Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-09


reflected, albeit those views were |
preiudiced at the moment
by the fact that she had been kept in |
after school, and Bobby had had TO sit |!
on the curb and wait for. her. He had
done his best. too, to be kept In, and
so share her punishment.
"I'll be glad when I'm married and
don't have to go to school," he con-
tinued solemply. Married people
don't have To go TO school"
mfr. Scarritt did" reminded Nancy.
HE was a administer" explained Bob
by. az though that made n difference.
Besides he was married when he was
in college. College is different from a
school,
Nancy nodded wisely. She could not
grasp any distinction, but since Bobby
said SO. there must be difference.
Schools horrid.' she complained.
Il just fired one teenty little spit ball,
and Miss Magpus made me stay in"
"Shes got 10 stay to correct the ex
ercises." explained Bobby. land she's
'fraid to stay. alone. That's why she
always makes some one stay In
"'Tain't fair" Insisted Nancy, land
we We're going. after nuts too"
II tell you what" exclaimed Bobby.
"Let's get married, and then she can't
make us go to school,
Fright now" demanded Nancy, with
glance at her soiled dress.
''That little ink stain don't matter"
assured Bobby. "We'll go to Mr.. Scar
rift. He got married when he was in
school. so he'll understand"
''But he went to school after he got
married" reminded Nancy. o.,
'That's because he wanted to-" ex-
planned Bobby. IF he didn't want to
go he didn't have to. We won't want
to co.
He started to his feet, and Nancy
obediently followed. Had Bobby pro-
posed a stroll to the north pole she
would have followed with the same
content. for was not Bobby wise with
the wisdom of full eight years, while
she boosted scant six?
1t was y short walk to the ministers
home. and presently Bobby. brave but
A trife weak IN the knees and with
higher color OH his face, was explain
ing TO the minister his desire to we'd
The Rev. Scarritt, grave and studi-
Gus, was shocked at the suggestion
and with gentle reproof at their sacri-
lege turned them from his study. The
reproof was lost on determined mind,
and when the door had closed Bobby
shook his tiny fist in the air.
"Just cause he's married he don't
care bout no one else" he said vim
dictively Hes not the only marrier
in town. Huh"'
There was world OF scorn in the
exclamation. and Bobby's wrath was
hot, He had not understood what the
minister was saying but he had gath
cred that he was being scolded for
even thinking Of marriage, and this
under the very eyes OF his beloved.
There were three other ministers In
town. but none of them was at home.
and Bobby turned toward the tired
Nancy
''It's no USE be said. with a tighten
ing Of the quivering lip. We've got to
go TO Riverside.
Nancy blinked back the tears and
put her hand in his
''It's dreadful hard getting married"
she said. do all people have trouble
like this:'
when they elope," explained Bobby
calmly. You don't have time to fix It
with the minister"
81 don't think that 'loping's much
fun" ventured Nancy. but Bobby's
look silenced her. Together they
trrdged along In silence until the
houses were passed and the road to
Riverside lay bare and lonely before
them
The shadows were closing in. and
there were clumps of trees that made
patches of dark. just the sort that
bears love to- hide in.
For the benefit of his lady Bobby
| kept mp a brave front. but his clasp on
the. tired. dirty little hand that lay
| within his own frightened when the
| dark places came. and the sturdy lit
| tie legs were urged to greater speed
until the danger point was passed.
| The dark WAS closing in now. and
Nancy's plump little legs were not as
strong as Bobby's, and. though she
bravely sought to hold the pace, she
Jagged behind
At last. in spite of her fortitude, she
had TO giveSin and sank with n little
sob on the grass beside the roadway.
Il just can't so any more, Bobby
she walled. at seems like We mos,
walked round the earth
Its only little way now" urged
Bobby, ar maybe the minister will
ask US to stay for supper
The mention of food was the last
straw. Fatigue had prevented the
thought of hunger but now Nancy
knew that She was famished.
A school lunch is not calculated Il
last until : o'clock. and Nancy remem
bered that there was to be jelly cake
for supper.
At the sound of the sobs that shool
her tiny frame Bobby knelt beside hel
and sought to check the flow o.
tears. but not until she had cried her
self to sleep ON Bobby's shoulder dit
silence come.
| Bobby himself felt very much Xix,
crying. but that would never do, ant