Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-03

perhaps they VIII n3ng one on your
door. remarked the girl in a comfort
ing tone
Il hope not. l hate spring flowers
said Jack ungraciously.
Even forgetmenots?"
Jack glanced at her demure. down
cast face.
Even forgetmenots," he said stiffiy.
There was pause while she daintily
punched her flowers and tied the
punches with long, tough blades OF
grass.
II suppose ought 10 go away and
leave you alone. You were here first
observed Jack without moving from
his comfortable position. His back
was against tall chestnut tree
Suit yourself" said the girl care
lessly. "If you were perfect stranger
l might object As 1t is
"As IL is?" interrupted lack. begin {
ming to be interested.
I'VE know each other well. You
slapped my face once" said the girl
calmly.
81 slapped your face once?" Jacks
amaZement was genuine. Why, I
never
Yes. you did. Jack Wendell. You
were eight years old. and I was only
/ FIVE 1t was at Miss Quilty's school,"
AT Miss QuiItys school-sh. yes"
Jack was scanning her face to discoye".
some trace OF little schoolmate Ct
seventeen years before. She must
have been rosebud of a little lass.
I 49, h. ct
didn't believe 1t.
"I suppose you remember all about
it," The girls head was bent over her
flowers.
All but your name" lied Jack cheer
fully. 1t was remarkable how little he
was thinking about Phyllis Lambert
now. II know it isn't SUSIE" he added
thoughtfully.
"Yes?' ~,
I'm sure. It must be Angelaw he
declared at last.
The girl burst into merry. tinkling
laughter. showing 4 double row OF
pearly teeth. She tossed a bunch of
violets across the brook, and he caught
them deity.
Violet Merriam" he said quickly.
and a flush deepened the pink Of her
cheeks
"Harki What was thatT she asked.
holding up a hand with listening GEES
ture.
Footsteps stirred the old leaves that
carpeted the woodland floor.
Jack saw the newcomers first, for
they came into view behind the girl
on the opposite side Of the brook. VIC
let Merriam heard them, too, but she
did not turn around Until she saw the
utter CONSERVATION on the face of Jack.
What Jack saw was an elderly, white
haired man, dignified and handsome,
walking slowly toward him. Beside
him there walked-nay, lumbered-a
very large woman, who might have
been twenty years younger than her
companion. Her skin was f1oridly fair,
and she was handsome in a large way.
Her eyes were very blue and her lips
very red. She had a double chin, and
she quivered like a mold Of delicate
jelly every time she moved.
They did not appear TO see the young
people by the brookside. Before they
reached the brook they turned and
went away by another path. The girl
looked after them. Then she gazed
straight across the water into Jack s
bewildered eyes.
That was my father and she hes
: ltated. At that instant she was smit-
. ten with vague recollection of Jack
Wendells infatuation for Phyllis Lam
, | bert.
And that was-Phyllis Lambert" ut
, tered Jack when he regained his
I breath.
. Yes; but you know perhaps that she
t had married my father" The girls
: sympathy looked out Of her eyes even
, as she delivered this blow to Jacks
love
! Jack was looking at her with a queer
o. expression on his face. There was a
t relieved look mingled with one OF
( dawning comprehension. There was
. mischievous delight mingled with
= something else that it might take
: months to dpcipher He had forgotten
D. all about Phyllis Lambert.
He took one long step across the
brook and stood beside Violet Merriam.
. Il remember all about it," he said,
r ignoring her preparations for instant
1 flight. Il was right. / never slapped
= you in my life. 1t was Billy Blake
5 who did 1t because you wouldn't let
I him kiss YOU. Aud after he ran away
= and YOU cried, why-I kissed you. aud
@ you let me-
The last words were flung after the
: fleeing form of Violet Merriam.
Il wonder IL she'd lei me do It again
= She would If we were engaged | guess
4 I'll take up with fathers offer now
and stay home and run the plantation. -
j was Jacks resolve.
Before he went home Jack stopped
: down and picked MP handful OF the
= forgetmenots that Nio'et had pIucked
= He thrust them into nm inner pocket
!, and walked slowly through the woods
softly whistling "Vioets.' And not
once did he consider the faithlessness
= of women.