Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-06-29
CHAPTER x.
(Continued.1

1 had hoped that the senator
would ask me to dinner, but the
coming Of the president had upset
the chance of II. II was ii O'CLOCK
Mrs. Hacket had put cold bite on
tho table for me | ate it-not 10
keep it waiting-and sat down WIN
nv ewes on my book and my nina
at the Dunkelbergs where | heard
in a way what Sally was saying an
what "Mr. and Mrs. Dunkelberg
were saying.
At 1890 Mr.. Dunkelberg came
for me. with a housekeeping horse
in a new harness and a SHINY stlil-
running buggy. He wore gloves
and a beaver hat and sat VERY
erect and had little to say.
81 heard you met the president
he remarked.
yes. sir. was introduced to
him this morning" l answered a
bit too proudly, and wondering how
he had heard of my good fortune,
but deeply gratified at his knowl-
edge of it.
what did he have to say?"
I described the interview and tie
looks of the great man. Not much
more was said as we sped away to-
ward the deep woods and the high
hills.
l was eager to get home but Won
dered why he should be going with
me to talk with Mr.. Grimshaw AND
my uncle. OF course I suspectcf
what it had to do with Amos but
how ! knew not. He hummed IN
the rough going and thoughtfully
fiicked the bushes with his whip. I
never knew more persistent
hummer.
What a thrill came over me when
saw the house and the popple
tree and the lilac bushes - they
looked so friendly! Old Shep came
barking up the road TO meet us and
ran by the buggy side with joyful
leaps and cries. With what af-
lection he crowded upon me and
licked my face and hands when my
feet were on the ground at last
Aunt Deel and Uncle Peabody were
coming in from the pa ture lot with
sacks of butternuts on a wheel
barrow. My uncle clapped his
hands and waved his handkerchief
and shouted "Hooray"
Aunt Deel shook hands with Mr..
Dunkelberg and then came to mt
and said:
wal. Bart Baynesl I never was
so glad to see anybody in all the
days o. my life-ayes! We been
lookin' up the road for an hour
ayes. You come right into the
house this minute-both o. you"
The table was spread with the
things I enjoyed most-big brown
biscuits and great comb of honey
surrounded with its nectar and a
pitcher of milk and a plate of
cheese and some jerked meat and
an apple pie.
"Set right down an eat just
want TO see ye eat-ayes | dol"
Aunt Deel was treating me like
company and with just a pleasant
touch of the old company finish in
her voice and manner. 1t was for
my benef1t-there could be no doubt
of that-for she addressed herself
to me chiefly, and not to Mr.. Dunk
elberg. My absence of few days
had seemed so long to them! It
Hdu raised lne 10 the rank OF COM
pany and even put me above the
exalted Dunkelbergs although il
Mrs. Horace Dunkelberg had beer
there in her blue silk and gold
chain big enough to drag a stone
boat" as Aunt Deel used 10 say, she
might have saved the day for them
Who knows? Aunt Deel was never
much impressed by any man save
Silas Wright, Jr.
Mr.. Grimshaw came soon after
We had finished our luncheon. He
his horse at the post ana
came in. He never shook hands
with anybody. In all my life l have
met no man of scanter amenities
All that kind of thing was, in his
view, | think, waste Of time.
foolish encouragement to men who
were likely to be seeking favors.
Good day" he said. once and for
all, as he came in at the open door.
'Baynes, l want to have a talk
with you and the boy"
I remember how each intake of
his breath Kissed through his lips