up many steep hills, and the un-
lucky wheelman was dispatched ON his
journey By the o'clock train.
Alec watched the noisy train disap-
pear in the darkness. Then he slowly
left the little station, united his horse
and made his way to that livery stable
where he had pnt up Mr.. Bennett s
horse the day he and Maud came to see
the circus. Alec said he wanted night s
lodging and mentioned the name of Mr..
Higgins Of Ashton Centre, whereupon
he was at once conducted to a stuffy
bedroom at the top Of the house.
The next morning he smiled TO him
self as he thought that now he was no
longer afraid Of Mrs Bennett and would
if anything be glad to tease her bit,
not thinking that she would doubtless
punish Maud for his shortcomings He
was soon dressed and had had his break
fast. A little after o'clock he was
driving out through the narrow lane at
smart trot.
By half past 10 his horse was YEARLY
making his way into the yard before the
BENEFITS house and barn. Alec looked
at the door, but seeing no one there he
dropped his eyes But when lie looked
| again there was Maud standing Just as
she did when he first saw her. but now
she had smile On her face He did not
recall ever having seen her smile before,
but low the smile was very broad, and
he was obliged to smile too. He stepped
his horse before the door. and while
still sitting in the wagon said:
Il was driving by. and | thought |:
would stop in anc see you all q few
minutes.
Il am the only one at home" said
Maud shyly. Mother has gone to the
store. and father and the boys are in the
field. Won't you come in:'
Alec thought he would and jumped
out to hitch his horse. Maud led the
way into the kitchen. but did not offer
him a seat there. On the other side OF
the house was the garden, and about the
back door was bit Of lawn Here she
placed small rocking chair for Alec
and babe him be seated. She herself
Stoou III thc uOOiWdE, dWkWarQlv tryiEy
to find something to say.
Wont you have a glass Of milk,
she asked.
Alec said he would.
II will sit here size said and took
her place on the doorstep. She did not
| lead IN the conversation. and Alec was
more embarrassed than he had ever been
before a city girl IN his life He wanted
to say something about the dollar bill.
And 10 wanted TO toll her how he was
situated now, for lie knew she was Gu.
! rious to hear. At last he broke out:
The fact is, CANE to see YOU" He
hesltated at the end of this sentence, for
he was in doubt whether to address her
As Maud or Miss Bennett. He compro-
misei by saying neither. She looked at
him in blank inquiry. and he perceived
that he must go CT. Il owe you some
thing. he said and fumb,sd in his
pocket for dollar lie had received from
the tavern Keeper amers the change fer
his 50 bill AS he did So he glanced
hastily at Maud acd saw that her face
was almost white. She was excited and
| evidently didn't understand what he