Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-16

ing fuss?' he complained AZ a.
man gave little startled CRY 49,
ed toward him. Where's pa? ~ {
quired. forcing the arms away =.
about his shoulders. I'm yiss q
nearly dinner time-I'm huncryr ~
81 wasn't counting on vons :.
mother answered apoiogeticaIlv
ing the tears from her eyes and ~.
ing for the pantry. Burke poticea -.
she limped in her walk. She had 80,
his mother had.
The door she opened gave a p,,~-..
OF the queer shaped and coIored 49,
such as he had never seen excss.
home. They were accompanied br :
odor that had been peculiar to -
too. His mother came back win =
Of the biggest Jars from the rov
the shelf-currant jelly.
Burke was wiping his face a, a.
red bordered towel when his fs,s-.
came in. The old man had his r.t. !
his hand and slowly removed bis slo,.s
black hat before be spoke.
We'll" he said. you've cos,e hors.
The removal OF the hat showed n.
white his hair had become. ana \.
face was like it in spite Of its cout,r
with sun and wind. He came over !,
wash his gnarled hands In the ssn.
basin with his son.
I've the garden nearly all In again.
he continued finally. I'm going !,
put in onions again this year. III,
take lots of work. but If the seaso,
turns out just right they bring mon
than other stuff"
Burke noticed that the table b,s
been shortened up until the checkers
cloth touched the floor on all sides. I'M
the dishes were the same, the fod
cooked the same.
How long you going to stay." u.
father inquired at length. pouring h,
coffee into a saucer.
"Oh. only II be here day or tvu.
answered Burke. Its pretty dai
here after one is used to Chicago
"Just day." his mother futtered
"Still travelling for that ChIop
house" the father interrupted to b.
quire, eying his son as he cooled u,
coffee at his lips. Times amt been
SO very good out here"
'Tm still with Them spsrs
Burke. "1t's been a little dull with
Us, too, lately, but"-he faltered for Al I
instant-"we're expecting quite a b,
piece of business out this way soon
THE plaster on the wall back d +
you's all healed up now. Do you 10
tice it?" the father went on. pointns
, to Burke to turn around. you thres
boys used to lean back so much when 4
you sat together there on the bench /
that it was always broke of. Then
wasn't much use fixing it."
The mother entirely ceased with hg
pretension at eating and nervousiy d. /
gered the tablecloth.
Sometimes" she interposed In "a
effort to appear unaffected by the ref
erence just made-"sometimesy your "a.
Their goes to the hall door and calls /,
you all upstairs Just as If you were oil
here yet. He calls each Of you sep
arate by name. It's time for school"
Her attempted laugh with the worii
fell lame. and to keep brave she star,
ed in to clear off the dishes.
Burke sought the lounge in the ST.
ting room. the springs Of which bad
been ruined by his acrobatic stunt
years before. He could close bis eye
and see every unchanged object In III
room-the cheap organ. at which hs
sister had spent many weary houn
in practice; the enlarged crayon pc Is
trait of his little brother. who had been
taken by diphtheria at the time O
their quarantine during the awful con
spell, and his fathers war relics ana
encampment badges.
He had planned to get plenty q
sleep. but he was surprised to ma
dark when he awoke. The lamp IN tH
kitchen was already lighted. and cog
was barking outside. Rubbing %
eyes. Burke avoided his mother, nas
in the pantry, and found his way ina
the back yard. He had not counted
the apple tree spreading its branches
but he refrained from cursing wnen
brushed his face in the path. Al Us
alley he found his partner pacing
80.
"It's a fine time to be coming" w
waiting man complained sarcasueans
1--WE been waiting half an n0'l
What was the matter" -.
at fell asleep" explained Burke "
I'm awake now-clear awake
a moment before going
I'm not in on the DEAL" he tnruss
His companions cbagrin ana
prise could not be concealed even
The darkness. For a moment t.u
stood, two shadowy forms stuu'D
each other. I III
Now, there's no argument. snapr VI
Burke. I'm not only not going 70 "
,fr this Job, but I'm out OF tne
I'll shake hands sous
( you want to. / suppose you NV
appointed" ann.
Burke caught the tall mans
,led reply as he started BACK i0
rouse. -, add E
"Disappointedw he echoed.
he agency will be somewna1-.
nv using up two months expense I'd
" in irving TO get evidence On ~
hat would stick"
July 10 IN American