Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-15
The Daily Story
THE scHooLMAAM's wAY-BY oLARIssA MAcKIE.
Copyrighted. ~ Buredu.
Copyrighted. 1918. by Associated Lite

across the sky now and then. blotting
out the face of the full moon. In the
northwest dark clouds were piling up.
At the dance hall they separated, and
Tony did not know that Bert Reid had
slipped quietly downstairs again and.
mounting his horse. had plunged in the
direction of Water Drop canyon.
Five miles over the southeast the lit
tie canyon afforded a green and cool
retreat from the dusty plains. At the
farther end, where 1t narrowed to
sharp point, there fell from the rocks
above a silver rope of sparkling wa
ter. When the moon was at the full
this was a favorite objective point for
lovers evening rides.
As Bert rode rapidly toward the can
yon he was concerned to note that the
dark clouds were piling up toward the
zenith. Soon they would overtake the
fair moon sailing over the canyon.
He hoped that Nan Laren had chang
ed her mind and had stayed at home.
He did not intend to thrust his COM
pany upon her, but he would keep
within sight OF her and thus protect
her from the dangers of the night. His
face saddened into grim lines as he
thought that she didn't want him near
her. He couldn't understand her sud-
den dislike for him. She had always
been so kind and so sweet that he had
really cherished hopes OF winning her
for himself. In that event he might
take his savings out OF the bank and
buy the small ranch on Red Spider
creek. But now-well, he avoided Red
Spider creek: he didn't like to see the
little ranch any longer.
When he reached the mouth OF the
canyon he paused and looked within.
1t was like stage setting. and it was
weirdly effective. Overhead the black
clouds had gathered from all quarters
until there remained the moon shining
down out OF a small circle of blue sky.
The canyon was bright as day, and
down at the extreme end was girls
form standing on a high, jutting rock.
Near by the black pony dro wsed Sleep
lily.
Bert slipped from his saddle and
staked his horse. Then he walked
down the narrow trail that led straight
to the Water Drop, his eyes fixed on
the girls slender form. Now he could
see beside her the black bulk OF her
camera resting on a shelf of rock, and
SO absorbed was she in the taking OF
the coveted picture that she did not
hear his approaching footsteps until
he was almost upon her.
Then, startled, she turned with %
slight cry, and the camera went crash
ing down on the stones below.
Its only me-" cried Bert, leaping
forward to catch the falling camera,
but he was too late. for it eluded his
eager hands. He lost his balance, his
foot slipped on the flinty rocks, and he
fell heavily and lay motionless-
For a moment the girl stood there
as though stunned by the sudden &C.
currence. Her face was very white in
the last glimmer Of moonlight Black
| clouds effaced the moon, and a heavy
roll of thunder vibrated overhead.
/ Bert's horse neighed shrily from the
canyon entrance, and the black pony
! answered.
ct am afraid" the girl whispered to
herself, and tears ran down her cheeks
as she slipped down from the high
rock and felt her way over the stones
toward the fallen man. Vivid fash
es of lightning guided her, and pres
emily she had lifted his head into her
lap and was calling on him to speak
to her.
Still he lay there, unresponsive, and
she clasped him closely, and with a
little sob of despair she laid her cheek
to his. Then came the rain-not gen.
tie drops of a summer shower, but an
avalanche OF water as If poured out Of
the heavy clouds.
The first wet dash reused Bert Reid
to consciousness. II must get to Wa
ter Drop" he said thickly. She will
be afraid there all alone"
I'm here, Bert" said the school,
ma'am's voice. wonderfully meek and
fearful.
"Here?" he echoed, and then he be-
came aware that her arms were In
folding him. that with her body she
was trying to shield him from the
heavy downpour and that once or
twice her cheek touched his. Wonder
Of wonders!
''What made you come here tonight
all aIone?" he stammered.
81 was unhappy, and I hoped you
would come. too" she whispered.
you wanted me? l thought you
hated me, Miss Nan"
Sometimes I did because you were
so-so-slow about Mans face was
lifted and turned away from him. he
reached up hand and drew her lips
down to his.
"Slow about
about telling me that you LOVED
me-" she quavered happily.
Bert Reid laughed contentedly &c
was so bursting with love, honey, tina
! suspected every man, woman anC
child-yes. and every critter-from her,
70 the boundary could read my secret
and I tried to tell you, but 20,
wouldn't let me-"
II know. but you ought to have toll,
me anyway" cooed Nan in his ear.