Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-08-18
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
Vesuvius Calmed-By J. Ludlum Lee.
Copyrighted, 1903. by Associated Literary Press.

Arthur Southgate had never married
Putting it mildly, his temper was not
an even one, and he argued that, COM
bining his own obstreperous DISPOSE
ton with the Unborn obstinacy of all
women, something would surely give
way. SO he chung to single life as the
lesser of two evils.
On this particular Sunday afternoon
he was chatting with several of his
best friends in the smoking room of
the Royal club. Pulling out his watch
he saw that it was o'clock-iust two
hours late for his engagement with
Irene Arlington.
jumping Jehoshaphat.' he cried IS
he pushed back from the table. III
catch it-just two hours late and
woman in frenzy waiting for me at
the other end of the line. By-by,
boys" and he was off.
Jumping in his waiting car, he urged
the chauffeur to make haste, and when
he rang the bell of the Arlington home
Irene herself opened the door
Hello, honey" she greeted him.
Southgate was speechless. He had
| expected volley tuned to why didn't
! you:" and How dare your
oh sighed Irene, Il certainly am
glad you didn't come earlier, for at 3
o'clock it was so piping hot. but
| now"-and she seemed to breathe ex-
hilaration-'.its perfect"
Southgate started in to explain his
| lateness and decided TO tell the truth.
| He tiattered himself that he knew
| women through and through and ar
gued that the truth was the easiest
way out of all troubles. Irene seemed
| bored by his explanations and inter-
rupted him.
| But. my dear Arthur" she said, 81
hate people who are always on time.
They never give girl an excuse to be
| late herself
| The auto flashed through the city
and over the dusty roads. The Sunday
crowds We're left behind on the popu-
lar thoroughfares. The quiet country
roads which their chauffeur chose were
almost deserted. Twilight had begun
to fall and fitful shadows We're cast
/
branches.
II thought we would stop at Linden
\ Lodge for supper Southgate was say
ing. Il told Jack Gormley and Mrs.
Jack to look us up there" Then. o. if
expecting 4 protest from his compan-
to go somewhere else
Il
Irene, and
A sharp report from behind. and her
Isentence was lost. The machine came
to a standstill. Southgate and the
Ichauffeur both jumped out. 4 tire had
burst beyond mending. Southgate
lswore roundly at the chauffeur, who
lstolidly began the hours task of TAX
ing off the old tire and putting on a
NEW one.
II don't blame you for being furi-
Ious, Irene" began Southgate. Il tell
lyou this automobile business is rotten
to the core. It's
But I'm not furious. I'm rather
glad we broke down" cried Irene
"We've been speeding so that I've lost
| NY OicdtI, anu any way JuSi pdIA
there are some lovely wild flowers
want to pick, and. oh, love TO see me
chanics work, and when l get my
flowers I'm coming back to watch your
man."
She gathered up her fluffy skirts and
Jumped out on the ground. Southgate
Iopened his eyes and looked sharply a
the girl to make sure he heard Alright
He felt like the small boy who wanted
to pinch himself to see if he wer,
awake.
DO you mean it," he gasped.
She assured him that she did, and
together they walked back and gath
cred the flowers. A scientific maj
would have had difficulty. in fgurin;