Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-08

| III COuISC you COulun L, TcluhHcu
NeoI easily. Il shall take a lower
stanG mo danger-he can't touch me.
Somebody'll be after him presently. It's
growing late. Too bad we missed our
row on the river"
A half hour passed in silence. Anne
leaned YEARLY against the tree trunk,
her eyes fixed on the river below. Neal,
most uncomfortably astride of slen-
der branch that bent dangerously IN
der his weight, sincerely wished that
it would not be Nathan Fuller who
came to their rescue. That bucolic
youths contempt for ''city fellers" ran
kled in the bosom of one who had been
| at the front In college athletics, who
| had spent a vacation on a Wyoming
ranch and learned to ride a bucking
broncho.
at suppose we couldn't make any one
hear even If we called ever so loud"
suggested Anne obviously. "If-if Mr..
Fuller were only around he might
know what to do" She voiced the
thought half consciously and flushed at
Meals snort of contempt.
"Mr. Fuller, even though he has gen.
erations of stock raising ancestors be-
hind him, cannot change a maddened
bull into a lamb and lead him away
by a blue ribbon. Unless the animals
attention is attracted elsewhere or he
is captured by strategy 1 don't see how
either of US can get away" Neal
paused and seemed to debate some
question within himself. He looked
down at the bull.
what were you going to say"
questioned Anne.
'''Merely that / might drop down on
the beasts back and thus get him
away from your vicinity-that might
give you an opportunity to seek as
sistance from Mr.. Fuller-and at the
same time relieve you Of my compan-
ionship." Neal's voice was bitter as
he voiced this sentiment.
you couldn't do that-you might be
killed." protested Anne, ignoring his
sarcasm.
At that instant something happened.
The bull lifted an ugly black head.
rolled a malicious red eye and hun
grily nipped at the dropping willow
branch where Neal sat. The flexible
limb dipped down, down, and sudden
| ly Neal lost his grip Of small twigs
and slid quickly down the slippery
branch. landing squarely astride Of
the animals broad back.
Instinctively his hands grasped the
smooth little horns before the frighten-
ed beast dropped his head and swung
around AS the willow branch whip
ped upward Neal heard Anne's desper-
ately frightened cry:
''NeaII Neali Neal.' Then he was
away on his mad ride. They mounted
rise Of ground, and she closed her
eyes and prayed.
When she opened them again she
did not look at the field. She turned
her gaze down TO the river, where a
boat floated close under the willows.
In the boat were Nathan Fuller and a
very pretty girl. The girl was speak
| ing, half sobbing. then Nathan's
voice in reply: Il can't help 1t. Lucy.
| She as good as asked me to take her
tonight. It's just city folks ways.
You know I don't care about any one
but your
"If you take that girl tonight /
| shan't speak to you again" flashed
Lucy tearfully. "She wants to marry
you. know she doesr'
Anne's face was scarlet with morti-
| fication. Her silly gratitude toward
Nathan Fuller because he had saved
her life had nearly turned Lucy's ro-
nance into n tragedy. Anne leaned
forward and spoke:
"Mr. Fuller" When they had turned
startled faces upward she told her
story. and as Nathan FASTENED ashore
| in quest of Neal she added TO the girl
who stared at her resentfully: "You
| see, / am engaged 10 Mr.. Burton. l
am doubly anxious for his welfare"
Lucy smiled Understandings and
helped Anne down from her perch in
the tree just as Nathan returned with
Neal, who limped slightly.
Declining Nathan's offer TO row them
| home. they stood by the rivers brink
until the two in the boat had disap-
peared around the bend. Then Neal
| turned TO Anne. standing with down.
cast eyes and nervously plucking
hands.
"Anne." he said quietly. 81 shall
never again ask you to marry me-
81 don't blame you-Tm such an ar
rant coward. and there's really moth
ing lik1ble about me-" admitted Anne
shakily. You must let me tell you'll
think you were very brave TO do what
you did. 1t was Splendid
at was an accident. It was pure
good luck" returned Neal calmly.
then mistakenly. Il shall never again
ask you to marry me. Anne. because
Nathan has just told me he heard you
announce our engagement to Miss
Lucy"
Anne was crying now softly.
do you love me. darling?" asked
Neal. his arms around her
Anne's rosy face pressed close to his
own was sufficient answer.