Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-21
The DaiIv
Short Story
BENNY'S QUEST.
BY Victoria Lee

q
toy whistle the lazy b oTr,,s..S
speaker had just brought bi- y
pricked up his ears, came M '1 !.
Miss Morse, kissed her on y
cheek and said expan6ively. ,py;.s
lived with you all the tir1s'
Everybody says you're the , gos,
lady. and It makes me propG 80 y
tell them ! know you bestest,a
You sweet little cherubl" n,,,.
ed Miss Morse, with true affsct,Hr
for the little fellow. Yes ".
Woods, it's dreadfully lonesome :
am really thinking Of selling tha
place and boarding" W
TOO bad, Huldah," suokA W..
Woods, what you need is a bn' !
band
Miss Morse flushed and futtsrs,
murmured something about bein-
''fated for a single life and a5o
one wanting her" Hers was
gentle, affectionate nature. ana sha
had often wished It had BEEN bsr
part TO have met some loving nj.
partner upon whom she might Law,
ish care and tenderness. Love bad
not come her way.
Bonnie lived with his aunt vbo
had several children OF her own
When Benny's mother died M
Rankin had left the child in her
care. He was a travelling man and
emily saw Benny when he returned
from his long business trips. Miss
Morse had never met him, but bis
sister had told him OF the strong
fond companionship OF the twain,
Guess I'll get right at it." solio.
quized Benny as he left the house
ignored his playmates and proceed.
ed several squares, serious faced
thoughtful and on the keen look.
out. He finally hailed a portly
contented looking gentleman saua.
tering along the street.
Mister" spoke Bonnie, satisfied
with his appearance, do you wan
TO be a husband? ?"
do I-what?" queried Bennes
victim, with a stare.
Eyes, sir, l am looking for a
husband for very beautiful LADY,
Sorry. little man" smiled ths
gentleman, but I'm a husband al
ready"
oh" muttered Bonnie dlscon-
solately. Then he came across a
second object of interest, lounglug
outside of a store. Bonnie began
his stereotyped inquisition, but
paused in the middle of his first
query.
NO, you won't do" he observer,
half 10 himself. You've got
mussed up collar and you don't
look clean, and Miss Morse is neat,
and left the man in a maze OF
mystery.
Bonnie returned home. weary and
disappointed. Il haven't found an
husband yet" he Illuminated, "bu,
tomorrow I'll go down TO the de-
pot, where there's crowds some
times. and pick one out
But Bonnie was not destined 70
fulfill his mission. He awoke the
next morning in a weak and feg
cred condition. At noon Mrs.
Woods sent for a physician, who
announced that Bonnie had symp-
toms Of an infectious disease,
You must allow me TO remove
Bonnie TO my home" insisted Miss
Morse. You mustn't risk your own
children, Mrs. Woods"
So the loving two were practically
quarantined. Tender was the care
of Miss Morse through weeks OF
nursing. Glorious was the career
OF little Bonnie when days Of con-
valescence arrived. With them
came his father, and his grateful
expressions made Miss Morse feel
that her ministrations had been
worth while.
Papa" spoke the little fellow
one day, wnen they were alone IN
a room, Il can't get down town FOR
a week yet. the doctor says"
Not alone, Bonnie answered
Mr.. Rankin.
Then maybe you can do some
thing for me-something l didn.
finish when | was taken sick
What was that, Bennie?
Il was to have found a husband
for Miss Morse"
Mr.. Rankin looked grave, fear
ing the fever was coming on again
Then he smiled broadly, as Bennl6
explained.
But how do you know MISS
Morse really wants a husband ne
questioned.
oh, she got red in the face, ana
looked beautifuller than ever anu
said no one would care for neF
when Aunty said she needed nus
band
Il wonder" said Mr.. Rankin,
whimsically, yet half in earnes~
Il wonder II / would do?
HIM"
Miss Morse in the next room, an
eavesdropper. apprl1eu
her guests of her undesirable proA
unity.
"0h. papa. If you would do
wouldn't that be famous! Ana Eo
could both live here! And MIS-
Morse makes such fine cakes anu
jelliesl" 49,.
Arthur Rankin arose. sudden
impulse swaying him. he AZ
preached the doorway Of the neM
apartment. Miss Morse sat pre-
tending 10 read book, but her iau'
was red and she looked truly peau'
tiful.
Miss Morse" he spoke earnes',
ly, I'VE need not feel embarrassea.
over a strained position. You mus
have overheard Bonnie. May
consider myself an eligible cahq''
date OF his quest?" and quick-wN-.
ted Bonnie. "A few minutes lale'
the echo OF kiss "9''
bled forth hilariously.
There, that's on my MIND S''
way"
dawnced. He said he did. For 40 ''