Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-10
The Daily
Short Story
HALFWAY HOUSE
BY Ottilia Francis Pfeiffer.


sat at his easel. 1t was his first
week of outing, scarcely a hermit
existence, for north two miles was
the town of Alden and down the
road double that distance was the
popular summer resort, Lakeside.
He had visited neither. The great
fashionable hotel had no attraction
for him, and a cart drove up every
morning and took mis- order for all
household necessities. AS he laid
aside his palette he caught sight OF
a flying figure in the road. 1t was
that OF a young girl driving BIZ
cycle. Then there was jangle, a
slight scream, and he ran out to
find the rider striving to arise to
her feet from the wayside dust and
the machine lying 10 feet down a
slanting ditch.
Are you hurt? Let me assist
you," and Muir FASTENED to the side
Of the unfortunate bicyclist and
aided her to her feet.
she said, but hazily.
My cottage is just yonder. You
must rest" and she did not demur
as he supported her to a great old
fashioned rocker under tree. Then
he brought out a pitcher of cool,
fresh, we'll water. She smiled
braVely as the shock of her fall
diminished. 81 will go and see what
has happened to the bicycle" said
Muir and her grateful glance fol-
lowed him.
He found the mechanism of the
bicycle considerably disarranged.
Scattered over quite a space were
The contents of an upturned basket.
He gathered up the packages, which
seemed to contain groceries, and,
running the bicycle with one hand,
drove it up to his guest
Il have gathered up those scat
tered parcels" he said. 1T will
take about an hour to repair the
damage to the machine. l have a
tool kit in the house." and he re-
turned with it and late magazine.
The young lady, however, was far
more interested watching him at
his repairing task than reading.
She seemed to feel it due to him
to be companionable, and informed
him that she was a guest at Lake
side. She had been headed for a
family living near Alden when the
accident had occurred-some poor
people named Woods, to whom she
had been requested to show little
kindnesses during her stay in the
vicinity. When the bicycle had
been repaired she THANKED Muir
with grateful ardor, expressing the
hope that her future daily missions
would not end in disaster.
Il shall be on sentry duty here
after to see that you make that ugly
road curve in safety" he told her
laughingly, and she seemed pleased
at his chivalrous consideration.
She passed the next morning, but
he simply lifted his cap and she
babe him pleasant greeting. Upon
her return trip, however, she came
into view wheeling the bicycle by
hand. 1t was a very warm day and
the lack OF oil had made pedalling
laborious. He invited her to- rest,
brought out bowl OF delicious
lemonade and adjusted the machine.
and after that each day they chat
ted at least for few moments.
One morning the delivery man
from town did not arrive with sup
plies as usual. A Iank LAD appeared
in his stead, explaining that he was
helping him for a few days. He
CHANGED to mention his name, Dan
Woods.
rs it your family that a young
lady from Lakeside visits daly?"
inquired Muir.
You mean Miss Ridge1y?" asked
the lad. Yes, indeed. You know
she belongs to the big bankers fam
ily in the city. Her father is Guth-
RE Rfdgery, and ma says she's got
FIVE millions in her own right. You
see, mas sister was nurse to Mr..
Rldgeiy when he was a child, and
he always sent her money and pres
entS. and when his daughter came
down here he asked her to see
Aunt Maria, but she died last year.
All the same, Miss Ridgely does for
us. She's got the kindest heart in
the world, ma says"
Walter Muir sat like one stunned
after the lad had departed. Miss
Althea Ridgely, the daughter Of
Guthrie Ridgely-yes, he had heard
Of her, ald his heart sank like lead, |
foHhoW could he, poor artist, ever
hope to aspire to the heiress 10
millions? When his bicycle guest |
two hours later she found |
him packing up his effects.
Il am leaving here in the Tnorn
Ing" he told her, and his face was |
coIoriess and Respondent. ''I shall |
never forget these two weeks or my |
life in your company-A1iss Ridge /
~"
For the first time he spoke Che
name. Why do you call me that?' |
She asked.
rs 1t not your manner" he re-
turned. "One OF the Woods family |
said So
"Oh. they think that, and I have
not cared 10 correct them. No, Mr..
Muir, l am Nina Blake, a music
teacher. and close friend OF AL
.hea Ridgely. who brought me TO
lakeside with her. She was called
lome almost Immediately, and I un-
iertook 10 execute G mission her
.ather entrusted 20 ~ner IN behalf OF
he Woods family"
Il shall remain another week"
spoke Muir, HIS face Frightening.
his eyes fixed upon her own.
She flushed and trembIed. for that
glance assured her that before the
week passed he would tell her what
Ter heart lOnged TO hear-tbat no