Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-15

Tony GOu ana bert helu yduhSu
their horses aside as the schoolma'am
came flying up the trail on her little
black pony.
There amt fire nowheres?" called
Tony loosely as she swept past them.
NO" she laughed. I'm just out for
a breath of fresh air."
Jest like Il woman to go tearing
around losing her breath SOS to get
fresh BREATH" unused Tony as they
watched her graceful, receding form.
"Yes," agreed Bert
Tony looked at him narrowly.
you and Miss Nan Laren amt so
chummy as you was" he said bluntly.
mot so you'd notice It," growled
Bert
so she handed you yours, Ell? Jest
as sweetly as she handed me mine and
Mason Pepper his. Well. when get
to housekeeping I'm not going to put
out a sign Beware of the Dog My
signs going to read, Beware of the
Schoolma'amsr
Were going to have rain," remark
ed Bert.
you can change a subject most deli
cately, Bert. Speaking of schoolma'ams
makes me weep; weeping makes me
think of tears; tears are like rain;
hence and therefore it looks like rain"
mirthfully, and Bert Joined him with a
rueful glance.
"She wouldn't even let me ask her,"
be confided suddenly. 'She seems mad
about something"
"Mebbe she just can't stand seeing
you around. on general principles, -
chuckled Tony, with a glance at Berts
handsome, moody countenance.
THAT sounds likely. Well, you fell
lows can count me out Of the game.
| There's Dan Cox. I've got to see him
a minute, Tony" Bert dashed ahead
| to intercept the postmaster at Red
Spider, while Tony Golf pulled his
horse to a standstill and unused thought.
! fully.
Suddenly he wheeled the animal
about and dashed back along the trail
III pursuit OF nan Laren.
He was surprised to find that young
lady sitting shoulder high in the purple
sage, looking mournfully at the setting
| sun.
The schoolma'am turned around, and
Tony saw a look of bitter disappoint
ment sweep her fair face.
"Oh, it's you, Mr.. Con-" she said IN
constrained tone.
Its only me-" admitted Tony in q
thrilling tone. Somehow nobody evel
wants me. Now, If it had been Bert
Reid The pause was eloquent.
II hate him." said Nan Laren coolly
Tony smiled wisely. shes sure
gone on him." he told himself. ID.
HE certainly is no account" he
agreed cheerfully.
What do you mean?" she asked
quickly.
"Oh, mean he's just the kind of {
man any one would naturally hate. III
amt got winning way with him."
Nan was silent. Again she turned t.
the sunset. Tony Golf winked at hi!
pony.
"Well. l must be humping along Il
I'm going to the dance at Red Spider
l don't reckon Wen see you there, Mis-!
Nan"
Hardly" returned Nan coolly.
I'm sorry. | expect there's plent,
others will miss you, too" said Ton!
regretfully.
I'm tired of dancing" yawned Nal
with a successful air of boredom. &c
had planned to ride over to the Waite
Drop tonight and see II couldn't &c
photograph Of it by moonlight"
"Over to the Water Drop alone q
shrieked Tony, surprised.
, Certainly. I'm not afraid"
, Miss Laren, please don't go. or l
you insist upon going let me go along
III keep in the background. but 70,
> hadn't ought to go alone"
Nan arose to her graceful height an,
shook back her sunny hair. So
THANK you so much. Mr.. Goff," sh
said sweetly, but I'm not in the leas
afraid. In fact. prefer to be alone
"OuchT WINGED Tony. turning hi
, pony's head toward home.
| Don't mlnQ my DelnS nate1Ol, Sn
said with a sudden quaver in her voice
81 don't mind. I'm used to bein
( trod upon. That's what worms ar
for" grinned the volatile Tony, wav
{ Ing his hat in farewell.
I I'm sorry" her voice foated re
! gretfully after him, and when after
I; little he turned and looked at her he
face was buried in the soft blac
name Of her surprised pony.
Gosh, l do believe they've quarre
ed" unused Tony as be went poundin
homeward.
After supper he found Bert Rel
making his toilet upstairs in the ROOF
they shared together. AS Bert knotte
n crimson silk scarf under the sol
|. collar of his white silk shirt Ton
splashed noisily in the basin 10 til
e corner.
r you all know I was ligb.Iy su1itte
with the schoolma'am." spluttere
Tony after awhile. but declare II
wouldn't like to he her ma tOniRh