Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-03

Phoebe loved to see the silver booty
come swinging through the air into
her craft, and it was also Captain
Amos favorite method.
At last Phoebe impaled her last bit
of bait and swung the line overheard.
1t jerked forward, and she felt the
weight Of a captured fish. As she
pulled in the pole flew up, and the
baitless hook sailed over her head and
caught neatly in the slack OF Captain
Amos shirt between his broad Shout
ders. IL caught and stayed there.
Almost In the same instant Captain
Amos lost his bait In the same way,
and his pole performed the same up
ward leap, his line few over, and the
hook imbedded itself In the woolly in
tricacles of Phoebe's knitted jacket
Then Captain Amos, feeling the
point of the hook in his tender flesh,
yelled murderously.
Woman he threatened, turning
his head as far around as pain would
permit.
Mani snapped back Miss Phoebe
straining at her pole and against the
captains nook.
What in tarnation''- sputtered
Amos, grooming. woman, you have
killed me-"
Keep still, do" said Phoebe impa-
tiently. You've gone and caught
yourself in my hook. It was the last
one had. If you'd reach around you
might get it out"
"Get out nothing! Do you under
stand the English language" asked
Captain Amos, with deadly calm.
"Of course do"
Then listen. Your hook is caught
in my skin-s-k-i-n-skin. and I'm
bleeding to death. If you'll have the
goodness to look around and see what
damage you've DONE" suggested the
captain savagely.
Perhaps you'll look around and see
what you've DONE" said Phoebe cross
ly.
She craned her neck and looked
around at the captains back, which
the point Of her fish hook barely prick
ed. At the same moment Captain
Amos peered around to see his own
hook caught In his neighbours Jacket.
Something IN the ridiculous situation
broke the icy crust Of years Of separa-
ton; it recalled another day when, as
children, they had hsbed for minnows
in the millpond and, sitting together In
the old green boat that had belonged
to Phoebe's father, they had hooked
each other quite as neatly as they had
done today.
amos Dodge, you little ninny~
cried Phoebe in the same teasing
words she had used on that former oc-
casion thirty-hve years ago.
"Girls don't know how to FISH," re-
torted Amos as he had done in that
other day.
Does that hook hurt, AmosT asked
Phoebe.
Not much" admitted the captain,
twisting his neck around to look into
Phoebe's sunbonnet. Your boats
drifting a little, Phoebe. Don't get any
farther away from me-" he said in a
queer voice.
"I won't" said Phoebe gently. "Just
wait a minute, Amos, while slip off
this jacket-there! Now I'm free of
your hook I'll help you. Wait now,
till get my boat over
BY dint of careful maneuvering
Phoebe ran her boat near enough to
the other to lean over and touch the
hook. It fell out at her touch.
Il was afraid the point might have
caught. but it's all right, captain
Amos" said the captain briskly. II
wasn't any captain when 1 knew you"
Amos" repeated Phoebe obedient-
ly, 81 hope It didn't hurt you"
Not a mite, Phoebe. To tell the
truth He Redeemed and looked
doubtfulIy at his old sweetheart.
Tell it" commanded Phoebe in her
old imperious way.
81 caught you on purpose" confess
ed the captain.
"why?" blushed Phoebe. "what-
ever
Just to get acquainted again. You
have been as stiff as a ramrod ever
since came home again and
Tides turning" said Phoeme from
the depths of her pink sunbonnet.
I've got lunch to eat
"So've l." returned the captain
promptly. Lets go ashore and have
picnic"
let's" said Phoebe