Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-20
DAILY SHORT STORY
SAlvAGE e.

and then stopped again. Densmore,
cursing vigorously. tested various grips
and levers without results. 1t was ev-
ident that something was radically
wrong but what that something was
Densmore. who was very much or an
amateur. was at loss to discover.
He walked about the machine several
times. crawled beneath It and carefully
inspected the coils: then he drew OF To
one side and fired broadside OF choice
anathema at the big red car standing
mute and helpless in the dusty road.
II was too far TO walk back to the
hotel. and heaven only knew how far
ahead this stretch Of wood might ex-
tend. The safest plan seemed to be
that of waiting patiently and trusting
TO the aid of some passing automobile.
Fortunately the car had come TO its
final rest in the shadow of big pine.
Densmore found copy OF the morning
paper In his coat pocket. and. climbing
back on to the ear, he settled back
comfortably to read and wait for aid.
All Ddsscu ny anu hoh N so"i up
peared. What with reading stale news
and listening TO the signing OF the wind
through the pines Densmore was be
coming sleepy. He searched beneath
the seat and found some wrapping pa
per tied about some golf sticks he had
purchased in the village that morning.
This he pressed into service and with
a pencil inscribed in large letters the
pathetic appeal: Busted, Please help"
and tied it securely To the side of the
car
Then he curled up comfortably on
the seat and despite the discomforts or
cramped quarters and voracious mos
uuitoes was soon snoring Justify.
He WAS awakened by peal of ring
ing laughter He rose from the seat
and rubbed his eyes. Before him in
the dusty roadway stood Il young woin-
an. and as he looked his heart beat
faster.
Miss Trevor" lie cried.
"Oh, it's YOU she said. Il might
have known it. The sign and the
snorcs should have disclosed your iden-
THY"
Was I snoring" Densmore asked
anxiously ~ he jumped down from
the seat.
Il have been following the sound for
the last mile or So" she laughed. $50
you're in trouble too
AS you see" said lie. waving his
arm toward the car And You
Il am stalled mile or so above
here came along looking for help
aud found this she laughed. nodding
toward the machine.
II apologize for the blamed thing,
said lie. Il have been watching for
help since early afternoon
And passing the time very pleas
antly." she observed. Too bad / woke
you"
Densmore bowed.
a most fehcitous awakening. / as
sure you he said CALAMITY. Il wish
1 could give you the aid you came for.
but
Miss Trevor was looking over the
machine with critical eyes.
IF you simply connect the feed pipe
II would be as good as new" she said.
Densmore crawled beneath the ma
chine. and under Miss Trevor's direc-
ton the pipe was repaired.
Now well go after your machine"
he announced.
He helped her in and they sped up
the road. DensmOre steering a rather
ratio course. il is true. for his eyes
were watching the charming outline of
the girls face. They found her run
about and took il i'm tow
And now" said Densmore as they
headed for the hotel, I'VE must settle
on the salvage. or course l shall de-
mand IL. II is always customary when
you tow n disabled craft into port"
Indeed said she.
He nodded gravely.
II hope I'm not too high In my de |
said he.
What are they" she asked.
Well" said he, Il demand in re- |
turn for towing you TO port charNe |
TO finish out the conversation which |
you cut short Oh the bluff two nights /
since. and I also demand that you an
swer the question / was about To- ask |
At that time in the Affirmative"
Miss Trevor flushed.
II shall cut the tow loose" said she. |
Densmore said nothing. lie looked
az her ont OF the corners of his eyes,
and ~ his satisfaction he noted that
her head was turned away and that
the little ear nearest him was very
ed.
They sped along for a time in 81
ence
why don't you cut it," said he.
II haven't a knife" she falterel.
Would you il you had one:' he per