Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-26

father prepared to spend long vacation together
July Of this year saw them established together in
cottage that chung to the skirts of the bigger hotel
PPerched above translucent vern .b iake ma
been too deeply in the sw of it to leave the book
behind. and for several hours each day he wrote
steadily. Meanwhile Jim amused himself with the
youth of the hotel and cottages. He was quite used
to being pointed out to transient visitors as the
of James r Bradstreet, you know, who Is summer
ing here but the young people hailed him with no
He was beginning to confess himself bafled and
sometimes he felt he almost hated the story he had
gloried in a few months before He was not used
Toward the end of August Mr.. Bradstreet was
called away suddenly and Jim was left for day
two to keep bachelors hall in their three-room
apartment
explained to interested group of ladies on the
hotel piazza in fact, expect him this very eve
Bacon. Lonely, Mrs Green? Oh, I'm coming on
first rate and there's fishing trip that will keep me
if you will excuse me" and Jim bowed himself Of
Md-afternoon instead of noon saw the return of
into the woods they rowed swiftly, hungrily back
toward the hotel landing;
der what's doing over there by the hotelF"
There were signs of unwonted activity about the
hotel, men, women and children guests and en-
Ployees, could be seen running across the lawn
Several of the women carried pitchers and pals the
men were unwinding coil of hose From over the
trees that shut out a view OF the cottages pulled
delicate spiral of smoke.
Inc hrSt boat turned bend IN the lake
"Jiminyi" gasped the boy in the bow twisting
his head around Its frel Row. fellows. rOwi
'I say, it's yours, JIM" shriled excited voice.
Yes" said Jim quietly; Keep her head steady.
Bill" With long strokes he sent the boat ahead of
the others, darting in swift streak toward the hotel
pier IA 1 had seen at ganee the legation OF the
brain.
. At the landing he sPraqg out and raced across
road Smoke was pouring from every window of
The oracke OF flames came to him as he ram he
could forked red tongues licking at the roof.
Now broadside of fire burst through the windows
on the south-his own rooms opened to sthe north.
Two three played futile stream of water
the roof, others strove to bring into action
Employees Of the hotel urged the guests back
out of danger; they made Gordon around the cot
tage.
Nobody else allowed inside"
in there-Here, stop that boy W. '"''' furnace
1 The Son one idea had kept it: place pre-emnegt in
fathers manuscript lay in. his His fathers
words. If anything should happen to tit is my
scousness. There was no envy now. 1t did not
e%erye ID am from to wish 5 ito beat the book He
the head waiter who had forbidden him passage and
darted into the burning cottage.
When Jim awoke to consciousness some hours
later he felt rather than saw, for his eyes were
ban .43g that there were people by the bed.
Dad, he whispered tentatively.
s.. Yes lin answered his fathers voice close to
Jim felt very tired and very uncomfortable but
anxiety welled up within him. dad, is the-dd you
find the book-all right?"
The book is safe. jim" said his father. Ard
then suddenly his voice hurried on with little catch
in 1t, Jim. boy, what cid you think cared for that
wretched book compared with your"
A warm feeling stirred at Jirn's heart. He tried
to move the hand that lay the coveret. 1t was
big and heavy with bandages and hard to lift His
father understood the movement and laid his own
on the poulticed fingers. Jim smiled, content, but
still a little bewildered
It isn't wretched book" he contradicted weak
ly Its bully one the best yet, and-you said
you'd ike to be remembered by it."
- You are the book I'd rather be remembered BY
Jim," said his father gently.