Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-15


pushed the light craft back into the
water. where it bobbed to and fro
tantalizingly out OF reach
.'Why did you do thRt?" demanded
Clifton impatiently.
ut is Of no use without the paddle"
remarked Rose carelessly. Then,
peering into the stranded luncheon
basket, she exclaimed: Il declare II
there is a drop Of water or anything!
That was a splendid Idea Of Mag
gie's, putting enameled cloth under
and around everything, almost as If
she knew we might be upsetr'
"Of course she knew I was going
out and took every precaution," NUT
tered Clifton, pulling OF his sodden
shoes and socks. But thought /
heard You telling Maggie TO wrap the
whole business in enameled cloth be-
fore you put 1t in the basket"
Perhaps you did" soOthed Rose as
she gathered dry, sticks for FIRE and
piled heap OF driftwood about it.
. 'TWhere did you get matchesT de-
rnanded Clifton, peering into the wa
ter soaked compartment OF his match
safe.
: "In the basket. Between this IRE
and the hot sun we ought to dry on
quickly. Yes, bring up all the wood
/ YOU can flud, and there are two blocks
that will serve for seats and that
huge fat stone for a table. Why, we
shall be quite Robinson Orusoes or
Swiss Family Robinsons, whichever
Won choose" she cried gayly.
"I choose to be the Swiss Family"
said Clifton, with rising spirits.
what could be better than to find
oneself on alIone island with Rose
Burton fer a 'companionT
"WhyT' asked the girl. pausing In
her task.
"Oh-er-theysle led. q most domestic
life, you know said Clifton.
st choose to be old Robinson Cru
soc, and you may be my Man Friday"
said Rose graciOusly.
THAT suits me-"
well, stop loanng thenr-fts not
Sunday, you know. and Friday should
be busy"
Fetching wood for the cracking IRE,
searching for water in the thicket,
finding none and coming back to dis
cover the great bottleful contained in
the basket, Clifton waited upon his
companion with all the devotion that
the real Friday might have offered his
master.
Boiling coffee over the blaze, cook
ing eggs, and toast1ng bacon were de-
nghtful tasks to Clifton, the engineer,
whose clever head was filed with de-
tails of great bridges and other struc-
lures he loved to build. It was pleas
ant indeed to watch Rose Burton fit
ting about the beach barefooted like
the humblest fshermaiden, while her
little white shoes toasted before the
fire, and he was privileged to turn
them occasionally that they might
dry evenly.
Most domestic it was, indeed, 10 sit
opposite TO Rose with the table Of
rock between them spread with the
dainty lunch he had ordered and she
had attended to preparing at the hotel
She poured the coffee, and as she
passed him a tin cup filed to the brim
his hand trembled until the hot liquid
spilled on the sands.
I'm a clumsy brute" he growled
impatiently.
1--WE are really on a desert island"
said Rose after little silence.
you don't mind" asked Clifton
rather shyly.
"Oh, no; II win be only for a little
while-somebody will see the boat
will miss US and come over" she said
carelessly.
Some heroic soul Will swim across
from the mainland, suppose" he said
a little sullenly. do you know-I
wonder why you've chosen to spoil
your pleasant day by coming with
me-"
Rose blushed holly. Perhaps be-
cause 1 want to give you a good time
before you so home"
How do you know haven't had a
good timer"
Perhaps you have-I was testing"
she said with a wistfulness he did not
comprehend.
The meal cleared away they sat on
the beach. Rose striving gaily to add
picturesque horrors to their situation.
She made a nagpoie from a piece of
spar and flung her handkerchief 70
the breeze to attract some passing YES
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