Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-12
THE DAILY.
SHORT STORY.
A Hoiden's Victory.
GOriginaI.l

| Deane. Nellie lost her mother when
she was ten and her father when she
was fourteen. Fortunately for her. her
parents were well to do people, and as
Nellie was their only child she was
provided for. After her fathers death
she lived with her aunt. n superannu-
ated person. who permitted her to do
very much as she pleased. What she
pleased was to climb trees. ride n horse
bareback and in other ways make a
tomboy of herself. When she was eight
cen, she WAS regarded such n blight
upon the immaculate town of Nazareth
that the deacons in the church-directed
| her aunt to send her away to boarding
school. This would have been per
manent relief to Nazareth had the girl
stayed at boarding school forever. but
unfortunately she returned 1T twenty,
very beautiful girl, still further re-
moved by education and Il mingling
with the world from the east iron NOR
ais OF the NaZarenes. Before her de-
parture she had acted naturally and
unconsciously. After her return she
seemed determined TO shock the town
with malice afOrethought.
A meeting of deacons was held and
one of their number appointed to con-
| fer with the sinner, secure if possible
q pledge from her 10 behave better
IN future and bring it back TO n meet
/ ing of the body to be held the next
evening. Deacon Brown, Il venerable
brother, was asked TO bear the mes
sage, but was obliged 10 be absent from
town. Deacon Perry. the next oldest,
was invited. but also declined. Next
came Deacon Bradford. thirty -four
years old. He was appointed and ac
cepted.
That evening Deacon Bradford called
upon Nellie and was shown into the lit
tie parlor. where she was sitting in the
corner of n sofa. dressed very becOm-
/ ingly, the light arranged 10 cast pink
/ glow upon her cheeks, which by no
means diminished her attractiveness.
Deacon Bradford drew himself toGeth
er ms if for Il contest with the archtiend
himself.
81 come" said the deacon. Sat the re-
quest of the deacons of the church 10
say to yon that our community has
been greatly shocked since your return
to us with certain un-Christian acts on
drag down the standard of our morals"
BE seated. deacon"
Now, the little witch had got wind
of this mission and in order TO be the
better prepared to fight with her own
weapons had removed every chair from
the room. The deacon was either
obliged to sit on the sofa or not at all.
After some hesitation he sat down be-
side her.
Now, deacon" continued Nellie, ''tell
90 oil I
been doing"
First. on Sunday last. during the
sermon on Eternal Damnation,' You
were continually looking at n friend
across the aisle with an expression of
disapprobatiOn."
AT the reading of the gospel, men,
ton being made of Samson and Deli
lah. you irreverently moved your thumb
and forefinger to initiate the use of a
pair of scissors"
THAT was I'm anticipation OF Delilah's
cutting off Samson's hair
Then on Saturday evening last. aft
er choir meeting. you invited the choir
to come 10 your house to spend the rest
of tile evening in the unholy occupation
OF dancing"
YES, and most of them came"
81 am required by the deacons to ask
you to promise 10 avoid these sins in
future and cease attempting to under
mine the morals of our young people"
BY this time Il very pretty face was
near his own, two Swapping black eyes
were looking into his. and a pair of
rosy lips flanked by n dimple on each
side We're smiling Mt him.
"Well." said Nellie, there is just one
more way THAT l want to shock the
deacons and that through one of their
number"
'How is that?"
81 want TO marry one of them"
(Which one?" asked Bradford, aston
ished.
Deacon Brown. He's n widewer.
and I'm dying to be a mother to his
children"
Deacon Brown! He's three times
your ager'
''That doesn't matter. 1 think if
could marry him the other deacons
would be Mortified, and I'm determined
to be his wife"
''Why not select younger deacon?'
said Bradford, hating.
''They wouldn't any of them have
me-" replied the girl, casting down her
eyes.
Don't say that. Rather than see you
married to an old man 1 would
ooh, Deacon Bradford, how kind you
are! But think how you would leopard
iZe your soul!'
Nellie's taper waist was too tempting
to be longer resisted The deacon's arm
stole around it. and her head rested on
his shoulder.
'Well, Brother Bradford" asked Dca-
con Jones at the meeting in the even
ing, what kind of promise did you sue
ter:''
''She has promised to be my WIFE"
replied the deacon sheepishly.