Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-16

might have resented. Pet to marked
degree instead of giving her the $40
and blessing.
I'm going quick. Molly. with that
laugh between u.s." Ruth said as she
rose and took me into her arms again
for Just half a second. and before
could stop her she was gone.
She met Billy toiling up the front
step with long piece Of rusty iron
gaspipe. which took of an inch Of paint |
as it bumped against the edge of the |
porch. She bent down and kissed the
back of his neck. which theft was al
most more than l could stand and ap- |
parently more than Billy was prepared
to accept
go away. girl" be said in his rudest
manner. Don't you see I'm busy"
met him in the front hall just in
time to prevent a hopeless scar on my
hardwood floor. He was hot, perspir-
ing and painting. but full of triumph.
81 found it. Molly, found it." be
exclaimed as he let the heavy pipe
drop almost on the bare pink toes.
You can git a hammer and pound the
end sharp and bend it so no whale we
ketch can get away for nothing. You
and Doc kin put it in your trunk cause
it's too long for mine. and ! can carry
Docs shirts and things in mine. Git
the hammer quick and I'll help you fix
it" The pain in my breast was almost
| more than l could bear.
Lover" | said as ! knelt down by
him in the dim old hall and put my
arms around him as II to shield him
from some bowl couldn't help being
aimed at him, you wouldn't mind
much. would you. If just this time your
Molly couldn't go with you? Your
father is going to take good care of
you and-and maybe bring you back to
me some day"
| Why. Molly" he said, 1aring his
| astonished blue eyes at me. faint
me TO be took care of! | amt a-going
to leave you here. for maybe bear to
| come out of a CIRCUS and eat you up,
with me and Doc gone. sides. Doc
amt no good and maybe wouldn't help
me hold the rope tight to keep the
whale from Citing away. He don't
know how to do like tell him like you
! do"
Try him. lover. and maybe he will
will learn to- / couldn't help the
! tears that came TO stop my words.
Now. you see, Molly, how you'd cry
with that kiss spot gone" he said,
with an amused. manly. little tender
ness in his voice that | had never
heard before. and he cuddled his lips
against mine in almost the only volun-
tary kiss he had given me since | had
got him into his ridiculous little trous-
ers under his blouses. You can have
most a hundred kisses every night If
you don't say no more about not ago
ing and fix that whale hook for me
quick" he cosxed against my check.
oh. little lover. little lover; you didn't
know what you were saying with your
baby wisdom and your rust grimy lit
tie paddle burned the sleep place on
my breast like a terrible white heat
from which ! was powerless to de-
fend myself. You are mine. you are.
you are! You are soul of my soul and
heart OF my heart and spirit of my
spirit and-and you ought to have been
flesh of my flesh.
don't know how I managed to an
swer Mrs. Johnson's call from nv
front gate. but sometimes think that
women have a torture proof clause in
their constitutions.
She and Aunt Bette had just come
up the street from Aunt Bettie's house.
and the Pollard cook was following
them with q large basket in which
were packed the things Aunt Bette
was contributing 10 the entertainment
OF the distinguished citizen. Mr.. John
son is Alfred's nearest kinsman in
Hillsboro. and. of course. he is to be
their guest while he is in town
He'll be feeding his eyes on Molly.
so he'll not even know he's eating my
Washington almond pudding with
Thomas old port in it" teased Aunt
Bette. with a laugh. as went across
the street with them.
There's going TO be a regular cpl.
demic Of love in Hillsboro, do be
lIieve," she continued in her usual
strain OF sentimental speculation. 81
saw Mr.. Graves talking TO Della
Halves in front of the store an houI
ago as came out from looking at the
! blue chintz to match Pet for the west
wing. and they were bothsso absorbed
they didn't even see me. That was
what might have been called a confla
grafton dinner you gave the Other
, night. Molly. in more ways than one
, wish n spark had set off Benton
Wade and Henrietta too. Maybe il
/ did, but is just taking fire slowly"
} think it would be a good thing ;ust
5 10 let Aunt Bette blindfOld every I'm
I married person in this town and mar
( ~ them to the first person they touct
t hands with. 1t would be fun for hel
{ and then we could have peace and ap
; parently as much happiness as we ar,
i going TO have anyway. Mrs. johnson
= seemed to be in somewhat the sam,
e state of mind as found myself.
:" 'Humph." she said as we went III
IS the front steps. 'I'll be glad when yo1
!. are married and settled, Molly Carter
s so the rest OF this town can quiet dow
Z into peace once more. and l sincerel
hope every woman under fifty in Hills
IT boro who IS already married viii sta
d in that state until she reaches tina
age. But do believe II the law marct