Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-07


SAID Kirk. then called to one OF tn,
nearby boatmen to lend the child /,
hand. But the fellow replied gruffiy ii
some unintelligible jargon.
He says he carries his passengers
ashore in his arms" Edith translated
Really? Competition is spirited ever
on this heavenly isle. Well, that's
easy" Anthony united his low shoes
kicked them or and rolled up his trou
sers.
Permit me to help you" he said
without embarrassing our pilot
She stood up and allowed him to
gather her in his arms. Then for the
first time she felt his strength as her
body leaned to his. Slowly he picked
his way ashore while she reclined in
his embrace, her arms about his neck,
her smooth cheek brushing his. When
he deposited her gently upon her feet
he saw her face had gone white and
that she was trembling
| His own face was glowing as he
waded back to fetch the lunch basket
and his footgear Under the circum-
stances he had done the only natural.
the only possible thing, yet it had
! queeriy. perturbed them both.
The two visitors explored the village.
even to the quaint, tawdry chapel.
with its impossible blues and rusted
gilt, and noon found them eager to in
vestigate the contents of their lunch
basket. Taking a random path up the
hill, they came at last to q spring of
cool water. and here they spread their
meal under a mango tree bent beneath
tons of fruit
The afternoon sped quickly. If at
times Kirk found his companion re-
garding him with a strangely timid,
half defiant look, he refused to connect
IL with the episode of their landing.
Promptly at 4 they came down the
drunken little main street and out
upon the beach. But no launch was in
sight.
'Hello. Where's our boat?" exclaim-
ed Kirk.
1.-THE captain told me he'd be ready
at 4. Perhaps he has run over to Tabo-
guiila or She hesitated with trou-
bled frown.
you told him to waltz"
Distinctly" Seeing an idler in the
square above, she questioned him in
Spanish. This man says the launch
left for Panama two hours ago. They
went on a Sunday spree. He says they
came ashore and bought lot of liquor,
and he heard them quarreling later
THAT means We'll have to get an
other boat"
II don't know where we shall find
one"
Neither do I. but there must be
some sort of craft that plies back and
forth regularly"
"Only once or twice a week, 1 be-
lieve, and it belongs to the ssnitarium.
Perhaps we'd better wait awhile; our
men may come back"
At last, as the sun was dipping into a
bed of gold. Kirk broke out:
Gee whiz. We've got to do some
thing. Mr.. Cortlandt will be getting
worried"
I'm all probability he won't know
about it until too late to come
for us. He is dining with those people |
from Bocas. and may not get back
to the Tivoli before midnight
mice fix we're in"' remarked An !
thony I'D like to lay hands on that |
captain"
I'VE may have to stay here all night
well, at least we have a haven of
They'll take us in at the hos
pital."
81 don't care to ask them. There's
some one up there l don't wish to see.
That's why I didn't go near the place
today"
He laughed to hide his embarrass-
nent. I'm wondering-what people
will say"
"Oh, you mustn't be troubled about
that 1t isn't your fault, you know,
anyhow Besides. people won't say
anything because they won't know
anything about tiff we stay away
from that sanitarium."
Its getting along toward dinner
line" he said, so let's see what we
AN find in the way of food"
They stumbled out into the unlight-
d street and began their search, but.
,een close at hand, the cooking ar
of Taboga proved most I'M
attractive. But eventually they found
i decent looking place, where they
we're taken in. and. after an interim
liable wait, food was set before them
.hicken, boiled with rice and cocanut,
,lack beans and cocoanut, fresh, warm
milk and a wondrous assortment of
dollhouse fruits.
In spite of their equivocal situation,
Edith seemed fully to have regained
Ter spirits. Even the prospect of
pending the night in this place ap7
'arently did not dismay her They
to the square again. stared
L all the way through open doors and
ollowed by a subdued murmur of
omment. Then they sat for long
ime watching the stars
As il in despair over their impossible
Edith gave way TO a
pirit of reckless vivacity. and Kirk.
nth a mans somewhat exaggerated
ympathy for a woman's sensitive feel
ngs, Loyalty strove TO help her make
he best of things In her own way.
here was no real concession of her :
eserve-no sacrifice of the feminine