Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-02
The Daily
Short Story
"FINDING HIMESLF.,
BY Warren Dale.

lShlIlAn W0Tue, IOst IN meditnfion
looked UP with a slight start ~
conscious flush on her charming ~
You will have to explain. Men.
dear" she said smilingly.
why are you so different this v,.,.
from last year? Then you were 81
animation and sunshine. Now. sresrs
when some girl tries to Guido You ~
you are your old daring, reckless IN
you are either of alone sketchine =
incoming"
1.-THE exaggeration is far-fetched-
declared Lillian. However. I am =.
ing to make confession. It Is 60.
outage"
"Camou-?"
"Camouflage. am hiding behind 4
mask and repenting OF my sins. Tim
is, Meta, fear thought more a Z
certain individual back home thaa I
fancied. This is for you only. n
Roland Barnes. young, inexperi&ncea
shy. but oh, such perfect gentleman
/ encouraged him, and his state 4
perfect bliss was a study. Then ca
day in the garden. my cousin Roy
coming home greeted me with ~
usual kiss Of relationship. saw NJ
Barnes in the distance. Wicked maj
Some spirit of cruel mischief inns.
enced me to gush over Roy. NJ
Barnes did not know that he was I
relative. He at once jumped to ~
conclusion that Roy was lover and
disappeared"
Disappeared"
Actually and absolutely"
And now"
Il am sorry l did it," said Lillian
in subdued tone.
For several years Lillian and othsY
girl friends of Meta Lee had some n
ESilver Lake to enjoy q months vaca.
ton.
wake up, Lillian!" rallied Nsy
Rolfe the day ensuing. There's !
mystery afloat, at least rare novelty,
They say genuine, dyed-in-the-wool
old hermit, long, white hair, Robinson
Crusoe cap. tottering staff and oil that
has taken possession Of the old d.
serted hut on Bear Island"
How picturesque" commented LII
liam. Il would like to sketch this new
character on the scene"
you won't dare to-" defied NAY,
They say he is furtive. quite Wild,
maybe woman hater."
Y You dare me, do you?" said Lillian,
some of the old fire OF adventure and
daring in her eyes.
Call it dare" retorted Nay.
What them"
why" replied Lillian, II will not
only hunt down this romantic nomaa
of the lake, but / will bring back 1
faithful sketch of him"
! Suppose he should mediate carry.
ing one of us off like knight Of old
to his baronial half" suggested My.
/ "Baronial nonsense!" cried Lillhn.
/ where's Lillian" inquired Meta
the next morning.
Il saw her put off down the lake n
the canoe with her sketching ontft,
| said May. s
Lillian had indeed taken the "dare.
She reached Bear Island, and resolute-
ly and unafraid made her way through
the brambly bushes towards the Cd
dismantled hut that had been r.
familiar landmark for years. Ito doef
stood open, Lillian peered in. There
were signs of recent occupancy, bit
no one was Just now in sight. Lillian
looked around curiously. She was sur
prised to observe white wig and Z
great pair of whiskers. a long cat
and the conventional hermit hat on
table.
Our hermit is a SHAM" decided LII
liam. ooh. MY"
She might well start and thrill. st
over the rude fireplace was . card
photograph Of herself. Lillian ~
treated. fiuttering over tangible mn.
terry. She passed through the doorusy
to come face to face with-the M.
nit!
He was bringing in some wood. Al
the sight of Lillian down went 0e
armful in laundering way, and fhefe
stared up at the unexpected Ltiliaa-
Roland Barnes! It was almost CO.
ical. only Roland looked SO distresgee.
Lillian figured out the complicafte1
readily. She adopted her most soeta-
ing and charming smile.
$50 you are the mysterious hermHI
she said.
"I-I-yes. that is"
''And why did you leave VI al q
strangely that day at Brighton Wa
my cousin Gamer"
"Your cousin?" wildly shouted ~,
land-with hope.
And why did you come here! ask-
ed Lillian.
ITO feast my eyes on a sight Of
why, you, Of course-before -
away"
Are you going away now" ~.
"Not--not if you say not. You aoa
say not, though do your conciuose
Roland dismally.
4 II do, and I hope you will aeaS
your foolish role and help my IT.
enjoy themselves for week or -
"a week or two!" gasped Rolana =
quivering delight. :,
"Yes." nodded Lillian. at the enc =
that delightful. never-to-be-fofsgsssus
vacation. Il will marry you next -
provided .
eyes, yes?" murmured Roland -
turously.
Il Provided we make a honey 49,
, visit to the hermit island, whefs =
found yourself