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

lights shone from every window, and
when the front door was thrown wide
! open q red glow from the hall lamp
formed a background for the minis
! ter's surprised face. Eben noted that
/ he was dressed IN his Sunday coat.
! and over his shoulder peered Mrs. VII
! sons rosy face.
Eben delivered the letter and turned
away. AS he went down the path
| Mrs. Wilson's voice arose, shrill with
| disappointment and protest.
"S'pose they've got party on hand
maybe a donation. / don't see how
the parson can get over to the light
! this evening. 1 hope Miss Nettie amt
/ gone to any donation. L don't know
/ when 1 can get of again" His steps
/ fastened as he drew near the abode
| of Miss Nettie Blake.
| Now, Miss Blake was a most fasci-
mating little lady. with soft brown
/ hair and eyes of tender blue. Her
1 equally soft and tender heart had be-
/ reft her of the power to give pain to
any fellow creature. Perhaps this
was the reason why neither Caleb
/ Brown nor Eben Gail had been able to
wiring a definite answer from the lady
! both mutually adored-
Fer whole year now the assistant
! keepers of the lighthouse had courted
! Miss Nettie Blake. At first they Wis
tied her on different evenings, but as
| jealousy waxed hot they fell upon
Wednesday evening as a proper and
fitting one for a lovers attention, and,
as neither could be dissuaded from
his purpose. first one and then the
other had supplied a substitute to
watch with Captain Fame on Wednes-
day evenings.
And this dual courtship did not dis
turb Miss Netties eQuanimity. She
was rs sweet and kind as ever and
she impsrtially set forth her tooth
Some apple pies aud elderberry wine
while the rivals glowered at each 9th
er across her snowy damask.
Tonight, however, the little white
cottage was dark and silent A shad-
owy form on the doorstep indicated
the whereabouts of Mr. Caleb Brown.
Eben paused at the gate and coughed.
Caleb Brown banged the brass
knocker fiercely on the door, cleaning
family white behind the shadowy
vines.
All was Sllence.
The gate creaked under Eben Calls
authoritative touch. and as his feet
crunched heavily on the gravel path
the sound seemed a premonltiOn OF
what might happen to Eben's bold
rival if he did not cease his thunder
ing at the door of the one woman in
the world
Miss Nettie Blake's got tired of en-
tertainiug two callers every Wednes-
day, only she's too polite to say so!
If you'll so away you'll find that she'll
open the door quick enough for me"'
Eben's voice rasped on the still night
air as Caleb Brown ceased from his
knocking.
''She doesn't answer because she
thinks it's you,r' snapped Caleb. re-
Stunning his bombardment
Il always knock special" retorted
Eben. Miss Nettie always recognizes
my knock. If you'll just move along
and let n gentleman that has some
rights here He paused suggestively.
There was an explosive snort from
Caleb Brown. and the knocker fell for
the last time with a little angry thud.
The first assistant keeper of the light
ran down the steps and faced bis
rival IN she moouIit space before the
house. SIis nose advanced within an
inch or 1bens implacable countenance.
and his head wagEed violently.
Say it again." he challenged squeak
lily.
Eben repeated his remark. with a
few embellishments regarding Mr..
Browns personal appearance.
After this Interchange of pleasant
ries it is not surprising that another
instant found the assistant keepers
rolling wildly on the gravel. now in |