Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-21

The first train either way left at 1 in
the afternoon. In the apple trees below
the fresh air infants were holding high
and noisy carnival.
With a grunt of disgust. Crosby rose
and went downstairs. In the kitchen
he informed his host that for unlock
ed for reasons he could not stay: that
he would leave on the 1 o'clock train.
Then, there being nothing else to do to
kill time, he went out for a walk, TAX
ing the path that led to the little lake.
He had nearly reached the water
when a great commotion sounded just
ahead-screams, howlj &C terror and
sobs. He broke into RI md, round
ing a turn in the path, saw the cause
of it ALL In the water a small red head
bobbed up and down beside an over
turned boat, while a group of children
close to the edge of the lake made the
morning hideous with demonstrations
of their grief and terror.
Crosby was good swimmer. In a
second his coat and shoes were off and
he was swimming with sure, strong
strokes toward the red head. In anoth-
er few minutes he had the boy ashore,
apparently but little the worse for his
mishap.
AS they reached the shore some one
came running along the path and
caught the dripping child from his
arms. Crosby looked up to find very
pretty and very anxious faced young
woman beside him.
"Oh, how can ever thank you?" she
cried impulsively. 1.-THE children are
not allowed to come here. / never once
i thought of their disObeying US. If you
| hadn't been here
1T IS really nothing, 1 assure you,"
| said Crosby with as much dignity as
| his dripping clothes and his disheveled
| hair permitted.
81 must get him back to the house at
once" she said.
| IF you'll permit me to carry him."
| Crosby suggested. taking the boy from
her arms. Don't worry. He's really
more frightened than hurt
| They walked back the path together.
] Crosby quite oblivious to his drenched
clothing and the moist, chattering
group of children that trailed them
He was aware only of the glowing
cheeks of the girl beside him, of the
pretty poisc of her head, of the fine
lines of her strong young figure and
the softness of her voice.
/ Il wish | might call Mt the-the home
here said Crosby as he left her al
the gate.
i "I-that is, we-would be delighted
if you would" she replied.
Crosby went hOmeward with his
he encountered his host, gloomiIy whit
Ting stick by the chopping block.
Say" he called as Crosby came up
me an Marthy's been talkin' it over
about your leavin'. you know. W.
come to the conclusion that maybe it,
them fresh air young uDs that bother:
you. If that's it I'll see they dom
come nigher'n the fence
Don't do anything of the sort" sail
Crosby. with finality. annoy me
Not at all. Indeed. l find them inter
| esting-most interesting. And. by TIN
way, Mr.. Dean, I'm not going. / shal
stay all summer-as long as the fres
air youngsters stay. in fact"
1t was early in September that tn
eminent physician sat in his big. dir
office smiling over letter he was read
ing.
1.-THE neurosis Americana has con
pletely disappeared" one portion of
ran. but it was not quiet that did tn
trick. Indeed. | should lay the cure {
noise and excitement"
The eminent physician frowned.
81 am sailing the 9th the lette
went on, ION the Colonia on n littl
trip to Sorrento and Sicily. In stric
est confidence I will add that the tri
Is of the wedding variety
"Ah.' said the physician. with sol
chuckle of comprehension.