Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-30
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
Saving Jimmie. BY Lulu Johnson.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated Literary Press.

sharply. 1.-THE little fellow has a
broken leg
The entire gang raced UP the street
after the physician. and Lucy was left
alone with the stranger.
May | come in?" she demanded
coldly. ut is my brother whom you
have injured"
You will be most welcome was
the courteous reply MY fathers
household does not include any wo-
men, and i was somewhat at loss to
make him comfortable. / am Lieuten-
ant Paul Moulton." he added by way
OF Introduction. MY father is Colonel
Moulton, and / am visiting him on
leave"
Il am Lucy Treadgear,' announced
Lucy in response. 1T is my brother.
James. whom you have injured"
Moulton stepped aside to permit her
to enter. and after closing the gate
he led the way into the house. where
Jimmie lay on sofa in the library
with the white haired old soldier lean
ing over him and trying to soothe his
fear.
He seems to be more frightened
than hurt" explained the colonel as he
gave place to Lucy, land broken leg
Is no joke at that"
No wonder" was the indignant re-
Spouse, when 1t is known that you
have shot at several boys. 1t is for
| tunate that you did no more than
break his leg-fortunate for you, l
mean," she added in explanation.
BLESS your pretty face. / had moth
ing to do with It," declared the colonel.
las for the shooting, few blank car
| tridges and my consequent bad reputa-
| ton have been the salvation of my
| fruit trees. This little fellow will tell
you himself that neither Paul nor |
| was ia the garden when he fell and
broke his leg
Lucy looked inquiringly at Jimmie,
who nodded
| "The boys pushed me up too fast
he explained. 81 went right on over
| And didn't get the ball. he added In
consequentially. land Billy's mall lick
him for losing II, and Don Fraser said
he'd lick me IL l didn't get IT." .
'I'll find it." volunteered the lieuten
ant, and he slipped out, leaving Lucy
| with the colonel
MY bark is worse than my bite
| explained the old colonel. with red
dening face. Il had to do something
| to keep the boys from overrunnina
my garden, but 1 did not suppose thai
the grownups would take my threats
| seriously. | shall have to make Pau
my deputy to clear my reputation"
The arrival of the physician inter
rupted the conversation. and present
~ the colonel himself tenderly carried
the boy to the waiting carriage and
insisted that Paul ride on the boz
with the driver in case he might BIZ
needed.
1t was perhaps only natural tina
Paul should call frequently to ash
after the invalid and that he SHOULD
| select Lucy as his first proselyte In hi
, missionary work In behalf of his father
Forty years in a garrison would
ruin the temper of any man. he de
clared. land you cannot very wei
blame dad for wanting to be let alon
when he had the chance. He love
gardening, and the boys were wreck
ing his grounds. He simply had t.
scare them Off"
HE was very effective In his meth
ods," agreed Lucy. almost too niue
so. For a moment I supposed that h
really had broken Jimmie's leg"
II wish that I could make you re
alize what splendid father he is,
, said Paul, with enthusiasm.
81 do not remember my father yer.
WE'LL" said Lucy reminiscently. II
died just after Jimmie was born.
was only eight"
LET me share mine with you," OF
fered Paul generously. will YOU
dear?"
From a coign of vantage on the fa