Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-04
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
Delaying Voyage."-By Frances Trumbull.


Had either Paul or Kate been less
stubborn their little misunderstanding
would have healed quickly. and the sol
itaire would have CLEANED OH Hates
finger instead of hiding its brilliant
light in tiny corner of the safe in
Paul's Office. Instead pride held sway.
and just to show that she did not care
Kate flirted outrageously with John
Trent.
Just who Trent was no one seemed
to know exactly 1t was said that he
was looking for site for summer
hotel which should bring prosperity to
the island. Certain 1t was that Il speedy
team from the livery took him OH many
tours of the island. and during these
trips Kate frequently occupied the seat
of the cutter with him
Paul Condor. whose duties held him
closely at the dock. watched them speed
past on their way to visit some likely
location. and. with Il heavy heart. he
wondered what the outcome would he.
He neither liked nor trusted Trent.
wherein he stood alone. for Trent had
wormed himself into the good graces
of most of the Islanders. At the sim
pie entertainments of its social life he
was always the most welcome guest.
while Paul. glowering In corner and
refusing to take part i'm any of the
games suggested by Trent. found less
and less sympathy as Trent's popular
| ity grew.
l. nnf a dA6
social affairs now, urging the Office as
an excuse. though he had not found 1t
difficult to leave the dock even on SAIL
| Ing nights when he was to act as es-
cort to Kate Pyfrom. He and his IA
| Their owned the steamer Robert g..
which made seniweekly trips TO tiie
mainland In winter this was about
| the only means of communication. for
the heavy gales made the passage Of
| the pleasure sloops almost impossible
and the stancher boats were engaged
| on the fishing banks. The Robert q.
carried the catch across the strait TO
the city. and 1t was this traffic which
made regular communication VII
the mainland possible.
| The sailings were scheduled for G
o'clock. but if the fishing boats We're
late coming in the steamer would be
held until their arrival. and frequently
1t was long after midnight before the
| start WAS made.
| This furnished Paul with the excuse
for remaining away from merrymak-
ings. and gradually In the society Of
the fishermen and merchants he heard
little of what was going on. though
Hates increasing fondness for Trent
was gossip even among the>seafarers.
So completely had he isolated him
self from the local gossip that he was
Pyfroin drove his daughter up to the
dock and engaged passage for her
across to the mainland.
"She's going to visit her Aunt Kate
dewn to Boston," lie explained as he
laid down the money for round trip
ticket Its good for young folks to
visit around a bit think a trip to
Boston would be good for you just
now, Paul."
Paul shook his head.
81 guess there's no chance even in
Boston. captain" he declared. ST guess
I've lost all hold on Kate"
Pyfrom. unconvinced. shook his head
but he offered no further argument
and after learning that the fishing fee
would be iE late he stamped out Of thu
Office and on board the steamer to set
that Kate was made comfortable.
1t was the rule that passengers shoult
be aboard at the announced sailing
time. and when G O'Clock came Pau
locked the ticket drawer and went on
on the dock to look after some freight
He studiously avoided CHANGING fowar'
1.-THE after part of the steamer. wher
the passenger accommodations wers