Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-18
DAILY SHORT STORY.
Continued from Page Four.)

down. l was just on the verge of stag
nation, and this little breath of fresh
air will set me up considerably"
Then with the deadlieSt sensations
he had ever experienced the judge
pulled smile to his lips and light to
his eyes as they drove up with flour
ish under the porte-cochere.
The first person his gaze rested on
was Diana herself. She ran out with
both slim brown hands extended In
welcome and beautiful flush show
ing wildly through the apricot tan of
her cheeks. I'm so glad to see you.
judge" she said. 1T seems like a cen
fury since you went away. yet it's been
only two years, hasn't it?"
by facts and figures" he replied,
crushing her fingers warmly, "other-
wise-eternities"
They both laughed and stood on the
porch chatting till Billy returned and
dragged Judge Underwood off to his
room. After they had gone Diana
stood still in the same spot for several
minutes. Presently she drew deep
breath ana SnOOk ner mead
| NO" she unused softly; Its made a
| difference What with legal honors
and money and New York people
! At this juncture Teddy Carstairs
came up and interrupted her reflec-
tons, claiming her for the next tennis
match, and, gulping her irritation, Dr.
ana smiled and accompanied him
down to the court.
| From his upstairs window the judge.
with the little green god" at his ell
bow, watched them cross the lawn and
disappear. Half an hour later. having
exchanged his dark travelling suit for
the delectable gray, he went down
stairs and Joined the crowd on the
veranda.
I'VE are going to bob for apples
first" announced Diana, who was
adorable in Il pink lingerie frock, land
afterward run around the square one
at a time. Then there's the looking
glass stunt and the face in the we'll y
Let me suggest remarked Teddy
Carstairs from sprawling position on
the sofa, that as we have only to IL
o'clock to dance we divide up on these
honors. l choose 'bobbing'"
Your idea is in order, Ted" approx
ed Diana, with n charming dimple
which the judge registered against he,
in his heart Are there any more vol
unteers?'
There were five. Four more were
= started out separately to walk around
the square in quest of their affinities
while Teddy and Molly Perkins diSap
peared in search of looking glass.
at looks as if we are In for wha
the well will reveal" laughed Dians
as Judge Underwood came up to her.
"You are the general" he said, "ant
I'm reporting for orders The week
intimacy had put them on terms of tn,
most friendly compaionship, although
long ago the judge had consigned hi
foolish hopes to the dead past.
But Diana. who had never been yer.
astute In arithmetic, was doubly so IL
mind reading, and she penetrated tn
L judges most sacred thoughts will
subtle divination ''Then," said she
q "if you're good soldier you will e
down to the old well in the corner o
the cabbage field, glance in and turl
away quickly, coming as fast as yo1
can back to the house. Wait till yo,
hear the clock strike o." And she lief
him before he could protest.
For an instant the judge stood gaz
ing after her with wistful, troubles
eyes. Then, summoning his dignity
and his courage-he slipped, unnotice6
2 through one Of the low windows an
walked leisurely down to where til
old well doomed, dilapidated hull
r. from which all water had been drawn
in the half light of the dilatory stars.
He paused a second, with his han
on the crumbling bucket shelf. The
he took deep breath and looked dow
= into a solemn pair of unwinking brow
eyes. His heart gave terrific, mos
unmagisterial throb, and then the judg
did very arbitrary thing. He dell
erately struck a match, throwing IL
bright yellow glare across two erin
son cheeks, shining nest of golde
brown hair and clouds of pink dimit.
At this juncture the judge quite TO
got that he was almost forty. that b
k was wearing his immaculate peal
k gray, that million stars were lookin
a. on, for he vaulted lightly the inclosul
k Of the well and dropped down, fol
re feet, into the soft sand beside his "f'
* ture wife" and folded her, regardless
n. in bis arms.
II. "But you were to look and run rigl
nj away" protested Diana in a muffie
tone "You didn't play fair; it's all
- joke"
Its a sublime reality" the iuda