Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-31
She IHrgus Daily Short Story
A Narrow Escape BY Martha G. Sanford
Copyrighted 1908. by Associated Literary Press.

Curtiss Rollins dashed breathessly
into the Central station just as the
man behind the megaphone announced,
"Incoming 3 o'clock up state express
on track H." He made his way nerv.
ously through the anxious crowd surg
ing toward the gate and took up his
position in the line behind the guard
ropes.
Then. serene in the consciousness
that he was. after ALL on time. his mind
lapsed into contemplation of the bust
ness problem from which he had
wrenched himself but ten minutes he
fore. The passengers, hurrying by from
the train, made no Individual impress.
sion upon him. He stood there as one
waiting to be recognized and set in
motion. Suddenly he was aware that
he was being spoken to.
You don't remember me, I'm afraid.
Mr.. Rollins"
His bewilderment as he looked at
the girl was quite evident.
I'm afraid don't" he began STUN
blingly. Then in fash his face light
ed up. and he grasped her hand cor
daily. Yes. | do" he retracted. 81
remember you perfectly. but l can't re-
call your name.''
"Eloise Kimball." the girl informed
him. I'm Margaret's roommate"
ITO be sure" he assented genially
though In reality the recollection of
that distant day spent in whirl and
flutter of endlessly accumulative girls
momentarily dismayed him.
As he bent down quite as matter of
course to take up her suit case he re-
membered that this wasn't the girl he
had come to meet after all.
Great heavens" he exclaimed in
dlsmay, I'm afraid I've missed my sis
ter! Did you happen to see her on the
train, Miss Kimball?'
At this Eloise could hardly keep
from laughing outright. The man was
certainly living up to his reputation.
IAN irreclaimable freak" was Marga-
ret's sisterly way of describing him.
"She isn't coming until the 1890
train tonight" Eloise informed him.
'She asked me to tell you. That's why
I was SO very indecorous as to speak
to you
Rollins looked dumfounded.
Got me up here for nothing" he
asked in amazement. Couldn't she
have telegraphed? Really, Miss Kim
ball. l can't see what good four years
at college have done Margaret if they
haven't taught her to realize the rela-
live Importance of things. The idea
of making me come way up here in
The midst of business hours for moth
ing! T.
Suddenly he stopped short. A pair
of mischievous brown eyes were
laughing at him.
II mean. of course" he amended
humbly, that Margaret might have
| telegraphed and saved us both this
| trouble
At this the laughter dubbed over.
II fear we are a pretty thoughtless
lot" she admitted demurely. But
we learn very easily. That's where our
education benefits us perhaps. Now.
don't let me keep you away from
business another second. 1 feel very
guilty"
This sympathetic little apology had
Its effect on Curtiss Rollins. He be-
( came all at once aware of the girls
extreme prettiness. It would be brutal
to leave her In that big station alone
and helpless.
Hang business was his unexpect
ed reply. DO you have to cross the
city. Miss Kimball?''
Yes. / leave by boat from the
East river side. But please don't both
err about me. Mr.. Rollins. I'm quite
used to crossing the city alone, really
"What time does your boat leave?'
he inquired pertinently.
/ AT . o'clock
| Its shout 3:3e now Rollins said