Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-27
DAILY SHORT STORY
Assisting Cupid



Bingham, Worthington & Hatch. and
the $50 landed her at her desk ten
minutes before 10. Every morning
Harris French caught the $40 from
Chatham, which enabled him to reach
his Office in the brokerage firm of Az
cry, Ellis s. Co. at five minutes before
10. Incidentally it may be mentioned
that the $40 from Chatham was the
$50 from ROsSland.
French was n member of the Ross
land Progressive Euchre club because
Amy Preston was also a member.
After that they occupied the same
seat. George King. who was the
conductor on the train. had grown so
used to seeing the two together that he
was surprised to see French board the
train one morning and make direct for
the smoker. AREN'T you going back,
Mr.. French?" he asked as he punched
his ticket
French shook his head savagely.
mo; I'm going to stay here" When
Amy Preston did not board the train
at Rossland, King understood that
there had been kink in the course of
true love. Later on Appel told him
that Miss Preston was coming into
town ON his train, which reached Ross
land at SAL. 1t was a through train
and did not stop at Chatham.
The cause of the trouble was simple
enough. He had been playing with
Amy at the euchre club and had
been In wretched form. She, OH
the contrary, had been winning stead
lily. and on the last game she and
Mrs. Lane and Alice Stanton were tied
for first place. She had glanced at
French's card when she moved up to
his table and noted with surprise that
he had but three games credited TO his
score You'll have to do better than
that, Harry" she said. eff you're going
to play with me, or l won't be able to
play off the drive"
There had been slight panic on the
street that afternoon, in which stocks
had taken unaccountable drops. and
the excitement had brought on head
ache that left French unfit for playing.
Amy's remark only added to his confu-
sion, and the result was that he took
her king with his ace and sacrificed
the winning trick.
While the other leaders were decid-
ing on the prizes French, in his befud-
died state, had said things more sharp
ly than he had intended, with the re-
suit that he had driven back to Chat
ham with Amy's engagement ring in
his pocket. He resigned from the club,
and for five weeks neither had seen
the other. Each was too proud to write,
and while Amy cried softly to herself
as she sat In the Sal. French smoked
stronger cigars than We're good for him
and tried to grow interested in card
games in the smoker.
King took q fatherly interest in the
commuters under his charge and noted
with some surprise the persistence
with which Amy kept off his train. But
it is not for a train conductor to regu-
late the love affairs of his passengers.
1t was the middle of the sixth week,
when, to his surprise. he saw Amy
standing on the Rossland platform as
the train pulled in. For the first time
since the estrangement she had missed
the earlier train and had to choose be-
tween the $50, which would get her to
the office on time. and the DIG.
You're quite stranger" he said as
he punched her ticket. but she said
He hurried through the train back to
the smoker. miss Preston is on the
train," he said as he passed French.
The latter went red, then white, and
half rose from his seat. Then he APP
peared to change his mind. II suppose
she has a right to ride on this train,' he
said shortly as he sank back into his
seat. and King passed, shaking his
head.
Try as he would he could not get the
picture of Amy's wistful face out of his
mind. When the engine whistled Car
rollton, which was the last station be-
fore they reached the ferry, he made
up his mind to make one last effort.
"Only ten minutes to town, Mr.
French" he warned. Miss Preston is
in the second car behind. / guess she's
been sick. She looks very poorly
French started again to rise from his
seat, and King hurried on. To his dis
may, he found that Freddie Smith was
sitting next to Amy Preston. and there
was no seat near by. He glanced back
and could see French making his way
through the car ahead. He touched
Freddie on the shoulder. "Will you
come out on the platform, Mr.. Smith,"
he said. I'D like to speak to you mo-
ment." Freddie followed wonderingly.
what is itT'' he asked as they stood
at the door.
King grasped him by the arm, so that
be could see French sitting beside Amy. |
at wasn't something wanted to say"
he answered, "but I thought Mr..
French might want your seat"
Freddie whistled softly. "Well, If he |
does" he said, ''he's welcome to it. |
Say, King, you don't look much like Gu |
pid; but, by Jove, think you're his |
If you don't get piece |
Of wedding cake. French is an migrate
full dog"
Seven minutes later King stood at |