Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-12


motorboat because somehow it remind
ed her strongly of Billy and made her
feel exceedingly uncomfortable. If
Billy had only been content to accept
her refusal in friendly spirit and let
their old relations continue they might
have had the best sort OF a summer!
As ii was she was quite wretched even
with other admirers lowering near.
Something was lacking. but she would
not admit that it was Billy she prefer
red.
1t was Maud Losing who shattered
her self esteem with one innocently
dealt blow.
Aren't the Skaters neighbors OF
yours. Annette?" asked Maud.
Their place at the bluff Is next to
ours" replied Annette indifferently.
THAT Billy Slater is the most fasci-
mating fellow l ever met" gushed
Maud, beginning her salad. He was
up at the Detle House last month. and
he was the most popular man there. IL
l wasn't already engaged believe I'd
have lost my heart to him! But | IN
derstand he is spoken for-alasy~
The color left Annette's cheeks, and
she chung firmly to the table edge.
When the table stopped whirling
around and around she would ask
Maud who the girl was. After awhile
she heard her voice-was that timld
! voice her own?
II hadn't heard that Billy-Mr. Sla-
! ter-was engaged. Who is the girl?"
| shes the cutest thing you ever saw
all pale golden hair and blue eyes
and a perfect rose leaf skin. Her name
is Ransom-Ellie Ransom-and her
father is the rich Ransom from Chi
cage. Some say her money Is quite as
attractive to Mr.. Slater as
Nonsense" interrupted Annetts
sharply. Billy Slater il the last man
In the world to marry for money. Hes
| got plenty Of his own anyway"
i "Oh, well, people will say all sorts
Of mean things when they see a man
as desperately in love as Billy Slater
is with Ellie. Shall we go now, An
Meter"
whenever you are ready" said
Annette duly.
The next morning found her down az
the bluff once more. For the first time
in her joyous life she could see no
beauty in the sky or sea. in the song
Of birds or the caress of the west wind.
Down at the landing her little boat,
Billy Boy. rocked with the tide, and she
was tempted to go forth and be alone.
When the Billy Boy had nosed q way
out Of the harbor and the stretch Of
blue water lay before her Annette
laid a course for the sandy shoal which
would be uncovered by the time she
reached 1t. Bitter thoughts came and
stung her heart to beating madly, and
as she neared the sand strip she found
herself hating Billy Slater with a ha-
tired that was dangerously near an
other sentiment.
Once on the sand she pulled the bow
of the Billy Boy above the tapping tide,
! and, pulling out a knife from a locker,
she laboriously scraped the name Of
the boat from the bow. She finished
the job with a handkerchief dipped in
wet sand and scrubbed viciously until
the letters forming Billy Boy were en-
tirely obliterated.
The name was also lettered on the
stern. but that was a task that she
must leave to Peterson, the man of all
work, when she arrived home. She
knew that change of name must be
explained to her family. and she could
hear the chorus of protest, for it 10
most unIucky to change the name of
craft.
A boats keel grated on the sand be-
side her, and she sprang to her feet
TO confront Billy Slater. looking abom-
tnably well; yet If she had looked close
ly she would have noted the old anx-
ious expression clouding his eyes.
BILLY" she said family.
Hello, Annette" he said with an
attempt at easiness. What are you
doing-ah?" He stared down at the
freshly scraped bow OF the motorboat.
80 that's 1t, is it? or with the old,
on with the newT
II thought I'd call her the Pirate"
said Annette with hot cheeks and en-
tire lack of self possession.
''Then I'll change mine to Independ.
ent," said Billy doggedly.
81 thought perhaps you'd rather call
yours the Ellie" flashed Annette. and
then she could have bitten her tongue
so angry was she at her own folly.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Then the sand crushed under slowly
approaching footsteps. Nearer, near
er they came until Billy's arms closed
around Annette's slender form.
do you hate me. AnnetteT he
breathed in her ear.
Yes" she said half sobbing.
"WhyT' asked Billy softly.
"Because-oh. because you believed
what l said when you asked me- As
nette paused. bewildered at the strange
sensations that assailed her at the
touch Of Billy Slater's lips. You
should have known Again she hest.
lated.
known what sweetheart he wills
pered.
What you're finding out now" said
, Annette with fash Of her old spirit