Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-09-25
THE CHALLENGE.
~ LEE TRASH.
| CONCLUDED.

Why, Miss Susy," sad the gsntlenA an
you muslin take this matter so seriously
to heart, you have done s great thing yoI
have walked my brother up, and /, for one
feel very grateful. He would never have
come here tonight bat for that kiss. Yor
didn't expect that be would pay you back
so generously, did you, now?r
Nov, MIR. Willard, she replied, ''if VOC
say another word TO me about this affair, ]
never will forgive YOU
Seeing that she really was in earnest be
commenced so animated conversation Rboui
something else.
His brother tried hard to get q chance tc
speak to Sue during she evening, but seeing
st last that she studiously avoided giving
him any such opportunity, ne concluded
that re had incurred her dislike, and so
turned his attention to another young girl,
who was evidently very much pleased to re
ceive him.
Oar heroine went home feeling very low
spirited, she could not tell Why, although
she mad reigBed all tbs evening as the belle
par ercelteHcs, sill that consciousness a.
iorded her no happiness whatever.
IL don't see what he found attractive il
Sarah Elliot, che said to herself u Wish
had let him speak TO me. He Was dread
fully impudent, and yea if be hadn't kissed
me back, | should have thought MIN q per
feet sheep"
The next morning. at the breakfast
table, her father suddenly turned toward
her, saying:
''Sue, what is all this, hear, about your
kissing Mr.. Willard, ia it true ?"
What did you hear papa p asked the
poor Firl in 4 faint vuice
ooh, it is true theE? Y GU DO not deny it,
Perhaps / had better send you back TO
school again, but / should suppose that q
girl nearly tw0nty years old, might conduct
herself with q little more propriety. l wish
20 know all about it.
Striving hard to keep back her tears, Sue
told her story, her father trying to look very
stern, bat finally burst into q laugh, and
saying: "Sue, never do anything OF the
Kind again, be lefs the room.
Then her mother commenced, and gave
her 4 long and severe lecture, aud poor sue
felt very unhappy, bat all these things to-
gether only made her think the more about
Arthur WillArd-in fact that gentleman
occupied her mind pretty much al the time,
and during the day as she sat ct the window
she saw him pass By talking in q most ami
mated manner 10 Sarah Elliot.
Somehow the sun did not seem to SHINE
IS brightly after that, and 10 the evening
when friend came TO escort her to . party
she pleaded severe headache, and excused
herself from going.
Arthur went purpossly TO see her, and
was disappointed when the evening passed
away, aud she did not appear
Il believe she avoids me- he thought
"Well, it was q happy dream, but soon past
/ will not trouble her any more. Will g
back to my olhce, and not drive her from
the soenes where she shines 80 brightly.
And sad aud discouraged, he went hom'
that night, determined to keep his rssolu
ton, hard rs it might be.
Thus several weeks passed and they die
not meet, although each had watched, ans
longed TO zee the other She went TO sever
al parties, hoping that he would be present
but she was always disappointed. On'
evening, Sam Willard said TO her "Mis
Susy, / wish you would kiss my brothsi
again, he has retired into his shell again
aud, am afraid, never will come out am
more, unless you repeat that tender littl,
ceremony of which ] was q delighted spec
tAtor.'
"You had better get Miss Elliot to do it,
answered Sue, quickly.
"Oh, no, do not think it'll produce To
same effect. But, Sue, hope Arthur di'
not offend YOU
II wish you would not say anything NOR
about n Sue replied, looking very nue.
as II she was going TO cry. Sam saw this
much 10 his disusy, and began to tell
funny story that soon chased the tears frou
her lovely eyes.
After several weeks, and even month
had dragged by, Sue thought one day ths
she would 60 TO q ueighborine town 10 urC
cure some things Of which she was in wan
Jus. rs abe was fairly eAsconced in IN
car, who should enter it but Arthur Willar
his eyes meeting hers almost instantly.
From some unAooountsble impulse, 81
turned her head quickly away, and he, Loo
ing offended and hurt, seated himself son
distance from her.
She felt uncomfortable enough during b
short ride, and when the car stopped, 81
started of at rapid pace for the store
which she intended going. But il happen
to be very slippery, and she had not pr
oeded very far, before her foot slipped 81
she lay helpless mass Of femininity, up
the Zoe.
Looking Quickly around she saw Arth