Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-19

renewed here ana there by the more
somber hues OF mems garments. At
Seahurst there was proportion OF one
male guest TO every seventeen Of the
opposite sex. Polly Skinner had fig
ured it out on the back OF a picture
postcard she had just received from
Dick Westford who should have been
woods better.
Think of his impudencer' complain
ed Polly 10 group of her friends in a
corner OF the piazza. Il wrote TO him
. that II was lovely down here on Mizzen
. island, and he merely sends this kodak
postal showing himself sitting around
, q camp fire with half a dozen perfect
ly stunning looking men. all wearing
flannel shirts and looking contented
and happy, without a single girl in
| sightr' She passed the card around
for inspection.
Il suppose everything is very messy
! there" remarked Bell Sears after
| casual glance at the pictured group.
| Ella Frond balanced her slender
form on the piazza railing and looked
/ pettishly over toward n group of mar
ried women, whose husbands sat in
tanned submission near by reading the
morning papers.
| Polly was figuring rapidly on the
! postal card Dick Westford had sent,
and 1t was then that she announced
her statistical figures.
Just fancy, girls; there's just one
man to every seventeen women in this
hotel"
Did you count in Billy PinckneyT'
"Of course did" laughed Polly.
well. he hardly counts. he is so
girly," complained Lily Deane. He
actually asked me TO show him how
to embroider. said he'd always want
ed to try It, 1t looked so fascinating"
What did you say?"
II promised TO give him a lesson
this morning. And here he comes
now. the bore"
Lily looked up and smiled in sweet
contradiction as Billy Pinckney drew
near.
He was a soft looking youth with
pale hair, a long nose and kitteniSn
manners. His clothes were remarka-
bic for their color harmonies and their
variety Now he was wearing a suit
of pale blue flannel with shirt to
match and a ring on one white hand
with a turquoise sunk deep in the
gold.
He was dream In blue.
"Ah. Miss Lily" he murmured gent.
ly, with a significant glance around
the group of maidens. I'VE have an ell
gagemcnt to sit on the beach. 1 be
lieve:"
Certainly, Mr.. Pinckney. Excuse
me, girls" And Lily dropped her EN-
broidery In her silken bag, slung the
ribbons over her arm and departed
toward the sandy beach.
The five remaining girls watched
the couple out Of sight, and then they
exchanged glances.
I'VE have come to this pass" said
Polly solemnly. when even the atten
with envy Nay. don't eXpostulate
girlies feel that way myself. IL
rather go walking with Billy and lis
ten to his inanitieS and shudder at hi!
lavender and pale blue tiannels thar
to sit here and gossip with you. There
don't yen all feel the same way? Al
in favor say aye"
AYE they shrieked in chorus.
We are desperate. Some fine da!
Billy Pinckney will propose to one o
us. as is his habit, and through shee
ennui one Of US will accept him"
Ugh shuddered Bell. with a glanc
over her shoulder ut a talkative grouI
of elderly women. Imagine having
Mrs Pinckney for a mother-in-lawr'
Don't worry" laughed Amy Wren1
from the hammock. Mrs. Pinckue.
would never permit it 10 go as far a
that
How could she stop it|' asked BEL
l Trust her clevcrness She wouldn'
! make big fuss and bother over tn
engagement-oh. no, Shed be perfect
IL sweet aud lovely and all that, bu
4 she would invite a whole lot of me
1 down here 10 cut Billy out. She know
( he wouldn't stand a chance beside an
other man" declared Amy contemptu
ousIy.
i Why not do it?" asked Polly coolly
a DO wha.:"
zone Of Us become engaged to Billy
or, at least. all Of US pay him 50 muc
T attention that Mrs Pincknev will be-
5 come alarmed and send for help {
some sort wonder what she woul
really do" PolIy's cheeks were pin
Y with nischieyouS excitement
/, she would communicate with Billy
nearest male reIatiyeand-merCy. Am
Wreuu suddenly sat up straight an
o heckoncd her four companions 10
/! secret conference When the head
+ were close together she Whispered
Did you know that Dick Westfor
was Bilys own cousin aud the nea
e est male relative as we'll a. the tinar
5 cial agent and confidential adviser r
l. the Widow Pinckney and her fai
SON.
No cried Bell. slnotherlng desir
n 10 laugh
Il Yes" asserted Amy. with a glanc
II at Poly's flaming cheeks. If Sir
Pinckuey sends for Dick ne may CON
and bring ali Of his friends to put Us
Is rout"
"A ..gL D.. ~, ,,,-,,,,,r,-od Tn. I-r,rd a r.