Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-21
DAILY SHORT STORY
SEALED HIS HEART FOREVER.
IOriginal.l

lutely. on the glass We're neat gold
letters. Arthur Westcott, Attorney at
Law" Presently. summoning her resO-
luton. the girl turned the knob and ell
tered \ few minutes later she was
ushered into Mr. We~tcotts private Of
fee.
Nina"
Arthur, help me. Clifford is in trou-
bic. He is accused of appropriatinG
the funds of the bank
\ singular expression passed over
the mans face Clifford Bum had
won from him the heart of Nina
Wrenn, TO whom he had been be-
trothed.
But why not secure another defend
err" he asked.
Because l have been told there is
but one man at the bar who can cope
with the states attorney. who CON
victs all who come before him, and you
are that man"
There was 4 short silence. at the end
of which WestcOtt said:
Nina. your trouble is my trouble
L will defend your lover and do my
best in your behalf"
Arthur.
She spoke only his name. but there
was Il world of gratitude in her eyes.
Then she turned abruptly and left the
Office.
She had been actuated by one over
towering mOtive-a desire TO save the
man she loved. even though she de
mean herself by asking the one she
had sighted 10 be her instrument in
doing so. But suddenly in his magma
nmity she saw the worth Of the man
she had given mp and the worthless
ness of the man for whom sho had
deserted him. But was this new TO
her? WeStcOtt had won her consent
to marry him because he was Il SPLEEN
did man. Bum had lighted on her
heart rs q butterfly will light on
flower and carried off all its sweet
ness. Nevertheless she left the office
feeling that she had acted unwiSely
and that if WeStcott had treated her
as she had treated him she would
never forgive him.
The trial was notable One-nOtable
on account of the social prominence.
of the young man. who was known to
be betrOthed to Il popular hclle-but
the main feature was the remarkable
summing up of what was recognized
as weak ease by Arthur WeStcOtt,
an effort that placed him far above ev-
cry other criminal lawyer in his state.
He saved his client from punishment,
but not from conviction in the minds
of every one who read the testimony
in cold type. uniniUcnced by the i'm
FASHIONED appeals of his defender.
The morning after the acquittal Nina
Wrenn appeared again at the cOunsers
office. She bore an envelope contain
ing ten 500 bills. They were sent by
the discharged man as his cOunseTs
fee Westcott knew that the money
had been stolen.
There Is no charge for services.
Nina
why not?"
Il did it for you. not for him"
The girl cast her eyes down to the
floor.
Arthur" she said presently, II treat
ed You shamefully"
You but followed the dictates of
your heart | would not have you do
otherwise"
"Then-then," she faltered, IF the
dictates of my heart'-and paused.
Should change even an hour before
marriage l would have you change as
we'll
Her eyes were still on the floor, and
she seemed tongue tied.
Nina" said the man impressively,
do YOU regret
There was no reply, only 4 troubled
gaze. a gaze bent always down, never
upward. WestcOtt went to her ana
took her hand.
"Sweetheart." he said softly. let us
forget this unpleasant episode, forget
that this feeble minded man has for
time captivated you. We are still, al
ways have been. lovers. The rest has
been a dream"
Arthur. you are too good for me. l
am no better than Clifford"
There was melancholy in her tone
that startled WeStcOtt.
Not too good for you, but stronger
perhaps. more practical. farseeing"
NO. you are too good for me. l am
not worthy OF you
If | ever doubted you We're my
knowledge Of the noble effort you have
made 10 save an unworthy man 10
whom YOU had given your heart would
have convinced me TO the contrary.
Your fault is Iovable one. Come.
Nina; on your decision probably rests
the tenor of your whole future life
believe that you Will be the wife either
OF Clifford Bum or of Arthur West
colt. Which shall it beg
There was no response, but her head
was slowly bending, it seemed, under
q great weight, and Westcott guided it
10 his breast. There it rested for 4
time. when at last he said:
Now so, sweetheart. This is no
place except for business. Take your
time. DO nothing in q hurry. One
week from tonight 1 shall call for your
reply"
Before the expiration of the week
Westcott received q note addressed in
the we'll known hand. He tore it open
and read: