Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-31

way" There was general laugh at
this, and Winston was conscious of an
overwhelming desire to fall upon the
boy and thrash him within an inch OF
his life.
Thanks. awfully. BILL" Fenway OBJ
served calmly. 'Forewarned is fore
armed. Henceforth. whenever 1 see
Jack Winston coming my way. shall
run"
The company dispersed in little chat
tering groups toward the dining room.
Billy was borne thence upon Fenway's
shoulder. and Beatrice followed. AS
Winston passed she avertedi her eyes.
and SO during the endlessly long week
which followed she perverSely ignored
his existence and admirably succeeded
IN dispelling any erroneous idea which
might have prevailed regarding her
partially toward him. And the In
jured one hid himself in PARKWAY cor
ners and worked resolutely upon the
serial story which he was preparing
for one of the current magazines. He
had neglected his writing lately. and
there was much to do. Occasionally
Billy would seek him out. but was al
ways CURLY dismissed. In fact. the
thorns were beginning to show among
Bily's roses. for his champion. Fen
way. had suddenly departed for town.
and Aunt Beatrice had developed into
a very unreasonable person. One could
not tell how to please her.
When they started for a walk upon
their last afternoon at the seaside Aunt
Beatrice first found the wooded path
too shady. then decided that the sun
shone too brightly upon the pier. and
later when the man in the little post
office informed them that there were
mo letters today" Billy really thought
she was going to cry. 'P'r'aps," he
comforted. Mr.. Fenway will write
nice letter TO you bimeby, but" he
added, with the strange perversity Of
childhood, II like Mr. Winston best"
Aunt Beatrice very unexpectedly
bent down and kissed his upturned
face. BILLY boy" she said sadly. Mr..
Winston does not like us any more.
and it is all because of you" Billy
pondered deeply upon this. If It was
his fault that these two funny grown
up people refused to speak to each
other then some way or other he must
be the one to straighten things out
He did not quite know how he was
going to accomplish this purpose, but
would see Mr.. Winston at any rate.
So it happened that Billy's chubby fig
ure invaded the hiding place among
the trees, and Winston ceased scrib-
bling for a moment to look impatient
ly at the innocent face peeping out
from its tangled curls. Hello" said
Billy cheerfully
Don't you see that am busy?'' the
man answered. Now run along"
"An right" Billy agreed. and sat
down upon a fallen tree trunk. Win
stoD resumed his writing. AS he fin
ished one sheet he would tear it hasti-
~ from the pad and toss it from him.
The ground near by seemed covered
with the closely written pages.
You write great many letters"
Billy suggested politely. There was no
response. Mr. Fenway went away
yesterday" he ventured again. Still
no answer. AUNT Beatrice and are
going home tomorrow" he continued.
at last Billy had gained the mans at
tention. Tomorrow" be exclaimed in
CONSERVATION ''She is going away
tomorrow Billy was pleased with
the sensation he had made. yep"
he answered coolly. mo more fun
here now"
Jack winston looked far away be-
tween the trees to where he could see
a glimpse of blue sea beyond. 'T sup
pose not. now that Fenway has gone"
he said bitterly. The man continued
TO gaze gloomily out upon the sea. He
had forgotten the story; he had forgot
ten even Billy until the unusual silence
reminded him that his unwelcome Wis
itor had departed Then he slowly col
lected the scattered sheets. dropped the
pad into loose coat pocket and with
great heaviness of heart turned to 20.
So she was leaving tomorrow. In all
probability he would never see her
again, and the happy hours of this