Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-10-13
DAILY SHORT STORY
His Reason Why.
ICopyrfght. 1902. by the s. S. Mcclure
Company.]


emerged into the rain from the little
towns in Holland. 81 wish we had re-
instead of coming on this goose chase"
"a most fitting place for such di-
version" replied Meredith, who saw
her eyes belied her words. Don't you
recollect the conductor calling the town
'GooseY"
Then the feet of the natives must
be webbed," decided Mrs. Travers,
smiling at the thought.
Don't be fiippant, my dear. The
goose is historical bird. AS children
our curls Strengthened and our eyes pro-
truded as we learned how they saved
Rome"
Eyes, but in after years, when shorn
of our ringlets. how many of our
swans have been geese" she said, with
u sigh.
cit would be preferable to be n
gander than not to have been at all"
The artist was very happy that the
others in their party had refused to
visit the little town of Goes. 1t meant
a long day with Mrs. Travers.
through the quiet. quaint old streets.
Meredith felt the small hand on his
arm tremble. and drops not all rain
fell upon the wet pink cheek. A pc
culiar. tender smile played about the
firm mouth of the young man as he
learned, in spite of all contradictions,
that Gertrude Travers had n heart.
All the long summer he had hopelessly
striven to find it, but was obliged to
be content with friendship.
Mrs. Travers glanced dOubtfully at
her companion, but he appeared I'M
conscious of her emotion. Even then
she would not acknowledge to herself
how dear to her heart, in spite of the
depressing weather, was the walk
alone with him. Their disappointment
over the ruins of the castle of the
Countess Jacqueline. which Meredith
had come to sketch. did not still the
pleasure of being together.
"As the old chateau has deteriOr1 ted
into a hostelry, the question is wheth-
er to invade or evade," said the artist.
"Well," said Mrs. Travers impatient
ly few moments later as she held the
umbrella in a partly sheltered spot,
''why don't you sketchY'
Because" answered Meredith, look
ing quizzically into the dark eyes, I've
dreamed n dream, and
why spoil today for an unknown
tomorrow" interrupted Mrs. Travers.
mo longer can l trace n line" con-
tinued the artist, taking no notice of
the interruption, without seeing 4
small bright face and hearing a voice
whisper
THAT marriage is a failure" broke
in the lady who would forfeit $4,000,
according to her late husbands will,
the day she married.
81 cannot keep my thoughts where
she is not, waking or sleeping
Don't think. II is q pernicious hab-
1t. But, tell me, who was JacquelineT'
"'The Countess of Bavaria. And may
you, unkind fairy, be imbued with her
spirit"' said Meredith CURLY, opening
his sketchbook.
"a spirit for what?" she inquired,
her curiosity aroused.
Marrying" he replied solemnly,
sharpening his pencil on a piece of
sandpaper.
"How many times did her ladyship
wear the marriage yoke?"
Three times for state reasons and
once for love, but
(Which caused her the greatest tur-
moil?" interposed Mrs. Travers iron
icaIly.
1T was Francis Van Borselen's I'M
firing devotion and deep affection for
the beautiful princess that won her
love and esteem" said Meredith. ap-
parently unaware of the last remark
and sketching with a vengeance.
WAS there no monetary considera-
tionT" asked the worldly widow, with
suspicion of twinkle in her eye.
Eyes" he answered bitterly, "but
there are no Jacquelines today. She
abdicated and renounced all rights and
estates for the man she loved"
"And she was not adjudged a luna
ticT inquired the lady anxiously.
At that moment the chimes in the
old cathedral of Mary Magdalene
pealed the hour. Meredith did not
deign to answer; but, gathering up his
paraphernalia, he said in a hurt voice:
Eve have ten minutes to catch the
train"
A short silence followed; then Mrs.
Travers said softly, looking the artist
over critically, II believe there are
still some foolish women who would
do that for the men they love-"
would your" Meredith's breath
came quick and fast. His lips touched
her hair as he bent to hear her reply.
well, yes" coyly answered the lady
who had fought bravely for many
months to keep her legacy. "but only
for man like you"
The next instant one little hand was
held fast IL his, and under the umbrel-
la he kissed the lips so near his own.
AS they hurried through the deserted
streets Meredith looked into the now
thoughtful face and said tenderly,
You are not sorry that you came to
the little Goose City?"
mo; but, considering my dear expe-
rience / think it appropriately