Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-23
The Daily Story
THE CHERRY TRAP-BY cLAkIssA MAcKIE.
Copyrighted. 1918. Literary

watch over you. suspect you are
very clover indeed. and you might de-
wise some way to free yourself from
the trap. If You did that Uncle Ben
would be broken hearted, he is so
proud of the invention"
The professor blushed in the moon
light. because he had already discoy
cred that by straining every effort of
his great muscles he could free him
self from his bonds in three minutes.
How about the little boys he catches?
I suppose they yell so loud you are
glad to release them before they have
time TO examine the trap. eh?"
That's just it, and they do howl
fea rfully, poor little chaps"
Suppose l were TO howl fearfully.
What would be the result:"
1T would he without avail unless
some paSSerby heard YOU she laugh
ed merrily.
In the meantime I am apparently
talking to the moonlight" observed the
professor.
u am picking cherries for you, I
know Uncle Ben will he sorry and
want to load you down with them"
Presently she spoke again. I'm com
ing down" and almost instantly the
branches brushed his cheek and he
was conscious that slender. white
ROBBED form was balancing itself beside
him.
Il am Mr.. Whitsen's niece. Elsie
vhitsen." said the girl. and the pro-
fessor acknowledged the introduction
with as dignified bow as he could
manage within the folds Of his net.
He wished sincerely he could see the
girls eyes. All he knew was that she
was dark. and when her profile was
outlined once against the trunk of the
tree which was white in the moon
light. he knew with triumphant throb
of the heart that his hour had come,
In the crook of one arm she carried
a basket, and he could see that It was
heaped with cherries. Under his
weight the branch on which he stood
swayed downward. letting a stream of
moonlight full upon her.
In the distance the village church
clock struck the half hour.
81 do hope uncle's trap win not-er-
cause you much inconvenience" VEN
tured Elsie. ''Do you suppose might
release you? Perhaps If you could tell
! me how
/ perhaps it would be better to wait
| till Mr. whitsen comes and let him
/ open 1t with his key, then the trap
need not he injured" returned the pro-
fessor hastily. Besides. I must make
my apologies to your uncle"
at is too bad" said Elsie refiectvely
"Your evening has been spoiled and
you haven't had any cherries after
] all"
Not ONE
"You NAV have this basketfui. I
shall put it down there by your bicycle
on the wall"
You are not going down now?" he
said with alarm.
81 must. | will stay at the foot OF
the tree and tell Uncle Ben you are
! here as soon as he returns" She slip
ped out of his sight, and presently her
voice came up from below. al will ex-
plain it to Uncle Ben as soon as he re-
turns, and that will shorten your i'm.
prisonment."
1T has not seemed long" protested
the professor, conscious of his loosened
bonds
Here they come now" called the
girl. And he heard her walking toward
the house.
There was the sound of a distant col
loquy, and then heavy steps came and
stopped under the tree, and somebody
propped a ladder against the trunk.
81 weigh 200 pounds. Young man. and
If | make a misstep here tonight 1t
means a serious business for me-" said
a hearty voice, with an attempt at a
growl IF you're going to steal cher
ries why don't you come Just after
dark. when the hired mans around so
he can pull you DOWN." The ladder
creaked
The professor grew anxious for the
mans safety. Confession was the only
course. 81 can come down alone" he
called hastily
Il thought you was caught!' ex-
claim the farmer
I've managed TO loosen the trap so
can get my arms free. There-ugh"
With a mighty effort the professor
shook off the cleverly contrived trap,
and it ratified among the branches.
I'm coming down" he warned, and so
presently ne stood at the foot of the
tree. making elaborate apologies to the
owner of the tree, who accepted them
with great good nature and invited
him into the house TO eat cherries With
Elsie and her aunt
That was the first Of many visits 10
the farm. "Confound that chap, Min.
ME- Mr.. Whitsen said one day. II
believe he was loose all the while he
was up that tree
What makes You think so, Benz"
asked his gentle wife
Because" said Uncle Ben. with
sly glance at his pretty niece who
FLUSHED warmly.
Later when they were married. Mr..
Whitsen kissed the bride and whis-
/ pered in her pink ear:
''Thunderation. Elsie. when set that
Cherry trap didn't think | was trap