Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-19
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
CIPHER
MESSAGES
IOriginal.l

Mary'S parents were thinking OF her
settlement for life, and | was not yet
thinking of making u beginning. for
had not finished studying my profess
sion. 4 prominent and wealthy man
of forty named Disbrow was paying
her attention. 1t was plain that he
would be acceptable SO far as the par
ents were concerned. and | could not
detect any unwillingness on Mary's
part. Our relationship had changed
after leaving school. We no longer
spoke from the heart. and | would not
think of asking her how she liked her
elderly sutton.
All doubt as 10 the result was at last
removed by the announcement of her
engagement TO Mr.. Disbrow. Her par
ents showed plainly that they were
much pleased. and Mary-well. at times
thought she seemed sad, at others
satisfied. Meanwhile an elaborate trous-
seau was being provided and prepara''
lions We're making for the wedding.
On the day l returned from the law
school, having finished my studies. the
cards for Mary's wedding were distrib-
uted. l did not go TO see her. remain
ing at home in great dependency l
can remember no mental anguish in my
.fe so sharp as thinking of Mary Bar
nard the wife of another. One morn
ing-it was the day before the we'd
ding-I received Il note from her ask
ing if her old schoolfellow would not
call and say goodby TO her as maiden
and intimating that she would be at
home at o'clock that afternoon. l did
not wish to go. / saw nothing to be
gained by going. Nevertheless | was
still boy enough TO hope that some In
terposition might save her from the
monster Disbrow. as / considered him,
and keep her for me. At the appointed
hour l called.
Instead of Mary coming to receive
me. her mother walked in very stitilH
and very coldly.
Mary is too busy to see you" she
said. and has asked me to excuse her
to you. She hopes TO see you at the
wedding"
The truth of all this was diSproved n
few minutes later by Mary herself.
who came into the drawing room Her
mother gave her an angry glance. NUT
tered something about leaving things
undone. then settled herself in her
chair to be present at the interview.
What was my surprise to see Mary
leave the whole of the conversation TO
her mother and me. taking up book.
which she read during the whole of
my call. Meanwhile she was lingering
an ivory paper cutter with IL penknife
on one end. | was SO distressed and
incensed that had it not been for my
pride l would have left the house at
once; but. desiring to show her that
was as cold as she. / converSed Sayly
with her mother. When l rose to
leave, Mary handed me the book she
had been reading. recommending it
as one that would interest me. On
rea aching my room l looked at the title,
and when 1 saw that it was How 20
Get on In the World" / threw it into n
corner and, sinking on lounge, buried
my face in my hands.
1t was growing dark when i got up.
took the book from the corner and.
striking n light. began to run over the
leaves mechanically. Why l did so l
don't remember. except that the dear
hands OF the girl loved had so recent
~ held it. I noticed under one of the
words d cut On the next page was
saw that it was why" The second
was ''have." Turning the pages rapid
Iy, l was but n moment deciphering
the sentence. ''Why have you deserted
me:"
There were but five words. but they
were enough. Was it too late? Only
hours before the wedding!
What could do? TO call at the house
and tell her OF my love would hardly
be practicable. for her mother would
scarcely brook a second call so soon
after the first and would be present. as
before Taking the book she had lent
me. l UNDERSIGNED the words: my
schoolboy love is n mans love. Find
some way to delay the wedding or
break off the match entirely" The
same evening I sent a messenger with
the book and a formal note. unsealed.
her for lending it to me and
wishing her great happiness in her
marriage.
That night did not close my eyes in
sleep and spent the next day In a men,
tai fever. The wedding was to be at
Z o'clock and the reception at half past
7. Had Mary received the book?
Would she and could she delay the
marriage?
About 4 O'Clock went out for a
walk. hoping to gain some relief from
tie terrible suspense. Meeting a boy
with the evening papers. | bought one.
After giving a glance at the headings
on the first page I was about to put
the paper in my pocket when my eye
caught the words. "a Wedding Delay
ed" With flash of hope | scanned
what followed:
Owing to the indisposition of Miss
Mary Barnard, who was to have been
married this evening to Mr.. Charles ii.
Dlsbrow. the wedding has been post
poned."
The transition from the terrible strain
| had been under to a wild joy very
brn,,rl,t N crrncr,