Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-09

have the matter our with Irene.
asked her 10 20 for walk with me,
the last we would take together before
my departure. She assented and went
up to her room for her wraps. She
was some time getting them. and when
she came down what was my surprise
to see that she had put on a skirt
reaching but little below the knees, and
instead of a hat she had wrapped a
veil about her head.
I didn't dream for awhile what this
meant. but when she led me along n
path and across stile to space used
in season for pasture l suspected. ut
once that she proposed to satisfy
within by giving me an answer 70 my
proposal after the Lapland custom.
was too hungry for It TO object 10 the
! terms and was quite ready to run for
my answer. Indeed. so impatient was
1 that opened the subject myself.
"A good place for a race 1 re-
marked.
Splendid"
And a fine morning for ii too. The
air is crisp and full of ozone"
II love to snuff it in and get the
odor"
: do you see that tree yonder?"
THE oak split into two trunks near
the ground?"
Yes. 1 have a mind to race you for
it"
How much advantage will you give
me?"
What you like"
She pulled off a fur Jacket and threw
I
that she had Invested herself of her
/ corsets-indeed. there was nothing to
interfere with any movement Her
short skirt, tight fitting jersey and
the veil about her head made an ex-
. cellent racing costume.
But these preparations appalled, me.
What could they mean but that she
desired every advantage that she might
surely beat me in the race?
Il wish no handicap" she said. IL
think | can beat you on equal terms.
! | will go over to that stump, which Is
about the same distance from the tree
as we are here. One race would be
little fun. Let us make it the best two
in three. You give the signal"
Agreed" l said, and she went off To
the stump.
One. two, three-Go"' 1 crieds
She ran like a deer; but, spurred by
love, l kept an equal pace with her.
l won that race.
The second race was very different.
Irene permitted me at first TO gain n
few yards on her. but before we had
.traversed two-thirds Of the distance
she forged ahead and reached the tree
full ten feet ahead of me.
| knew now that she could beat me
if she wished. Nevertheless | deemed
1t my proper part 10 do the best !
could in the third and deciding race.
Burning TO know my fate. | wished TO
start at once. But she declined TO 20
until she got her breath. While we
waited ! endeavored to see something
. encoura ging in her es-something 10
indicate that these races were the an
swer | was expecting. But there was
nothing in her expression TO indicate
that we were running for any purpose
except pastime. She studiously is
nored every other consideration.
Finally. when my patience was near
" exhausted. she signified n willing
ness to start l gave the signal, and
for the first half the distance she
seemed determined to win. Surely she
could not have put forth greater eff
fort. l saw her glance aside to see
where I was. and she dashed on. seem
ingly bound to reach the goal before
me- But when within ten yards of it,,
my distance being twenty. she tripped
and fell. ran on 10 the tree. touched
it and then back 50 Raising her.
. I said imD3tienfIy.
ST suppose we must try this one
over"
NO" she said; q couldn't run
again"
/ still held her in my arms. and,
taking this for the answer l craved.
wound them about her. covering her
face with kisses.
Surprising that nv love had been
injured by her fall. / proposed 10 car
( ry her home. but she stepped out quite
readily.
How about that trippiugF' I asked.
She looked at the ground but made
no reply. and | knew she had tripped
on purpose.
When we returned TO the house Sp1tz-
I burger looked at us both curiously.
knew at once that he was aware that
his daughter had given me my answer
and that she had ciken it IN accordance
with the LapaId custom. He first
scanned her face. bat receiving no sat
isfaction there bent Lis gaze upon
mine.
He did not require "A long eXamina-
ton OF my features TO know that had
been made very happy. and the cause
was evident. J took Irene by the hand
and. leading her to her father. told him
the story.
When ! came 10 the Part whore irene
stumbled and fell be burst into "A laugh.
,saying that she could run for hours
without q stumble or missstep.