Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-05
CHAPTER XVI,
Sentry Duty.

Ok bO1 y 1ON hlpNt
a from the woods that same after
noon by way of the bridge. in or
der to buy some provisions at the
brick store. When he was still long
distance from the bars that divided the
lane from the highroad he espied
dark clad little speck he knew TO he
Rodman leaning over the fence. wait
ing and longing as usual for his home
coming. and his heart warmed ut the
thought of the boyish welcome that
never failed.
The sleigh slipped quickly over the
hard packed. shining road. and the
bells rang merrily in the clear. cold
air, giving out joyous sound that had
no echo in Ivory's breast that day. He
had Just had a vision of happiness
through another mans eyes. Was he
always TO stand outside the banquetinG
table. he wondered. and see others
feastinC while he hunGered?
Now the little Speck bounded from
the fence. flew down the road to meet
the sleigh and jumped in by the dTiv-
ers side
II knew you'd come tonight" Rod
man cried eagerly. Il told Aunt Boyn-
ton you'd come
How is she. well as common:"
NO. not Il bit well since yesterday
morning. but Mrs Mason says it's
nothing worse than IL cold. Mrs. Ma
son has Just gone home. and we've
had grand housekeeping today.
She's washed and ironed and baked.
and we've rut Aunt Boynton in clean
sheets and pillowcaSes. and her rooms
4 i..N ...1t
in and nut il on her bed TO keep her
company while l came to watch for
You. Aunt BoyntOn let Mrs. Mason
braid her hair and seemed TO like he.
bruShin" il. Its been dreadful lone
some. and. oh. | am glad you came
back. Ivory. Did you find any more
spruce gum where you Went this
time:
Pounds and pounds. Rod: enough to
bring ne in nearly 500. l Glanced on
the greatest place I've found yet
followed the wake OF an old whirlwind
that had left long burrows in the forest
I've told You how the thing works
and ! tracked its course 10y the gum
that had formed wherever the trees
were wounded. Its hard. lonely work.
Rod. but it pays well"
IF ! could have been there maybe
we could have got more. I'm good at
shining MP trees"
Yes. sometime We'll 80 gum picking
together. Wen climb the trees like
n couple of cats and take our knives
and scrape off the precious Jumps that
are worth so much money TO the drug
gsts. You've let down the bars. 1
see"
Cause l knew you'd come tonight"
said Rodman. Il felt it in my bones.
We're going to have a splendid sup
per"
Are we? That's good news" Ivory
tried to make his tone bright and in
terested. though his heart was like
lump Of lead in his breast. It's the
least can do for the poor little chap"
he thought. when be stays rs care
taker in this lonely spot l wonder IL
| hadn't better drive into the barn.
Rod. and leave the harness on Nick till
| 20 in ana see mother: Guess | will"
shes hot. Aunt Boynton, hot and
restless. but Mrs. Mason thinks that's
all"
Ivory found his mother fevcriSh. and
her eyes were unnaturaIly bright. but
she was clear in mind and cheerful.
too. sitting up in bed to breathe the
better. while the Maltese cat snug
glci under her arm aId purred peace
tally.
The cat is Rods idea she said
smiiingly. but In very weak voice.
He is II great nurse. | should never
have thought of the cat myself. but
she gives me more comfort than all
the medicine.
Ivory and Eudman drew mp to the
supper table. already set i'll the kitch-
en. but before Ivory took his seat he
softly closed the door that led into the
living room They ate their beans
ana brown bread and the mince pie
that had been the splendid" feature
OF the meal. as reported by the boy.
and when they had finished and Rod
mnn WAS clearing the = tahia Iynrx-