Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-16

6uS0 the uuOdunI6Q YOUTH lAunCdluS
into a glowing account of recent
changes and bettered conditions
"Down in the village, now, on Main
street. there's so much passing it's
sometimes absolutely lively"
The black eyes in the withered coun-
tenance shone with speculative appre-
citation, and the speaker resumed: 81
should think yeu and Miss Caroline
would-ahem!-take a notion one Of
these days to move down in the midst
of things, where you'd have more
neighbors. Haven't you ever thought
of selling the farm and taking a small
er place tbere?"
Mr.. Butterworth. Sr., would have de-
tected germs of diplomatic talent in
the apparent innocence with which the
question was proffered. but the old
lady was wholly unsuspicious and re-
torted with q sniff of scorn: 'what
Yankee would ever lack gumption bad
enough to buy this farm. do you sup
poser Caroline can't raise a thing on
1t but hay N potatoes n pusley, with
q mess OF butter beans now m then.
Besides, though I'm away from home
q good deal myself, I do seem to need
this place for a kind OF depot"
An expression of sly humor lighted
the invalld's countenance, but her lis
tener's manner was merely one of
grave attention. 81 see," he remarked
quietly. But. Miss Analine. some peo-
pie travel in their own private cars.
How would it strike you and your SIS
tire If you could get a good price for
the farm and still keep the house here
for a sort of car perhaps? Travel in
1t to your new home, say?"
young man, be you crazy7" Red
spots burned in the faded cheeks, and
there was stern interrogation in the
voice
Listen, Miss Analine," was the ear
nest entreaty, and in reassuring tones
the plan was little by little unfolded
by which the Butterworth company
might gain possession of the coveted
land and yet the two old ladies be at
the same time enriched, while, best of
all, the belated traveller could at last
take a trip in very truth.
Therefore wheL Miss Caroline made
her tardy appearance she found her
sister sitting upright in excitement, so
engrossed in conversation with Jack
Butterw0rth that she was utterly OBJ
livious to the fact that Shocks, the
gray kitten, was playing with the map
of Africa in a way which threatened
the immediate destruction of the dark
continent.
Caroline" summoned an imperious
voice, 'it's high time you got here.
We're going to sell this farm, you n
/, and take a trip abroad. My, but
won't the Enderley folks stare!'
Remember" admonished the auto
crat, mot q word of this is to be lisped
till we're ready to start on our trip.
Won't it give Enderley turn, thought
She chuckled as she packed her books
and maps in a neat pile on the stand
at the side OF the bed Tomorrow,
sister, she proclaimed, "we'll begin
to make over my brown alpaca for a
travelling dress. i wonder II ruf1es or
bias folds would look best for any one
going away"
But there was no reply, for the mind
of the other was busy with both pros
pect and retrospect How can 1 give
up the dear old placer" she finally
asked, with a groan. But such an
offer as he madeI 'Twould seem like
flying in the face of Providence to
refuse. Land sakes, though, how up
set 1 amY' she walled.
That's just it," retorted the invalid
with asperity. Its land sakes' and
nothing else. Haven't we still got the
house, and aren't we going to live in
q good lot down next to the Baptist
minister's when we get home from
our travels? Caroline Dyer, if you'd
been around the world as much as
some folks you'd likely have smore
sense than you've ever got yet.
should think you'd go now and get
supper with a glad heart like a Chris
tian. I feel to eat hefty meal ny
self" Thus admonished, the mourn
full one was forced to bestir herself.
Succeeding morrows rolled into the |
present and then the past until one |
a smiling youth arrived with |
the gay announcement: 1.-THE private |
car is ready and horses are in sight |
for the-baggage. shall 1 say? All |
aboard Miss AnalineY'
"Wait till my bonnet and shawl's !
on," commanded the bedridden trav- |
eler. Then, noting an involuntary /.
smile. she grimly added, when you're
pest1ps. q asrk .seszk- 6e<- the HEst time