Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-14
The Daily Short Story
GERALD's PRETTY COUSIN FROMS
SEATTLE.
- By C. E. CoRBET.

| New York train, from which city he
| was to sail for Europe, when my pref
ty little cousin comes on from Seattle
be sure you lay yourself out TO enter
tain her. You have her photo, and
have written a minute description of
| you. so you'I recognize each other the
instant she steps off the Pullman. Sor-
| ry / can't be here to do the gallant my
self, but you'll have to take my place"
There was time for no further con-
versation, for the big limited was al
ready pulling out of the station, and
VIII Dodge was left to his own pleas
ant cogitations on the beauty of the
| western belle and the enjoyable time
/ he was going to have escorting her
| around the city. However, day after
| day and week after week went by, and
| there was no word from the expected
young lady. Mr.. William Dodge actu-
ally lost his usual good spirits and
grew dumpish and petulant. "Fretting
| for the girl who never came" was his
| usual greeting from the Misses Anna
bel and Wilhelmina Dodge, who We're
never known to sigh for an unknown
quantity when there was plenty of
available material near at hand.
81 don't believe there is any Seattle
girl It's all myth. n story that Ger
aid got up to give VIII something to
think about while he's gone. AnnabeI.
didn't Annie Olson. the washerwoman,
come from Scatter said Wilhelmina
one day.
Eyes, but what could she possibly
have TO do with Gerald's beautiful
cousin?"
Nothing now probably, but we may
establish some sort of connection be-
tween them"
Annie Olson objected wildly and
strenuously when a certain proposition
was laid before her by the two young
ladies, but by dint Of much coaxing and
the promise of a last seasons pink
foulard of Annabers and n huge white
leghorn OF Wilhelmina's she finally con-
scented to play her part in a scheme
which had for it's object the final de-
struction of Mr.. Dodge's affection for
an unknown beauty.
\ few days later that gentleman was
called up over the telephone by lady
with n peculiarly sweet voice.
''Is this Mr.. William Dodge? oh, I'm
so glad l found you in! This is Miss
Lattimer of Seattle. oh. you are sur
prised, aren't you? or course my
cousin Gerald has told you all about
me. What is it? Oh, arrived yester-
day with my brother. who at the last
moment decided to come east. What?
Yes, thank you, you can DO something
for me. l just called you up to ask n
favor of you. My brother went on to
Boston this morning and left me with a
box for the opera on my hands. An old
friend is going with me this evening. l
want you to join Us. Can / count on
you? oh, thanks! The pleasure will
he mutual then. So glad you can come.
VIII send the ticket by messenger this
afternoon. Goodby. Goodby."
There" said Miss Wilhelmina Dodge
to Miss Annabel Dodge as she dropped
the receiver into its hook. IF your be-
loved sister is not afflicted for the rest
of her life with chronic throat trouble
after keeping up that voice for so
many minutes it will be a miraculous
escape. Now let us hurry home to pre-
pare Miss Lattimer of Seattle for an
evening at the opera"
1t took the united efforts of both Sis
tiers and several hours time to allay
the constantly arising fears and appre-
tensions of Miss Annie Olson and TO
array her in apparel worthy the occa-
sion. 1t also took much persuasion and
many brides and applications of the
scrubbing brush to persuade Mr.. John
Johnson to accompany the respondent
creature who sat stifily conscious in the
drawing room waiting for the time OF
departure.
Mr.. VIII Dodge entered the house
that afternoon at an unusually early
hour and allowed much time TO elapse
i'm the preparation of n careful and
evening toilet. At dinner he
did not crafty the natural curiosity of
his sisters concerning the nature of his
but maintained n dignity
which successfully resisted all attempts
at raillery, the gentleman shrewdly |
that now Miss Lattimer real |
ly had arrived he would keep the |
to himself as long as posi- |
BILE.
In box No 90 of the Metropolitan |
Grand Opera House that evening there |
sat lady and gentleman who drew |
forth smiles of curiosity and amuse- |
ment from all around. Many pairs of |
glasses were leveled on them, but none |
so fiXedly as n couple which were di- |
rected from an obscure corner of the |
gallery. Some minutes after the cur
tain rolled up the two watchers and |
others who happened to be looking saw
the bangings at the rear of the box /
part and a man, well dressed, hand
some and evidently cultured. enter.
They noticed that he took only n step |
~ A.,
preston of intense surprise and per-
Dlexity. turned on his heel and left.
When Mr.. Dodge entered the house
sonic time i'm the wee small hours of
The morning, all was quiet as usual,
md there was nothing to remind him
1f the girl from Seattle. Nor was there
my mention of her for some weeks and
months. At the end OF that time. when