Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-09-17
DAILY SHORT STORY
Reconverted.
IOrfginal.l

had fallen out or the universe. Mur-
guerite would not marry him without
that consent, and as there was no hope
and he felt he could not live near her
and not possess her he went to point
as far distant as he could well get
within the limits of the United States
He settled in Seattle.
He was an attractive fellow, and
there were attractive girls in the far
west, but Olcott considered his heart
broken and would have none of them.
When told that some day he would for
get all about his youthful love and
marry he declared that he would never
marry any one but Marguerite Searle.
He was certainly a faithful lover, for
he cherished her image in his heart
and though he and she grew out of
their youth that image remained the
same. Marguerite married to suit her
mother about year after Olcotts
departure, but Olcott did not hear Of it
till long after, and then only that she
was married. When, where and to
whom he did not learn.
Then Olcott's uncle died and left him
fortune on condition that he should
take the uncle's name, Howe. Olcott
accepted the terms and the fortune and
went east TO manage his estate.
He was now forty instead of twenty
and began to feel the necessity of n
companion. He was expected by the
terms of the will to open the manor
house, and would need some one to
take care of it and preside over it,
The romance In him had died out, at
least he said so, and he made up his
mind to marry on common sense prin-
ciples. Some of his friends advised
him to choose q woman much younger
than himself, since the wife should be
younger than the husband, and he
would find a girl of twenty much more
tractable than a woman of forty. But
Olcott-or, rather, Howe, which was
now his name-demurred, declaring
that he would marry one near his own
age.
Among those to whom he was intro
duced after his return to the east was
a Mrs. Harding, a widow There was
something about her that reminded
him of his old love. Perhaps this in
fluenced him, though he did not &C.
knowledge it to himself. At any rate
he made up his mind the first time he
saw her that she was the woman he
wanted. He was hurried into some
what precipitate proposal from the
fact that she was preparing for a two
years absence in Europe. Howe de-
termined to stop this if possible and
the only way he knew to go about ii
was to offer her the position he had in
mind
Il know" he said to her, that we
have both passed that romantic period
where we think we can love but once
I confess that my heart was given to
another when l was but half my pres
ent age, and l have been true in n ro-
mantle point of view to the girl
loved, and shall always be thus true.
But the affection of more. mature
years is still mine to give. and l am
told by married people that the love of
romance in time hardens into q family
love that, if less violent. is far deeper
and more enduring. That love offer
you"
Il, too" said the widow, ''have pass
ed into that stage which you describe.
was absolutely engaged and l can
never have another such; but 1 can
love as you say, and if such love is
acceptable to you 1t is yours
Howe WINGED. He was quite willing
to give dead love, but when it came
to the point he found he preferred a
live one in return.
There is a difference" he said, "be-
tween our cases. In yours the object
of your love dead; in mine she may
be living. though, confess, as to this
am not informed. She married years
ago, since when 1 have heard nothing
OF her"
you mistake" replied the widow.
"My late husband was not the love 1 re-
fer to. In my girlhood 1 loved one
whom could not marry
Then" said Howe, 1--WE are quits as
tc these two loves. Had we not better
let them remain buried In the dead past
and devote ourselves to a living pres
ent? l confess these old loves, when
confronted with new ones, are musty
and have a sepulchral odor. Dear Mrs.
Harding
Call me Marguerite she whispered,
letting her head fall on his breast.
''Marguerite?" he asked, starting.
eyes; Marguerite"
Marguerite Searle?"
81 was Marguerite Searle."
"And am
"Anthony Olcott.''
'You knew meT
''From the first A woman's love is
not mans, to forget even the slightest
trait, tone of voice. step, a look OF
the eye. She treasures these in her
heart, and when they come to her again
after years of absence, though dis
guised. they have for her the same
charm as of old"
Marguerite. forgive me for not
true, you reminded we of yourself, but
l confess"
'.There is nothing to forgive you for
unless it is for being a man. Men can
not retain what is so enduring in wo-
man.
But ii was You, not I, who