Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-04-04
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
IN SWEEPING
= = COSTUME
LOrlgInal.J

ing but one servant, volunteered to
edo" the parlor cnce n week. One Sat-
urday morning. broom in hand, dress
pinned back, sleeves rolled above the
elbows. towel over her head to keep
the dust from her hair. she heard
ring at the doorbelI. Before she could
escape she heard the maid open the
door and the familiar voice of Mr.. Al
eXander Hathaway, n newly appointed
officer in the United States army, ask
ing for her father. Fearing that the
maid might be stupid enough to show
him into the parlor, and not caring to
be caught in sweeping costume. she
stepped between a portiere and folding
doors. intending to open the doors and
leave by the dining room. The doors
were off the slide, and she could not
open them. Meanwhile Mr.. Hathaway
entered the parlor and took n seat.
wonder what he wants with papa 2"
queried Miss Abbott, eying him
through an opening in the portiere.
Mr. Abbott. Il dignified gentleman,
came in. eyed the conner curiOusly. babe
him good morning and waited for him
TO tell what he had come for.
my regiment is ordered TO Manila"
began the. young man haltingIy.
'Indeedr' said Mr.. Abbott. What In
terest could this have for him?
"Of course that takes me-. you
know"
Mr.. Abbott did not know and did
not care. He repeated the word "In-
deed1' which is valuable from not
meaning anything.
THE men are on the train now. 1t
is to start at IL noon. 1 secured leave
to come here and speak with you n
moment" The lieutenant looked at
his watch. ut is half past IL have
fifteen minutes here and fifteen min
utes to make the train. What 1 came
for is TO ask you if you have any OBJ
lection to my asking Edith to be my
wife. l would like her to join me Mt
San Francisco. he married there and
go out to Manila"
Edith's heart jumped into her throat
Alex Hathaway, rich, handsome in
every way attractive, She had never
dreamed that he would ask for such
commonplace person as she regarded
herself
Mr.. Abbott took out his own watch
You haven't n surplus of time" lie
said. $50 l will come to the point at
once l will gladly welcome you for
Son-in-law if my daughter is herself
willing. Have you asked herr"
'No. l thought that if you SHOULD
object it would be better not TO speak
to her now"
"I'n call her. Edith! Edith, Where
are you? You're wanted at once"'
Now. if there is anything a woman
is punctilious about it is the accept
ance of proposal or the ceremony of
marriage. To Edith Abbott the idea
of being wooed and won in sweeping
costume was abhorrent. Besides, she
dreaded lest the aristocratic young Of
ficer. seeing her in such dress, should
repent his choice. She stood stock
still.
Nancy" shouted Mr.. Abbott, find
Miss Edith Immediately. She must be
somewhere in the house."
Yes, sir"
Mr. Abbott sat down and waited.
Mr.. Hathaway paced the floor impa-
tiently. Edith looked at them both
from behind the portiere and wished
transform her costume to n more be-
coming one. Presently the maid came
in and reported that Miss Edith was
not up stairs and must have gone out.
Edith herself. looking at her lover.
made up her mind that he was not too
gentlemanlike occasionally to say bad
words. Both men looked at their
watches.
"Well," said the sutton, disappointed,
"I fear for the present the matter must
be given up. After / reach Manila l
will. with your permission. write to
her. Perhaps it is better. after all. for
me to investigate the climate and ac-
commodations. Meanwhile l think you
will agree with me that for you to tell
her OF this visit would place her in an
unpleasant position. Better wait till
she gets it from me by letter"
Miss Abbott was by no means dis
posed to give the young man so good
an opportunity to change his mind.
Nevertheless it was not till the two
men were shaking hands prior to sepa-
rating that she threw aside the por-
there's anu stood. red as n peony. be-
fore them. Hathaway caught her in
his arms.
Sweetheart, you have heard all?"
Edith was mute
1.-TWO minutesr' said Mr.. Abbott.
watch in band
"Will ydu?" pleaded the lieutenant.
"Never. in this horrid toggery."
"There is no greater test of beauty
than the costume you wear. You are
prettier in it than 1 ever saw you"
'Do you really mean it?''
Certainly. ! swear it?'
81 don't believe YOU"
"Your answer"
Thirty secondsP' called the father.
Answer to what-going to Manila
or
Both"
(Which first?"
tTen secondsr from the timekeeper.