Rock Island Argus., 1908-10-26

gray haired postmaster peered through
the small opening, his eyes shining
above the gold rims of his glasses.
There's a letter here for B. Bow
ers.' Be that you:'
"Yes, Miss B. Bowers" affirmed Be-
linda.
"Well, there amt no Miss on it, but
reckon it's yours, all right" and he
handed her the letter.
Belinda was too happy day dreaming
to open the uninteresting looking legal
envelope. 1t might be bill. so she
thrust it between the leaves of her
magazine. When she and Patsy reach
ed shady apple orchard. surrounded
By a low stone wall, Belinda settled
herself comfortably and opened the
missive.
"Dear b." it ran, "hope this finds
you wide awake and that you've dis
covered something doing in Cedarvale
l understand there's nothing doing in
Cedarville. l understand there's moth
ing in the line of females up there un-
der sixty, except one queen, named Be
linda Bowers. met her last winter
at Mrs. Alston's. Stop painting fool
pictures and see If you can't get next
to her royal highness. Ia, ia.
BUZZ"
Belinda'S eyes were beaming with
the humor of the mistake. She looked
again at the envelope. 1t certainly
bore her name, yet the letter was evil
IDENTIFY meant for other eyes, Who was
"Buzz?"
PATSY, old doggie,' said Belinda as
she patted him affectionately on the
| head. There's something in Cedar
vale at last, and methinks we're it,
Patsy barked with delight at the
| sudden turn of affairs, Then some.
| thing on the other side of the wall ut.
| tracted his attention, and he bounded
| over, barking necessarily. Belinda fol
lowed him with her glance and discov.
| cred that an artist was sketching about
| fifty feet away. The dog paid no at
tention to her recalling whistle, and
| she followed him.
! Come here this minute. young man,
| she called in a stern voice
The artist rose.
"At your service" he murmured as
he bowed before her.
Il was calling the dog" explained
/ Belinda, much embarrassed
81 realize that" parried the man
'but since the dog refuses I though
] might do"
Inwardly Belinda told herself tha
decidedly he would do. but for answer
she gave him an irresistible laugh.
won't you sit down under the shad,
of my apple tree, Miss Bowers?" sug
gested the mon, suddenly turning host
Belinda made herself comfortable
and the man dropped down beside her
"How did you know that l was Mis-
Bowers?' inquired Belinda finally.
"How did know?" echoed her com
panion. "Cedarvale is small place
and when a beautiful girl lands in ou
midst the whole town. talks of nothin;
lelse." He laughed aloud at the thought
and then, with more seriousness, b
added, MAY 1 go on?'
Belinda was interested and gave he
consent
"Well, to be frank with you, say
you the night you and your mother al
rived, and I've been hankering for a,
Introduction ever since. Why, Tv
Ieven hung about dark lanes hoping t
rescue you. I've gone to dances wher
I've been the only man present i
hopes that some of the antediluvian
might introduce me. But all effort
were futile until this disobedient pu
has made me his everlasting debtor.
| "In case Patsy wants to send in
bill for services rendered. coyly d,
manded Belinda, whats the debtor
nameT'
My names Hazard Bellingto
Forbes Hazard. Never heard Of m
did you"