Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-01

/ tropical ferns to the house.
"Of course l couldn't stand there
and stare at her retreating form-in
fact, hadn't even paused in my walk.
But III confess did turn my head to
such effect that walked plump into
a donkey carriage driven by q very
much exasperated old gentleman. who
swore at me in good United States
talk.
why didn't you honk-honk, sirF l
asked him. and he replied tartly, Does
this beast look like the kind that honks.
sirY Just then the donkey let out a
terrible heehaw, and we both laughed
outright.
81 notice you speak the language
of the automobile. sir. said this fine
old gentleman. and you wear the in
sigma of the fraternity. The sight of
your goggles and duster compels me
to believe that there is a motorcar
not far away
1T is mired in yonder bog ex-
planned. and 1 also told him Of Manu-
els journey back TO the next village
for assistance.
'Humphv snorted my new acquaint-
ance Lots Of help he'll find in Del
Rosario. I'll send some of my men
down there. I've got three Americans
on my plantation. They'll get you out
in jiffy.'
81 expressed my gratitude and ex-
changed cards with him. l found he
was an American, like myself. He
had married a Spanish girl and had
large family growing up about him.
/ told him news of the States. and we
discussed matters until once more the
beautiful girl came down to the gate
and looked up the road. There was
no doubt she was looking for my new
acquaintance, for she waved her hand
at him and came forth to meet him.
wait a moment, Mr.. Leland he
said. i want you to meet my daugh-
ter
"She came toward him. slender and
graceful as q lily, and l congratulated
myself on my good luck.
81 was invited into the house and
pressed to stay for dinner Afterward
several of the men went down TO the
machine with me, and we pulled 1t
out, much to the joy of poor Manuel.
who returned all alone. stopped
that night at the house of my new
friend. and the next day 1 persuaded
him to accompany me on my tour.
I'VE had a splendid time, and the
old gentleman seemed to enjoy him
self wonderfully. Said he wouldn't
be happy until he had a machine of
| his own. His daughters were delight
ed with the idea, and L came north
with his check in my pocket to pur-
chase q car large enough to hold
man and his wife and four daugh-
ters." Leland lighted another cigar
and twirled the match thoughtfully
between his fingers.
Denny Gushing muttered something
inaudible and withdrew into the shad-
ow of his chair. Outside were the con-
tinual roll of wheels on the asphalt OF
the avenue, the shrill whistle OF the
traffic squad at the corners and the
distant music Of a street piano play
ing from "Florodora."
Jack Leland hummed the words
softly, beating time with his hand
"Cut 1t out" growled Denny hoarse-
IL, and Jack Leland stopped instantly.
ITO make a long story short. l fell
! in love with the most beautiful OF
Mr.. Provost's daughters, and I'm going
back in October to marry her. Con-
graduate me, old man."
There was q dead silence after that.
/ Denny Cushing's fingers tightly clutch
ed the arms of his chair and be did
/ not lift his moody eyes to his friends
| face.
! Mercedes had a sister who was
1 quite pretty began Jack, when Den
/ ny leaped to his feet.
| who had a sister," he yelled.
Mercedes Provost had sister, Inez.
who was quite pretty"
quite pretty" roared Denny Cush-
ing. when you said she was the
most beautiful, of course l thought
you were speaking OF Inez Provost"
He looked pityingly at his friend, who
was smiling.
'Inez had a lover in the states here.
He was frightfully jealous of her. and
when one day he saw her kissing her
cousin, Simon Cadena. who was just
home from a military school, this
chump Of an American ,luarreled with
her. broke the engagement and ran
away. OF course poor Inez IS break
ing her heart over the worthless
scamp"
Denny Gushing grabbed Leland by
the coat collar and rushed him through
to the office, You look up a steamer
for me. that's a good fellow" he plead !
ed. I'm run up to my rooms and
throw some things together. III go |
on a scow if there's nothing betterr' |
With sparkling eyes he started for the |
door.
whats the name Of the place you |
are going to. Dennyi" asked Leland.
"Why, Paradise. OF course" blurted |
Denny as he disappeared through the !
door.
"And that was the name painted on
the gate" murmured Jack