Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-01

Young Mr.. William McH1cker was
much given TO two thingS-an ardent
reading of certain pessimistic German
philosophers and to sleep. To many
minds these two pastimes may appear
synonymous, but Billy McVicker. with
al a rather serious parsonage, while he
found them each equally pleasant, was
never more awake than when, with
his shortsighted eyes close to one of
his favorite and well thumbed vol
umes. he absorbed Teutonic reflections
on life in general to his hearts con-
tent.
The philosophical tones were ubiqui-
tous with him. They bulged his peck
cts or were trundled-if they happened
to be largcr-beueath his arm with q
patience worthy of better things.
Therefore on Il certain perfect early
summer day, when Mr.. McVicker
walked slowly down the winding path
that led to the anchorage in the bay.
brown book stuck out of the hip
pocket of his yachting trousers and Il
lean forefincer rested between the
pages of another, which he carried in
his hand.
Between his periods of reading and
sleep Billy McVicker was something
of sailor. and today with just enough
breeze for spin With whole sail. he
united the painter of the little tender
floating at the end of the pier. pushed
off and sculed leisurely TO his knock
about. which lay at her mornings in
the bay.
Once aboard the knockabout, the
| breeze. to McVicker's unutterable dis
gust. began to die out. The ruftied
surface of the bay began to take Oh an
| oily smoothness. indicative of the COM
ing calm. McVicker. beholding It.
grunted disgustedly.
However. there would be plenty of
other days with good breeze There
WAS even chance that one might
spring up biz later. A patient and
uncompIaining soul was Billy McVick-
er-when he WAS armed with one of
bis philosophical tones.
| Therefore he ensconced himself COM
fortabIy on the cushions of the cock
| pit opened the volume in his hand
and. forgetful alike of sun and calm
was soon epgrossed in his reading.
Long and thoughtfully did McVicker
follow the text. Then. pausing for q
moment to digest what he had JUS!
been perusing be was aware that the
second of his pastimes was crying
strongly for recognition. In other
words. Billy McNicker was beautifully
and uXuriously drowsy.
The breeze by this time had died out
completely. The sun was becoming
uncomfortably hot. Mr.. McVicker re-
tired to the diminutive cuddy, hal,
closed the doors to shut out the re
Elected glare of the sun on the quie
water and. curling himself up. los
himself in profound and dreamles
slumber.
He was awakened by the noisy rat
tie OF the sail and the squeak of the
blocks as the peak was hoisted. Lazil.
he opened his eyes, and as he did 81
his ear caught the aound Of light foot
falls on the deck.
This was followed by loud splasl
as the knockabout's moorings wer'
thrown off and the sharp cracking o
the sail as it filed With these sounds
also came the tapping of water abou
the bow. which told him plainly tina
the knockabout was under way.
/. He yawned lazily and collected hi
scattered wits. Why should the sal
he up and the knockabout starting on
, Of the bay? There was no reason
whatever. he told himself.
The footballs sounded along the dec
, again. thudded into the cockpit, an
Immediately McYicker realized tina
, his kidnaper. whoever 1t might be. ha
, taken the filler. for at once the knock
, about heeled sharply and went scu6
, ding out Of the bay toward the SCUM
beyond.
by George. this is pretty cool an
nervy." McVicker observed to himself
and then he crept to the cuddy door
and through crack peered cautiousl
= aft.
One glance was sufficient to make M
Mcvicker gasp IN whole ssouled SUI
prise. for there by the tiller stoo
= Helen Weldon. who was spending tt
;. week with the Grays and for whom
ever since her first appearance at Ba,
port the summer before. Billy M