Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-29


woods on the Edgewood side
Of the river. inst for a change,
Patty suggested her sister.
"The water j. so high this year that
the river will he splendid. We can
gather our flowers in the hill pasture.
and then you'll be quite near Mrs.
Boynton's and can carry the nosegay
there while I come home ahead; of you
and get supper. I'll take today>s eggs
TO fathers store on the way and ask
him II he minds our having n little
walk. I've an errand at Aunt Aoby's
that would take me down to the bridge
anyway"
Very WELL" said Patty somewhat
alphabetically. Il always like a walk
with you, but l don't care what be-
comes OF me this afternoon If l can't
go to EIlen's party
The excursion took place according
TO Waitstilrs plan. and at 4 O'Clock
she sped back to her night work and
prepare tons for supper, leaving Patty
with a great bunch of early wild flow
ers for Ivory's mother. Patty had left
them at the BOyntons' door with Rod
imam. who was picking up chips and
volunteered to take the noseGay into
the house at once
Wont you step inside?" the boy
asked shyly. wishing TO be polite. but
conscious that visitors from the village
very seldom crossed the threshold.
I'd Ike TO. but l can't this after
noon. thank you l must run all the
way down the hill now or / shan't be
in time TO supper"
do You eat meals together over to
your house:" asked the boy.
We're all three at the table, IL that
means together"
We never are. Ivory goes Off early
and takes lunch in a pail. So do I
when 1 go to school Aunt .7.oynr6;2
never sits down 70 eat She just stands
AT the window and takes n bite Of
something now and then. You haven't
got any mother. have you?"
NO. Rodman.'
Neither have I. nor any father. nor
any relations but Aunt Boynton and
Ivory. Ivory is very good to me. and
when he's at home I'm never lone
some"
II wish you could come over and
eat with sister and me-" said Patty
gently. Perhaps sometime. when my
father is away buying goods and we
are left alone. you could join Us in the
woods. and we would have a picnic?
We would bring enough for you-all
sorts Of good things-hard boiled eggs.
doughnuts. apple turnovers and bread
spread with jelly"
I'D like it finer exclaimed Rodman
his big dark eyes sparkling with an
ticipation. "I don't have many boys
TO play with, and never went to a
picnic. Aunt Boynton watches for
uncle most all the time. She doesn't
know he has been away for years and
years. When she doesn't watch she
prays. Sometimes she wants me TO
pray with her, but praying don't come
easy to me"
Neither does IL to me-" said Patty.
o. I'm good at marbles and checkers
and backgammon and jack straws,
though"
$50 am l." said Patty, laughing; $50
we should be good friends. I'll try to
get chance to see you soon again. but
perhaps 1 can't; I'm a good deal tied
at home"
Your father doesn't Ike you to go
I guess" interposed Rod
man. "I've heard Ivory tell Aunt
Boynton things, but / wouldn't repeat
them. Ivory's trained me years and
years not TO tell anything, so don't"
That's a good boy approved Pat
ty. Then az she regarded him more
closely, she continued. Pm sorry
you're lonesome. Rodman. I'd ike TO
see you look brighter"