Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-18
CHAPTER V.


the fluent whistle and the MARBLE, the
rackle and the pompous crow, were in
full chorus
Where am / at this time:" said he
as he took in the view. "Oh. | re-
member and his heart lcaped. I'm
In my own home. by the Lordw
He went down to the brook and
washed. drying hands and face on the
silk neckerchief. which is meant for
use as well as for decoration.
In the meantime Miss Matte had
awakened with n sense of something
delightful at hand. the meaning of
which escaped her for the time And
then she remembered and sprang out
Of bed like girl. She went to the
window, threw open the shutters and
let the stirring morning air flow in.
This had been her habit for Il long
time. The window faced away from
the road, and no one could see who
was not on Miss Mattie's own prem
lses.
But this morning Red had wandered
around. Stopping at the rosebushes,
he picked rose.
''That has the real old time SMELL"
he said as he held it to his nose.
"SweetbrierS are good, and | don't go
back on 'em, but they amt got the
fran these fellers have"
Bud in hand, he walked beneath Miss
Mattie's windows, and he was the
first thing her eye fell upon.
Her startled exclamation made him
look up before she had time to with
draw.
Hello. there he called joyfully.
"How do you open up this day? You
look pretty well!' he added, with note
of admiration. Miss Matte had the
wavy hair which is never in better
order than when left to its own de-
vices. Her idea of coiffure was not
the most becoming that could have
been selected, as she felt that a
young" style of halrdressing was
foolish for a single woman of her
years. Now, with the pretty soft hair
flying, her eyes still humid with sleep
and touch of color in her face from
the surprise, relieved against the fieecy
shawl she had thrown about her Shout
ders. she was inconteStably both dis
Greet and pretty picture. Yet Miss
Matte could not forget the bare feet
and nightgown, although they were
hidden from masculine eyes by wood
and plaster. and she was embarrassed.
Still, with all the supersensitive fan
cies, Miss Matte had a strong back
bone Of New England common sense.
She answered that she felt very well
indeed and, to cover any awkward
ness, inquired what he had in his
hand.
Good old rose" replied Red "Old
time smerler-better suited to you than
to me-ketch."
At the word he tossed 1t, and Miss
Matte caught 1t dexterously. Red had
an exceedingly keen eye for some
things, and he noticed the certainty
OF the action. He hated fumblers. "a
person can do things right IL they've
got minds that work." was one of hi:
pet sayings. "'Taint the muscles a
all; it's in the head, and like the kline
Therefore this small affair made al
impression on him.
why, you could be baseball play
err" said he.
81 used to play with Joe when
was a girl" said Miss Matte smiling
81 always liked boys play better thai
/ did girls. Joe taught me how t
throw ball too. He said he wouldn'
play with me unless l learned not +
scoop It, girl fashion. 1 suppose yo
will be wanting breakfast" Their
was a hint of sarcasm in the doubt O
the inquiry.
THAT'S what l do" said Red. "Yo
must just hustle down and get thing
to boiling or I'll throw bricks throug
the windows. I've been UP for tn
last two hours"
why, don't believe itr' said Mis-
Matte.
mo more do I, but 1t seems like it,
replied Red. Don't you want the fiji
started? Come down and open up til
house."
When Miss Matte appeared at til
door in he strobe with an armful {
wood, dropping 1t, man fashion, crasl
OIL the uOOT.
Skip out of the way" said he. az
show you how to build fire."
The early morning had been the mo-
desolats time to Miss Matte. AS ii
day warmed up the feeling of lionel
ness vanished, perhaps to return ,
evening, but not then with the san
absoluteness as when she wake
about the kitchen to the echo of b,
own footsteps in the morning.
Now the slamming and the bangiI
which accompanied Reds energetic a
lions rang in her ears most cheeril
She even found a relish in the smot
cred oath that heralded the thrust Of
splinter in his finger. 1t was vel
wicked, but it was also very mu,
alive.
Red arose and busted off his knee
Nov we're off, he said as the e
began to roar. Whats next?"
IF you'd grind the coffee, WHIP, s.
suggested.
"sure, Where's the hand .organ?"