Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-19

clearly that he felt it must be evident
to all.
"'Twarn't the least bit of trouble"
insisted Martha. I'VE really enjoyed
hxin' things over didn't we, Phoebe %
Holbrook was wondering how long
his powers of invention would stand
the strain when, after a brief aud-to
him-uncomfortable pause. Miss Mar
tina suggested timidly, Were all
ready, miss, any time you say
To Holbrook's intense relief this APP
peal brought Miss Binley to a sense
of the situation. "Oh, yes" she said.
rather wildly, your clothes are beau
tiful. I'm going to send you each a
dozen prints so that you can have
plenty to give your friends"
Declining a hospitable invitation to
stop for smack and a cup of tea"
the girl and the young man somehow
got through their farewells and walk
ed away over the HILL leaving the
wearled but thoroughly delighted old
ladies gazing after them from their
station by the front gate. In silence
Holbrook lugged the camera. and
without a word Miss Blnley trudged
beside him until the old house and its
grotesquely clad occupants were hid
den by the bend in the road. Then
the girl said
would you mind sitting here in the
shade a minute? l really believe I'm
a bit tired"
Immediately the youth was all anx-
tons inn1tIryy
"It must have been the sun. You
have to be careful in these mountains.
If you don't mind waiting here alone
for a couple of minutes I'll hurry back
and see If the old ladies won't lend
me some kind Of a rig to drive you
back to the hotel. or maybe you'll let
me carry you back to their house"
Don't be ridiculous" ordered Miss
Binley, with a slightly hysterical
laugh. There isn't a thing the mat
ter with me-" Then, noting his amaze
ment, she burst out desperately: I'm
just fearfully disappointed, that's all.
I don't believe 1 ever was SO disap-
pointed before in my life. But that's
only part. I'm horribly ashamed OF
myself, too-even more ashamed than
AlSdPPOAAIC0- Ol4g OCiitNC L III Tic
meanest girl in the whole state Of
New Hampshire"
"Why-er-er''- he started TO pro-
test
Don't pretend you don't compre-
hend," she interrupted. You're asham-
ed of me too. You know you are.
No; let me finish" she insisted, when
he made as II TO deny. 1.-THE worst of
all is that even now, when 1 under
stand how mean and selfish ii is to feel
so, I'm Just overwhelmed with disap-
pointment still. You can't understand
nobody could but an artist. Ny
heart was set on a picture of those
dear old things in their delicious work
ing clothes. And when saw how
they had gone and spoiled everything
conceal it,
HolbrOok gazed with awe and quick
ening heartbeat upon a new and
holier divinity-with quivering lips and
dewy lashes, irresistible in her sweet
repentance. In another moment he
was on his knees on the grass beside
her. without hesitation, naturally as
If he had done it as often as he had
dreamed of doing IT, his arm slipped
about her. Just as naturally her head
somehow found a comfortable place on
his shoulder. Her hat fell off, and he
kissed her shining hair.
81 do understand" he whispered,
although there was none but the noun
tains to listen. ct understand, dear.
may be an ignoramus about phofog-
raphy and art, but I'm mighty well
acquainted with Tommy Holbrook.
and 1 know he knows that you're the
sweetest, most unselfish. most. What
want TO say is that I want TO make
carrying your camera my life job"
he concluded desperately.
Miss Binley sat suddenly erect. An
answer lowered on her lips. but faded
:nto a smile as she picked up a black.
leather covered object from the grass
beside her and placed 1t in Holbrook's
hands.