Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-22

the other ceased, he waited a little to
ascertain If that We're all; then he
turned upon his heel, opened the door,
walked out and shut it very quietly
behind him.
There We're high voices in the kitch-
en- as he went his way. And Tom
himself was less cool when he reached
his room, where. indeed, he lay awake
half the night still wondering whether
Nat Sullivan had ever struck Peggy
O'Brien and whether Peggy would
admit it if he had. But in the end he
slept sOundly on the clean straw with
which he first took care to line his
bunk.
/ SoundIy, but not long, for in the mid
! die of the night, as it seemed to Tom:
J the changing of q great bell brought
! him to his feet I'm state of high alarm.
! He slid into his trousers and rushed
out. 1t was that black hour before
dawn, and at first in the failing star
light he could see nobody: then he de-
serted Il figure in a long coat parading
to and fro before the huts, but the bell
was silent, though still swaying from
the twisted arm of Il gigantic gum
tree, when Tom ran up and inquired OF
this man what it meant He found
he was speaking to the night watch
man. who said his business was to ring
J the bell first an hour before sunrise,
then half an hour later and lastly when
the sun appeared.
so you're to be grOOm:" added the
Waterman. Il wouldn't swap my job
for yours"
"No?' said Tom.
Not me. Cause why? I'm on all
night. but off all day, so | see less of
) the coves than any other blessed man
on the place. Now you'll see more OF
| 'em, and Lord help you if you trot out
Il lame nag or Il piece of harness the
l old cove can't see his ugly mug in!
wouldn't be in your shirt for some
thing; it'll be stickin' to your back by
this day week."
Tom was returning to his room Whel
Il sash was softly raised in the mail
building. and there was Peggy ut n
outer window in an inky shower bati
of pitch black hair. She b2ckoacd hin
l with Eer finger. but transferred i
r swiftly t. her lips.
+ You did well! You did welI!' sh,
y whispered. Il was III the holy tcrro
e lest you answered Mr.. Nat. If you'C
done that
9 She shuddered and shut her lips.
j Well. what if | had!" said Tom, be
t ginning to feel sorry he had not.
"Niycr ask me-" she returned. ''Onl.
bear in mind that what they'll call III
science is a crime out here. Give 'eI
r check. an it's twenty-five or fifty III
h now I've told ye! lis We'll We shOul
i know. There's some poor Teller fror
here gets it livery Monday as liver j.
|, But you mustn't; 50 niver check 'en
II me dear. and niyer come near m
II kitchen amy more. Sure it'd he til
n dth Of Il young Gentleman like YOU"
j Would it," said Tom. We'll. navc
|. you fear. Peggy! I'm not such Il 70,
It as all that, ana I'll give them no re;
Il son. you may depend
g They may be afther maxim ont
y Tom, dear. Faith an they'd have on
f ready made if they cot We here! There
II the second bell. For Gods sake be o
k an reminder Peggy's words
I'll go when I'm ready, Peggy, NJ
i until; and don't shut down that vii
dow or you'll take off my finger
S Your hand again. It's to you l sha
owe my whole skin"
II He gave her his hand. She took it b
Il tween both of hers and pressed it wit
IL Il fervor that should have given hi
IS another warning on the spot. But hi
kind voice only put him in mind
e Claire so far away; nor did he hear
d again for some few days. Now ar
IT then she would wave to him from Il
II kitchen window, but it was always
II wave him back. More often he wave
II to her from the stable door, but 81
II invariably shook her black head ut hi
II with the greatest vigOr
Meanwhile her words came true.
y Mr.. Nat had conceived n palpah
n spite against the. new groom. and fro