Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-06-13
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
WHEN THE TUNE
CHANGED


knew IL: 3"
The man WAS looking ut her-yes, but
moodily rather than admiringly. He
had been under the spell of her beauty
for six months. He knew every line of
the perfect profile. He could describe
eV cry play OF her features. every subtle
feminine trick that had drawn him to
her. He spoke abruptly.
Il ought to CO.
She quickened her steps.
Il beg pardon. IL is such perfect
day that had forgotten you were due
at the office ut half past IL
He continued to saunter slowly up
the avenue, and she fell back In step
with him. SO
81 was not thinking of the Office
"No?"
81 was thinking of-Richmond-and
another girl
So there was another girl! He had
never spoken OF her before.
''She is expecting me. l promised /
would come back the first of the year,
and but for you l should have gone
long ago"
Il am not aware that have offered
yOu-any-ap apples"
They had turned n corner mechanic
ally and We're following a staid resi-
dence street toward the river.
NO; that is just it. The modern Eve
does not offer literal fruit. The temp
tation is so localized that man does
not realize he has fallen until the
gates OF paradise swing shut upon
him.
II don't understand
mo, because you don't know-the
other girl. And L an&-not sure TINT l
can make it clear TO you. She He
hesitated. The eternal feminine was
aroused.
"Is she like me-"
"No. not at all. She Is not-beauti-
full" '-t
The girl mt his side smiled into the
heart OF the violets, and when she
glanced up once more lie was gazing
steadfastly toward the mass OF rigging
and tunnels that marked the rivers
edge. She wondered If he knew where
they were going.
And she does not make me hate my
self. as you do"
Really this was becoming Interesting!
He was so ingenious. this southern
chap who wore his heart on the most
conspicuous point OF his Overcoat
sleeve.
"She is not tall, and she does net
wear those long, trailing skirts that
look so we'll on you. Her hair is nei
Their light nor dark. l don't believe |
could tell its exact color. But her eyes
they're gray, and such gray! They
seem TO say with her lips, 1 will wait
for you--forever"
YES; we all say that" she said, al
most mockinSly. Usually It is so eff
fective."
He turned OH her ficrcely.
"But you don't all mean It, How
many times have you said it?''
my dear boy, that is such per-
sonal question:
But you would consider it your
right to ask me that:"
mot at all / know the world too
well to ask foolish questions"
There it is again. that cynicism,
that utter lack of faith which makes
me hate myself for loving you. You
are so unworthy believe you are the
sort of woman n man might love to
madness and then-forget."
Her lip curled, half in scorn, half in
amusement. at his impetuosity.
'And she?"
"a man could never forget her, no
matter to what heights he might rise
or how low he might sink"
And yet you say she is not beauti-
ful?'
mot as the world and Sunday pa
pers picture beauty"
The neighborhood was more squalid.
On the next corner they came upon a
street piano emitting ragtime melody.
A group of tenement children were
dancing about IL. They slowed up and
watched the scene. The man tossed
the Italian a coin. The itinerant must
clan pushed n lever. and the air
changed.
The man and the girl had crossed to
the opposite corner. but as the first
bar of the new tune foated toward
them the young fellow stopped sudden
ly. His face softened, the strained ex-
preston faded from his eyes. and no
gaZed with yearning toward the sails
and rigging now two short blocks be-
yond.
''Then it's sing one song OF my old |
Kentucky homer hummed street |
urchin In harmony with the piano. The |
man drew long. full breath. A han
som dashed around the corner. He |
hailed the driver and helped the girl |
into the vehicle.
eve been very thoughtless to let |
you walk so far" His voice was low /
and rich. 1t thrilled the girl, who |
made room for him beside her mo;
am walking back"
''Shall you be up this EVENING""
''No; think not. There are so many
others you will hardly miss me-and"
"Yes?"
81 am going back to Richmond-and
her. Goodby."
The driver snapped his whip. and |
the horse plunged forward. The girl
Iaanad hack with q SIGH Pnrhar,s.