Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-06
DAILY SHORT STORY
A MODERN SHYLOCk.


Cuthbert Swayne, a recent graduate of
a northern college, took a fancy to be
come a tutor in some southern manor
house. He found a position with an
elderly widow, Mrs. Randall, whose
children he was engaged to teach.
There We're two older children-Guy,
who was leading a prof1igate life in
Paris, and Evelyn, girl of seventeen,
with her mother on the plantation.
Cuthbert Swain had been brought up
TO consider himself the heir to the es-
tate of an uncle, Mr.. Seymour, who
was childless. Mr.. Seymour was old
and feeble. Since it was expected that
he would live but a few years every
one considered his nephew in the light
of d wealthy young man. Cuthbert did
not count much upon dis uncle's for
tune. always averring, There's many
slip 'twixt the cup and the lip"
The young hortherner had not been
long at the plantation before il was
evident to every one except her mother
that Evelyn Randall was desperately
in love with him. Unfortunately Cuth-
bert did not reciprocate. The girl was
so incapable of concealing her passion
that those about her were inclined to
smile. But it was no laughing matter.
One day after scene in which she
and Cuthbert We're the actors he mott
fed her mother that he would cancel
his engagement and go north immedi-
ately. The next morning Evelyn Ran
dali was found dead in her bed. She
had committed suicide.
Naturally tho bloU heavily on
Cuthbert. He was eager to get away,
but Mrs. Randall. who was ignorant
of the cause of her daughters act, beg
Sed him not to desert her in her trou-
bic. The old lady sent for her son to
come home, and Cuthbert agreed to re-
main till his arrival.
When Guy Randall arrived he was
made acquainted with the reason of
his sisters suicide. He came also to
other troubles. A mortgage that had
been for many wears on the plantation
was about to be foreclosed. His moth
er, instead of paying the interest, had
sent it TO him to squander in Paris.
Guy invited Cuthbert into u room in
wing of the house where they We're
not likely TO be disturbed, and when
they were together Guy locked the
door. He told Curflbert that none but
Il craven would permit Il girl TO bear
the whole burden of Il tragic love af
fair and he expected him to inflict
upon himself what his sister had suf-
fered. Guy at the same time tossed ii
bowie knife-a common weapon at that
time in the south-to Cuthbert and de-
manded that he Shouhi Kill himself.
Cuthbert might have used the knife i'll
self defense, but Guy covered him with
Il pistol. Indeed, had Guys life been
at Cuthbert's disposal to save his own
he would not have taken it, The death
of the sister was quite enough without
having the blood of her brother on his
hands.
Il assure you," said Cuthbert, that
| am entirely blameleSs, but anything
L can do to atone for fault for which
1 cannot hope that you will acquit me
l will do. / am supposed TO be heir to
the estate of my uncle, estimated TO be
worth 100000. My uncle is an old
man, liable to die at any moment. i
will sign 4 note for that amount due
ON the day he dies. If / do not inherit
the property as expected then | will
accept the same fate as the poor girl
who died because she loved me-"
A short discussion followed this pro-
posal. at the end of which Cuthbert
signed the note payable to whoever
should be owner or owners Of the Ran
dali estate when it should fall due.
When the two left the room Cuth-
bert went directly to the stables.
mounted Il horse and rode to n rail-
way station ten miles away. He was
never again seen,at the plantation.
Several years after this Cuthbert
Swayne. having studied medicine. was
house surgeon ut a hospital i'll Il large
northern city. Among the young wo-
men being educated for nurses in the
institution was Ruth Hoyt, girl of
more than ordinary refinement. Who
she was and where she came from she
kept TO herself. DR.. Swayne fell in
love with her. and his love was re-
turned. AS each year had passed and
taken him farther from the tragedy
the note he had signed bore harder
upon him, but IL was not till he fell
in love that he realized its true import.
One evening Miss Hoyt went into
DR. Swayne's office to make a report
and surprised. him holding loaded pis-
toll to his temple. He lowered the
weapon and gave her an explanation,
ending by telling her that he had just
heard of his Uncle's death and that his
property had been given to- charity.
Il had boIed," he said. that when
my uncle died this incubus that has
| been hanging over me would be lifted
and that 1 might take a new hold Of
life. In that event had intended TO
ask you TO begin life with me. We are
both obliged to work for a living, but
should have succeeded in my profess
SION Now, my uncles estate having
gone elsewhere. my life must be ex-
changed for NY note"