Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-26

half open. It was the face or a girl
1t was withdrawn, and the face of an
other girl appeared. Three of them In
succession surveyed me with evident
interest and satisfaction, to say moth
ing Of merriment.
"OhorI exclaimed mentally There's
mischief In the wind. Trust girl for
deviltry and three girls for three times
as much of it as one. haYe evident
ly fallen into the tolls of a bevy of
them, and they are having great fun
at my expense"
I didn't bother myself as to how
these girls came to be there. 1 con-
tented myself with waiting and watch
ing through my half closed eyes. a
door behind me was opened. and pres
emily 1 felt a tickling on the back Of
my neck. 1 knew at once that one Of
these girls was teasing me with
feather. / made a frantic grasp for
what was intended for q bug, but
snored on. The bug lighted on my
cheek-another frantic clutch and an
other, my efforts to catch the insect
becoming more and more ludicrous.
At last 1 heard smothered laughter.
1t is law of nature that the more
successful we are the more venture
some we become. Women who are
most timid in beginning to take risks
eventually become the most reckless
plungers. Being young and fond of
adventure, I was delighted with the
turn the affair had taken. The more
Venturesome the girls the sounder
girl tiptoed into the room and when
moved scurried out Another, embold-
ened by the success of the first, did the
same thing. Then 1 heard a whisper
ing, catching but few words-"Dare
you to kiss him"
"Well, now," I remarked TO myself,
'this is getting interesting" And l
snored loud enough to wake the dead.
Then one Of the girls-wasn't she
pretty, though!-stole into the room, ev-
cry fiber under quick control, the splr-
it of daredevil in her eyes, advanced,
retreated, advanced again. / never
slept so quietly in my life, though my
heart was beating like a triphammer.
Then she tiptoed around beside me,
bent over me, Strengthened up, bent
lightly touched my lips with hers.
There was a frightful Shrek as I
infolded her tightly within my two
arms and whole chorus from those
without. l rained kisses on her cheeks
and on her lips. Thanks for the
nights lodging" 1 said, giving her a
smack on her right cheek. "And this
is for the hot water at my room, this
for the breakfast" And so expressed
my gratitude for everything l had re-
ceived and many things L hadn't re-
ceived.
Well, the climax had come and pass
ed. Every one came forward, and the
Oldest girl gave me an explanation.
The house belonged TO the father OF
one Of them, who had inherited 1T from
his great-grandfather and always kept
il exactly as he had received ii. In
summer it was used by the family for
a country residence. The night of my
arrival the daughter Of the owner had
brought a party of her girl friends
with provisions for spending a week
end. They had found signs Of some
one within and finally ventured inside
themselves, surveying me through the
eyes of the picture which had been
turned into peepholes for a former
purpose. Then it had occurred to them
to have their amusement in mystifying
me-
Some young men-and a chaperon,
of cOurse-were expected during the
day, and 1 was invited TO make one Of
the party. I accepted and had the
time of my life. l have since been
there often and am extravagantly fond
Of the place. There is good reason for
this l met my wife there. gave her
my first kiss there, courted her there
and married her in the very room in
which / kissed her.
xAJs,t r.- 80.