Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-08
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
Ole SUCCESSFUL
= = SUITOR
IOrrs1naI.l

ors. but since there were no evidences
any of them. Finally, fearing that she
would die an old maid, she determined
to accept John knowlton, fine look
ing fellow, standing g feet in his
stockings, provided he would submit
himself to a test. The next time John
came begging her to marry him tshe
told him that she would do so uponl his
giving practical evidence that he was
no coward. He consented. and Marion
told him to spend a night in the fam
lily vault in the cemetery. John rid
not feel overpleased at being called
upon TO submit to such an ordeal, but
he went with Marion to the cemetery.
which was near by, and she let hmm in
to the vault. The door, which WAS an
iron grating. was left unlocked, tit be-
ing understood that John might leave
the place whenever he wished AS
Marion went away he stood looking at
her through the bars, and she threw
him n kiss.
Marion had no idea of leaving her
lover TO endure his watch unmoleSted-
She had other lovers, who were to par
ticipate in the trial of courage. Ed
ward Leonard, n clipper little fellow
who was always spelling for fight.
called on her by appointment as soon
as she got home and was told toiwind
sheet about him and walk all night
back and forth past the family vault.
grooming at intervals. IL lie held his
ground till morning. Marion would be
his. Larned accepted the terms joy
fully and, taking a sheet. went to the
cemetery.
He had not been long gone when n
third lover. Ernest Trevor, appeared at
the Martin home.
what is il. Marion:" he asked.
81 have called for you to give you an
answer>to what you said to me on
Christmas eve last"
"Wel!"
81 like you well enough to marry you
IL you will prove your courage. Go to
our family vault in the cemetery. You
will find it unlocked. Enter and re-
main there all night"
II will 90 no such thing"
"Are you afraid|
"No There would be nothing for
me to fear, but such an act would be
senseless.'
VERY well: there are others whom
can marry who will not give such 4
weak excuse to conceal their real mo-
tive-fear."
You say that? By lingo. will show
you that / am not afraid to stay in
your vault. But understand that re-
linquish your hand"
Trevor went home for some blankets.
thence to the cemetery. ,musing as he
went: What a silly girl! | thought
she had more sense. Nevertheless,
now l am in for it. l am rather pleased
at the prospect of an adventure. Life
is pretty dull in this old town."
Before he reached the vault he espied
ghostIy figure walking back and
forth before il and heard groans.
what little goose the girl is to put n
man in u sheet to guard the place!
Well. I'm in for it | must drive the
fellow away or get laughed at in the
morning.
Just as he was about to advance up
on Larned the gate of the vault open
ed. and a figure dashed out and away
with the rapidity of lightning.
The ghost. after stopping to look at
the flying figure, renewed its walk and
its groans.
II don't propose to come out at the
tail of this business" Ernest said.
"Ive agreed to occupy the vault. and
can't sleep with that fellow making
those unearthly groans all night. Eli
Their he or must move on
Larned suddenly received n blow i'm
the back which landed him a dozen
feet away on the gravel walk. Before
he could get up he was knocked down
again and again till finally, regaining
his feet, he fed precipitately.
Now | think I will turn in" said
Ernest. and, going to the vault. he en-
tered and. spreading on the floor the
blankets he had brought with him,
soon sound asleep.
Marion arose early and went to the
cemetery. Her heart was beating very
fast with expectation. and she was i'm
patient to know whether the splendid
John Knowlton had proved himself
brave man. As she approached the
vault and saw no one walking before it
she knew that Larned at least had not
won. Going nearer, she stopped and
listened. There was the sound of a
prodigious snore. Surely that came
from the powerful lungs of Knowlton.
Then she looked I'm between the bars,
and there was Ernest stretched out
fast asleep.
The man who had won her had re-
linquished her before doing so.
Ernest! Ernest! ErneStw she call
ed, raising her voice with each call.
Ernest awokc. yawned and saw the
face peeping through the bars.
what do you mean by waking n
fellow at this early hour? Go away"
And he turned over for another nap.
Come; wake up. want to hear
about-about the Others"
What others? ! saw a ghost walk
ing before this place when | came. and
as | knew l couldn't sleep for his
H. IL 4