Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-07
The Daily Short Story
The Lucky OPAL
By oRvILLE n. STEWART.


Baden, looked upon with universal APP
prevail by mothers who had the inter
ests of manageable daughters at
heart. He had come from somewhere
I'm the east to drink the mineral waters
to rid himself of the dreadful southern
malaria which took possession of him
while waiting for orders to move with
his regiment from Tampa to Cuba.
Will Gray and Bert Clarke had been
classmates at Du PAW, and upon Wills
urgent invitation Bert came down from
Michigan for n fortnight. Bert had
taken to law in Detroit and was get
ting on exceedingly well.
The Fishers of Toronto, who were
the heart of the social life of the IA
nous Indiana resort, had announced
cards and dancing for Thursday even
ing. VIII told Mrs. Fisher about Bert.
and she insisted that he be brought
along.
Hes just the fellow for my cousin.
Joel Lewis, from Mobile" she said.
Well have n reunion OF the north and
south, you know"
Miss Lewis was a typical southern
beauty. Indeed a prettier girl would
be hard to find, north or south-tal,
graceful and willowy, with a deep.
mellow complexion so characteristic of
the aristocratic blue blooded creole.
Clarke stood even six, broad and hand
some. His bright blue eyes were n
striking contrast to Miss Lewis eyes
of deep brown.
A mutual admiration sprang up at
once. They were together nearly all
through the cards and were almost in
separable in dancing. \ waltz had
Just been exhausted. leaving them as
fresh as at first, seemingly craving for
more.
"As diversion" announced the hap
DIV hostess, II have arranged for n vot-
Ing contest to determine which is the
most popular young man and woman
here this evening-just for fun, you
know. Each person will please write his
or her choice on these slips of paper and
deposit them unsigned and folded into
these ballot boxes"
Mrs. Fisher and VIII were election
clerks" and the young minister was
Judge" The announcement was soon
made that Miss Lewis and Mr.. Clarke
had been elected by very compliment
airy pluralities.
N.
lighted, when handed the unexpected
prize. 'But there's an opal. 1t will
bring me misfortune, sure" she added,
with inherited southern superstition.
"Why, the opal is a lucky stone"
said Clarke.
Every unlucky for those not born in
October. No one could persuade me to
possess one"
Pm an October chap" said Bert.
$50 I'll exchange the stone represent
ing your month for IL"
MAY is my month"
"Then I'll take your opal, and you
may have my emerald"
All were then ushered into the din
ing room, Miss Lewis upon Bert's arm.
Every one gave a toast to the most
popular couple" the preacher coming
last, preceded by the deputy clerk.
"Why, we have a preacher and the
marriage license man here. Why not
have a wedding? blurted out Charlie
Smiley.
Good suggestion" said the preach
err I'm ready if you are Get the
girl"
Charlie Smiley withered.
THAT would be jolly. though" re-
marked Miss Farley. whats the mat
ter with the most popular couple"
Happily. the conversation switched.
Bert whispered over to Will, who man.
aged to get the clerk away from the ia
BILE, and quietly the three left the house.
attracting but little attention.
1t was nine miles to Paoli. the county
seat. There was no train, and to drive
there and back in time was out Of the
question.
A rush was made for the railroad
station, in a minute the operator was
in communication with the chief Mo-
non officials. and in ten minutes the en-
CINE which had just brought in the last
passenger train for the night was dash
ing with the three young men to Paoli,
where 1t was but a short sprint to the
courthouse. Fortunately. the track was
clear. there being nothing to hinder the
great speed desired and. in fact, made.
Before they were scarcely missed they
had rejoined the party in the hotel
The preacher came near exclaiming
aloud when secretly told. and Will had
to get him to one side and produce the
document to convince him. The minis
ter then calmly stepped to the center of
the room. Miss Cook struck up "Lo-
hengrin," and in came the "most popu-
lar couple" from the music room.
Some began 20 cheer, thinking they
were being treated to pretty farce,
and not until they heard the little min
lister wind up brief ceremony with
land now do pronounce you husband
and wife" did they realize what had
actually happened.
"Opal is my lucky stone" said Bert
as they started on their Lewis Clarke
expedition to the north.
= "And it's a lucky stone for me-" re-
piled his smiling bride. Lets not have
them changed" Record Her
aid.
oooooooooOoooooooooooooooo