Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-05
DAILY SHORT STORY
An Episode of Old New York.
(Originnl.l


| her voice, the curve of her neck, the
dimples ,on her cleek-what was the
| cause doesn't matter SO long as l be-
came her(slave, and not even her dog,
which usually sczampered ahead of US,
was mOret easilyl subdued at sight Of
her raised whipI than 1 at a single
flash of sher eye or a scornful curl of
her lip.
A man is never so stupid as when in
love, and 4 gave myself much vexation
because ofithis same stupidity. There
was one occasion when l failed to see
even what was as plain as the three
corners of my hat orr the lace ruffie at
my cuff On, one of our visits to the
city Dorothy. instead of going to n
woman's dressmaker, went to Il tailor
ing shop and boughtia coat, waistcoat,
breeches. hose and shoes for a man, or,
rather, for a boy, because she desired
suit so small in size that mans
would not suffice. There was nothing
surprising in this, since we who lived
in the country, especially those of us
dwelling near Hudsons river as far
down as the village of Greenwich, were
to have an entertainment in fancy
dress, and Dorothy was intending this
suit for herself or some of her girl
friends.
1t was the next afternoon that 1
rode up to the Curtices' and, hitching
my horse at the gate. went up into the
house Not seeing Dorothy, L was
about to call a servant when L espied
her through a window out under a
tree with n man. And as l looked
what should he do but fold Dorothy
in his arms, and in this fashion they
walked together toward the house. l
was that wild 1 could have killed the
fellow Rushing into the hall, L went
out through a rear door and met them
face to face.
Your presence, sir" I said, ''is Of
fensive to me. 1 beg that you leave
this place at once"
How now, Mr.. Huntingdon cried
Dorothy, incensed at my assumption.
'Who gave you the right to order my
guests away, and in my very pres
ence?"
Il beg your pardon, Mistress Curtice.
am much panied to have seen you
in such a position as you were when
came up. There is some excuse for
me in that. 1 suppose"
What did the cowardly fellow beside
her do but run like deer into the
house 1 had half drawn my rapier,
which at this contemplate procedure
1 thrust back into its scabbard, and,
turning my back on Dorothy, snapped
my fingers, saying:
1.-The girl who can receive the ca
resseS of such a coward is of no con-
sequence to me whatever" Then sud
denly it occurred to me that 1 was
taking much upon myself, since no
word of love had passed between Dor
othy and myself; so 1 bowed humbly
and asked forgiveness for having made
so much ado about what did not con-
Germ me. 1t seemed to me from the
expression of her face that anger was
struggling with desire to laugh at
me. This reused my choler all the
more, and 1 was about to fly into new
freaks of temper when she looked at
me somewhat less angrily out of her
soft eyes and said:
'Edward!'
Dorothy" L replied mournfully.
why did you not stab me with steel
instead of with this boy of Dough-"
Il have not stabbed you at all, Ned.
Come, let us go back there among the
trees and have it OUT
''What! Will you have all your lovers
under the same tree?'
tut, tut, Mr.. Huntington! I'm not |
accustomed to having my conduct thus |
criticised. Please measure your words |
more carefully"
She turned and went to the very spot |
where l had seen the boy take her in |
his arms without looking back to see |
if 1 followed 1 did follow, but with |
hating steps, for, putting one foot for |
ward hungriIy desiring to make peace, |
no sooner was it planted than the other |
Jagged, l mindful of the detestable |
scene. At last we stood under the |
tree. / folded my arms and turned my |
back, casting glances up at the sky. |
which l saw no more than the girl be- /
hind me.
you need not f1atter yourself, sir"
she said, that there can ever be aught |
between us. / could respect a pirate, |
but a fool never. You remember yes
terday in town bought mans suit of
clothes. 1t was for my cousin, Mistress
Lucy Livingston, who came this morn
ing from Harlem and who will be with
us at the ball.
With this 1 turned around as a man
struck by a bullet in battle and faced
her.
Course my addle pater'
81 am glad that you have never be-
fore met Mistress Livingston. else 1
would not have discovered that addle
patedness which you CURSE
In trice 1 was at her feet imploring
her to forgive the blunder of my not
recognizing a bit of girl whose mine
ing steps were only more plain since
she wore no petticoats.
And then she laughed and said, Ned.
since it was your love that made you
choleric and your choler made you
fool, forgive you.'
F. A. mitchell.