Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-23

SAt N1b AAS hSsAt Ill us-u Tue open 1iOhL
window.
The conductor pushed the ioafer
back into the seat and hustled him
into the rear Of the car. stay there
he ordered sternly, "or I'll put you of
understands"
The loafer grumbled himself into IN
easy slumber. and the conductor came
up and stood at the end of Kitty's
seat Kitty could see his form out
lined against the open end.
II am sorry he frightened you" he
said courteously. Il should not have
left the car only / thought he was
asleep"
1T is no matter" trembled Kitty.
Must we wait long?"
II cannot say. There is something
wrong. at the power house. The serv-
ice has been poor all day"
He sat down on the end of her seat
and removed his cap. letting the wind
ruffle his hair. He din not address
her again.
Kitty knew that he was sitting there
TO protect her, and she felt a grateful
stir of warmth at his thoughtfulness.
1t was what one would expect from a
man that looked SO much like Len
Thornieigh.
Suddenly be put up his hand and
rumpled his hair in such a familiar
manner that kitty Baker overstepped
the bounds of conventionality and ex-
claimed:
Len
Like a fash he turned toward her
and sat staring. In that instant the
light flared up and revealed her face.
Again they were in darkness. but be
was sliding along the seat toward her.
kitty. Is it really vou:" he asked
hoarseiy.
why. Len. Len, it is you after ALI"
she half sobbed.
Somehow her hands were in his and
he was holding them tightly, shaking
them up and down.
What are you doing here?" he asked
brusquely, as one unaccuStomed to see
ing his womankind riding unprotected
in public vehicles Mt midnight.
kitty told him frankly. finding a de-
licious sense of relief in talking to him
again.
I Alu ADhs SUE dShGu lhst
"Working-earning my living" he
said grimly.
Then you are poor Something has
happened. Oh. Len. l am SO glad"
Kitty's voice wgs betraying.
! Now that l am n wage Garner You
| can tell me if you love me-" he said
( gently.
"Oh Len. of course do"' sobbed
| Kitty on his shoulder, and the motor
man discreetly turned his hack upon
! them.
"And you will marry me-" he asked
/ after an interval.
Yes" she whispered. IF you can
take grandmother too"
"Of course. | wish there were more
, of you to take. uncles and cousins and
aunts," he chuckled gayly, then sud
denly: but how about my fathers
money? You hate the stuff"
Eyes. in n way, only / felt | could
not hold you to your promise when i
was so poor. and-and-I thought you
were working for your living now"
Kitty drew away from his arms.
II am. When you drew that line
against my money | went to father
and told him if went through college
would earn every penny myself.
couldn't let the girl | loved go out
to work every day and he such drone
myself. He let me do it. and I've
done all sorts of things, Kitty. This
trolley work is fine and cool and
healthy in the summer time" He
laughed n big. healthy laugh.
"Your-father-was disappointed"
"Not i'm tue least. Guess what his
last words were when ] took this job,
Kitty" There was laughter in his
voice.
Tell me-"
"'Go out and grub for your living.
1t won't hurt you. And If you can
find that little girl of yours-Dan Ba-
ker's daughter-just kidnap her and
tell her there is a big. lonesome house
waiting for her here" Lens voice
was very tender when he concluded.
And grandmother, too" asked Kit
ty weakly.
Room for dozen like her. You
know all our women folks have died.
said Len in a hushed voice.
Lien. | believe you need u.s. whis-
pered Kitty, and this time she did not
resist when his arms went around her
, The lights fared up again as the
, power returned TO stay now. and Len
went back to his post while the car
went on toward the city. leaving the
bridge behind-that mystical bridge
that had brought these two parted low.
ers so strangely together again.
, The motarman glanced back into
the car. He saw Kittys happy. blush
ing face dreaming there on the from
p seat. He saw ThornleiGh's beamfnl
= countenance on the back platform and
= sent him an understanding signal o.
congratulation and good fellowship.
"Thornleigb found his girl" b,
= thought TO himself. and he stared
toward the approaching city. thinking
of the girl waiting there for him.