Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-30
DAILY SHORT STORY
THE EPITAPH.

man would have marched stlniy down
The path and banged the front gate
But Taber still sat on the top step OF
the piazza and placidly surveyed the
changing colors on the clouds in the
west
Agatha Vane was annoyed. She had
expected her words would crush him
or ut least rouse him to unreasonine
wrath Instead he had looked at bel
duizzically and said. "Of course you're
quite sure OF this:" in a questioning
tone which implied his disbelief. after
which he sat in logged silence on the
top step. apparently ponderng over
the matter in the calmest Of manners
His composure irritated the girl
From her low rocker behind the vines
she studied the back of his head ,and
his broad. square shoulders Sheisud
denly discovered that the head was
very shapely and that the shoulders
suggested comforting. manly
strength. and with this discovery-oh,
daughters OF Eve-she cudgelal her
brain for some cutting phrase which
would penetrate the armor of his self
control and wound ais pride.
Taber. all unconscious OF this. idly
watched the sky and thoughtfully blew
clouds Of curling smoke into the still
air.
Presently he drew from This pocket
"A pencil and number of old envel-
opes. on the back OF which he began
TO write rapidly. Now and then he
paused To read the scrubbed lines and
chuckle softly.
Agatha grew momentarily more an
CRY. One little foot tapped the floor
and she bit her lip.
What are you doing?' she demand
ed ut length.
Writing" said he laconically.
"Writins WHAT" she asked.
'Epiiaphs." said he. I'm trying 10
compose suitable one TO fit the oc-
casIon Wait u moment. See If any
Of these will do
He deliberately assorted the envel-
Opes and turned halfway round on the
step that he might make the best Use
OF the fading light in the west. In a
solemn voice he read:
Sacred To the memory of Love. who
died from the effects OF chill, aged
two years, three months and eleven
days"
Agatha was silent.
Here's another said he cheerfully.
He lifted the envelope 10 the light and
read slowly:
Under this stone rests Love. who. |
after precarious existence Of some
The only wonder is that lie managed |
TO hold out as long as he did"
lie glanced quickly ut the girl. Her |
lips curved scornfully.
Sorry IL doesn't meet with your APP |
prevail lie observed. Perhaps you'll |
foully murdered by the green eyed
monster Jealousy"
There was u long silence.
Isn't this last the most truthful of |
the three" lie asked.
jealous" she said. do you imag
inc for moment I'm jealous? Your
conceit does you credit"
Taber smiled imperturbably.
II hoped you We're" he said simply.
Indeed she exclaimed. "Why on
earth should be jealOus:"
Well" said he slowly. as if he were
bordering a matter of the grayest i'm
port. shes rather stunning girl, and
her getup-isn't that the proper term?-
Is a wonder. besides which, you know,
she * we'll fixed financially in her own
right. Agatha, If you had gone auto
with IA man as fascinating as
the Mortimer girl is | should have been
green with jealousy. You might do as
much for me-" lie ended in a hurt tone.
IF that II your defense'- she began.
"DefenSe"' he said. ''Oh. pardon me,
but you miscOnstrue. I'm not making
excuses for myself. but for your lack
Of interest in my doings. II is surpris-
ing. most surprising, Agatha
Agatha laughed scornfuIly.
ingenious To- the last" she observed.
Il see plainly that my epitaphs are
mishts," said he. Love was slain by
an automobile and "a girl with red hair.
The girl with red hair seems TO be
the fatal part 81 the combination"
lie looked thOughtfully at the sky
for several moments. Then he rose
from the step and stood by the girl.
Cant you be the least bit jealous
1f herr" lac asked.
No" she said shortly.
Nor Of me- he pursued
''Nor of you she said
And you meant all you said about
Dur not being suited 10 ore anotherT'
Every word OF it
And. Agatha. does Love need an
spitaph?''
1t seems to me he was such a pau
per that an unmarked grave fin pot
er's field would do for him." she said
Taber came a step nearer
Happiness Is wealth." he said. HE
wasn't a pauper because he was very
lappy."