Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-28

ing over some object on a table be
tween them.
Then it was that Benjamin Dibble
remembered the gypsy's prophecy
that a dark man would come between
Dorinda and him. And here was the
dark man. The prophecy was fulfill
ing without delay.
Benjamin turned away and tried to
satisfy the pangs Of disappointed love
with hot frankfurters, steamed clans
and coffee. He drank ginger ale and
pink lemonade to wash down huge
segments of pie and sugary doughnuts.
He spent money lavishly, buying
| everything that was offered. He pur-
/ chased chances on all sorts OF I'M
known articles and afterward found
himself the embarrassed possessor Of
| a pair of curling irons, lady's work
basket and a wax doll.
He bundled these treasures away in
the back Of his buggy with a certain
! elusive hope that they might prove
| useful some day. He stopped in the
shed and stroked the noses of his cat
| tie, as Dorinda had done. and derived
certain foolish satisfaction in the
! action. It was at that moment Benja-
min received inspiration.
Back in the main building, Benjamin
once more threaded the crowd in
search of Dorinda.
Although she was still talking to the
dark man, Benjamin pressed forward
until he stood almost at her elbow.
She saw him and smiled TREMENDOUSLY,
her delicate face flushing a soft rose
! tint
"Will you give me your advice, Ben
jamin?" she asked gently. This gen
tleman is selling weather vanes. L
want one for the barn. Our old one
was blown off, you know. Shall /
choose a fish or an arrow
The delicious sense of intimacy con-
veyed by this question cannot be de-
scribed Benjamin Dibble threw of
his old mantle Of timidity forever and
stepped boldly forward beside DORM
! da.
Seems to me nothing looks so much
like weather vane as a Growing cock,
| Dorinda. Have you got anything
else?" asked Benjamin of the dark
man.
From the box Of samples the man
| brought forth several weathercocks
| of different sizes. Each one was
painted a dazzling gold, with crimson
comb and wattIes. He held forth the
( largest one, whirling 1t about the
pivot as he did so.
This is the handsomest one I've got.
sir. I'd like to take your order for
that-S10 on delivery in ten days.
You'd like to wake up in the morning
and see that weathercock on the Gu
I pola Of your barn-eh?" lie smiled in
| gratiatingly.
Benjamin Dibble was staring intent
~ at the giIded cock, a queer express
sion dawning in his eyes. A certain
line was running through his head:
A golden bird without nest
Shall lead the weary heart to rest.
"Dorinda,' said Benjamin in n ring
ing voice, do you like that. weather
cock?"
Eyes, indeed" agreed Dorinda gra-
ciously.
"We'H take one of those" ordered
/ Benjamin Dibble authoritatively. You
can make out the bill to Mr.. and Mrs.
1 Benjamin Dibble-DOriuda. that's all
right; you Know, we're going to move
the two houses up on the hill and
make one, and we're going to build
new barn with n cupola and put this
golden bird on it,
"Why-why. Benjamin-Tve thought
sometimes that was a lovely plan-only
how do you know It will happen?"
Dorinda's eyes were very bright with
sudden happiness.
Il had my fortune told. ard the
gypsy said all those things. When l
take you home in my buggy tonight
/ I'll tell you about the golden bird and
how all this has come true. just as the
woman said" explained Benjamin,
talking faster and more eloquenuy
than he had ever done in his life.
ITS all perfectly wonderful" muir
INJURED Dorinda on that homeward ride
after Benjamin had related the gypsy's
prophecy. 81 knew you liked me. Ben.
but it seemed somehow as If you'd
never get up courage to ask me. It's
been a long time-and then to come all
at once like n surprise"
1--WE been an awful fool. guess"
murmured Benjamin. his arm protect
ingly about her slim waist, his eyes on
the round globe Of the full moon. MY
life's been like travelling over level
| ground year after year till never ex-
pected anything else, and then waking
| and falling right over into lie
paused and CROPPED for the right smile
Unto what. Benjamln?" whispered
| Dorinda.
He looked down into her soft blue
ayes and. bending over. kissed her lips
Unto heaven, guess" he mUrmure5.
II Tifo FiroS