Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-31

again, and ner ups parted. But
quick, peremptory gesture from her
father interrupted. .Mar'lyn," he
cried, his eyes warning the elder girl,
over"
And Dallas saw that her father did
not trust the storekeeper-perhap
feared him-and that he did not wish
his own neglect to be known
But hint of the state of affairs at
the shack had already entered Louns-
bury's mind. AS Marylyn rose to pour
the coffee he quickly changed the sub
ject. Fort s quiet place these days"
he observed, accepting cup. wonder
when the troops ii be back"
The section boss slipped at his saucer.
"Ah don carry on no dealin's with
Yankee soldier trash" he answered
CURLY. ''They keep they side O. tn riv-
er, an we-all keep ourn.'
Lounsbury laughed. Well" he said,
you'll find when the redskins get mas
ty that the army blue looks pretty
good"
Inc other shrugged.
The storekeeper tapped the holster
hanging upon thigh. Il carry pop
gun regular" He set down the cup.
pulled at his boot legs and arose
"Ah, reckon All en- hor my own,
sab" Lancaster's pride was touched.
NO doubt of it, assured the youn-
ger man, preparing to go. Il hope" he
continued. that you'll call on me at
any time-if you need more provisions,
say"
Lancaster did not misunderstood the
offer of credit. Thank " lie replied
stitiiy. "but we certainly got 'nough t
las through"
LounSbury remembered how small,
compared with the orders of other
wintering settlers. was the Lancaster
stock, and thought too, how likely it
was that every passerby would be fed
with true southern hospitality, thus
diminishing the supply. But he refrain
ed from making any further suggcs-
ton. He babe the family goodby, lin
gering Il little at parting beside the
younger girl.
Miss Marylyn," he said, before an
other winter you'll be the belle of the
town of Lancaster"
She put her hand in his bashfully.
And Miss Dallas?" His voice en-
| treated little.
81 hope you'll be the biggest store
keeper" she said.
TO LounSbury's surprise, he saw 6
trace of fun lurking in her eye. "Ah
you've forgiven me- he declared tri
| umphantly.
But she made no answer as she turn
ed away.
The next moment he was gallopins
| toward the cOulee crossing.
Marylyn watched him go. When
having disappeared into the ravinc, h,
came into sight again on the farther
q, side he turned in his saddle and saw
| her. He took off his hat and waved
it. She answered with Il farewell sig
nal and stood, looking after him, unit
distance dwarfed horse and rider to
dot.
On the storekeeper's departure tn
shack became 4 scene of action. Ian
caster gave over walking the floor an,
collected bedding for Il journey. Mary
Ign was called in to prepare a box o
food for her father-potatoes from
the Goals of the fireplace, cured pi:
meat from the souSe barrel, bread an
a jug of coffee-while Dallas caugh
the mules. gave them some grain and
rubbing down with straw wisps AM
creased the wagon wheels. All bein
made ready, the section boss took leav
of his daughters. urging them to kee
within the next day when the survey
ors came up and to deny his going
Then with Ben and Betty at a smar
trot he set off for Bismarck and til
land Office.
When he was gone the squat shac
on the bend became vigilant. Cease
lessly its eyes covered the stretch Q
Dad between ferry landing and coule
-ceaselessly, though Dallas alone keI
watch for wayfarers. Not until nigh
fell and the cloud masked moon di:
appeared behind the western bluff
were small blankets pinned into plac
across the windows and the peerin
shock head made sightless.
But even with the house darkenel
the early supper eaten and Maryly
asleep in her bed before the heart
the elder girl still kept on the aler
A nervousness born of loneliness la
taken possession of her. If the doc
latch ratified, she raised herself, lister
ing. If Simon rubbed himself again!
the warm outer stones of the fireplace
she Sprang up. startled sentinel, wit
wide eyes and clinched hands.
. But an hour passed. The wind lul
! ed. Simon lay down. She fell to thinl
/ ing of the stOrekeeper. She felt sure
, than ever now that he did not GOV,
, the bend. Setting aside the fact Thu
{ he had brought them good news, 81
: was glad he had come. 1t gave the
Il neighbor. And, yes, she forgaN
, him the smile that had provoked III
resentment. After all, the name Da
} las did sound Texas.
With morning and the rising of IL
Y sun she was up and doing the fe
. chores about lean-to and shack. b