Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-21


out a breath Of wind to stir the young
green leaves on the elms and naples
that bordered the village streets.
Late in the afternoon there stole over
hill and harbor faint blush haze that
some said was smoke from distant for
est fires. The weatherwise predicted a
MAY fog"
Going out, doc?" asked old Simon
Way, the boat builder. as the young
physician passed him on the little
| wharf
Yes, Simon. I'm going out for a
breath OF fresh air. if there's any out
there. It's deuced hot ashore"
I've won't find any wind outside to-
day" predicted Simon, with an eye
| toward the channel II been out there
/ all day and came back with the tide.
| It's hot as thunder out there. and it'll
be worse before We get back"
You think well have a sQuall"
The doctor hesitated at the top of the
| steps that led down to the water where
his dory was fastened. His speedy lit
tie motorboat was anchored not far
away.
Worse than a squan for getting
around in"
whats that?
| "a fog"
T shall be back before It shuts
down" The doctor Strengthened his
shoulders and took a deep breath
I'VE feel shut in between these high
bluffsr' asked Simon curiously.
Yes, but under the right conditions
l would not-there are certain things
that might change it all-bring its own
breath of paradise with It"
Simon Way went home and told his
wife that he guessed Dr. Morton was
getting tired OF Bell Harbor. In spite
OF the splendid practice be had acquir-
ed Mrs. Way threw a shawl over her
head and ran across the street TO tell
Mrs. Clarence Sayles and that lady
delivered the information in an alb.
breviated form to the effect that DR.
Morton was going to leave town.
Cleo Adams heard the news just as
she sat down to the supper table.
In the meantime DR.. Morton's Launch
had chugged out OF Bell Harbor into
! the sound. The white bow cut the
! placid water and broke up the rose
| colored reflections into ripping wave:
! of rose and silver fiecked foams.
All about him was a wall of fog
now shot with queer pinkish glow
AS he shut of the power and tn,
engine ceased throbbinS he listened
for some sound TO break the silenc,
that was upon the waters.
This will be good place to think
over" he said to himself and then re
ing of his heart-ever since Cleo Ad
ans had laughed at his offer of mai
riage. .
Il He stared unseeingly into the fog
his thoughts revolving around tina
episode of last night
DR. Morton had wooed Cleo Adam
in the shy way that is characteristic G
many men of his profession. and whe
the time came when he could no longe
withhold his confession of love, he ha
done an unusual thing.
r 1t was o'clock the previous evenin
d when he had entered his little offiC
and sank YEARLY into a chair befOI
his desk. His housekeeper had left
l. supper for him and gone TO prayt
e meeting. The house was quiet.
Suddenly he picked up the telephor
receiver and held it to his ear as
called Cleo's number. He felt very CO
and professional as he waited for
n reply from the Adams home.
1t came at last in Cleo's low, cleI
voice:
Yes" she inquired
ais this Miss Cleo?" asked the doctt
calmly.
This is Miss Adams" she replied
his satisfaction.
Cleo" he almost whispered. fghtir
back the shynesS that almost choke
his utterance of the important words
Cleo. love you, dear; could 70
. marry meT
Il Then had come an instants hesit
n ton. He was prepared for that, bl
& her light. singing laugh was stu
4 ming surprise to him. NO. thank you
4 she had said airily and hung up Il
81 receiver with little defiant clatter.
Il DR.. Morton sat in his chair. motto
q less and white, until his scandalizt
Al housekeeper had arisen from her b.
II and come downstairs to inform hi
d that II was past o'clock. ThereuDC
D he had shaken himself together al
retired, only to spend sleepless mig
before be arose to fulfill the duties
another days dull routine.
Now be had left it all behind. In Il
solitude afforded by the fog he wou
battle with his trouble and master it
But he did not reckon with the fog.
While he sat there thinking bitt
thoughts about Cleo Adams. who no
.o appeared TO he shallow and heartle
when once he had believed her to
40 earnest, sincere and far above coqUet
in any of its forms his boat was Dirt
ing idly with the tide. Little by lit
he was floating away from the shol
and not until he heard the blast of d
fo2horD Of the shoals lighthouse d
he realize his position. At once
started the engine and turned iowa
Bel Harbor.
II was growing dark now, and q
fog chung MOSTLY to bis face al
hands and every shred Of his Carmen
1t entered his throat and almost strs