Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-28

maps neglected son duty IN leaving
the three women OF his family TO man.
age the vineyard as best they could
with hired help while he went rainbow
chasing to, the cold regions of the
north. That was what be called 1t.
rainbow chasing" land 1t IS just as
profitable" be muttered to himself as
the car reached its terminus and they
tumbled out.
Their way lay through hedges OF
wild roses and eucalyptus. In the
background were groves of orange
and sunny slopes gray-green with
young olive trees. There were the smell
of honeysuckle and geranium and the
song of many birds.
The two young men swung along
the beautiful highway, one with arap-
idly beating heart at the coming re-
union. the other with pleasant sense
of expectation in the new friends he
was about to make. Surely If they
were Dan Roland's people they would
be friends of his.
During the long nights when the
comrades had slept together in the
northern cold each had confided to the
other all his history. and Dan Ro-
lands had chiefly to do with his aunt
and cousins. and he had talked so
much about them that Arthur Clifford
began to feel that he. too. was ac-
quainted with them. He had almost
fallen in love With sweet Rose, whose
picture was included in the three which
Dan treasured.
citedly. and he ran forward the last
few steps that separated them from a
rustic gate set in privet hedge, which
in its turn was half smothered in
Cherokee roses. Clifford hung back
that his friend might have his meet
ing uninterrupted, and he bore no
grudge that Danny forgot him for the
moment.
Three women sitting in the veranda
of the bungalow were gathered into
his arms. and there were laughter
and tears mingled with their Joy.
Gus reception of the cousin who was
more like a son and brother than a
more distant relation. Clifford turned
his back on the happy, scene and look
ed away over the flower decked fields.
Danny's voice brought him up the
graveled path to the foot of the steps.
where he stood with barred head while
he was introduced to Mrs. Roland and
her two lovely daughters.
~ am so glad that our little house
is roomier than 1t looks" said Mrs.
Roland cordially. "Danny's friend
must not think of going to hotel, Mr..
Clifford"
Arthur clifford expressed his thanks
and was only too glad to accept the
warm invitation to remain little
while. He had scarcely taken his eyes
from Roses face. except when he saw
that his glance embarrassed her. and
then he stole a look now and then to
satisfy himself that she was fesh and
blood and not some beautiful creation
OF his Imagination which might vanish
at any moment.
Danny was relating to his cousins
the story of how Arthur Clifford had
saved his life two years before and
how ever since that thrilling rescue
they had been chums and inseparable
friends. Beth sat entranced under the
spell of his graphic recital. This
cousin was far handsomer than her
knight Of the air castle. and her maiden
heart was stirred strangely.
When they went in to the luncheon
that Mrs. Roland had prepared Danny
paused for moment with one hand
on the back Of his chair AUNT Ce-
iia' he said soberly. this is a very
| different Homecoming from the one l
had planned when ! went away. Do
! you remember my airy promises OF
| automobiles and Paris gowns and
palace In New York, to say nothing Of
| steam yachts and horses? Here am,
| not penny richer by my gold digging.
| bringing a fellow prospector home
] with me. one whose fortune has been
the same as my own. and yet you well
come us as IL we were returning home
laden with Klondike spoils." He look
| ed around Mt the three loving faces
with tear dimmed eyes.
But. Danny. DEAR" protested gentle
Mrs. Roland. you know we never
cared about the money. We would
rather have had yo, with US than all
the gold in the world. Money isn't
everything. my dears." She smiled on
them as they gathered around the ia
BILE. and she poured the tea while her
eyes glistened with happiness.
The rose covered bungalow still
stands behind the privet hedge. Mrs.
Roland and her youngest daughter and
her daughters husband live there. for
Beth is married TO Danny.
Not far away is another little home.
where Arthur Clifford and bis wife.
Rose. live an ideal existence among
the roses. All about them spread The
profitable vineyards and the sunny
olive slopes. In their hearts Is a
great contentment that money cannot
purchase.
I'VE came back. practically poor
men. yet we wonid not change places
with the richest Klondike millionaire"
Danny Roland said once. and Arthur
Clifford emphasized his concurrence
in this statement with look at bis
beautiful wife.