Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-26

lance behind her, where It foated Boat
like on some blue stem tops. Still far
ther behind was Simon, cropping in
dustriously and keeping a furtive
watch upon his mistress out of the cor
ner of one fiery brown eye.
Lounsbury spurred his horse to a
run. She saw him coming, but, not
knowing him, kept her scythe on the
swing. When he had covered the great
err part Of the way, however, she stop
ped work, retreated to her hat and put
it on. Then from beside it she picked
up the Sharps.
He saw that, and his jaw squared.
The blood darkened his face, too, as
if the sight shamed him. He spurred
faster. refined SO sharply that the horse
slid upon its fetlocks and swung off.
"Dallas"' he cried. 1t was not q
greeting, but plea.
The moment was one long dreamed
of. yearned for. A woman less genu-
inc might have met it without a show
of feeling. She, outspoken and simple.
could not Her eyes swan. Dropping
the gun, she clasped his hand greedily.
Il knew you'd get back quick as you
could" she said, choking
For long moment they stood thus,
hand in hand, looking at each other
She saw that he was changed. The
CLINT of merriment was gone from his
eyes. His forehead bore new lines. His
mouth had lost its boyishness. With
ner the past four weeks had also left
their mark. The old look of high pur-
pose was Gu her face. But she was
older and graver and wore the new ex-
preston that Oliver.had seen.
she spoke first. Your mother" she
faltered inquiringly and withdrew q
step.
MY mother-is gone" he said slow
| ly: then, after pause: Il came right
after that; didn't stop to settle things.
] can go back to the states later But
| if I'd been here sooner-it mightn't "a
happened''-
She checked him gently. "Now, you
got enough to worry you without us.
We wouldn't go to the fort or Bis
| marck, and that was the whole trou-
| BILE" To excuse her father and to take
the blame herself, she told him of the
refusal Of David Bonds money and of
Mrs. Cummings slight.
you see," she explained earnestly,
by way of putting the best possible
color to the latter episode-"you see,
| they think over there that we're trash.
So they're bound to let us alone. 1t
amt that they haven't good man
ners"-
1t was Lounsbury's turn to inter
rupt. He was tramping about. Man
ners.' he said violently Manners,
What's manners to do with it? There's
a lot that's good manners-and cursed
bad heart.'
She took up the scythe, brought q
milestone from the depths of pocket
and ran it down the blade thought
fully.
I'm going to look into this whole
business from first to last" he went
on more quietly. 'I'll spend the mex
few days investigating. You got my
| letter.
I'VE went to Clark's for you and go
1t there" She added that she haC
feared Braden and spoke of his slacl
courtesy.
"Oh, WELL" he said, partly in apol
ogy for the real estate agent, 'if a mar
out here don't take off his hat to {
girl that means nothing"
1T wasn't the hat" she answered
and described Braden's further con
duct.
/
Lounsbury blazed up again. "I'l
see about that, too" he declared. N,
must be another sample of imported
manners"
They heard the CHEEKY grinding of {
coffee mill. AS if struck by thought
she looked toward the shack.
ITS about time for me to go In,
she said, little flurried. Then
| Wont you come, too. and take
snack with US? Marylyn ID like t
see YOU
"Marylynw He had read her NEAR
:. ing. "Why, Dallas, you don't mean t
say that you-that she still
Yes very low.
"Wel"--Lounsbury was determine
: now-"there's got to be some kind c
an understanding. 1 told you how
: felt. and you ran away from me. Yo
shan't do it this time. I'll go to tn
house, and I'll tell Marylyn just ho'
things are. / WILL"
"Oh, my baby sister," she murmure'
Instantly he was all gentleness. IN
no; l won't tell her." he said. "Br
I'm sick and tired of being tied tn
l way, hand and foot. 1t was your Fl
!. Their first, and now this again-Da
e last
e She could not answer him.
4 Il won't tell her. I'll wait TILT
4 you do. But you see that can't 8
: to the house. And I suppose / oughtn
r to stay here any longer for her to Sc
! But I'm coming back here tonight
Y taps"
1 She shook her head. "Marylyn Won
b be alone.t' she said hastily, $3.50
< can't"
You will; know You will. She
f be asleep"
g "No-no''-
t "At taps, Dallas" He touched Il