Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-10-14
DAILY SHORT STORY
Determined to Wed.
IOriginal.l


the people turned out to hear him and
were spellbOund at his eloquence. A
number of young women set their caps
for him, but he would have none of
them.
At last he met Eugenia Duffield and
was captured Miss Duffield was
twenty-eight and director on the boards
of hospitals and helping hand sOcie-
ties. She had fine figure, firm step
and carried her head erect on her
shoulders. Her administrative ability
was remarkable, and 1t was this that
made her valuable as manager
When Miss Dutfield and Mr.. Treat
announced their engagement the world
said. What Il splendid match"
All went well with the lovers till one
day a suit was brought against one or
the institutions of which the lady was
managing director, and she put the
case in the hands of Mr.. Treat. In
submitting it she told him the incidents
leading up to the trouble, to which he
listened attentively. Then she gave
him the line of defense lie was to pur-
sue, to which he listened respectfully.
She finished by stating what she con-
ceived TO be the law bearing on the
case, and he appeared a trife bored
AS a last word she directed him to pro-
coed in every particular on the lines
she had laid down.
''Do understand" he asked, that /
am to try the case as your assistant or
your attorney?'
Miss Duffield without a word folded
ND the papers and marched away with
the remark. you'll not try 1t at ALL"
Before the end of a week it was an
nounced that the engagement was bro
ken. Nevertheless the breaking of 1t
was a great disappointment to both
Mr.. Treat and Miss Duffield. 1t was
finally renewed after she had acknOwl-
edged herself in the wrong, for her
brother was lawyer and told her she
had acted like a fool. For awhile the
couple were very happy. Their trou-
BILE came again, this time from the side
of the man. He had a prOtege, whom
he endeavored to get into Miss Duff
fields hospital. She Informed him that
under the rules the patient was not
admissible. whereupon Mr.. Treat re-
marked that he would apply at a hos
pital where there were more elastic
rules.
''Do you mean to imply" asked Miss
Duffield, that our rules are not proper
oneS?'
They are not such as l should APP
prove. | am on the board at st. Luke's,
you know"
''Our Institution doesn't follow the
leadership of st. Luke's by any means.
tient to your own hospital"
Il did not ask your advice. l asked
admittance for the patient at your hos
pital.'
Immediately after this interview II
was announced again that the engage
ment was broken. THAT will never be
a match" said veteran matrimonial
observer. You might as well put two
captains in command of the same
ship
However, the two lovers were mlser-
able apart, and this time at the suit
of the man they came together again.
Then they concluded that once mar
ried they would learn to work in dou-
BILE harness and decided to make a
plunge into matrimony, and the we'd
ding day was set. One day Mr.. Treat
drove up to Miss Duff1eld's residence
and, alighting from his carriage. ran
up the steps and rang the bell.
II have just heard" he said when
his Iadylove came down. that our
wedding is to be the largest and most
brilliant ever held in this city. This
1 hear from others, while 1, the prin-
cipal participant, have not been con-
suited"
First" replied Miss Duffield, 81 was
not aware that you were to be the
principal participant; second, L consid-
er you on such an occasion without
any rights whatever, and, third. the
wOman's will as to marriage ceremo-
MES being absolute, l did not think it
necessary to inform you"
Il think ii necessary" said the groom
expectant, flushing, Ito inform you that
l detest spectacular performances and
would not consent TO make guy of
myself on any account"
You'll neither make a guy nor a
groom of yourself with me-" replied
the lady. Eve will consider this af-
fair off for the third and last time"
The next step in this affair, after
weeks OF misery on the part of both,
was a note from the man, which by a
singular coincidence crossed one from
the woman. The mans note asked for
an interview; the wOman's invited him
To call. When they met the man began:
81 have called TO say that 1 have
found 1t impossible for me to live with
out you. 1 confess that expect to find
it impossible to live with you and have
my own way about anything. There
fore I have called 70 beg for one more
trial. The first time 1 attempt to have
my own way you may break the en-
gagement."
81 have come to a similar conclu-
sion," said the woman. ct confess that
1 have been very miserable. l have
sent for you to say that II you care to
try 1t once more we will be married as