Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-04


opened his eyes. It must have been a
kindly poke by the god OF sleep that
aroused him SO opportunity: but, even
so, the toe of a shoe could not have
created a graver catastrophe than that
which Immediately befell him. He
completely lost his head. If one had
suddenly asked what had become OF
It he couldn't have told, not for the
life Of him. For that matter he
couldn't have put his finger. 80 to
speak, on any part OF his person and
proclaimed with confidence that 1t be-
longed to R. Schmidt OF Vienna. He
was looking directly up into a pair Of
dark, startled eyes, in which there was
a very pretty. confusion and far from
impervious blink.
81 beg your pardon" said the older
woman without the faintest trace Of
embarrassment-indeed. with some
asperity-"I think you are occupying
one Of our chairs"
He scrambled out Of the steamer
rug and came to his feet. blushing to
the roots Of his hair.
IT beg your pardon" he stammered
and found his awkwardness rewarded
by an extremely sweet smile-in the
eyes Of the one he addressed.
I'VE were looking for a letter that
am quite sure was left in my chair"
said she.
"A letter." he murmured vaguely
and at once began to search with his
eyes.
from her father" volunteered the
elderly one, as If it were a necessary
bit of information. Then she jerked
the rug away, and three pairs of eyes
examined the place where R. Schmidt
had been reclining. That's odd. Did
you happen to see 1t when you sat
down, sir"
II am confident that there was no
letter. began he and then allowed
his gaze to rest on the name card at
| the top Of the chair This happens
| to be my chair, madam" he went on,
pointing to the card. Or Schmidt
/ am very sorry"
"The steward must have put that
card there while you were at lunch.
con, dear. What right has he to sell
our chairs over again? l shall report
this to the captain
II am quite positive that this is my
chair. sir" said the girl, red spot in
each cheek. at was engaged two
days ago. have been occupying it
since-but it really doesn't matter. 1t
has your name on it now. so l sup
pose shall have to-
"Not at ALL" he made haste to say.
at Is yours. There has been some
! miserable mistake. These deck stew.
ards are always messing things up.
Still, 1t Is rather mystery about the
letter. l assure you saw no.
"No doubt the steward who chang
ed the cards had sufficient intelli-
gence to remove all discriminating
evidence" said she coolly. eve shall
find 1t among the lost, strayed and
stolen articles, no doubt. Pray retain
the chair. Mr. She peered at the
name card-"Mr. Schmidt"
Her cool insolence succeeded in net
thing a nature that was usually most
gentle. He spoke with characteristic
| directness.
"Thank you, l shall do so. We
thereby manage to strike a fair av-
erage. l seize your deck chair, you
seize my table. We are quits"
She smiled family. "R. Schmidt
did not sound young and gentle, but
old and hateful. That is why l seized
the table. l expected to find R.
Schmidt fat old German with very
bad manners. Instead, you are neither
fat, old nor disagreeable. You took
it very nicely. Mr. Schmidt, and am
undone. Won't you permit me to re-
store your table to your"