Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-18
DAILY SHORT STORY
MY CHOICE.
IOriginal.l

of at any moment Before / go i
wish to see you married. / would be
glad if you could have 4 romance, but
romances will not he hidden; they
come when they please or not 1t all.
/ must therefore ask you TO choose .
husband in a conventional way ThN~
men have proposed to me for VOC
hand-Edward Hewitt. Arthur Lyons
and Gilbert Lawrence. All are tsbe to
support you; all are mentally. and
physically admirable men except LAW
renee. who is cursed with a club foot.
| believe you know them.
Mr. Hewitt / have met; Mr. Lyons
l know pretty well; Mr.. Lawrence /
do not know at all"
''Then l suppose the choicesfalls be-
tween Hewitt and LyonS:
i was silent. My expression must
have been lugubriGls. for father said.
Poor little girl" Then L turned to
him and said:
propositions direct and 1 will decide
between them"
ION different days.
No; let them all come tomorrow
evening Put them in different rooms.
erie. one after another
Father smiled grimly and went
away.
The next evening l took position in
the small drawing room. Presently
the door opened, and Mr.. Hewitt walk
ed in. He was perfectly self possessed,
advanced TO within short distance of
me and stood deferentially. He was
Il fine looking man. though not hand
some. He began TO speak ina formal
tone.
Your father has given me- the ines
Unable privilege of laying my heart
at your feet. / have known you long
enough to feel assured of the loveliness
of your disposition. the rectitude of
your conduct. and it is plain to all that |
YOU are beautiful. L mention these |
traits. since from bOyhood l have been |
resolved that the woman | marry must |
possess them. As To- worldly goods, L |
have sufficient myself. l can take care |
Of you in the same fashion as you have |
been brought up. You have only to |
speak one word to make me happY."
Il duly appreciate" | replied, the |
honor you have done me and am pleas |
ed TO know your requirements in the |
woman you shall marry. l will hold !,
your proposal under advisement, and |
you will be duly informed
His confident manner underwent Il |
sudden change. and lie retired i'll some |
confusion
Ten minutes later Mr.. Lyons came |
in. He cast II frightened glance at me, |
then bent his eyes 10 the floor. He did |
No Ia
and instead of standing erect bent |
low
Il feel" he said in hesitating voice.
that it is "a presumption for me to
offer my unworthy hand TO one so
greatly my superior, one who is known
10 the world for her many admirable
traits, as we'll as for her beauty. When
/ asked yOJr father to he permitted to
pay my addresses TO you. | had no
hope that the little / have to offer in
those endowments priced by woman
would he acceptable TO one possessing
every endowment acceptable TO men.
If you can find it in your heart To ia
vOr my suit You will inspire me with a
confidence and happiness never felt
before"
lie stood waiting with head bowed
and eyes still bent to- the floor.
Il assure You. Mr.. Lyons | said, |
that, far from feeling too good for
you, / do not feel good enough for
you. 1 thank you for your high opinion
of my endowments and for your most
complimentary offer. l must ask you
for Il brief period in which TO con
slider Hr /
Il am delighted lie said, that you
will stOop even to consider Il proposal
Of one unworthy of you"
| sighed as he went away. Two of
the three had made their proposals. one
telling NE what he required in a wife,
band. The third remained to state his
case. and lie had a cIubfoot What a
position for a girl to be placed in.
When the door opened and Lawrence
entered he Iimped along briskIy. his
eyes fixed on me, his countenance lit
with admiration mingled with intense
1t seemed as if he was bent
on the one supreme quest of his life
He came up close 10 me and sat on
the edge of a chair directly opposite
me
May | tell you a story?" he asked
You may.
One day a year ago / was in the !
art gallery. when a girl came in and
began looking at the pictures / do not
know if her face was beautiful. / only
know that the soul looking through IL
caught mine and whirled it away. Ev-
cry day since then / have gone to the
gallery hoping TO meet her. and thrice
that l have done so have amply re-
paid me. For a year l have worshiped
her in silence. Then when / could en-
dure Ii no longer / resolved to know
my fate. You are thax girl. Tell me
If my life is 10 be withered or If the
gates OF heaven are TO be opened to
ne in your love"