Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-11-29
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Desperate Remedy.
fOriginal.J

From my bedroom camela clear, me-
lodious whistle. The air was, "Oh, lis
ten to the hooking bird!' and after the
chorus came an excellent limitation OF
the birds notes. When ii was finished,
q sweet feminine voice saiG:
why don't you do your part, Billy"
NV name is not Billy. and L never
did any part in the song of THE Mock
ing Bird"
What occupied my mind was who
had taken possession of my bedroom
to give such concert. 1 got up from
my chair and proceeded to find out.
The door between the two rooms open
ed, and there stood very pretty girl.
We stood looking at one another for
moment equally astonished. Then
she executed. 1.-The feminine device. TAX
en- doubtless from the bird which bur-
les its head in the sand TO avoid, being
seen, of clapping her hands to her
face.
There is evidently some mistaken
remarked.
IAN awful mistake
"How did you get into my BEDROOM"
81 thought it was Billy's."
"Who is Billy?"
''NIy brother, Billy Tanning"
"Why, he's my chum. His rooms are
next to mine"
There was a knock at my sitting
room door The girl shrank back in
to my bedroom, and L closed the door.
Turning, there was n head looking in
to the room-my mother.
"Dear boy!
Dear MOTHER
Oh, if there were only a door open
ing from my bedroom into the hall!
But there was no such door. The girl
could not leave my room except by the
one we We're in.
"You are tired. mother, at climbing
the stairs Sit in this chair and rest"
1 put her in the chair and listened to
and asked the usual questions after a
separation.
II haven't any refreshment to offer
you, mother, dear, but if you'll just step
next door to the rooms of my friend
Billy Tanning l dare say l can find
something"
Il don't want anything. L have only
an hour to spend with you and must
get right to work at your linen"
There's not u break in it. l looked
over everything carefully last night
And I'll look over everything care
fully this morning."
She arose and was going to my bed
room. Indeed she had her hand on the
dOorknob when stopped her.
Mother" 1 said. with trembling
voice
"Oh, my boy, what's the matter?"
Mother, before you go in there
have something of Importance to com
municate."
do tell me, quick! Has anything
happened?"
Mother, I'm engaged
Engaged and without consulting
your poor mother! oh, Roger, how
could you?"
"And, mother, my fiancee is in that
room now attending to my linen"
Your fiancee in there, Then I'll
never speak to herr
But, mother, it's worse yet. haven't
told you all. I'm married. It's my wife
who is in there
Poor mother sank into my arms and
groaned.
Mother, when you see her youth be
| delighted. She's lovely. She's Billy
dHIluS - SlSleT
Il don't care who she is, I'll have
nothing TO do with her"
Now, l had purposely talked suffi-
| GENTLY loud for the girl in the next
room to hear. She did hear and lent
herself to my desperate makeshift.
She opened the door and stepped bold
ly out.
Mother, this Is Miss-I mean my
wife. 1 know you will love her and
she will love you.'
The girl walked up to mother, kissed
her and asked in a voice into which
she contrived TO throw tremolo. "Can
| you forgive usT'
You are a very sweet looking girl, y
said my mother. somewhat appeased.
Eyes, mother, and when you've
known her as long as have you'll ad.
NIT she's as lovely as she looks
| The girl turned away suddenly.
Mother supposed it was to hide her
bushes at my encomium. 1 caught a
| glimpse of her face in mirrer and
saw that it was to hide laughter.
"Well, Roger, you've been a very
bad boy to do this clandestinely. but
dare say when 1 hear the explanation
| I'll understand it all and not blame
you"
Eyes, mother Then l said to my
supposed wife, who was making for
the sitting room door, Must you so sc
soon, dear?'
Yes, but I've not touched your linen.
Your mother won't have to give that
up for some time yet
| When 1 got mother off, l went next
door. where found Miss Tanning.
''This is q serious matter 1 said to
her, ''and 1 see but one way out of it
/ offer you my heart and hand and ask
you to consider my proposition as long
as we can deceive my mother. Then
we must be married or suffer the con