Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-26

softly. Eve Farwell looked up into the
maze of branches where the green
nuts hung thickly.
In a trice she had swung herself to
a lower branch and with boyish agility
and climbed into the shelter of its
thick greenery. Here two large branch
es rubbed together and formed a capt.
tai seat If one loved the whispering
solitude of the treetops-
Eve settled herself for long after
noon of enjoyment Her book lay I'M
opened on her knees as she gazed at a
picture of which she never tired
All at once there came a shrill whis-
tie that denoted the presence Of Andy
Morgan, her fathers foreman. He was
not far away. He was riding through
the aisles of tree trunks below, and he
was not alone.
Eve bent over and gaZed down at the
straight. well knit figure riding the
black horse. He was gazing directly
ahead. and the hrim of his hat shaded
his chin, where Eve knew a dimple
lurked. tender smile played about
Ewes lips. and the very intensity OF
her gaze must have attracted his
glance to her had he not been absorbed
in conversation with another man
whom Eve did not recognize, although
he was riding one of her fathers
horses. She saw pair of brown. we'll
shaped hands grasping the bride reins
and the crown of his big Hat and she
noted that he sat well in the saddle.
They stopped beneath the big pecan
tree where she was hidden, and Nor
gan slipped from his animal and tight
ened a girth. Then he leaned lazily
against the tree trunk and rolled 8
cigarette
you'll like it here all right, Webb"
he was saying. The old mans fair
and square enough.
II think l shall like 1t fyst rate"
said the other man heartily, and Eve
liked his voice at once. 1t was deep
and pleasant. "Farwel's got a pretty
stable ranch here"
Yes: it'll take US a couple Of days to
! ride over it," returned Andy. and then
ia a tone which Eve had never heard
! from his lips he added. 1T will be an
easy matter II you want to get into
partnership with the old man."
"How's that?" asked Webb. as he
anxious to sell?'
Not exactly. But he's made 1t pref.
ty plain that whoever marries his
daughter can have a thousand acres
and welcome. Wants to keep her neal
home-not that there's any danger OF
his losing her in that way" Andy
laughed scornfully.
81 didn't know that he had a dsugh
ter" said Webb rather coldly.
, "Oh. yes; regular treak-thin and
scrawny, with red hair and freckles
That's what we call her around here
'Farwelrs freak She's inclined TO b'
soft in my direction"
"Oh. hang it all. Morgan. girl can
help her appearance, you know" OBJ
jected Webb in a displeased tone. 4"
may as well be plain with you as loni
as am to be here and we are TO b,
constantly associated. l don't stand 70
any of this careless talk about WON
en-. ! have a mother and sisters bacl
home. and they mean good deal t,
me. and because of them all women ar
entitled TO my protection. I'm not
milk and water chap. but every maj
has his own ideas about things. and
might as we'll tell you that that's tn
chip on my shoulder. and ! hope no
body around here knocks it OFF, 81
spoke firmly and pleasantly.
Andy Morgan laughed again-not
nice laugh TO hear. oh. very well
Webb" he said carelessly. I'm war;
the boys TO confine their talk TO tn
weather and the latest styles in dud
collars from the east"
They are certainly safe topics" re
torted Webb calmly as he followed hi
companion through the grove and OIL
into the open plain.
Eve Farwell leaned against the ire
trunk and closed her eyes. Her fac
was white and strained and certainl
did look very plain Just now. Sh
could hardly believe that It had bee
Andy Morgan who had spoken so care
iessly about her Why Andy had mad
love to her. and She Ewes white fac
suddenly went scarlet and was hidde
in her thin little hands She love
handsome Andy Morgan with a girl
first love. and she had betrayed he
liking. aud he. the coward. was maE
ing jest of II to this newcomer! VIVA
had Andy not said to the other men o
the rauchI
What sensitive Eve Farwell suffere
up there in the pecan tree to whic
she had gone so happily nobody Nigh
know. but when she finally descende
pink spot burned In either cheek. an
her red hair was tossed into a becon
ing hufr around her ears With he
red brown eyes and scarlet lips eve
Andy Morgan could not have Gale
ner a freak" although she was thin
Pleading a headache. Eve fed 10 hi
room. Her Aunt Janet. who keI
house for the widowed ranchman an
his daughter. came and brought ht
niece cup Of strong tea and bits {
news from below stairs
Your father had Andy and The ne
man. Mr.. Webb. I'm TO supper tonight
chatted Aunt Janet 81 like MIR Wei
: 50 much He is very handsome ar
Z every inch a gentleman. Your faths
}" was disappointed that you are sicI
He wanted vniI fo COINS. down aud pIa