Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-12
The Argus Daily Short Story
Two in q Gale-By Clarissa Macde.
Copyrighted. 1910. by Associated Literary Press

with her hands. looking intently at the
figures like mannikins dotted about
the hotel grounds below.
''Stiffsh gale" repeated Billy obsti-
nately, still looking at her.
She made no reply TO this original
remark, but the young man thought
he detected a culver of the sensitive
mouth.
"Stih1sh galeT' he yelled angrily, just
as the gale took her light hat and
swept it with stinging force against
his face. 81 told you it was a stiifish
gale" be added rebukingly as he held
the hat toward her.
'"The hands came down. and the soft
eSes cleaned mirthfully upon him as
she took the hat.
THANK you" she said demurely.
''Then you're alive. after ALL"
breathed Billy relievedly. You were
SO silent l thought You were petrifed
with amazemenr or admiration or
something. you know"
81 was petrifed-with surprise that
you should address me at al" said the
girl, with unfriendly emphasis in her
low voice. Satterly had to draw closer
to hear what she said; between the
wind and the rushing sound Of the
sway1ng trees below there was tu-
mutt Of harmonious noises.
"whyT" demanded Billy Satterly
bluntly, fixing his honest eyes on hers.
81 was in the upper balcony of the
pavilion a little while ago." she said
CURLY.
"OhI" gasped Billy.
'T heard what you said" she went
on resentfully. Listeners never hear
any good of themselves. butt thought
it was unkind in you to say-I
thought
Billy REDEEMED to his forehead. ooh.
1 say" he apologized, 1.-The fellows
didn't mean any harm: it's just the
idle gossip that one drifts into when
there isn't anything else to do. Every
one of US would risk our neck for
you. DON'T
what is your manner" asked the
girl hurriedly.
"Satterly-BiIly Satterly," he said.
"Oh. you're the one that didn't say
anything, then?" She seemed to
breathe a little sigh Of relief. why
didn't you answer when they asked
what you thought Of my masculine at
tireY'
There was nothing to say. 1 hap
pened to see you when you arrived on
the stage last night, and He paus-
ed, as if embarrassed by a too eager
tongue.
"And?' she suggested.
"I thought you didn't need any frills,
you know" he finished lamely.
Thanks" she said simply, dropping
down to q seat On the rock and press
ing back the flying waves Of black
| hair from her eyes. But that is not
| the reason why I wear plain clothes.
| You see, I'm a western girl. and / was
born and raised on a ranch. Father
and lived alone. There were just
two after 1 came, and had to be both
son and daughter to dad. He died a
year ago, and so had to come east
and make my home with Mrs. BowkeH,
my aunt / had private tutors at the
ranch, but of the outside world / have
been quite ignorant am learning
rapidly that girls are girls and boys
are boys, so a little later I'm going to
put on frills and fribbles. I'm wearing
these plain things-oh, well, because OF
dad. you know. 1t seems as If the old
days were not so far away" She
choked over the last words, and her
eyes were drowned with sudden tears.
She searched vainly for q handker-
chief, and Billy, full Of tender solicit
tude, drew a snowy square from his
own pocket, shook it out and tossed it
into her lap; then he turned away and
looked at distant ridges that seemed
strangely blurred in outline
THANK you SO much I'm very sor-
~ I made such a goose of myself"
said the girl after a little while.
'only"-
"You needn't say a word" interrupt
ed Billy energetically. after my
mother went-why-weIl 1 know all
about it. It's stifish gale" he added
hastily.
'It is" she laughed through her
tears. "How horrid you must have
thought me. Mr.. Satterly, but heard
what you were all saying. and 1 did
feel so lonely and unappreciated. you
know. Wasn't it silly? So just tip
toed downstairs and few up to this
rock out Of sheer desire to be alone"