Rock Island Argus., 1904-03-15
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Critical Moment.
IOriginal.1

The first really warm spring morn
ing had come and brought out the bios
SONS. 1 was inclined for walk and
sauntered through an open field. then
sat on 2 stile and took a warm bath in
the sunshine. l was thinking about
Violet. l knew very we'll that she was
intending TO come TO Il decision be-
tween me and Howard Swatfield, or.
rather, that she had come to Il de-
ciSiOn and would soon accept Swatiield.
l could not blame her. l was twenty
two and poor; Swaffield was thirty
eight and had a fortune.
| was sitting with my eyes bent
down on my cane. with which l was
tapping 4 step below me. Looking up.
who should l see coming but Violet.
AS soon as she saw me she crammea
a letter into her pocket. AS she came
up there was conscious look on her
face. 1t occurred to me that she had
written her acceptance of Swaffield
and was going to post it.
What 4 pleasant morning. said
Violet.
Very" 1 replied.
What time does the mail for the city
close:"
AT IL, I believe" 1 took out my
watch, You have a few minutes to
spare. Can't you spend them with me
here in the sunshine?'
No Nevertheless, after some hesi-
tation, she sat down beside me. | con-
tinued to tap the step with my cane;
she commenced to poke il with the
stick OF her .parasol. We talked about
everything except what was nearest
our hearts. l was burning TO use the
opportunity to make a last dash TO
save her to myself before it should be
too late. But what right had | to in
fiuence her TO refuse Il splendid offer
only to wait years for me to make
home for her? / might never make
home. Instead of chatting, we passed
the minutes she had to spare each
thinking of the letter in her pocket.
but not referring to it. At last l took
ont my watch.
Times up 1 said. "You have just
enough to reach the postofice before
the mail Closes
She flushed. "You seem very much
concerned about my letter." she said.
81 am"
~ suppose l am the person to see
that il reaches the mail at the proper
time"
You forget that 1 induced you TO
stop here. 1t wouldn't do for me to
let you forget that time is passing.
The person who expects your letter
will be disappointed"
I'VE must all suffer from disappOint-
wouldn't be in hurry to post THAI let
ter
Il can't reply to that without know
ing its contents and to whom it is writ
ten"
This was both true and false, espe
cially false.
would you like to know:' she ask
ed. looking mp at me as if she would
like To torture me by telling.
"Why should it interest me?"
"Oh. l have been led to think that
anything which concerns me would in
terest YOU" She was ruffied again.
Il consider you passed beyond that
state which would warrant such inter
est"
What an awful disappointment to
you"
Il have many a disappointment be-
fore me. 1t is my part to bear them
with equanimity.
IF you go on improving from this
point you will acquire wonderful stOi-
cism.'
THE letter. Do you wish me to save
you the trouble OF carrying it? You
would now have to hurry. while
could walk the distance leisurely."
Il dare say if you knew the letters
contents YOU would run all the way to
make sure OF being in time
Then l have an interest in it?"
"Oh. no. You can't possibly have
any interest in it. Haven't you just
told me that what concerns me has
ceased to interest you:'
II said everything that concerns
you. not anything"
There was another silence. l had
| leSsened the vigor with which tapped
the step; she had increased the fire.
| Quency of her pokes.
This delay" said 1. this disap-
pointment to your correspondent, will
be laid at my door. think you had
| better let me pOst-thc letter"
Yes. If you are so anxious about ii.
1 But first l think will let you read it,
If there is any confidence in il
| hardly think that would be strictly
| fair To the person to whom it is writ
| ten
1T would be perfectly fair since
/ there is nothing in 1t that concerns
| you
Indeed! I thought you said / would
run all the way If l knew its con-
| tents
| 1t is very mean. l will admit. TO
| take advantage OF n woman's want of
/ logical sequence. but despite. my re-
solve a few minutes before not TO in
terfere with Violet's making a good
match | was playing n desperate game
| to accomplish that very object.
| pushed on remOrselessly.
] 1rux haon lanair-iy,er I cafA