Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-08-06
DAILY SHORT STORY
Their Last Day.

1OuSly.
She turned her shining eyes to him.
"You missed it, after ALL she said
resentfully THAT last wave complete
ly covered the giants shoe. 1t was
just like getting n great, cool drink
when one Is very thirsty to see it,
He gave n discouraged shrug.
"What was 1t you asked me? could
not help it-about the rock, you know.
We had waited so long to see the tide
reach it,
Can write TO your"
He turned to her eagerly, his late dis
appointment forgotten, one hand clos
ing over hers. Miss harrington with
drew the perceptibly tanned member.
"YOu can" she said suggestively.
''But may II"
81 think not"
"Why?"
"Because-oh, because should have
to answer"
"And would that be such n task?"
Nan Barrington's eyes twinkled be-
tween narrowed lids.
"Mr. Gordon, you don't know what
you are trying TO bring upon yourself, -
she said gayly.
LET me be the judge of that"
"Oh, spare me any more expert opin-
ions OH the matter. My family decided
that point long ago. l once wrote to
Jack while he was at Harvard. His
answer came to mother: Mans latest
effusion to hand. / gather that some
one Is dead. but whether one of the
family. Jim's fox terrier. your pug or
her canary I'm bIest If l know And
it was none of them!' she added. in
wardly convulsed at the recollection.
Gordon, watching the sparkling face.
could only laugh with her.
81 think you should feel distinctly
fattered," she said presently.
"Why?"
Don't you see how value your good
opinion?"
He looked off over the sea with
gloomy eyes. Mans gaze followed his
and her face sobered suddenly.
~ wonder where we shall be q week
from today at this time" she said
speculatively.
THE Houghtons have asked me to
join their party in the White noun
tains," he volunteered, butt doesn't
matter about me. Where shall you
| be?"
She had given him one quick look.
A pleased smile lifted the corners of
her mouth as she leaned back against
their own particular rock.
II scarcely know yet"
you need not be afraid to tell me.
shall not worry you," he said quiet
| ly.
Nan rose.
LET us get down close to the water
| for the last time" she said slowly.
Gordon followed her in silence while
she climbed ridge of rock which ran
out into the ocean and ended in a
large table-lil1e slab. worn smooth by
the storms of many winters.
Sky and sea were a bewilderment of
opal tints, with one feecy, rose colored
cloud near the horizon. The half n
dozen sails in sight were touched into
pale pink by the setting sun.
| The girls eyes swept it all. Then she
stretched out her arms to the beautiful
scene.
"Goodby." she whispered. and the
eyes which Gordon could not see grew
wet.
"Don'tr'
His hand had closed over her arm
with an intensity which hurt. To him
these summer weeks had been as the
birth of all things.
! She turned to him, but backed from
what she saw In his eyes. Then q shud-
dering breath broke from her. Her
feet had slipped on the smooth rock.
Wide. piteous eyes sought Gordon's as
she felt herself sliding down the glass
| like surface, where there was no hold,
toward the ten foot depth of water,
with its dreaded undertow.
The one glimpse no had of them
went through Gordon like a physical
hurt ere he threw himself. face down
flung out. His hands touched her
shoulders and fastened on them like
wise. There was q breathless mo-
ment when it seemed as If her weight
must drag him over. Then. lightly
as she would have lifted pebble. his
splendid arms drew her up beside
him.
Were you terribly frightenedY His
voice vibrated with tenderness.
The girl shivered and swayed against
him. Gordon picked her up and car
ried her to the cliff path above.
81 have not thanked YOU" she said
then, but her eyes did not meet his.
az am sorry you thought it neces-
sary."
He walked beside her to the door
of the pretty summer villa and stood
with uncovered head. His heart died
within him as he took the hand she
silently held out and watched her
white, troubled face. 1t was goodby
then, after all.
He had reached the end of the path
when her voice came to him:
"Mr. Gordon"
He turned.
81 think do know, after all, where
/ shall be a week from today"
Gordon came step nearer.
at have decided'-she paused delib-
erately and the look which she sent