Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-04
DAILY SHORT STORY
WHEN STANTON APoLoGIzED.


card and the impassive ann0lncemenrt,
Miss Carvers not in, sir
Stanton smiled grimly.
VERY well. Howes," hes said, calmly
picking up a magazine and settling
back comfortably. III waituntil Miss
Carver is in, and, by the way, Howes."
he added as, the IGltler turned to go.
you'll favor me by conveying that 'bit
of informatiOn.to Miss Carver at once
He fished in his pocket andidrew Fout
a half dollar, (which he Tipped to uhe
butler, with meaning nod, and HoUes
departed. the ghost ,Of grin showing
at the corners of hiSt mouth.
4 fire burned on gthe broad hearth,
and. as the stairs crea ked beneath the
portly Howes, Stanton piled on wood
and worked the hellowstuntil ;he had u
small sized confiagration\roaring cheer
fully He was just changing up the bel
lows when the portAeres were whisked
angrily aside, and Katherine Carver
stood before him, u spot of red burn
ing in either cheek and hard lines
showing about her pretty mouth.
Hello said Stanton cheerfully.
Back early, aren't you'll Glad l wait
ed
"Weny' she said shortly, coming "a
step nearer and giving inl unpleasant
infection 10 the word.
Very we'll, thank you," tsaid Stanton
imperturbably. And you2'
Miss Carver glared at him.
Won't you sit down by my fire?7 he
went on politely. Il hadt no end of
trouble TO get it going"
What have you comeA for?" she
asked frigidly.
Stanton looked thoughtEnlly iinto the
fire for a moment
i didn't come to rob theIhouse," said
he, nor to commit murder. 1 think 1
must have come to apologize
1T is TOO late" said she
Then I'll come earlier tomorrow"
he returned. May ask what time the
receipt of apologies ceases?T
1t ceased last evening at 10. and it
ceased forever" said Miss Carver.
oh. say" Stanton protested, ere
ally that's not fair
It's quite as fair as your remarks of
last evening" she replied.
Honestly I'm sorry" said1Stanton.
i was beside myself"
80 it would seem." she tObserved
tartIy.
And when l called you aSheartIess
fiirt and the rest of it 1 was tirrespOn-
sibIe' said he. Il take it aIlSback ex-
cept''- lie paused.
Except WHAT" che asked.
well, III take it all back-no ex-
ceptions, if you say so,' he said meek
ly.
"Oh, it doesn't matter" shes unused
indifTercntly.
NO, l suppose not" he said "Stn
I'm really sorry. Won't you sit down
by the fire and hear my side Of'it?'
Miss Carver heSitated.
won't YOU" he pleaded.
She came to the fire and took the
chair he had draAvn up for her.
Proceed" she said, still practicing
an economy of words.
katherine" he said slowly, you
know how devout Il wOrshiper I've
been: you know how patiently I've
waited and t-er-what encourage
ment you've given me. Well. yester-
day when l heard of your engagement
''To whom?" she gasped, suddenly
attentive.
TO CawthOrne," he repeated az
heard it at the club"
Miss Carver suddenly burst out
laughing. She covered her face with
her hands and went into commissions
of merriment Stanton stared help
lesSly.
Il wish might see it in that humor-
Gus VEIN he said glOomily.
do YOU mean TO tell me that the
announcement of Mr.. CawthOrne's en-
gagement was responsible for your out
burst last night?' she asked between
hysteric giggles.
Yes" he said. II was angry then,
but today I've come TO offer apologies
and to add my congratulations. He
has mint of money, l hear"
oh" she gasped. convulsed in
laughter again, its too funny! Mr.
Cawthorne is engaged to Miss Cynthia
Carver-Aunt Cynthia. It's the cul-
mination of Il romance that began be-
fore | was born
oh, Lord said Stanton softly, but
in tones of infinite relief.
He picked up his hat and coat. At
the door lie turned.
Not gOing:' she asked.
Yes: I'm going to the club to an
nounce Your enga cement to me-" he
said. with AFFAIR OF finality.
Il haven't given my consent" she
said. with redeemed face.
Stanton chuckled
We'll in response to your urgent in
vitat!On. I'm coming back to dine with
the family. and I'll get il then said he.
LEONARD FRANK ADAMS.