Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-19

W Tue oih0s
referred to Hemenway Biddle. Mr..
Biddie was the editor of the Banner.
and in the great shed back of the
printing office was anchored his big
balloon.
On clear days after the paper had
gone to press Mr.. Biddle might be seen
tinkering away at his balloon or else
in the act'of soaring over the heads of
his neighbors in the car attached to
the gas inflated craft.
Hem Biddle himself scared skyward
because he liked the strange sensation
of hanging between earth and heaven
with the ever present element of dan
ger attached thereto. AS counter
irritant to editing a country weekly
newspaper he believed there was moth
ing like it. excepting always Amabel
Paine.
At this particular moment the Ban
ner had gone TO press and was in the
hands of its eager readers. Hem Bid
die was scaling the airy heights, and
Amabel Paine was swinging in ham,
mock under the apple tree in her front
yard.
Amabers eyes, blue as the sky above.
were fixed dreamily on the green can
opy of leaves overhead. There was
one spot where she could see the sky.
Suddenly across this bit of sky there
raced black blot.
"Oh, botherw pouted Amabel. all at
once remembering that she was en-
gagged to Hem Biddle. 1t was rather
disconcerting to recollect it, for at that
| very moment she had been dreamily
reliving a few delicious hours spent in
the company of Peter Lamb the pre-
vious evening.
The gate creaked inward, and Peter
Lambs massive form plodded sturdily
down the shell path to the apple tree
Amabel watched him, delighting in the
CLINT of sunshine on his blond head
and the answering CLEAN in his brown
eyes when they met hers. She blushed
and her eyes hid themselves under
dropping lids as she sat up in the
hammock and allowed her little hand
to rest an instant in his big one.
II accepted your invitation to call,
he laughed rather awkwardly as he sal
down in a big rustic chair and tossed
his hat to the grass. you can SCI
that l haven't waited"
Amabel's mouth curved deliciously
81 am glad" she murmured. soothing
the seam of her white duck skirt.
I'm that sort. When I want to do &
thing l can't wait" he vent on ear
nestly. 81 don't before l understand
the pleasures of anticipation. l know
what want when l SEQ it. and theI
1 want it right away"
"Yes?" Amabei smoothed anothe
seam.
I'm going to shock you, Miss Paine,
went on this startling young man il
a determined tone.
please don't" she murmured
ut sounds foolish on such short &C
quaintance. but you know I used t
live in Finchville, and we played to
gether when we were children. Why
we went to school together! The won
der of it all is that should come bacl
again and meet you at the schoolhous
dance last night and not remembe
your name. l suppose l used to cal
you Amy" he ended daringly.
Amabel said nothing, and Mr.. Lamt
taking a fresh grip on his courage
leaned forward eagerly. His hand
some face was quite crimson with en-
barrassment, but his brown eyes wer
pools of flaming determination.
Don't laugh. please. but love yor
Amabel / want to marry you" b
said briefly.
The girls eyes flashed up with
,, startled question in their blue depth!
. 1t was as if she were questioning hi
sincerity. His eyes answered her.
. II can't" she whispered sadly.
"Why not?" His voice was tense.
, A shadow passed between them an
the sun.
That" She pointed upward.
!, "Why, what do you mean? It's
> balloon. isn't it?" he asked in a stal
tied tone.
She nodded. There's a man in it,
she explained.
His jaw frightened. "Ah! It's th
: man, 1 supposed"
Il am engaged to Mr.. Biddle." sh
said with dignity.
''BiddIe: Hem Biddle OF the Bar
:, ner:"
: Yes"
He got upon his feet, ard his whit
lips curved in a wry smile. Just m
luck to get here too late. | hope 20
will be very happy. Miss Paine. Is
ito be very soon?"
Amabel Redeemed from brow to chi
: but she held her head haughtily. 1T.
t it is indefinite" she stammere
; "Thank you for your good wishes"
t He was holding her hand tightly ar
d looking quite unconscious of that fac
o Something small and dark hurtle
down through the branches and fell
n Peters feet.
It whats thatT" he gasped.
o Its nine" cried Amabel sharpl
"Mr. Biddle often amuses himself |
dropping messages down to me fro
the balloon as he circles above. Fl
poetry is very good
Peter Lamb read the lines distinct
and ft Is to his credit that ne dIG N
smile for the nrovocafion WAS qraat I.