Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-08-07
DAILY SHORT STORY
MR.. BUGeEE'S INTENTION.
IOrfginaL1


In the smoking room of an incoming
ocean liner two young men formed an
acquaintance. the rOne :. Augustus Bug,
bee. as his card read. the other, Eu-
gene KentOn. Bugbee was an Eng
Hshman who evidently expected to see
wild animals running in the streets
OF the principal cities in America. He
informed Kenton that one of his IA
Tiers brothers had emigrated 10 the
United States. had got rich and was
expecting a visit from his neIhew.
Kenton gathered from Mr.. Bugbce's
remarks that he was going TO. America
TO unite the two branches Of the fam
lily by marrying his cousin. Miss An
nettp Medbury. a further Inference
was that the Englishman regarded his
part in the matter 4 sacrifice which
was only TO be atoned for by the fact
that the young lady was 'the sole heir
Of a wealthy man. BugbHe's plan was
TO visit SOME interesting points in the
new world. then join his uncles fam
lily in the mountains, naming J. as the
place of meeting, wherenpon KentOn
remarked that his mother usually went
TO the same place, that. he would be
there with her and might have the
pleasure of meeting the young lady.
A week later Miss Medbury and
Mr.. Kcnton were introduced in the
parlor of the hotel in the mountains
Kenton reframed from mentioning hav-
ing met her cousin.
Miss Medbury proved very agree
able companion. KentOn looked upon
her as an engI ge1l young lady who was
permitting him To be cOmpaniOnable to
fill the time before the arrival of Mr..
Bughec He IsIt off mentioning his
having met the gentleman till at last it
occurred TO him that he would appear
as having played Il somewhat undesira-
BILE role in keeping his knowledge Sc
cret Meanwhile Miss ,Medbury show
ed understandable signs Of an especial
preference for Kentons society. One
evening while they We're sitting in a
coy corner of the hotel they began
that skirnishing which usually comes
between an intimacy and OutspOken
love.
You go next week. said Miss Med
bury. looking down at a flower with
which she was toying. You will be
much miSsedEhere."
Perhaps" replied Kenton. some
one viii come along 10 supply the place
l have taken. so far as you are con
cerncd."
Il expect no, one who can fill the
place you have filled"
POSSIBLY some day we shall meet
again. 1t may he in the mountains, at
the seashOre. or perhaps you may be
married and living abroad"
She looked up at him out of the cor
ner of her eye. why do you say
that?"
1T has occurred to me that you
would grace some old English home
where your position would be better
defined than here. With us the promi-
nence given to blood has died out
There it is st1l feature
when it is united Ewith money"
YES"
You think, then, dhat fl would be
nice for me TO marry some impoverish-
ed gentleman in England and take his
rank. l might marry into my own fam
lily there. You know my father came
from England"
Indeed"
Yes, and what you,propose has been
suggested. A cousin of mine is now
travelling in America. and expect him
to join us here next week"
Kenton did not like the situation.
In the first place. TO think OF the girl
taking his advice. marrying her cousin
and going where he would never see
her again was horrible to him; in the
second place, when the lady should
learn that he had met Mr. Bugbee and
had said nothing to her about the meet
ing she would give him the cold shout
der
Have you eyer seen hing he asked.
NO"
Miss Medbury," said Kenton, 81
have a confession to make" And he
told her that he had met her cousin.
Il can understand your position per
fectly," she said. Now tell me all
about him"
KcntOu was greatly relieved and re
solved not TO place himself in a similar
position again. He gave a description
of Mr.. Bugbee that had he heard II
must have delighted that gentleman.
Miss Medbury listened till he had fin
ished.
Il wish" she said. Ito ask YOU
question to which 1 expect a reply on
your sacred honor. Do you think my
cousin a man of whom I would be
proudf"
That is not question for me to de-
eide"
Il consider you a friend" she con
tinued after Il brief silence Now,
tell me. would you like to see me mar
ried 10 the gentleman you met on the
steamer?"
Il would not"
"Why?"
u should not like TO see you married
10 any one"
what! Would You have me remain
an old maidT'