The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-10
FATE'S A FIDDLER.
By Jessie A. Parsons.
Copyright. 1871, by The Wheeler

Copyright, 1871, by The Wheeler
Syndicate, 1nc.)
But. Miss Kincaid. you haven't
sufficient reason for leaving so
early. If you attend your after
noon class you are free at 3 o'clock.
SO I'm sure you can't complain"
"Oh. then I'll have to wait till the
4 o'clock train and I shan't get
home before II. Mother will SIM
ply perish with anxiety. 1t seems
SO nonsensical that l can't recite
with the morning division tomor-
row instead Of waiting until 2
O'Clock. Oh, Miss Hastings, won't
you please -"
IF l should grant your request
don't you see there would be hun
Gred similar requests the next va
cation? I'm sorry to have to say
no. but l must" said the dean
while she turned on the green
shaded lamp near her desk.
Maisie Kincaid rose to 60 with
the best grace she could command,
but when she reached the frosty,
singing air she began to battle
with herself.
III l should cut the class and
get demerit, dear old dad wouldn' t
stand for that. But how can l wait
till 4? / want to go on the ex-
press with Bess and Sue. I hate
travelling on that poky back rail-
road. It's maddening, maddening!"
Her usually pink cheeks were
glowing a deep rose and innumer-
able curls were blowing about her
forehead when she reached her or
campus house for dinner.
It was hard for her to tell Bess
and Sue Of her disappointment. and
harder still to see them begin pack
ing about O'Clock. Each had a
single room opening from the
study. Here Maisie chose to have
her couch and lounging chair
where she was now seated reading
a letter.
Just listen to Bob's description
Of his new machine!" she exciaim-
ed as Sue came into the study.
"Oh, Maisie, you must go on the
express tomorrow. Westerville is
out at noon and Grace and Jeanne
will take the 2::30 from Springfield
and want to meet US there" an
nounced Bess, coming in from her
room, letter in hand.
Il believe I'll do it." agreed
Maisie deliberately.
Her delighted roommates, with
difnculty concealed their surprise,
rs both knew MAisie to be the soul
of conscientiousness.
Since the taxi driver refused to
let more than eight girls ride in a
three-passenger car, Mafsie had to
share a conveyance with two towns
people also bound for the 1:15
train.
At 1:10 the driver reached Mais-
les house and q highly nervous
man, already occupying the cor
ner seat, informed her they had
been stalled 10 minutes with engine
trouble. At lightning pace they
sped to the end Of the street where
another passenger was waiting al
her door holding = tiny Pekinese
The little creature then eluded hel
grasp, dashing out towards the taxi
in the path Of q reckless boy on
roller-skates. With q piteous
moan the dog held up an injured
paw and. in spite of the protesta-
tons of the unfeeling driver, was
carried inside to have its hurts
hastily handaged.
This train is always late" re-
marked the owner Of the dog, a
she came hurrying out agin. INC
doubt we shall make it,"
And 80 they would have done
had it been only two minutes later
As things happened. however, q
much-chastened Maisie was de-
posted at the door from which she
had started half an hour before.
She attended her 2 o'clock clas