The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-09
CHANGED THROUGH A DREAM.

| surroundings "A soft carpet was under
his feet, tinted walls, ana treasures Oh
| 61'ic-0-5rac satisfied his beauty-lovino
eye, and an open CRATE fire added light
| and warmth to the already luxuriani
| apartment.
In fact, every detail of comfort was
complete, from the velvet lounging chair
and book-rost to the terra-cotta tray
| filled with costly cigars, and the little
| antique bronze frog that sat so patiently
on three legs, and held out an ingenious
| receptacle for burned matches with his
fourth and only remaining member.
1t was still early in the evening, and
he had just lighted a fragrant havana,
elevated his feet, encased in handsome
ly embroidered slippers, to comfort
| able height, and opened the evening
journal, when a timid knock sounded
on the door, and reused him from his
luxurious position.
Its that stupid waiter, " he muttered
impatiently, '.or Polly, the housemaid,
with some silly message from my wife
What a nuisance those women arer'
Then Mr. Caruthers removed his
slippered feet from their airy elevation,
threw down his paper, readjusted his
glasses, and growled:
Come in"
1t was no waiter who entered, nor
Polly, the housemaid, but diminutive
figure, clad in a dress of some dainty
blue stuff, who fingered on the threshold
looking at her father with bright eyes
and just the prettiest dash of color in
each smooth cheek.
''Oh, bother! it's only Carry" eiacu-
lated Mr.. Caruthers, taking up his
paper again. well, what is it that you
Hronfp GnnoH rs4riaEl x- child T.
very busy"
Taking advantage of this gracious
permission, Garry Caruthers came into
the room and paused by the side of her
paternal parent, with one hand laid
hes.tating1y ON the arm of his chair.
Il came to ask" she began, and
her voice grew husky, and she gave a
little cough and commenced again.
you know this is New Years Eve,
father, and it is always the custom
at this season to give gifts to those who
''Why, don't you get all that you ask
for the year round?' interrupted Mr.
Caruthers impatiently; ''it seems that
give them what you will, women are al
ways weeping for more. Well, state
your desire, with a movement of the
hand toward the pocket containing his
well-hlled purse.
1T isn't money said Garry, her
checks rejecting the red of the fire as
brightly as though they had been twin
courage, she plunged right into the
heart of the subject With a spirit worthy
of larger woman.
''Father, Ftahk Is coming tonight at
nine t., @e, YOU anI his honest purpose
is to ask nay .,an.l iii marriage. / love
him for his upright, truthful nature, and
he loves me. He is great favorite with
mother and the boys, and we only need
your permission TO be happy.
Mr. Caruthers laid down his paper,
and looked at his diminutive daughter
with eyes in which anger and amaze
ment were ludicrously blended.
Never before in his life had he heard
the girl speak out with such plainness
and decision; and establishment for
moment held him silent.
''What.'' he stammered. Frank
Remson coming here to ask your hand
in marriage. and / give my consent?
No, madam! Negerl Why, the fellow
hasn't a hundred pounds to his namei
When YOU are wed, it will be to a man
who can show wealth equal to my
own ="
Frank is not beggar," cried Carry
forgetting for the moment
all fear of her father. He is in posses
sion of good salary, and you yourself
said more than once that he was fine
Young man, of more than average bust
ness capacity, and he comes OF good
family besides.
Mr. Caruthers sat and still gazed at
his daughter.
81 am master in my own family" he
had often affirmed, with visible pride in
the fact, and this was the first time in
his experience that any member of the
had ever ventured to contra
diet him in his own words.
$50 he has taught you already to
show disrespect to your father, = said he
grimly, 1.-The rascal! Well, let him comel
IN give him dose that he won't re-
cover from in some time.
land prove him more of gentleman
than YOU are yourself, " sobbed Garry,
her gentle nature for once thoroughly
reused, and then she turned and went
out of the door, overcome with her own
temerity.
well. upon my soull'' exclaimed
Mr. Caruthers, what is this,world com
ing TOP ! always knew Garry was
pretty little thing, but / didn't think
that She had spark of spirit in her.
e.Why, she actually looked like me,
rs she stood with her cheeks afiame, the
vixen. But she won't marry that Frank
Remson all the same. I'll see If am
to be thwarted by my own children
To solace his wounded spirit, Mr..
Caruthers poured out glass of the ruby
liquid that sparkled is the cut-glass de-
canter on the table at his side, and slipped
it slowly.
Then, with but partially recovered
he leaned back and gazed
ND at the Sistine Madonna on the wall |
before him.
The air of the room had grown very
close and warm. and the cushions of his |
chair seemed to wax softer and softer to |
mis- yielding frame; and still he sat with |
eyes wide open, looking up abstractedly |
1t the divinely beautiful face above him.
The slender Egyptian urns on the |
mantel appeared to grow smaller and
smaller. The tick of the Swiss clock |
sounded farther and farther away, and |
It seemed to Mr. Caruthers as if he was
Just about to sink in dreamy delicious
ioze, when slight movement at ms
elbow caused him TO turn.
The ruby wine in the costly decanter
till sparkled on The cigars reposed |
on the terra-cotta tray; but |
where was the little bronze frog?
Mr. Carrtherg did not have far to l0ok. i