Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-13
'"TINKE -
BY Eta Anthony Baker.

y DON'T see why we have to include Beth. She
has refused every time I've asked her to join
US; she wont swim wont skate wont row
- and Mary Livingstone's eyes flashed with dis
'I can't understand that-about the rowing.
mean" said Grace Archer My cousin is at school
near London and she wrote me that girl named
Elizabeth Carter won medal there two years ago
in Thames regatta, for being the best oar IN the
school The name is the same, and Beth told me
she had been English school,
We'll she wouldn't Jon us US IN the SW'T mn
please! 1t wasn't dread OF the cold which kept her
from skating because she took long tramps on some
of the btterest days. And then when l asked her
to join of the boat crews for this spring, she
actually turned pale, and said, No! No! I'm al
mean I can't, possibly II that dosnt seem like
Here she comes, now" said Belle Gray. What
is that she's carrying-a dove?'
No, it's cat, isn't it ::
Looks like dog; to me Yes, it is-a tiny
the other side OF the wide drive let it, will
Isn't he beauty-and duczy darTingr
What a cunning bow-wow! Where did you get
Father sent him because I'm so Ione-I mean
to amuse me-, and Beth flushed confusedly at the
confession which had so nearly escaped her Miss
Whats, his nance" asked several; in chorus
the silver name-pIate above the tiny tnkling bell
The SIR giTls crowded d, around eagerly; ,;..,.
fairy himself" aiG Mary patted the smooth head
fairy"
The girls had gone to New York, in a body, the
previous week to see the fairy play Peter Pan,
and had laughed and cried together over the charm
ing story When Peter Pan, trying his dear
little fairy. Tinker, had turned to the audience with
don't YOU" they had with difficulty refraned from
answering: OF dol" SO the de-
The tiny terrier was passed from one to another,
like some decctablc sweet, and sweet he certainly
wasa pure white fox, with beautiful black markings
the smooth head, and soft, dark eyes that almost
seemed to speak He walked straight into the hearts
OF the tar:5o'lnt girls, and 'tayed there.
Beths Bus sign, formerly dust-covered Gor
who could be IumIay with girl considered cold
and cowardy?J, would now have been needed
frequently. had not the, poor girl welcomed the
Interruptions Only Beth Carter herself knew the
loneliness Of the last six months-loneiness in
the midst of a gay crowd. Owing to its beautiful
Situation, Paramount Academy strong in water
sports, and after Beth's refusal to join in any of
these, she was gradually left to her own devices.
Not that the girls ave ded her-they simply failed
to include her in their various merry-makings, and
sic of too reserved disposition to force her
SELF upon them .unasked.
With 'rinker's advent, however, all this
changed The girls were constantly running in
to see the small dog, and. May l take Tinker
were frequent requests to which Beth graciousy
accedcd generously sharing her pet with them all.
Tinker himself had big heart in his little body,
AMI took the whole school right into it He it
quite plain, however, that though he loved them all
from the depths of his little Goggie soul his dear
no ribbons land Tinker was the vainest little
canine alive, raised to the seventh heaven of de-
light By ig, perky bow on his collar could sway
his allegiance his first love
a., AS the spring opened the girls were fr1l of their
boating projects They had again app coached Beth
upon the subject only to meet with more decided
refusal than before, this time with the added words
"Oh. can't! I'm afraidI'
One day group of enthusiasts strolled down
to the river, and stood chatting away their
plans fo!r, the coming season The ice was going
out rapidly, and they wondered how soon Miss Hor-
Ron would permit them to begin practice. The
memory OF last years defeat by the rival school
On the opposite bank of the river still ranked max
ing them all the more eager to set to work early
this year Just they had appointed the most
persuasive girl in the class special envoy plead
with Miss Horton, they were startled by agonized
shrleks from the bank higher uD.
Save hk = Save him! He'll be killed. and
poor httle Tinker dashed into sight madly pur-
sued by the fercest, uGliest bulldog in the neigh
boring villcge. The girls sprang to the rescue of