Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-14

loose comes to grief when the ship |
rolls"
'Then what becomes Of your photo |
graphs?' demanded Isobel promptly, ,
her quick eyes having discovered the |,
pictures of two ladies in silver frames |
on writing table.
'T take care to put them away. |
There is always plenty of warning. |
No ordinary sea can trouble big hulk |
like the Kansas"
rs that your mother, the dear old
lady in the lace cap?"
Eyes, and the other is my sister"
"Oh, really! Is she marriedH
"No. Like me, she is welded to her
profession"
"Will you think it rude if ask what
that tsp
"She is a hospital nurse-the ma
tron, indeed, of q public institution in
the suburbs of London"
Isobel filed a cup of tea, asked II
Captain Ceurtenay took milk and sug-
ar and said demurely, with sip of
spoonful:
LET me see if I can guess your
tastes"
Elsie's blue eyes assumed deeper
shade. Men might like that kind of
thing but she felt that her face and
neck would be poppy red in another
| moment. Thus far she had not ad-
dressed a word to Courtenay, though
by his manner he had included her In
| the conversation. She now resolved to
oil nlna1
was beginning with the adroitness of
skilled campaigner. And she, too,
could use her eyes to advantage when
| she chose.
What a curious library you have,
| Captain Courtenay." she said, looking
| not at him, but at row of books
| fitting closely into a small case
| over the writing Shakespeare.
the Pilgrims Progress Montaignes
essays, Herbert Spencer, 'Goethes
| Life by Lewes; Marcus Aurelius, Mar
| tfal, Wordsworth, The Egoist,' Tho
reau, Hazlitt and 'Mitford's Tales of
| Old Japan" Where have / heard or
read of that particular galaxy of stars
| before?'
go on. You are on the right track"
cried Courtenay, setting down the tea
| cup and Fastening to Elsies side She
was leaning on the table, reading the
| titles of the books. The motive of
her exclamation was merged now In
| the fine ardor of the book lover She
had an unconscious trick of placing the
| forefinger of her right hand on her
/ lips when deeply engaged in thought.
| Elegant as Isobel Barring might be in
| her studied poses, Elsie need fear no
comparison as she examined the con-
| tents of the bookcase with eager at
| tention.
I'VE have actually hit upon a topic
that should prove inexhaustible, con-
tinued Courtenay. Believe me, Miss
Maxwell, that is my pet subject. More
than once, needing n listener, l have
even lectured my long suffering ter
rier, Joey, ON the point
Isobel laughed softly. The two,
standing in front of the bookcase, start
ed apart with sudden consciousness
that they were speaking unguardedly,
for Isobels mirth had mockery in
it-"there was a laughing devil in her
sneer."
by the way, where is Joey?" she
asked.
The dog answered her question by
appearing, with stretch and a yawn
from beneath a bunk. He had heard
his name in Courtenay's voice. That
sufficed for Joey at any time.
You darling! You must have slept
with one eye open," said Elsie, stoop
ing to pat him.
"Oh, take care" cried Isobel. HE
may bite YOU
mot he. When you see that wistfu
look In a dogs eyes, have no fear. II,
wants to speak then You won't bite
me, will you, dear?' And Elsie sank
on one knee to stroke Joey's white
coat, whereupon Joey tried to lick hel
face.
Between the library and the cap
tain's dog you are installed as a prime
favorite on board the Kansas" com
mented Isobel. TAe other girl rost
hurriedly. She had caught the touci
of malice in the smooth voice.
Captain Courtenay is too polite t.
T0u1luu us luuI we are I'LL uutIS, Sn'
said lightly. I'VE forget that he Il
busy. Joey, cardidly canine, did no
. try to hide his feelings"
, Isobel swung her chair round to fac,
the door.
This is quite the best place in TIT
ship she said. Il am very comforta
BILE, thank you. Please don't send III
away, captain
Before Courtenay could answer TIN
, officer of the watch looked in.
| "Cape Caraumilla bearing sou'wes
, of the Buei rock, SIR" he announces
and vanished again.
Don't hurry" said Courtenay, tax
, ing up his cap. 81 must leave you 70
, q few minutes"
{ He was gone, with Joey at his heels
! and there was a brief silence.
, Really, Isobel, we should go bac
. on deck" urged Elsie uneasily. Al
| ready she half regretted the impuls
which led her to intervene In he
: friends special hobby.
| 81 like that. didn't credit you wit
such guile, Elsie Maxwell. You sna