Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-06


the while.
Now, my dear boy she said, you
must make yourself entirely at home.
Go to bed aud rise when you like, eat
and drink what you want. but would
advise you to keep out of doors as
much as possible. Bert asked me to
say TO you that he will start to ride
over the plantation at 10 o'clock this
morning, and il you wish TO join him
l am to order horse for you. How
did you leave your dear mother2
You're looking better than 1 expected
to find you-a little pale, but when
you have spent month in the open
air with Bert you'll have more color in
your cheeks
II should think so. Indeed, felt the
color coming into my cheeks every
time l looked at my trousers. de
cided to ride with Bert that very morn
ing and in half an hour went out on
to the veranda. booted and spurred.
had ridden in divided skirts, which
was a fine preparation for riding in
breeches. Bert, who had already been
out on horseback, rode up, and when
had mounted we started on the daily
rounds.
II studied Bert's countenance In an
effort to make out how far successful
l was in personating n man. He didn't
give me the slightest evidence that
there was anything unusual in me,
treating me as a man would naturally
| treat another man several years young
er than himself. He was very kind
and attentive, telling me all about the
orange culture, the dangers incurred
and the pleasure experienced after
passing a season of them in gathering
an abundant crop. l refined In several
times during the morning under a tree
to pluck ripe fruit. How much more
delicious is an orange eaten just of
the tree than one picked green and
! sent north, ripening on the way.
at would require several hundred
| pages of this letter paper-especially
| written in my scrawly hand-to give
you an account of my experience with
Bert Varney. l thought him very
| pure man, for l noticed that he said
not word to me but what he might
| have spoken to a girl companion.
| l came at once to have so great
! Observation-Disclosures him partly
on this account that took pains to
repress the hoyden nature to which
was born, and up to a few days be-
fore 1 was expecting to leave for home
deported myself in an exemplary man
ner
"You know that riding horseback is
my hobby, and If had been a man L
would have long ago broken my neck
at a fence or a ditch. There were no
fences at the plantation except some
inclOsing orange groves, but the bitches
were a constant temptation to me. l
was afraid that If l should get a fall
In taking one of them it might lead to
betraying my sex. After resisting
many temptations I yielded one morn
ing and, making a run for ditch, at
tempted to put my horse over 1t. I
felt the bottom of the universe drop
ping out beneath me, thud. and I
knew nothing more till / saw Bert
bending over me. My coat and vest
were both open, and my shirt and I'M
dervest had been badly torn. 1 saw
In a moment that my secret was out.
; Though 1 was badly stunned, felt the
hot blood rushing into my cheeks.
Nov, wasn't this Just too provoking
for anything? l was lying on the
ground, but gathered strength to sit
up and rearrange my clothing, though
about all I could do was to button my
coat. Then 1 clapped both hands to
my burning cheeks and would have
kept them there had Bert not gently
pulled them away.
Don't trouble yourself I've known
it ever since the evening you came
to u.s.
HE said no more at the time; he
was too much concerned about my in
jury. made an effort to RISE but it
was not very successful. However,
with Bert's assistance | got on to my
feet. / took no thought as to bruises
or broken bones or internal Injuries. I
was Mortified at my secret being out
> and the manner OF its exposure. My
head was hung while my companion
was trying to get some of the dirt Off
my clothes. at the same time looking
at me with anxiety.
"Does your mother know-itY {
managed TO get out with difficulty.
"'No.'
81 was getting faint again. and he
supported me in his arms.
~ suppose-this ends all the pleaa-
ant-friendship'-
YES, it does. on my part and he
kissed me.
ut is astonishing how far that kiss
tended to restore me.
How / remained n few days longer
at the plantation. boy to every one
, except Bert; how | got home. how
continued TO keep my secret from
: mamma and told IL to papa, 1 will tell
? you when we meet. Bert ami ! are en-
gagged but are not to be married till
: spring. Papa says he knew would
= never get husband in the regular
way Buff ! ever have daughter
/ and she is inclined to play such
pranks as have played I'll shut Der
} up in the top Of a tower"
.
Dec. 8 in American