Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-05

Jarvis journeyed from the little rail
road station in i brightly painted stage
drawn by two iron gray horses. He
was the only passenger for the beach,
and he shook about in the huge vehi-
Gle like the proverbial pea in a barrel.
At the entrance to a narrow sandy
lane shaded by wind blown cedars.
under which the marsh grass struggled
sparsely. the stage stopped.
''All out" sang the driver Justify.
Coin to the beach. ye said?" He
peered down at Jarvis with beady
black eyes beneath thatches Of white
eyebrows
Yes; Edgewater cottage. Straight
ahead:" Jarvis asked the question
while he threw his luggage to the
ground and paid his fare
"Edgewater cottage? That'll be the
Rowe place, last cottage on the left.
So long,
Much obliged. Goodby!''
Jarvis turned to the left and walked
slowly down to the beach, his head
barred to the fresh breeze. his lungs
gratefully inhaling the invigorating
salt air.
The last cottage proved to be rath-
er large structure placed not far be-
yond high water mark. Its shingles
were weather beaten to a silver gray,
and the many windows tightly shut
tered looked like closed eyes in sad
face. 1t seemed desolate enough COM
pared to the other coy houses along
the beach, but Jarvis decided after a
hasty examination that when he got
out some porch furniture and opened
up the shutters the cottage he had
hired would be fit enough for his pur-
poses.
The rusty key he had obtained from
the agent crenked in the lock and the
door swung open. admitting him to
large. comfortably furnished rooms.
His first duty was to throw wide the
shutters and raise the window sashes
to the fresh air. Except for Il layer of
dust over everything the house was in
exquisite order of arrangement He
decided to sleep In the wire Enclosed
balcony, and as he had arranged by
letter for his meals to be sent in from
the hotel on the long point beyond
there was little for him to do save to
arrange a cot in the balcony and I'M
pack his painting things.
At sunset a steam launch from the
hotel discharged boy with a basket
containing his dinner. Jarvis discussed
the excellent meal on the veranda. his
artists eye lingering on the wide
sweep of green and blue flecked with
white that filed the foreground.
Here were color and life enough to
linn any number of canvases. Jarvis
was glad he had decided to close his
studio and run away from all his
friends, and the chance that brought
him to Beachside had been decided by
the childish method Of closing his eyes
and running his finger along the map
Of New Jersey while he counted ten.
Then he had opened his eyes and
found Beachside. most inconspicuous
of small watering places, under his
finger. Now he was here.
He smoked a thoughtful cigar while
the sunset tints faded to opal and sill
yer and then a uniform slate gray set
tied over the water.
The cigar consumed, Jarvis felt for
another one in vain. His cigar case
was empty; also he had forgotten his
tobacco pouch. He fingered his pipe
wistfully and rummaged his traps for
tobacco Of some sort. In sheer des-
peration he carried his tallow candle
Ghere was no kerosene in the cottage)
from room to room in an aimless
search for nicotine
At last he whistled joyously. On
small stand in one corner of the living
room he found a smoking set OF ham
mered brass. The huge tobacco jar
contained a few pinches of the desired
weed, and he crammed it into his pipe
gratefully.
Now he closed the door and locked it
and went up to his balcony. he threw
himself down on the cot and smoked
contentedly. dreamiIy. Overhead was
the shine of gentle stars, and on the
beach the waves broke softly. musi-
cally. He went TIC sleep.
Jarvis was awakened by a crashing
volley of thunder, followed by vivid
flash Of lightning. He sat up and
gazed open mouthed at the strange
scene depicted before his eyes.
There was all the wild fury of
hurricane bursting about his ears.