Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-20
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
MARRIAGE ON
CONFUSION
IoriginaLl

mirers, especially among the young
men, most of whom were in love with
her and all of whom would have gone
anywhere under her leadership. Allen
Truman, who owned a ranch, saw her
at ball, fell in love with her and, be-
ing an impulsive man. offered himself
TO her before the evenings revelry was
finished. The next morning, or, rather,
the next afternoon. he awoke with
headache from the wine he had drunk
and with n very uncomfortable remem-
brance that he had acted hastily. He
brooded over the matter for a week,
then wrote the girl n manly letter,
telling her that he had made the pledge
under the influence of her attractions
which it would not be wise for either
to make good.
Nancy had been caught by the hand
some ranchman She was shocked to
receive Truman's note, but was too
proud TO show her feelings. She dis
dained to make any reply. Later she
heard that a party of Humans friends
from the cast were spending the sum
mer with him and then that he had
become engaged TO one of them.
One night in September after the de
parture of his friends. including his
fiancee. Truman heard horses hoofs
without and. going to his window. saw
Il number of cowboys surrounding his
house. At the same time there was
loud knock. Going into the hall, he
opened the door and who should enter
but Nancy Pollard, She then and there
Informed him that he should either
marry her or her friends would run
him off and make way with him. Tru-
man declined at first, but when Nancy
called her supporters he saw by their
looks that they would do even more
than their idol might have wished. He
yielded. \ parson who had been
brought with the party was called, and
the marriage took place. The bride.
after assuring the groom that she had
no further claim upon him, rode away
at the head of her cowboys.
When Truman came TO explain the
matter TO his 1iancee. she decided to
break with him. He at once went
abroad. Being Il sensitive man, he
could not shake off the melancholy OF
his situation. He soon forgot the girl
who was to have been his wife, but
Nancy Pollard he could not forget.
There was something in her lawless
ways, her dash, her pluck, that kept
her continually in his mind. If she
had claimed him or the support she
was entitled TO by law as his wife, he
would have hated her. AS it was. he
felt that gnawing at the heart n man
may feel at being scorned by n woman.
One morning he received a letter
bearing an Oklahoma postmark and
the name of legal firm printed in the
corner. Opening it. he read that Mrs.
Truman desired the firm TO write him
that she regretted her past action with
regard to him and if he desired a di-
vorce she would oppose no obstacle in
the way of obtaining il.
Truman at once surmised that his
wife desired n divorce in order to mar
nv again. The pain the suspicion
brought startled him. Then it occurred
TO him TO turn the tables on her. He
returned to America and to his ranch,
where he learned that she was receiv-
ing attention from a younS lawyer. one
OF the firm who had written him at her
request. On the afternoon OF his ar
rival he sent q rote to her. saying that
il she would visit himithat evening at
his ranch he thought the matter of
their separation might be adjusted.
Then he paced the veranda till the hour
appointed, when Nancy came gallop-
ing down the road When she had dis
mounted. he led her into the hall where
she had forced him to marry her. then
turned and said:
"You wish this divorce in order to
marry William Pierce of the law firm
of Pierce & Ward. Why did you put
the matter as you did,"
"Mr. Pierce wrote you. 1 don't know
what he said"
HE said that If wanted a divorce
you would not oppose it. When you
wanted to marry me, you compelled
me. Now
II have always regretted doing So"
she interrupted.
Now you wish to be free to marry
some one else. l not only propose that
you shall not do so. but''-he drew a
revolver-''if you will not agree to live
in this house with me, to endure the
sight of me every day. will kill you"
rs this for revenge?"
"No"
''Then give me your reason"
Because 1 love you."
Nancy began to sway. Truman
caught her, and she fell into his arms.
Nancy, give up this marriage. Be
my wife in fact al well as in law"
81 have no idea of marriage" she
said.
Then what does this mean?"
MIR. Pierce has been trying to per-
suade me to marry him and has acted
on his own responsibility"
"And you love me notwithstanding
my treatment of your
Eyes. But how can you ever love
woman who has put such an indignity
upon you?"
"Let us forget all that. 1t was my
fault that led to yours. Here is
home already prepared for us. and we
have only to take possession of it.
You are my wife. Do not leave me-"