Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-03-06
DAILY SHORT STORY
Proposal by Piano.
Copyright. 1902, by McClure's Newspaper
Syndicate


gloom of the vine hung corner. Some
one was picking out popular songs
with one finger, but presently the la
bored playing ceased, and Clarice gave
q sigh of relief.
Her aunt, Mrs. Harvan, sighed also
in deep satisfaction, not, however, over
the departure of the pianist, because
she had been deaf to music and all
other sounds these ten comfortable
years. Her contentment was due to
the fact that she had steered Clarice
through an entire summer at Ocean
View without once having permitted a
tete-a-tete with Carleton Jason, though
he had not missed a single Sunday
since their arrival.
There was no particular reason why
Mrs. Harvan should discriminate
against Carl save that he had found
favor in Clarice's eyes and Mrs. Har
van wanted her pretty niece to herself.
She loved her, but with love that
was completely selfish, though never
lacking in generosity. Clarice was
showered with all the good things of
life save that which she now wanted
most of all-love.
Carl Jason had made this final trip
to the shore expressly to lay his heart
and his comfortable little fortune at
the feet of Clarice-that is, provided
Mrs. Harvan would kindly get out of
his way long enough. Providing round
the porch this very moment. he real
lied that he should have sailed for Eu-
rope a week since and that on the fol-
lowing Saturday he must start wheth-
err his love story moved on another
chapter or not. Worst of all. this was
Clarice's last night at the hotel. On
the morrow she and Mrs. Harvan
would return to their home in an in
land city. whittier Carl could not fol-
low them and still make his sailing
date on Saturday. Carl was thinking
wrathfully of this twentieth century
bondage when his eye caught the CLEAN
of Clarice's guitar. He started to his
feet; then, with well assumed noncha-
lance, strolled into the parlOr.
When Clarice heard the twirl of the
piano stool, she made n tiny mOue. pre-
pared to be bored again by some in
competent musician. She preferred ST.
| lence and her thoughts of Carl.
But she drew a breath of happy re-
4
No one but Carl played just like that,
and now he was putting his very soul
into TostFs "Goodby." She did not
lean forward lest she should thus at
tract her aunts attention, but ON the
| last refrain her guitar was keeping
perfect harmony to the passionate rise
and fall of the piano music. "e.i e.
| A moments pause and then Clarice
smiled merrily. for there floated out
from the parlor the strains of a popu-
lar song, ''Ain't 1t a Shame?" The
guitar promptly answered, "Pze Wait
ed, Honey-Waited Long For You"
Back from the piano rang 81 Thought
[ Heard Somebody Calling Me-" And
she smiled again as a moment later
the music changed to Take Your
Clothes and Co." for she realized that
this musical hint was not for her.
Carl waited a moment for her COM
ment. which came tinkling in the re-
frain of you're All Right. but You
Can't Ring In" to be answered by Il
Don't Want to Play In Your Yard"
and "Won't You Come Out and Play?"
from the piano.
Clarice glanced at her aunt 'In the
Sweet By and By" she played, and ca
| ger response came in "Oh, Promise
Mer' and that his meaning might be
perfectly clear Carl ran in a few famil-
lar bars from the 'I1ohengrin" wedding
march A vivid blush mounted to the
girls forehead. and she glanced nerv-
ously at her aunt. Surely such a keen
eyed chaperon must mark her embar-
rasSment For u moment the guitar
lay untouched. Clarice was bordering
the question, and not until the first
few strains of Answer" floated out
upon the night did she again pick up
now been reached, and right bravely
You Be the Bee"
A mighty crash emanated from the
piano. followed by the lively chorus of
I'm the Luckiest Coon In Town" a
seconds pause, then, with martial
swing, Hold the Fort. For Am Com
ingw
When Carl stepped out on the piazza,
Mrs. Harvan regarded him with an I'M
favorable eye. When he bent over
Clarice's hand. she frowned. But this
mild disapproval changed to vehement
gestures when he caught up the mouth
Ipiece of the flexible ear trumpet the ell
der woman carried.
81 have asked Clarice TO marry me,
Mrs. Harvan," he explained, land she
says yes. 1 must go abroad on Satur
day next. and I'd like to take her with
me- We can be married as you pass
through New York tomorrow, sail as
planned on Saturday and buy that
rousseau in Paris. i know you don't
want to be separated from Clarice, and
1 don't blame you; so won't you come
with us?"
when did you ask herT demanded
the old lady suspiciously.
Gust now," he made answer into the
ear trumpet. 81 played my proposal on
the piano."
Mrs. Harvan stared at him in amaze