Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-07

AS. -. 'sI 90 <. Ys v, . Vs =. -. 90 4
healthy Chest tones and teeth, and l |
don't think you'll be troubled by Yaga-
bonds"
"a plucky girl" he unused to him
fself as he watched her retreating fig |
ure. Then he chuckled softly. The |
rent she had offered to pay was quite |
sufficient in itself. but it would have |
been less than a bagatelle to the Ma |
sons, with their immense fortune. Mr.. |
Carey's position was one of friendship |
as we'll as trust, which left him a mar
gin for any altruism he choose, and he
smiled inwardly as he thought of the
Masons' amusement when they found
to what uses their barn had been put.
| 1t was a radiant Penelope who greet
ed her family at nightfall, and week
later they were ensconced in their
new home. The great floor Of the barn
was the living room. The stalls held
cots, and the loft was stored with lin
en- and wearing apparel. Gay posters
and magazine pictures decorated the
walls. Bright calico cushions were
piled on sofa constructed of soap
boxes. Bowls of wild flowers stood
here and there. And Penelope. trip
ping about with a new elasticity to
her step, was like wild flower her
self, joyous with bloom.
Every day the great doors of the
barn were open, and air and sunshine
lrioted within. By night came cool.
ldewy odors Of hedgerow and field.
Week by week Penelope's mother
grew stronger. Week by week Ruth
lost her pallor and became more vivid.
more full of life. They would stay
till the sharp frosts drove them city
ward, Penelope decided. As for her
lschool-she would commute every day.
| 1t was on an afternoon late in Au-
lgust that young man on horseback
tcame to inspect their dwelling. anus
led appreciation glowing in his frank
brown eyes. 1t was Aldrich Mason. Jr,
81 hope you won't think it imperti-
uent of me-" he said, "but after the
wonderful things that Carey told me
when got back from the other side
felt had to come and see for myself
bow unique it was"
shall 1 show you through" said
Penelope, laughing, and he dismounted
and followed. AS she gave him a drink
of his own well water he looked at her
before he touched it to his lips. ITO
the pluckiest, bravest girl in the
world" he said.
He came the next afternoon with
books for her mother and the follow
ing one with magazines for Penelope.
i bn I,oI
went and stood by her favorite fence
rail looking off across the fields. There
T came soft thudding of hoofs behind
her. Aldrich Mason was back again.
Don't think me an Internal bound
I er," he pleaded, "but you know it's
E going to be a whole week before l see
: you again, and in the meantime Id
Hike to ask If Tm-if I'm cutting in on
:. some one else?"
"No." Penelope said, with a smile
: eff I write to you will you
Perhaps" said Penelope demurely.
/ "Good!' he cried buoyantly and rode
away second time.
Penelope watched him go with q
happy f1utter at her heart The fairy
prince had come at last, and it prom
9 ised to end as all good stories and
II good fairy tales should. and Penelope
with feeling that her arid life was
since her barn discovery. all touched
with rainbow colors. stood looking of
, across the fields till the evening sta,
: and the purpling shadows warned he'
it was time to make the homewart
/, way.
u