Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-30

of tea and a bit of bread and butter"
She led him TO a porch over which
were hanging vines and. going into the
house. soon returned with some dainty
slices Of buttered bread. a china teapot
and appurtenances. The cup and saucer
were extremely thin. She set them on
a table, and. sitting opposite Mungle,
poured out the tea and handed it to
him.
That tea didn't need any sugar. II
was sweetened by pair of rosy lips.
bright eyes and. above all. a person
atty that Mungle found enhancing.
She asked him all about his trip, his
diet. the number OF miles he walked
without resting-indeed, all the details
attending a walk of such importance.
Mungle told her everything she asked
and great deal she didn't ask After
starting him she let him talk on,
just sitting before him with her eyes
fixed intently on his. drinking in every
word he said. Presently he remarked:
You seem to take a great interest
in athletics
Il do. I'm especially fond of walk
ing myself"
Indeed"
Yes; l walked out here from Airing.
ton this morning"
You don't mean it? When do you
go back?"
Il think 1 will 60 tomorrow"
viii you walk back?"
Certainly"
II wish you were going this after.
noon. would be happy TO escort YOU
Thank you very much. l couldn't
do so much as that in one day. l shall
be up with the sun and walk home to
breakfast"
This set MungIe 10 thinking. How
delightful to take the rest of the tramp
when the dew was on the grass and In
company with this charming creature.
If it were not presumptuous." he
said, 81 might remain over and finish
my walk at the same time as you"
why presumptuousr
well, you know, / have no formal
acquaintance with you"
Nor do you need one. l know a gen.
tleman when see him"
Then you will permit meT
81 shall be delighted with your com.
pany and grateful for your escort"
That settled it. Mungle was invited
to tea, where he met the girls. aunt
and uncle and when they learned that
he was to spend the night in the neigh.
borhood invited him to remain under
their roof. He said he never slept in
house when he could help 1t, but
would accept the swinging lounge on
the porch. He sat up chatting with
the young lady till nearly midnight,
and when they parted it was agreed
that after coffee and rolls in the morn
ing they would start at o'clock on
their walk The girl invited MungIe to
breakfast with her at her own home,
from whence he could go TO the AR.
lington club, where he must put in an
appearance before O'Clock or lose his
bet
That ten mile walk was made under
handicap. but it was the most deli
cious distance Mungle ever made. On
the way the girl slipped on a stone
and sprained her ankle. Mungle had
choice of leaving her or carrying
her, for if he did neither he would lose
his bet. He concluded to carry her
| till they came TO a farmhouse, where
horse and buggy were procured; then
he put her in il and walked beside her.
What took place during all this time
has never been told.
The two reached Arlington only in
time for a hasty breakfast; then Mum
gle proceeded to the club, which he
reached ten minutes before 9 o'clock,
and found those interested in his walk
waiting for him. Benedict. the loser
of the bet looked surprised.
II never expected to see you do that
walk on time" he said to MungIe.
why not?"
Because sent Jacqueline Miller out
/ 10 wayIay and detain you"
Mungle greeted this statement with a
/ blank stare of Amusement
| II placed her in a cottage beside the
road about ten miles from here, gave
her the time you would be likely to
/ pass the cottage and babe her look out
! for you"
! The wonder gradually passed from
/ Mungie's face and was replaced by a
/ proud. triumphant. happy look.
| "She missed you" asked Benedict
! mo"
/ "WeIl?"
"She was at her post and invited me
/ in the cottage. slept on the porch, and
/ at 4 o'clock this morning we started to
walk in together. She sprained her
! ankle. and I was obliged to carry her
/ part way to her home. She could cas-
! lily have kept me from winning the
/ bet, but she didn't choose"
"Why not?'
A beautiful smile overspresd the attn
/ lete's features
II can answer that question. fell
( lows" said one Of the party. Edger.
( ton. Miss Miller's cousin. 81 bet Jack
1 ten pounds of candy against a box OF
Havana cigars that she couldn't make
Mungle propose 70 her before o'clock
this morning. You're engaged to her,
! aren't you. NedT'
Yes. | am"
And lucky dog" exclaimed Bene-
dict. IF Jack has accepted You she
! won't go back on you"
And she didn't