Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-19
Il THOUGHT YOU KNEW IT," HE SAID.


to the fields and to the woods all
afiame with red and gold and breathe
Gods sunshine in freedom and con-
tent.
And just then she met Roger Roove.
"My, but it's good to see you back
again" he said. Are you on your
way TO the settlements"
Yes" Ruth stated. for the last
time"
He looked at her in surprise. "For
the last time, Why?"
ooh. it's such an eternal grind trying
to drag people up who want to stay
down and irving to keep children clean
who want to be dirty, trying to push
back waves of the sea with broom"
"Why, Ruth"-his tone showed his
intense, astonishment-"when you left
us in the spring you were an optimist.
and now you have come back a pessi-
mist! 1 believe you are joking"
"No. I'm not" Ruth declared. Pm
in dead earnest. This summer I've
been living up among the hills. and
want to go back-I want TO go back
and forget the city and these hideous
streets. After all. why am | RESPONSE
BILE? Why should not live life of
ease as well as other people?"
He shook his head.
Don't expect me to answer" he
said, but something has change you
awfully. And you might as well tell
me what it is. because I'm going to
find out if you don't"
well. if you must know" said Ruth
slowly, 1--WE had a proposal"
He glanced at her quickly, and his
face took on graver lines.
Then you're in love?" he asked
quietly.
I'm not sure" Ruth reflected,
whether I'm in love, butch, we
can't talk about it here, Rogerr
NO: it is pretty public" he admit
ted. but l haven't any classes for an
hour or two. SO why can't we have
lunch together in the settlement cot.
fee house?"
The coffee house, quaint and com.
Portable, with its Russian coppers
glowing red against the dark wood, its
smooth brick tiles, its somber tables
and chairs, brought forth an exclama-
tion FROM Ruth.
Its so good to be at home again.
she said as Roger drew out a chair for
her by the window and took a seat
opposite.
$50 you think of it as homer" he
asked, his dark eyes reading her spar.
king face.
"Oh"-her eyes grew startled--w be.
lieve | do! A minute ago l was so de.
pressed. and now-I think 1t is the
spirit of the place that rests one Rog
er-to feel that these poor foreigners
can come here and find something ia.
milar in a strange land of strange Gus.
toms"
Roger smiled thoughtfully as he con.
suited the menu. But about that pro-
posal," he reminded her.
''Oh. yes" Ruth slipped off he,
gloves and folded her hands before
her on the bare table. 'The-the mar
is rich, Roger. He has two automo
biles and country place and house
In town. and-and he sent me box OF
candy nearly every day. and flowers
and books. and drove me through the
country in his big car, and-oh. l had
the time of my life. Rogerr
The man eyed her a little wistfully
"Pm glad you had such good time
he said, ''but-but we shall hate to lose
you from here"
But you can't blame me-" she sale
feverishly. Surely you can't blame
me, Roger. I'm young, and I've giver
the five years since j left college tt
work among the poor people of thi.
neighborhood, and my heart has beer
in it. and I've been glad to do it, bu
now-oh. want something of ease ant
beauty and brightness!"
He tried to speak lightly.
You have earned it," he said, "ant
of course the man is-Prince Charm
ing"
Ruth shook her head "No: thati
the trouble" she faltered. Hes no
very young and not very handsome
end he's very dictatoriai, Roger"
But you love him."
"Oh"- Ruth hesitated rs the wait