Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-17

the neat borders. where their heels
played havoc with Miss Net'ie's
choicest plants. again coming in con-
tact with Il spiny cactus that pricked
them to greater ferocity.
at last they fell heavily against
rotten tree stump that supported red
painted flower tub. The stump quiv-
cred and then yielded TO the onslaught.
The flower rub descended. just escaO-
ing serious injury to the cOmbatanis.
The shower of loose dirt that filled
their eyes. ears, noses and mouths
brought the warfare TO swift close.
Stifly they arose and faced each
other in the pale light. dirty. dishev-
eIed. with blackened eyes and bleed
ing noses. their best blue clothes caked
with yellow loan. while every crevice
of skin and clothing was filed with
fine earth from the flower tub
As by one accord they turned and
marched out Of the gate, leaving the
scene of havoc to greet Miss Nettie's
Mortified eyes when the sun arose
Caleb Brown strobe on ahead, and at
an unfriendIy distance in the rear
Eben Gail limped after him.
They crawled into the bobbing dory
and rowed silently down the red path
that the lighthouse flung across the
glimmering waves.
A smart little launch was moored at
the lighthouse landing, and with the
idea Of avoiding the parson or other
possible callers who had taken pity on
Captain Peters loneliness the two as
sIstants crept. quietly down into the
engine room. where they noiselessly
scrubbed the marks Of combat from
their faces and clothing. During these
additions there was a marked exchange
Of courtesies between the rivals. They
passed the single cake of soap back
and forth and shared the healing con-
tents of a huge bottle Of vaseline with
amazing affability.
The fierce, brief battle In front Of
Miss Nettie's cottage had seemed to
relieve them OF twelve months accu-
INFLATED venom. AS they quietly trod
the winding iron stairway to their
room in the tower above the sitting
room they paused to I'LL their pipes
from Eben's tobacco pouch. Each was
mindful Of his own bruised eye and
aware of the futilfty Of attempting to
conceal it from an inquiring world
/. e., Captain Peter and his visitors
should they be discovered.
A light cleaned under the sitting
room door. and as they passed it the
portal swung wide, and Captain Peter
himself, smiling and happy. resplen-
dent in his best suit Of blue cloth. con-
fronted them and laid a friendly hand
on each shoulder.
Come in, boys. You're just in time.
Here's parson and his wife and Benja-
min Green and Uncle Nehemiah Blake
Mrs. Captain Fame"
The two assistants stared open
mouthed at the merry company that
filed the little sitting room, and the
lighthouse keeper continued:
Yes, stree! Miss Nett1e and me
counted on getting married at the par
sonage tonight, and everything was
ready and waiting; but, seeing that
you two boys was set on going court
ing on this particular night, just sent
word 10 the parson for the hull lot of
'em to come over here and get married
at the light. Benjamin, he brought
'em over in the la'nch, wedding cake,
lemonade and all. Now, everybody set
up and have something to eat You're
too late for the wedding, for the knots
all tied, but you can have some of
Mrs. Captain Fane's cake. and she's
royal good cook. Now, Nettie"'
Mrs. Fame blushed prettily as she
took the huge knife the captain gave
her and thrust it into the thick white
icing, and as she presented a slice to
Caleb Brown and another to Eben
Gail she said softly:
I'm going to be chief cook here.
Now. I expect you two gentlemen will
enjoy the good things I'm going to
make, and maybe you like apple pies"
Her tender eyes asked forgiveness as
she made this reference to their for
mer intimacy.
Eben and Caleb smiled sheepishly
at each other and drew closer to-
gether. Their common disappointment
would become the foundation for a
lasting friendship. Loyalty to the little
lady whom they both had hopelessly
loved prompted them to speak in uni
son.
1--WE like apple pie first rate" they
said bravely.