Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-09-23
THE CHALLENGE.

am do it," said 9 merry voice from the
midst of q group OF laughing girls to whom
Ayoung man was eagerly tAlking-"IH do
it,"
"Will you miss Eslly2" he Esked. Bot
you must remember that shall conceal
myself, some where, so as to witness the per
formGnce."
80, dear l should not like that" replied
the first speaker.
"WhAt 10 II ~ inquired young girl, ust
entering. You seem to be oil in solemn
connlAve met-whRt is il sill Gbout?n
o, Sue, Mr.. Willard offers ten dollars TO
Auy girl who will 20 into his brother Arthurs
of5cs and kisA him.
"Yes, but must be presen, to see the
fun, added ;hs young man.
IN do IL" said the new conner, tossing
back her golden curls-"l'il do it-,bst is
what ia your brother like? what is the
matter with him?'
Why he's swfnlly afraid of the girls
Miss Sasy, and Won't go near them ! 90
believe be would faint At the idea of kissiD
one
81 don't know" said the merry girl,
little dubiously; Il Ihink these dread uliy
shy fellows are some What unreliable, they de-
yelope in the most startling way sometime,
However, III do it-thAt Is, unless ! an IN
tsrfering with prior claims sho added,
looking around laughing At the other girls.
"No, no. they aus wersd I've leave you
mistress Of the field, and wish you al the
necessary courage to carry the ihIuE through
successfully"
WELL" said Sue, "when shall il be, Mr.
Willard ?"
"As ! know that you will be dying with
impotence, Miss Marvin, l appoint to-mor-
row for the tender ceremony. l will let You
know when Arthur is alone in the office,
and ] will manEge to secrete myself go rs TO
witness it all; and | shall provide myself
with q good supply of oAmphor and sol VIOLA
tile. for feel very sure that il will be need
ed"
She looked very incredulous, but showed
no disposition to withdraw from the agree
ment.
The next day, Arthur Willard sat in his
office, busily writing He was g fine, manly
looking fellow, not handsome, but with eyes
soft, large and tender as q wo1Au's, al
though they could fash sometimes, wheT
their owner was irriiAted or indignant. Az
his brother said, be was very difidsut il the
. presence Of ladies', and for that reason led 9
very quiet, and secluded life, rs regarded
society, but he devoted himselfto his pre- fes
SION, of which be WAS guite q brilliant ornA
msnt, Yet, although he avoided ever meet
ing ladies, he had his own romantic dreams
in regard TO them, and many bright eyed
frivolous girl would have been Astonished
aud perhaps q little conscience stricken
had she known with what reverence thi
young man looked up to, and silently regard
ed her; for these merry. laughing cresture
seemed almost like divinitiss to his admir-
ing eyes,
On the morning referred to, as be sa
busily writing, ell At once he heard ligh
step on the stairs. He raised his head,
little surprised, for his female clients gen
orally came in more ponderous shape thar
that soft stsp would indicate.
His AAtonishment was very much increas
cd when, after quiet q long pause, the doc
opened IN hesuatiDg manner, end fail
young RIrl stood before him. Very lovely
she looked, too, as she remained trans6xec
to the spot rosy As Aurora herself
Arthur Willard looked so tall and mani,
as he advanced q step to meet her, hi. fsce
flushed in pleased surprise, ard his u.uA
awe Of gentle mSidenhood, that she hearth,
wished the floor would open and let he
through. But no such blissful rescue came
the hoOr remained firm beneath the feet O
the lovely girl and the young lawyer, VII
stood with face scarlet aud embarrassed
silentiy regarding each other. He was tn,
hrss 10 break the awkward silence.
Is tnere anything can do for Won Pr h
asked. '' Jou
well, yes" fAltsrsd she. eve 90, ur
sell INTO very silly scrape, and wan, yo
TO help me out Of in ~
"Certainly," replied the vonro rn i,
covering his selEpossessiou 10, 4
concluded that his services A. st,o..a. ~s -.
required /; II am entirely Al VOW - w.
~ suppose ! may as we'll sell yon .
about il. A young man here offered me !,
dollars II would kiss q certain gentlem,
living in this town, and ! accepted the oh,
lenRe without thinking what was doiu
and now feel very much ashamed, a
would like 10 get ont Of the business. "
YOU tell re how can do 2" she ask,
looking mp in his face 10 the most inpoo'
manner.
1 see no other way for you but to 70
the contract" he replied, trying very b
TO preserve his gravity. at would oertai
be an aggravated case of perjury if J
withhold the kiss now"
But don't you know who Il is2"
"Aov should II" he inquired,