Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-26
DAILY SHORT STORY


rcopyright 1904. by Il NJ. Whitehead
Two paths wound their torfuous ways
about the hilAand came out finally1on a
small rocky shelf. The place COM
ma1ded an excellent view of the level
valley and the riverttwisting and turn
ing q, shimmerfng course. many feet be-
low. Far, across the valley on the 9TH
er sideA of the river the ,pine covered
slopes uAa6e a cool. green,vista in the
July sunshine.
The mar toiled slowly up one or
these paths. pausing occasionally to
mon his r,erspiring brow and to curse
dejectedly che. blackberry vines which
now and again clrtched his trousers.
The girl CAME up the other path, hold
ing fluffy .parasofi in so spiritiesS
fashion that the sunSstreamed fulliu
On her brown head.
The man re ached the rocky shelf
first and seated himself on the very
edge. with his legs dangling over the
brink. A few moments later the girl
arrived on the tscene. surveyed the
mans broad back la moment md then
said. half in annoyance, half in en-
barrassment. "Oh!-
The man turned about. beheh the in
truder and with ,cough-the mascu-
line haven Of refuge at such time
resumed his study OF the green tlntS
I'm the valley below The girl looked
frresolutely, at the ma n and with equal
irresolutiom at the psth she had just
travelled. Then she sat down. with no
irresolution whatever beneath one or
the scracgy Mfrs The tension of the
silence became oppressive. 1t was the
girl who broke II.
..I desire to Xbe alone" she said, with
imperious cOolneSS.
The man turned slowly.
"You seem totvoite my own ideas"
be said.
"Why don't you ieaye. thenT" she
asked.
He smiled with calmjinsolence.
Because" said he. 81 wish tot0e
here. Besides, this isfmy puddle,
found it first"
The girls eyes narrowed and Sshe
pursed her lips.
..This particular nook is OF mVdis-
covering, kindly remember" said ishe.
Possession is nine ,points OF the
law" he returned.
The girls eyes looked across the
valley to the ragged line of hills. over
which fieecy bits of white clouds drift
ed lazily. Her parsnsol was tapping
peryously an exposed;root of the FIR.
do you mind telling me why you
came I'D here this afternoon: she ask
ed.
.For the same reason murderer Is
drawn to the scene of his crime. by
some horrible fascination, i suppose
he explained.
The girl smiled grimly.
| "You admit it was a crime. hthen!
| "Mea culpa. mea culpa," he said;
! inca most heinous culpa!'
4 She frowned. Its scarcely humor-
ous," she chided.
| SIT Is tragic" he declared. He turn
ed to her suddenly and his face was
| grave. "Why did you Gomez" he asked.
ct wanted to be-tO be alone with
nv dead" she said, almost wistfully.
i He Strengthened up. His tone was
eager.
"You're sure it's deadc?" he asked.
"Ouite So" said she. LAS murder
er you're decidedly effective"
Are you sure" said he, lit isn't
stunned or shamming? Are you GER
tain IL won't come to life'againT
The girl sighed.
eft Is dead-stone dead" she said,
/ with touch of sadness in her voice.
, 81 thought" he remarked. that love
had as many lives as a cat-that one
! might cruelty maitreat it and yet 1t
> would survive"
> There is q limit. to all things-even
the forbearance OF love-" she said.
!, The man swung his legs over the
brink. and his brow twas drawn into a
puzzled frown.
I'm terribly afraid there's a spark
, OF life vet" said he. 1T would be
: frightful to bury the poor chap alive
: 1t seems to me we should try. resusci'
: tation first
I'm afraid it's too late" she said
coldIy. .It is far easier to destroy. than
10 resurrect."
J.. "Ouite SO. quite So" said he uneasi
e ly. .Oh. | say" he burst out contrite
|. ly. .:you don't really mean it's all on
J.. You don't mean you'll let that misera
0 bic tin Of yesterday morning end ev
+ erything. do you?"
/ The girl arose.
!, II came up here to be alone" she
z said. 1T is evident 1 must seek soil
e tude somewhere else"
o He jumped to his feet
Y "I'n CO." he said. You may have the
t cliff TO yourself. But before 1 leave
l. want to ask a favor. When you bury
/ the dead. you'll not forget IT entirely
n will you? You'll remember that for &
a day-for a day
} He stopped and looked at her.
"Oh. WE'LL he said cOntritely, 'i
was all my fault anyway. l have NJ
: right TO ask favors. Goodby."
He moved down the winding path
The blackberry vines caught at his
: clothes, but he forgot to curse them
Halfway down the path he heard rap