The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-04-09

81 know it, my son. Ii Tom must
marry of course there is no objection to
her; but why couldn't he wa;tP'
Tom is too young said giddy
Harry. The other boys We're bound to
encourage the baby's attempts at wit,
and after the laughter at Tom 5 expense
had subsidized the chums went down the
street, leaving Jim with his mother.
He was restless, and roamedneryously
around the room, upsetting the piano
stool and punching the dog instead of
the FIRE, then desperately Pumping
himself down at his mothers feet he
began:
Mother, what would you think of
woman who would refuse one of your
boys?" All! willy Jim knew that the
jealous mother-love could not stand
that, and his mournful face and tragic
tone did the rest. He looked the grief
he felt for Archie, and Mother Beres-
ford expressed her opinion of the
woman insensible of the honor con-
ferred on her by one of her boys in very
| pronounced terms
Having gained his point, he kissed
his mother, and left her for call on
Nellie Brown.
He speculated much as to who could
| have refused Archie, and resolved to
| get the story out of him before long.
Il have done him good turn, too,
soliloquized he, ''but he won't thank
me for it now Never mind; he will in
time when Miss What's her-name
comes to terms"
Next week Toms engagement was
announced. Mrs. Beresford bore it like
martyr, according to the baby, an |
really seemed satisfied. For was it MOI
better to have him happy than sad as
poor Jim, and she looked tenderiy at
Jim, who was gazing at Nellie from a
distance, being obliged to keep up the
role of discarded lover before his
mother.
But he resolved to keep his eyes open
and find out about Archie if possible,
and he looked toward the dancers,
where Arches graceful form was to be
seen. ''Well, he doesn't care o straw
about the girl he's dancing with. Let
me look around a bit. Wonder if that
performance worries Minnie Ross any?
Arch used to like her. No. it ism t
Minnie" and the keen blue ewes
roamed over the room.
"Ah! by Jupiter, it's Stella Graham,
and she does love him, too"
Surely, jim had grounds for the
opinion Near the door stood a loy ely
lady with face white as death and
eyes burning like stars, and they FOL
lowed the graceful couple dancing with
a gaze that to Jimmie seemed despair
ing. Some internal misunderstood
ing" he muttered, land both as proud
as Lucifer.
He went straight to Stella Graham
and before she had time to think ha(
taken her to the conservatory Bacl
of this room WAS small one, whert
Tom id his counting, Jim said, ant
there he took her. He didn't know
surely that she was the right one, bu
he felt it, and without wa ting for mor'
he said:
Miss Graham, last night | heard ;
mans voice say, She does not love III
any more. Tonight | saw a woman
face say the same thing most bitterly.
: don't know what the trouble is, but
know something is wrong. May l sent
Archie in hereg"
: She was sobbing, and before sh
could say no jim had Archie there.
The beautiful dark eyes were full c
tears, and the marble cheek told of SUI
fering, and the voice was broken tina
| sad: Il am so sorry, and | do low
YOU" Neither ever told the story c
their quarrel.
In what Jim deemed a proper lcn@t
of time he took Nellie and whispered t
; Tom TO bring Mother up TO The Rc
, treat
Mrs. Berestord. all Unsuspi ious {
the trap laid for her by undutifut jim
y mic was led Ike lambtO the Siaugate
to The Retreat, where SIS encounter
ed two very happy }oUns 9 rtlame
ana two equally fret s"d i"un
lad ,es.
1 go, mother! we have talked the,
. over cried jim, while sweet Nell
Brown put her arms around Moth'
\ Beresford and said: Dear Mrs. Bere
ford, we love YOU too well to offend yc
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