Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-09

1T may be cold and cloudy, but the
view is a great, soft toned picture"
unused Edwina, gazing from an open
space halfway up Partridge mountain.
MY mood is just right to appreciate
such a wild. gray day. 1t takes me out
of myself"
She sighed. shaking her head reso-
lutely, then braced against sudden
sweep of bitter wind. feeling u Jingle
of defiance in confronting the bowling
gust
! Her laugh. reckless, unmirthful,
echoed along its hoarse trail. Sun
! shine" she cried. "Bah, | like this bet
ter! 1t puts in ones soul Il sense of
strength, ambition to overcome obsta
cles, to rise above foolish grieving.
That's what want
She chung to Il sapling. bending with
its sway. closing her eyes, drinking in
deep drafts of The invigorating air.
whose frosty breath stung her checks
to a glory of color.
Gomez rang her voice. "Come on,
old Boreas! Swing me! Pelt me. Help
me.'
There was wildness in her suppli-
cation, beseechipg note. Edwina
Surrey, throwing herself to natures
| rough embrace, had much to forget.
A Shouldn't ola painting man and
| ilarmingly near-caused the girl to turn
| In sudden dismay.
| Coming! Here's help!'
| Swish, Whiri Like a swift. enyel-
| oping sheet the snow was upon her,
| binding her now wide opened eyes,
| choking back her startled exclamation.
A dense. tbickening. whirling mantle,
1t swept from the lowering heavens,
| searching every leafess brown bush
| and gray rock crevice with white, re-
lentless fingers.
| Edwina could not see. She heard a
| crashing through the brush. an irri-
| tated mutter. where in blazes is the
creature? Ow, my shin" and then
| louder: Hello! What's the trouble?"
The girl grasped her little tree, tight
ening her lips.
Its Ham," she swallowed. ooh, he
mustn't find me-"
But Hamilton Knight stumbled into
the open. His eyes were keen. In
three seconds he had reached the
shrinking figure.
MY good woman" he began, don't
for assistance
He bent nearer, brushing the snow
from his eyes, and a prolonged
"Whaw" broke from his pursed lips.
| Edwina Strengthened up, facing hin
defiantly.
You are mistaken, Mr.. Knight" II
an acid voice. somewhat shaky. Il an
quite capable of caring for myself"
"Then why did you call, Edwina?"
81 didn't. l was only singing"
singing. Well-I-swear"
Twill you please goF"
"And leave you here? No, I viii
not It's the pastiest first of the sea
son storm l ever saw, and it has CONF
to stay awhile. What business have
you in this lonesome hole anyway"
None of yours. / guess l can wall
where l please. You've no right
The man interrupted her coolly.
BE sensible, Edwina. This is bat
fix. and we must get out Of it. All m.
strength and wits will be needed t
find a way down to the road. l Sc
you are warmly clad. That's good
I'm dressed for tramping, so we cal
push along without picking path
Regard me as you like-stranger, 81
Bernard dog, pious monk, any oil
thing-but be sensible. That's ALL"
Il "You may know best" the girl shiv
cred a bit Personally 1 don't min
snow furry"
u Knight shrugged. His features sc
anxiously as he peered here and there
I ut doesn't let up at ALL" said hi
"Do you know just how You got t
this spot?'
4, "Oh. merely kept goingr' carelessly
81 Hum! So did L Well break on