Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-06
IT'S STRAIGHT KILL FOR ME-"

1T 5 STRAIGHT KILL FOR ME-
Pete Oleson Obrother to the Oleson Of
the Jessiel, ancient, grizzled. wild
eyed. emaciated by fever, dragged his
weary frame up the veranda steps and
collapsed in a steamer chair. Whiskey
and soda kept him going while he
made report and turned in his accounts.
You're rotten with fever" Sheldon
said. why don't you run down to
Sydney for blow of decent climate?"
The old skipper shook his head.
Il can't. I've been in the islands too
long. I'd die. The fever comes out
worse down there
xiii or cure" Sheldon counselled.
Its straight kill for me. tried
it three years ago. The cool weather
put me on my back before I landed.
They carried me ashore and into hos
pitaL. l was unconscious one stretch
for two weeks. After that the doctors
sent me back to the islands-said Is
was the only thing that would save
me. Well. I'm still alive. But I'm
too soaked with fever. month in
Australia would finish me-"
He declined to sleep ashore. took his
cutter Iurid sunset was blotted out
by the heaviest squat OF the day. and
Sheldon watched the whaleboat arrive
in the thick of it. AS the spritsan was
taken in and the boat headed on to the
beach. he was aware of a distinct hurt
at sight OF Joan at the steering oar,
standing erect and swaying her
strength to it as she resisted the pres
sures that tended to throw the craft
broadside in the surf. Her Tahitians
leaped out and rushed the boat high up
the beach. and she led her bizarre
following through the gate OF the COM
pound
Lovely, perfectly Iovely-Pari-
SuIay," she painted. II shall buy it.
III write to the commissioner tonight
And the site for the bungalow-I've
selected it already-is wonderful. You
must come over some day and advise
me. You won't mind my staying here
until / can get settled? Wasn't that
squat beautiful! And L suppose I'm
late for dinner. I'll run and get clea |
and be with you in a minute"
do you know, I'm never going to
squa bile with you again" he an
AOuuCSu. WILL Lucy "Clc SGdLCu
"Squabbler' was the retort. ITS |
such a sordid word It sounds cheap |
and nasty. / think it's much nicer TO /
quarrel"
Call It what you please, but we |
won't do il any more, will weY' He
cleared his throat nervously, for her
eyes advertised the immediate begin
ming of hoshlities. Il beg your par
dom he hurried Oh. Il should have
spoken for myself. What mean is
that refuse to quarrel. You have the
most horrible way. without uttering
a word. of making me play the fool
Why. | began with the kindIiest in
tenfODs. and here l am now
Making nasty remarks" she com
pleted for MIN.
It's the way you have Of catching
me up" he complained. I
why | never said a word. ! was
merely sitting here. being sweetIy
Iured on by promises Of peace on
earth and all the rest Of it. when sud ,
denly you begin 10 call me names"
Hardly that. l am sure"
Well. you said 1 was horrible. or
that l had a horrible way about me.
WHICH IS the same thing. ] Wish my
bungalow were up. I'd move tomOr- ,
row"
But her twitching lips belied her !
words, and the next moment the man
was more uncomfortable than ever. I
being made so py her laughter
Il was only teasing you. Honest .
Injun- And If you don't laugh III ,
suspect you OF being in a temper with
ne. That's right. laugh Rut don't'-
she ADDED IN alarm. don't II Il rurts ,
-ou. F0'r io"t aS though you had a ,
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