Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-14
The Argus Daily Short Story
On the oRof-By Harriet Lum mis- Smith.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated Litcra ry Press

"We've time enough yet to take a
look ut the city from the top of the Sc
curities building. Its worth seeing,
you know"
Prudence should have vetoed the sug-
Gcstion. For the longer half of the
bIissful afternoon Viola had been aware
that Raymond eyes were saying more
than they should and that their mute
eloquence was singularly sweet and
satisfying. Considering the fact that
she was as good as engaged to another
man, discretion -counSeled fight. A
voice within. an authoritative voice,
cried out that at the best the day
would soon be over and urged her to
make the most of it.
Viola compromised. Mr. Raymond
suggests our getting view of the city
from the top Nf one of the skyScrap-
crs." she said, turning To her out of
town guests. IF you are not too
tired And her heart leaped at the
promptness OF their protests.
She walked beside Raymond silently,
Sltu lIistI llb. itt, SCtlIitNl W nave lOtu-
ing TO say She was frightened to find
herself clingiug SO fiercely to the joy
of that afternoon together. He had
come upon them quite by accident. but
Viola knew that but for her he would
have lifted his hat and gone his way.
The gladucss that leaped to- her eyes
mt the sight of him. the tremor in her
hn haI
been his undOing-and hers. They had
lunched and taken a drive along the
boulevards. Niola's country cousins
had had the time OF their lives. And
now the western sky was red. and the
time for saying goodby was near.
They stood looking down upon the
city. Raymond. as in duty bound,
pointed out the objects of interest.
The country cousins hung upon his
words and declared that they would
not have missed the sight for any
thing As for Viola. she had no eyes
for the crawling streets between the
steep cliffs of brick and stone nor for
the crawling creatures far below. Bra
zenly she Toasted her eyes upon him.
He turned suddenly and looked into
her eyes, and his own caught fire. A
moment later they were standing to-
gether in an angle of the roof, shell
tered from the view of their compan-
ions. The noise of the city below them
seemed far away.
Raymond broke the spell by a down.
ward gesture. II wish it were all
mine
You mean the whole town? What
greediness"' she laughed.
80 that could give it all to you"
"Thank you, but I'm not ambitious
TO he a plutocrat. OF course one must
have the things one is used to. Pow
erty is the worst OF ALL
els it," His eyes challenged hers.
"Oh, don't, You make 1t SO hard for
mer'
You make it hard for yourself when
you fight against your heart"
"Oh. you don't understand. Phil. II
isn't as if I had only myself to think
Of"
do you ever give a thought to meF'
She put her hands over her ears In
EutGtIl lItIlicI. II Sltt llSAehNu IVA ST.
she was lost. II must go" she said
hurricdly i've stayed longer than
I! should. but it was so pleasant" She
turned in a panic ard fed across the
roof. and he followed slowly. When he
overlook her her eyes were dilated.
They're gone" she gasped.
who"
"Why. Leonard and Bessie what
could have induced them to so without
us?''
Il don't know, I'm sure. But they
will be waiting for us bellows without
| doubt"
He tried the door. ratified the knoll
! sharply and met questioning her gaze
J with blank stare. Were locked VI
, here" he exclaimed. Then. as Viola
laughed Historically he added in haste
Don't he frightened. 1t wifi be yer,
easy to attract some ene's attention"