Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-29
Author of "Rebecca of Supnybrook Farm"

Sut4 81 nave. pul nOl
because I've been punished. The rea-
son my eyes are so swollen up is be-
cause I killed our old toad by mistake
this morning. i was trying to see IL
could swing the scythe SOS to help
Ivory in haying time. I've only 'raked
after and 1 want TO begin on moving
soon's can. Then, somehow or other
the old toad came out from under the
steps. didn't see him. and the scythe
hit him square. / cried for an hour.
that's what did. and don't care who
knows it, except I wouldn't like the
boys at school to hector me. I've
buried the toad out behind the barn.
and 1 hope Ivory'll let me keep the
news from Aunt Boynton. She cries
enough now without my telling her
there's been a death in the family. She
set great store by the old toad. and so
did all of u.s."
It's too bad. I'm sorry. But, after
all. you couldn't help it,
NO. but we should always look
round everywheres when we're cut
ting-that's what Ivory says. He SAYS
folks shouldn't use edged tools till
they're old enough not TO fool with
EN-"
And Rodman looked so wise and old
fashioned for his years that Patty did
not know whether TO kiss him or cry
over him as she said: 'Ivory's always
right. And. now. goodby. | must 90
this very minute. Don't forget the pic
mic"
II WON'T" cried the boy. gazing aft
er her. wholly .entranced with her
bright beauty and her kindness. ''Siv.
I'll bring something. too-white oak
acorns, if you like 'em. I've goi a big
bagfuI up atticr'
Patty sped down the lorc lane. crept
under the bars and flew like n lapwiDr
over the highroad 80
HIf ra'he- was only like any one
else things might be so different" she
sighed. her thoughts running along
with her feet. Nobody to make a
home for that poor lonesome little
boy and that poor lonesome big Ivory.
i am sure that he is in love with
Waitstill. He doesn't know it. She
doesn't know il. Nobody does but me.
but I'm clever at guessing. | was the
only one that surmised Jed Morrill,
was going to marry again. should
almost like Ivory for myself. he is so
tall and handsome, but OF course he
can never marry anybody. He is too
poor and has his mother to look after.
1 wouldn't want TO take him from
Waity, though. and then perhaps l
couldn't get him anyway. If / couldn't.
he'd be the only one, have never
tried yet. but I feel In my bones.
somehow. that I could have any boy
in Edgewood or Riverboro by just
erooking nv forefnger and reckoning
TO him. I wish-I wish they were DIFF
ferent, They don't make me want to
beckon to them, My forefnger just
stays straight and doesn't feel like
crooking! There's Cephas Cole. but
he's as stupid as an owl. l don't want
a husband that keeps his mouth wide
open whenever I'm talking, no matter
whether it's sense or nonsense. There's
Phil Perry, but he likes Ellen, and
besides, he's too serious for me. And
there's Mark Wilson, he's the best
dressed and the only one that's been
TO college. He looks at me all the
time In meeting and asked me IL
wouldn't take a walk some Sunday
afternoon I know he planned ElIen's
party hoping I'd be there, Goodness
gracious, do believe that is his horse
coming behind me! There's no other in
the village that goes at such a gaitv'
II was, indeed, Mark Wilson, who al
ways drove, according to Aunt Abby
Cole, "as IL he was goin' for a doctor"
He caught up with Patty almost In
the twinkling OF an eye, but she was
ready for him. She had taken or her
sunbonnet Just to twirl IL by the
string, she was so warm with walk
ing, and in a jiffy she had lifted the
clustering curls from her ears. tucked
them back with a single expert move
ment and disclosed two coral pendants
Just the color OF her ear tips and her
glowing cheeks.
Hello, Patty" the young man called
I'm brusque country fashion as he rein
ed up beside her What are you doing
over here7 why aren't you on your
way to the party7 I've been over to
Lmington and am breaking my neck
to get home in time myself"
II am not going. There are no par
ties for me-" said Patty plaintively.
Not goingl Oh. / say, what's the
matter7 1t won't be a bit of fun with
out you Ellen and ] made IL up ex-
pressly for you. thinking your father |
couldn't object TO a candy pull"
II can't help it ] did the best 1
could waitstill always asks father
for me, but I wouldn't take any
chances today, and spoke TO him my |
self. Indeed. almost coaxed him."
Hes a regular old skinfiint," cried !
Mark. getting out OF the wagon and |
walking beside her.
You mustn't call him Names" Patty |
interposed. with some dignity 'T call /