Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-18
8he Hrgus Daily Short Story
"Fergusons Mascot."-By Harriet Lummis Smith
(CopyrIght, 1905 c. H. sutcIineD

and when he burst out of the door the
kitten was in Miss MOrrelrs arms, anG
Miss Morrell was in the peach tree.
Ferguson hesitated. then advanced,
hating at respectful distance. Might
, l be of assistance? he asked.
II think you might" said the girl
, doubtfully. s"You see, it's so much
easier getting up than getting down. IL
only you would take the kitten, l think
1 could manage"
Ferguson climbed up beside her and
attempted to relieve her of her charge,
but the black kitten had it's own opinion
| regarding the transfer. 1t struggled.
1t spit. 1t elevated the hairs along its
spine. 1t "lawed Fergusons wrist as
! if it suspected him of being an ennis
sary of the pug dog.
'Oh, dear. now she has scratched
you!" exclaimed the girl. If she had
been pretty before she was enhancing
now, looking at him through the peach
/ blossoms.
I'm sure l can get down now" said
the girl, ana Ferguson set the kitten
on the grass and politely looked in an
other direction. A long minute passed.
| Then there was a shrek, and Ferguson
turned TO see the lady of his dreams
clutching an overhanging bough and
dangling some distance above the
ground.
! The young man rushed to her assist
ance. For n heavenly instant he had
her In his arms, and then he set her on
her feet. Her face was as pink as the
peach blossoms, and her shy eyes found
difficulty in meeting his. but there was
no lack of gratitude in her tone as she
said, Il don't know how to thank your'
| Ferguson went home with the feel
ing that he was walking on air. AS he
passed the window he saw the pug
looking out, but his expression no Ion
ger seemed sardonic, but rather benev-
client.
II owe you a silver collar for this,
old boy Ferguson thought gratefully.
for Miss Morrell had given him per-
mission to call.
1t was some time before it was neces-
sary for the pug to interfere again,
without his good offices the acquaint-
ance progressed rapidly. Miss Nor
rel's callers were very likely to find
dark, we'll dressed man sitting on the
hammock beside her or occupying one
of the rustic chairs on the porch or
smoking in the library with the air of
one who feels at home. Most of them
took the hint There was one excep.
ton, however, an obtrusive young fell
low, Randall by name, who continued
his visits, though Ferguson did his
best to make it clear that they could
be quite content without him.
Unfortunately Miss Morrell did moi
second these efforts as she might have
done. She continued to treat her per
sistent caller with a consideration
which Ferguson thought distinctly un
necessary. When he came one night
prepared to take her driving and found
she had gone boating with Randall he
gave harsher name to the act. He
did not sleep that night, and when he
presented himself next evening he was
in the worst of humors.
Had Miss Morrell been conciliatory
all might have been well, but instead
she wore an air of studied Indifference
|
proacheS she laughed at him. Accord
ingly in fifteen minutes the interview
terminated abruptly.
''In that case" said Ferguson, rising
to his feet, 1.-The best thing for me t.
do is to take my hat and go home"
And Miss Morrell replied, II quit
agree with you"
, Only one thing interfered with carry
ing out this programme Immediately
Ferguson could not find his hat. f"Gooc
evening" said Miss Morrell in the back
ground as if weary of waiting for hin
to take the initiative.
Il beg you not to imagine that an
1 delaying intentionallyv' exclaimed Fer
guson, with indignation. :. "But evel