Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-29
DAILY SHORT STORY
ASKING FOR A GIRL.
IOriginaI.I


During the summer Bertram Hall
met ClaribeI Schoticld in the noun
tains and they became engaged. When
Bertram'S vacation was finished he left
his iiancce and went TO the city. where
he was 10 find her father and ask his
consent to their marriage. Mr.. Soho
field lived at Glenwood, suburban
village alone while his family were
in the country. ana Bertram preferred
10 90 there to see him rather than at
his office in the city. He concluded TO
go out after business hours ana return
for dinner. \ train left the station at
3 o'clock by which lie could reach
Glenwood at J:3O, get the ordeal off his
mind and return III time to dine at his
club with friends at Z.
The route was entirely new to him,
and he asked Il gentleman on the train
sitting next to him if he would kindly
notify him when the train reached
GlenwOOd.
Il get out there. or, rather, ut East
GlenwoOd," said the man. Your sta
ton is the next beyond"
Can YOU direct me to the residence
OF Harris l.. Schofieid?' asked Bert
ram.
Certainly. I know him very we'll
And he gave the desired information.
Since the gentleman knew Mr.. SchO-
field, Rertram concluded TO find ont
what sort of Il man he was.
I've never met the gentleman
said Bertram. but l hear he is a very
pleasant man"
HIM" drawled the gentleman,
pleasant enough if you don't antaGo-
nizc him"
Straight laced or a man of the
wOrldf"
"Well. if ! wanted to inCrA tate my
self with him l wouldn't mention
wines. liquors, cigars and such things
I'm that case I'm i'll luck" remarked
Bertram. Il thought I'd go ont in the
smoking car, but concluded l would
not"
Fright you are. Old Schofield would
want you to hang yourself up to air
before going into his presence after
smoking"
Glad l made an engagement to dine
at my club with some chums."
The trainman threw open the door
and cried, East GIenwoOd" and the
gentleman arose.
Good evening"" he said. Il wish
you luck in getting away from Soho
field To dine with pleasanter company"
Half an hour later Rertram reached
the house he sought and sent up his
card. The butler was gone a long while
and when he returned bore on tray
an amber hued fluid in a wincglass.
dressing for dinner and says You might
like Il cocktail while you're waiting"
1t occurred to Bertram that either he
had got into the wrong house or his
prospective father-in-law was trying
TO test him.
Thanks" he said; 4 never drink
The butler set the glass down with
out further remark. Bertram let it
stand untouched. Mr.. Schofield was
very long in dressing. and Bertram be
came impatient. He looked at his
watch every five minutes and at last
saw that lie had but ten minutes for
the ordeal and ten more to catch a
train to get him back to the city in
time for dinner. Tapping an electric
bell. he summoned the butler and ask
ed him To say that his time was lin
tied The butler after a protracted alb
seuce returned with another cocktail
ana an apology from the host for keep
ing him waiting.
Bertram was now sure that lie had
got into the wrong house. But in
quirieS made of the butler only went TO
prove that he had not Then he was
sure he was being put TO test. He
was getting angry.
please tell Mr. Schofeld," he said
sharply. that 1 have an engagement
TO dine with my minister in the city at
Z and beg that he will give me five min
utes ut once"
a reply to this was shouted over the
baluster. Tell him the minister can
wait Put a bottle Of champagne on
ice"
Butler. said BeEtram. .peEplexed