Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-29

road or no road. seems 10 ne you We
got about the cream Of this side of the
river"
! You right" said Lancaster But
the girls were silent. except that Dal-
las gave sigh deep and full of hap
piness.
| Lounsbury glanced ut her You
like the place. don't YOU he asked.
'even IT, He suddenly paused Her
palms were open and half turned up
ward. Across each lay crimson stripe
1.-The mark of the piow handle
For the second time she read his
meaning. Yes, like the prs irie,'
she answered. IF | do have to plow"
And she stepped from the furrow to
the unturned sod.
| AS she stood there Lounsbury caught
the clear outline of her firmly drawn
face. Beside her Marylyn. slight and
colOrless, was for the moment eclipsed.
The hat of the elder girl WAS brushed
back, displaying a forehead upon
which shone the very spirit of the
unshackled. Her hands, large, yet not
too large for the splendid figure of
which they were the instruments
We're clasped upon her breast. Watch
ing her, it seemed to Lounsbury that
she must have sprung as she was
from the plains one day-grave, full
grown and gallant.
Her fathers voice broke in harshly.
"Ah didn' want she should plow,' he
protested. "Ah figgered t git some
one on tick, but seems like Dallas
She
1--WE like it here" she interrupted.
because the air is cool and there's
lots of grass Then. after bending to
back to the plow.
you're planning to stay, then" said
Lounsbury.
STAY" burst forth the section boss.
Don it look like it?''
Lounsbury made no reply, only smil-
ed genially.
Maybe v reckon VEAL amt safe?"
continued Lancaster. WAL. TIL nest
ers roun' Fort Sully's safe 'noush."
The storckeeper pointed across the
river to where a flag was dying mt the
ccilteT VI tue post uuduIdnSfS. gu Ic
in sight of that" he said simply.
The other snorted. Then, sitting L
retort. he searched Lounsburys face
with his milky blue eyes. "Ah'd like
asst wy v didn tell me bout tn
track when All seen y las" he observ.
ed suspiciously.
The Storckecper gave a hearty laugh
And why didn't you say you had
daughters?" he demanded.
Instantly change came over the
elder man. He darkened angrily His
breath shortened as if he had been
running. Visible trembling seized him,
body and limbs.
Mystified. Lounsbury turned to Dali
las and saw that her eyes were faS-
tened upOn her father imploringly.
NO. 10. dad" he heard her Whisper;
mo. no."
The storckeeper FASTENED to speak.
Joking aside" he said. 1.-The reason is
this: The railroad company wants the
right kind of people to settle on the
land along the survey. 1t doesn't want
men who'd file just to get a price, so
the story hasn't leaked much
Lancaster was fumbling at his
crutches. "Ah see; All sec,' he said
sulkily. Then, with an attempt at be-
ing courteous: Come up t tn shack,
Lounsb'ry. ~ brung good news. Y
got t. hev you dinner"
81 ate back there" said Lounsbury.
dismounting. but I'll stop off for
awhile just the same" AS he slipped
the reins over his horses head Marylyn
remembered the meal she had aban-
doned and started hemeward The store
keeper, leading his mount, strobe away
beside her.
Dallas clucked to the mules
a "Ain't you coming" called her father
: "W'y, my gal, you worked 'nough this
!. mornin'''
e "I'il keep at it just little longer
she answered.
D I'VE don hear ev'ry day tibet We
0 live on a town site with railroad
Y a-comin'," Lancaster said, following
her Il few steps. Better come
Dallas did not reply. When she was
q some rods farther on her father called
: to her again.
}. 'Come. Dallas" he urged, IAN stoi
e lplowin' up TIL Streets
/. She shook her head, slapped the
reins along Ben and Betty's dusty
:. backs and leaned guidingly on the han
dies of the plow. And as she Travelled
Il SLOWLY riverward Simon trotted clos,
behind, tossing his stubby horns at tn,
red of her underskirt and bawlin,
@ YEARLY.