Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-24

years, and now she would not have
been able TO take advantage OF the
merrymaking If an aunt from another
village had not volunteered to take her
place at the bedside.
Now. walking slowly up the hill to-
ward her home. Lettuce determined that
she would not witness another fight
of the balloon.
II others did not recognize IN the in
trepid Professor Aerolo their one time
acquaintance owen Baldwin, Lettuce
Hsllett's loving eyes did not deceive her.
The next day Lettuce did not go to
the fair. Mrs. Adams. her aunt, de-
cided to return home. and when she
went away she kissed Lettuce very
tenderly. II hope you'll be happy. my
dear" she said; you've been a good
girl"
Lettuce smiled-she seldom laughed
81 am happy. Aunt Becky" she said
proudly.
II should have said hope you will
be happierr' and with the last word
Aunt Becky drove away.
"Lettice." said her mother that after
noon, when the balloon ascension oc-
ours will you go into the garden and
watch it SO as to describe 1t to me
when you come inr
Yes. mother" said Lettice obedi-
emily.
At o'clock she went into the rose
garden, where one could look away
over to the high hill from which the
heart was beating rapidly, and a pretty
pink color fickered in her cheeks. To
Lettuce Hallett it was not Professor
Aerolo who was making the daring
ascent, but 1t was her FIRST and only
lover, Owen Baldwin.
All at once the dark shape shot up
ward and, Influenced by strong north
west wind, came straight toward Let
tee Hallett's garden. Away up In the
air was the tiny speck OF humanity
which would trust itself once more to
the hazardous parachute.
A little to the west Of Hallett's hill
the man cut the rope and dropped.
Then a blue parachute came sailing
gently down. growing larger and larger
and coming straight down into Lettices
rose garden.
Lettuce saw the brilliantly clad figure
of Professor Asrolo gently alight in
her rose garden and stand in that very
path where her father had surprised
their first and last kiss.
Lettice leaned against a tree and
stared at him, colorless and trembling.
He looked down at her from Owen
Baldwin's true blue eyes and took of
the gray wig.
Lettuce looked at the dear blue eyes
and the sunny hair, now more deeply
tinted than her tender memory had re.
called, and tears filed her own soft
brown eyes, and she hid them In her
little hands.
Owen Baldwin drew the hands away
and looked in Lettice's face. You
have not forgotten" he said simply.
, Neither have l, Lettice. have want.
ed to come before, but | pictured you
as happily married long ago, and !
did not dare investigate. i am such a
coward
you a coward?" repeated Lettics
incredulously her cheek against one
of his scarlet clad sleeves.
"Oh, you mean this business? That
needs an explanation, Lettuce. l went
away with the circus as a hostler,
Nothing very romantic about that, Ell
Then | fell in with a balloonIst-Pro
fessor Aerolo he called himself-and he
taught me the business / had nerve
and u cool head, and l did very well.
but it did not appeal to me as q life
profession, for l was determined 70
make all of you Wheatlane people
proud OF me. Lettuce, no one may be
proud of me, but they have no need to
be ashamed. You have heard OF o,
William Baldwin. the landscape gar.
dener2 That's l. Lettuce"
Your gasped Lettuce in wonder.
Yes. A few weeks ago came upon
my old friend. Professor Aerolo, In
deep waters. He was down with an
attack OF rheumatism and could moi
fulfill this engagement at the county
fair. He needed the money sorely. yet
he could not find a man TO substitute
for him, so | volunteered to come
down here, Lettice. | caught a glimpse
| VI yDu OH'e bll lht OutSklIUS VI the
crowd, and when saw your brighten
ed face felt that you recognized me-"
81 did, Owen"
And I hoped you-cared. Lettlce."
Il did, do, owen" confessed Let
tice bravely.
Yesterday, while you were away.
rame up here to see your mother, and
I told her all about it and asked II she
cared If / dropped here today. / had
her full consent, so everything will be
all right after all, Lettice, If you feel
just the same. There has never been
any one else for me-"
"Or for me either" whispered Let.
tire. Let us 90 IN and tell mother"
When the curious came, seeking The
brilliantly appareled gray headed Pro
fessOr Aeroln, they could not find him
but there passed them going away
from Hallett's hill sunny haired. blue
eyed man. buttoned up In one Of Dea.
ron Hellett's long listers md wearing
pair Of the late deacon's best boots
he also wore a very contented smile