The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-16
THE SPIRIT OF SPRING.
BY LOra WinSor Freeman.
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Incl

BY L0r6 N1nS0r Freeman.
| Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)
Ten days after DR.. Gray threat
ened his grum bling patient with
the dire misfortune that comes
under the head of pneumonia, John
! Elbridge, feeling a little better, be
gan to grow impatient. Being
somewhat of an athlete, he did not
! love the comfort of a Gowny couch
which Peter persisted in smooth
ing several times a day. So six
feet of manhood began 20 get
moody and the air grew bluer as
Peter grew more perplexed and
sad.
John Elbridge occupied five
rooms up town. They were gems
of art and comfort, and Peter pre-
sided like genius. John amused
himself studying Peter for a week,
and that proved to be Peters limit.
Then John felt the urge of new
pastures.
The morning that brought along
the open rebellion, ushered in a
wonderfully brilliant sun that
caught hold OF the peaks of neigh
boring buildings until they became
FURNISHED gold, 1t hurled itself
into John Elbridge's sleeping room
and walked him. 1t made him feel
as strong as Il mountain lion. He
was in such a desperate mood when
the doctor arrived that that worthy
gentleman advised Peter to adopt
any measure to amuse him for a
week longer. Peter cast a heart
broken look after the retreating
figure of the doctor, then went to
ask If there was anything his en-
ployer would like. But there were
so confoupdedly few things that
man could like in his condition.
What day is it, Peter?' asked
the querulous voice, when the long
limbs were securely tucked under
a Navajo blanket
Wednesday, l think, sir. Yes,
sir, and" here his voice sank to
joyful whisper.
And what, Peter" shouted
John, something in the sibilanceN of
PEERS whisper striking excitement
through the room.
Why. sir. it's the beginning of
spring." Peters face beamed in the
folds of the old rose porter.
Now, if l were only well-and
by Jove, why not! l cant go out,
but we will have a cosy little din
,ner party here, Peter. Just one
nice girl and myself, Peter. Do you
know anyone new and very nice,
old fellow" He turned savagely
and fixed Peter with a stare that
had cajoled him through many
years. Peter would not fail him
now, but it was going to be the
toughest job ever laid before him
Well, now, there is one, but l
could not say if she would suit, nor
can 1 promise that she would ac-
cept." Peter seemed apologize.
she is a nurse and lives in the
house with my sister, but she's a
that pretty and charming, sf!"
Peter. you are brick! After
all, what more appropriate than a
nursee But will she some, do you
Think"
We could not be sure, sir. May
be if we tried a trick like-write
some poetry on a card and put din
ner' in big letters underneath, it
might strike the right key. sir, see
ing as most young ladies like ro-
nance and adventure. sir. 1t is
no harm trying. Maybe she knows
1t is spring, too, sir
Then John Elbridge, much in
trigue1, tried his hand at verse
while Peter, safe in the
kitchen. danced a jig.
When she opened the envelope
left by the brass-buttoned. import
ant little messenger boy. Edna West
talt rxra there had h@en n mistake