Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-05

Dreadful lonesome" echoed Iyory
with sigh: and / don't dare leave
mother until her fever dies down a
bit and she sleeps. Now. do you re
member the night that she was taken
i'll. and we shared the watch:"
Rodman held his breath DO you
mean you're going to let me help Just
as if | was big" he asked. speaking
through Il great lump in his throat.
There are only two Of US. Rod
You're rather young for this piece Of
work. but you're trusty - you're
trusty"
Am l to keep watch on the deacon%
That's il. and this is my plan: Nick
will have had his feed. You're to drive
10 the bridge when ii gets little dark
er and hitch in Uncle Bart's horse
shed. covering Nick well. You're to 60
into the brick store. and while you're
getting some groceries wrapped up
listen to anything the men say, to see
if they know what's happened. When
you've hung about as long as you dare
leave your bundle and say you'll eau
in again for it. Then see if Baxters
store is open. l don't believe it viii
be. and if it isn't look for light II
his kitchen window and prowl about
till YOU know that Waitstill and tn
deacon have gone up to their BED
rooms. Then go to Uncle Bdrts and
find out if Patty is there"
Rods eyes grew bigger and bigger
..Shau talk To herr" he asked. and
whatll l say:"
NO. Just ask if she's there. If she's
gone Mark has made it right with his
family and taken her home. II she
hasn't why. God knows how that mat
ter will be Strengthened out. Anyhow
she has n husband now, and be seems
to value her. and WaitstilI is alone on
, the top of that wind swept hill.
"TU go I'll remember everything
cried RCdman. in the seventh heaven
of delight at the responsibilities yoF?
was hcapinC upon him.
Don't stay beyond 5 O'Clock. on'
come back and tell NE everything
you've learned. Then. if mother grows
no worse. I'll walk back to uncie
Bart's shop and spend the night there
just-iust To be near. that's all.
.You couldn't hear Waitstiil. even
she called Rod said.
Couldn't /? A mans ears are yer!
. sharp under certain circumstances
believe if WaitStill needed help cou'a
hear her breathe, Besides. ! shaii ue
ND and down the hill till know aus
we'll. and ut sunrise III go up ana nlue
behind some of Baxter's buildings uH
| see him get his breakfast ana 90 u
the store. Now wash your diSHe'
( Aud Ivory caught up his cap lrou
/ hook behind the door.
/ Are you going 10 the parh! ASNe'
/ ROdman.
/ NO. only down TO the gate 10, .
minute Mark said that II ne naH
good chance he'd send hoy Win
/ note and get him to put it under ".
/ stone gate post. Its too soon 10 eI -
/ il perhaps, but can't seem u A'f
/ still" -
Rodman tied Il bingham apron afo"ps
his waist. carried the teaketue ~ !,
/ sink and poured the dishpan III"
boiling water. then dipped the '.s
ana plates in and ont, wiped tnelp ,ss
/ replaced them ON the liable. gave
! bean platter special polish ana 81
/ the half mince pie and the butter u"
[ in th,. cellarwaY. TN
"A boy has 10 30 most every'n,"7 ~
/ This family" he si-hed Ia hiiii>e" -,
! Ian't mind washing dishes, exeep, 70
/ nasty frying pam and The Stic@F ~ I'm,
/ nnt bur whit I'm going "a Do toul4D'
! is dia,rrnr''- here he glowed and .iu
/ clcd with anticipation Rho" ~
/ they call it in the story b'"'HS .ors
/ sentry duty. ami that's Draw
I for Il hoy than dish washing a
Which. however. depends 10,
/ deal upon circumstances ana So'"e"'
! g. the point Of view.
tTo be Continued Mex "Wednesday