Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-17
The Daily Story
His One Failing-By Elliot Walker.
Copyrighted. 1s14. by Associated Literary Bureau

| guess sdiu Oiu SaSkets- aes Juse
| come In
lis he a good. safe man3" asked Mrs.
/ Cranky.
.'who-Tinker? Safer Well, he's sup
posed to be safe-safe as they make
'em round here" responded the hotel
keeper. Hes been up in the woods
with a party for two weeks-got back
this mornin'. Best guide on the lakes
for a young Teller. Quiet, good lookin'.
| and knows bis business-you'1l like
! him, marin. He'll work around the
house till another party picks him up
maybe a day or two or a week.
You're lucky to git him-I don't know
as he'll go out. He's cranky some
| times"
The Cranbys had just come up to the
String lakes. that well known chain
where the lower one affords good hotel
accommodations. fair general society
and poor fishing and the upper ones
dwindle into wilderness with its &C.
compartments. according to distance.
''It was too bad that papa had to
get that disgusting telegram which
called him back to nasty old Wall
| street just as he was comfortably set
tied. How mean Snd inconsiderate for
those people to fail at such timer
| So said Ethel, who, with her mother
and sisters. lamented the trying cir
cumstances in various degrees Of i'm
| potent wrath.
He will be back soon. In a week
probably" explained Mrs. Cranky.
| Meanwhile we must enjoy ourselves
as best we may. 1t is too bad, though.
What shall we do for amusement? It's
a dull place."
Lets have picnic tomorrow" cried
Harriet, the second shining light in the
galaxy of daughters. '"That'n be fun"
Her eighteen years had not dulled
her appreciation of the love Of free
dom, and the woods and waters ap-
pealed to her strongly.
Ruth and Maria, the Junior hopefuls,
whose respective ages Of fifteen and
thirteen were as yet undimmed by the
tarnish Of society. gave glad accord to
the proposition. To them picnic en-
braced many thoughts Of mild adven-
ture. as well as a variety Of refresh
ments, which alone was worthy of
their approving consideration.
Ethel, whose twenty summers had
brought to her much beauty Of face
and form and a rather undue portion
of masculine alteration, poohpoohed
the picnic idea at first. Finally she
graciously yielded, thereby receiving
much thankful reclamation from Ruth
and Maria.
IT won't row five women, Sackett-
you can put that down." observed Mr..
Tinker when he was approached. I'm
willing to take two. Let 'em have a
couple of boats. and the InJun can row
one Five females in a boat isn't
safe"
Tinker had considerable fault to find. |
marks to the hotel man, who was on |
hand to see them of.
why don't you keep your old tubs |
in some kind Of shape, Sackett? I'm |
ashamed to take a lady out in this one 7
its all fish scales!" he cried.
Hes mite sour this morning"
whispered Sackett to Ethel. II don't |
mind him. Usually he don't say but |
little. Fine lookin' Teller when he's |
dressed up. Knows lot too"
The girl was gazing at the active |
figure in the boat. swabbing away with |
an old rag Of a sponge.
Il think I'll go in Mr.. Thinkers boat"
she SAID very audlDly.
The man looked up, and theireyes met.
'She's a stunnerr' thought Tinker.
He looks like a nobleman in dis
guise," unused Ethel. IN take Maria
with me-" she called, land then the
children won't get fooling."
The 'Intun," who was only a tall.
tanned Yankee with strongly pro-
nounced features, accepted ell burdens
meekly and grinned as he started with
his load.
Where are you goin,' TinkerT' he
asked as that gentleman drew away
from him.
over to Bogey point answered
Tinker. Got any terbacker?"
Yep" replied the Injun. Got a
whole new plug"
How long will it take to row to the
point?" asked Ethel.
Half an hour" was the short an
swer.
The pretty girl in the stern gazed.
refectiyely across the lake. She won
dered how much she could accomplish
in half an hour.
She brought her eyes back to the
face of Tinker. He was looking
straight at her with an expression of
respectful admiration. and his bright
brown eyes sought hers for moment
and then dropped.
The girl had smiled into them, a
quick 'T ike your smile, and the
guides cheeks burned through the tan
His features wore an almost childish
look of pleasure and embarrassment
Ethel smiled softly at some interest.
ing thought Could she have read the
mind of Tinker she would not have
smiled.
Trying to firt with the guide, eh!
he was thinking. well. let her go II.
I'll Just lead her on. I'm nothing but
poor. unsophisticated countrymau.
but good looking enough for that
beauty to try to upset. I'll have some
II