The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-02
PROVING A FRAUD.
BY HARRIET ESTHER WARNER.

"Bernice Melrose; yes, that's very
| pretty name; but what's in a nameP''
| And Mr.. Welton. senior shook his head
refiectively. The idea of young man
| with plenty of money marrying CIR
without cent II ever | marry again il
| viii be woman with plenty of money;
and one thing is eertaini you are not go
| ing to marry that girl with my consent,
| that's all. sir.''
I'VE shall get on without it. / tell
you that it is I who will have to live
with my wife, if / have one, so I intend
to have voice in the matter of choos-
ing.n PEG
This was Guy Weltun who spoke, and
he was Just like his father in one re-
spect--set in having his own way.
you'll make a pretty figure taking
care of a wife without any help from
men
Il think / can take care of the little
girl who loves me-
ssOf course you think SOL
And then Mr.. Welton began to argue,
then he grew angry, and words between
father and son were hot and lively, and
neither gave way.
lyon are very foolish, Guy, and
you'll regret it some day, see If you
don't. But see here; taking it for grant
ed that she is lovely, and all that. I'll
wager the deed to my new house that
she doesn't care for you in the least; it
is your money she is after. IF some 9TH
er chap would come along with more
money than you have, Your chances
would be nowhere
Guy smiled. This last argument of
his fathers he thought too absurd to
give serious thought.
stShe loves me. not the wealth / may
possess. / would trust her heart against
all the money that can be amassed.'
''And would you be willing to test
herp'' o.
Il have not doubted her vet
'sDo be sensible. Guy. I've lived in
the world great deal longer than You
have, and know more about women.
never knew of many true, lov.n@ " =
men. and one of ti.em was eour NJ tlt.r:
| but few women are to be depended on.
/ have mind to try and see if I can't
get ahead of you. Come, now, what do
You say2 It's all for your good. / don't
want your happiness ruined, my boy,
and if she proves as true as you think
her, / viii withdraw my objection, and
give you deed to the new house.
Il should hate to have my little girl
think doubted. And you will give as
your blessing, father, when you are con-
WINGED that she loves me for myself
alone?n
Yes; when I am convinced of that,
you may marry her with my consents
Mr.. Welton was fine looking man
of polished manners and great wealth,
and altogether was regarded as a verv
desirable admirer by many of the fair
sex. He considered himself a very clev-
er diplomatist, and when he started to
prove Berrlice Melrose fortune hunter,
he had no doubt of his ultimate success.
Elm Grove was a casey country town,
and it was here that Mr.. Wefton came
to see and to conquer, believing that in
such small place he could easily, by
chance or design, make the young lady $
acquaintance.
As he was driving through the coun-
try one day, he overlook lady walking
leisurely along the road, and asked her
to take seat in his phaeton, and as fate
was propitious, she did.
Il wonder who she Is; she is deuced
pretty, any way" though Mr.. Welton,
as they drove along.
He soon found ont that she lived IN
Elm Grove. and she being of a conf
nunicatiye turn of mind he asked her
If she knew any one there by the name
of Melrose.
..MelroseP Why, that's my name, !"
said the fair stranger.
..Eerniee Melrose, he asked, inquis-
itively.
~ es, sir, my name is Bernice Mel
rose How came YOU to know my
nameP'' asked Bernice Melrose, as she
coldly regarded MIR. Welton.
s.Why. you see, my friend Guy Wei
ton has spoken it SO often that ] feel ac-
qnainted with the name, at least, ex-
planned Mr.. Welton.
..Aatl so you are friend of Guy So
He is friend of mine also.
.sI'hen We are both friends of Guy s.
Well, there is my card" and Re handed
her one on which was written the name
of one of Guy most intimate acqualnf-
ances.
Il am pleased to know you, Mr.. Es-
tey; have heard Guy mention you of
ten The boy seemed to regard you
very kindly. y
1.-THE bowl Inmph! The idea of cali
ing her promised husband q boyi Won
der what Guy would say it he heard
heraf1
1t was pretty cottage at which the
lady alighted, but it was neither luxu-
rious nor splendid.
..Do you live alone. Miss MeIrosee'
asked Mr.. Wclton. politely.
ooh, no. / live with my mother.
or course that settled all doubts of
her identity in Mr.. Melton 5 mind.
..And SO that Il Guy ) girl.'' mntter-
ed Mr.. Melton rs he drove along II
supposed she was chit If about seven
teen by the wax lie spoke OF heri but
size il twenty-five ii she is day; and
she called my tEignitied son a hoy. She
do sil' care very deeply for him. that's
plain. / don SIC how It is That some
men will lose I'll the sense they ever
did huseaon aecoald of some women.
Now i latter myself tsassI understand
the fair Sex pretty wei. and MI tbs
Bernice Me.sust.s deceit IS perfectly
plain to me; but Guy i cisan bawitea-