Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-24
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
A LOVER
SUBSTITUTE


We're oil portraits or miniatures. 1t was
possible for people often To know a
good deal of one another without any
idea of each others personal appear
ance
Early in IS Marshall Gaylord, a
young New Yorker, started for St.
Louis. Crossing the Allegheny noun
tains in Il Stagecoach. he fell in with
Arnold Bradford. and the two became
quite intimate. At Pittsburg Bradford
was taken i'll. and Gaylord remained
and nursed him. Bradford died, and
before his death lie confided To his
friend that he was expected in st.
Louis to marry cousin whom he had
never seen and who had never seen
him, the match having been arranged
by their parents. He charged Gaylord
To go to his cousin as soon as he reach
Ell st. Louis and inform her of her
fiance's death. Gaylord was charged
to break the news as carefully as pos
sibIe. for the young lady was in deli
cate health.
When Gaylord reached st. Louis. in
stead OF calling ut the house he sought
the office of Mr.. st. Clair, the father OF
Elise St. Clair. the young lady in ques-
ton. and told hhn what had occurred.
The news plunged the father into pro-
found grief. for his daughter was very
Ill. and they were all looking for the
arrival of her lover. hoping that the
pleasure of meeting him would give
her n new lease of life. Now il was
to be feared that the shock would kill
her.
Mr.. St Clair took Gaylord 10 his
home and, leaving him in the drawing
room, went to inform his wife of the
danger that threatened their daughter.
Mrs. St Clair presently came to re-
ceive Gaylord and, with great heSitan-
cy and embarrassment. made the re-
quest that lie would for a brief period.
till her daughter should be out of dan
ger. personate the dead Arnold Brad
ford. Gaylord shrank from playing
such part. but was not in position
to refuse. Mrs. st. Clair announced
To her daughter that her lover had ar
rived. and the girl was made ready TO
receive him. Gaylord was conducted
up stairs and ushered into EIiSe's pres
ence.
Gaylord's emotions may be more
alizing that Il life might be dependent
upon him, he nerved himself To act
with as much feeling and deIicacy rs
possible. He saw n pale girl propped
up with pillows, her flaring dark eyes.
darker from contrast with her white
complexion, turned upon him with in
tense expectancy. The moment she
caught sight of him her face lighted
up with pleasure. Mrs. st. Clair. who
was watching the meeting, breathed
sigh of relief. Approaching Elise. Gay
lord took her thin hand and kissed it.
Poor chiIdr' he said feelingly. IF
may be instrumental in keeping you
for your father, your mother He
hesitated.
Yourself" she said.
''Myself''-his voice sounded strange
TO him-'there shall be no limit to my
thankfulness."
Now that l have seen you l wish
to live all the more"
You will live. sweetheart"
From this point Gaylord not only
lost consciousness OF the deception he
practiced. but felt his part.
Yes. / will live" said the girl. 81
feel il; know it. Providence has sent
you to me to make me fappy. NY life
shall be devoted to making you hap
py."
You must be patient and avail your
self OF every chance. TIE spring is
coming on. and the warm sunshine. the
leaves sprOuting on the trees, the sing
ing birds, will put new life into you.
Every day l shall note your gain. Now.
I n \
long as it is prudent for this first meet
ing"
He pressed her hand and was about
to leave her when he saw a mild re-
proach in her eye. He knew what il
meant and. bending. kissed her.
Gaylord knew that if Elise st. Clair
should be won back to health she
would lie Informed of the deceit and
its reason and lie would be an honora-
bly, discharged lover. But he feared
that the means of cure might i'm the
end be worse than the disease Yet
he was not thinking of this. His whole
heart had gone out to the girl whose
life he hoped to save. Descending to
the drawing room. he found MIR. ST
Clair. who. attempting to express his
thanks. broke down under his embar-
rassment. Gaylord with Il few words
put new phase upon the situation.
MIR. st. Clair he said. 81 beg Ia be
considered an applicant for your
daughters hand. This is not the time
10 tell you who | am. my position or
connections 1t is only fit that I should
say that my heart has gone out TO the
lovely girl who believes me to be her
betrothed.''
From the moment Gaylord spoke
these few words all was changed. he
Visited the house and the invalid daily.
bringing flowers and fruit. and it was
evident that Elise's interest in him
was effecting a cure. In a few weeks
she was well enough to drive out. and
her lovers predictions as to the reviv-
ing influence of spring were realized.