Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-14
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
Looking For Lady''-By Taylor White
(Copyrght. 1907. C. H. Sutcfel

great relief of the conductor, who had
early in the day come to the conclu-
sion that his passenger must be in
sane.
The second days search was no
more successful, and on the evening
of the third day he had come to the
end of the line without having locat-
ed the station he sought.
He bought another mileage book and
turned back over the road, and this
sought. The station had been newly
painted, and the knots had been COW
cred up by the paint.
But he found that the station was
only the first step. There still remained
the girl There We're half dozen
places where summer boarders were
taken, he learned from the station
agent. He picked out one and made
| arrangements to have his trunk for
warded, and then he settled down to
| prosecute his inquiry.
"Seeing the train come in" was a
popular occupation with the summer
visitors, and Bradley did not let a
| single train escape him. He hung
about the station at all hours. but be-
yond getting very well acquainted with
! the station agent he made no progress.
| 1t was apparent that the girl he lad
| sought had gone.
1t was near the end of the secoud
week that Bradley summoned up the
to oh ha hi hot
| graph and ask Information.
"a friend of mine took 1t the othaz
| day from the train,' he said 81
| thought that perhaps she might like
one if I'could locate her."
| Il remember her." said the agent.
| Bradley's heart gave bound.
"She's gone out west somewhere"
said the agent vaguely, and Bradley's
elation was suddenly checked
II suppose that some one has her
address," lie suggested. Il might get
it from them and mail her copy"
The agent smiled.
'She wasn't visiting no one" he ex-
| planned. ''She just stopped off here a
| couple of days to see the lake. |
| think her ma came from here years
ago, and she wanted to see it,
| What was her name?" Bradley re.
| Elected that perhaps she lived in a city
where they had a directory
MOLLY something" said the agent
Il don't recOllect that l know what her
| other name was"
| Perhaps the woman who kept the
| boarding house at which she stopped
| might KNOW" suggested Bradley. but
| again his hopes were dashed with the
answer that the girl had stopped at the
| hotel
| Bradley searched the register for
! hint there. The little hotel was run in
easy going fashion, and the register
was ornamental rather than useful.
At last he gave up in despair. He
had run every clew to earth, and he
knew no more than on the day of his
| arrival. His vacation had come to an
| end, and, since it was useless to linger,
he gave up the quest.
The town had never seemed as hot
and dusty as it did on his arrival, and
as he came at last to the apartment
|
the hopes with which he had started
out his depression reached the lowest
| point. He climbed the stairs. At the
top of the last flight girl came out
of the rear fat and in his surprise
Bradley dropped his suit case. The
girl of the picture stood before him.
AS he stood staring Mrs. Harold
came hustling out of her apartment.
did you have nice time?" she
asked as she greeted him.
''The homecoming was the best OF
ALL he said, with smile
cit usually is she agreed, uncon.
scious of his hidden meaning. I'm
glad you're here. My niece, Molly
Joslin. from California, is spending q
month with me. She came the day
after you left You escaped two weeks
of escort duty"
There are two weeks left" he said
with a smile. 'That will be plenty OF
time"
THAT is not very gracious speech
suggested Mrs. Harold, with a laugh
Bradley blushed.
I'm afraid it doesn't sound the way
I mean it, he stammered. II CAM
very we'll explain now"
But he made his explanation ter
days later when he showed Molly the
photograph and told her of his quest.
"And now that 1 have found you
may I keep you?" he asked.
Findings keepings." suggested Mol
~ demurely. "At least that is wha
we used to say when 1 was quite lit
tie girl
USEFUL DISCOVERIES,