Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-14
DAILY SHORT STORY

HIS TWO SMILES.

| of his mouth were drawn down, and
when he smiled they refused TO be
drawn up. The consequence was a
mingling of Il smile in the eye and a
| crustv look about the mouth that was
by no means pleasing Harding pcs
| sessed very good mind. He was orig
inaI and entertaining. but this. espe-
ciaIly among young people, counted for
nothing When he perpetrated a with
ciSm accompanied by what in another
would have been drOll expression the
result was combination of smile and
acerbity that was very unpleasant
One girl only seemed TO be able to
chat with Harding without laughing
at him. Rebecca Payne. But Miss
Payne was the daughter Of poor cler-
gyman and merely tolerated in society
well, because she had neither wealth
nor that faculty of assumed gracious
ness 10 the members of her set which
in society people is often accompanied
by ungraciouSneSs TO those without
their set. She was, however, intellec-
tuaI, and some of the more apprecia-
tive members took her up. But none of
the socially prominent young men paid
her any attention, and this was back
set for her. When it was noticed that
the only attendant she could rely upon
was Harding her fate, socially consid-
cred. was sealed.
Harding's occupancy of the social pO-
sition to which he was entitled was
confined TO one winter. The next soci-
ETY. saw him no more. He disappeared
for five years. At the end of that pc
riOd one of the aristocratic churches of
the place where he had been born and
reared needed minister. The pillars
had heard of a young man, a Mr. Cum
mings, who was electrifying the elect in
another city and sent him an invitation
TO preach. The reverend gentleman ap-
peared one Sunday morning in the pull
pit. and the moment certain members
of the congregation looked at him they
whispered to one another, How like
owen Harding and yet how unlike
him.
Mr.. Cummings after announcing his
text closed the Bible and without a
scrap Of memoranda delivered the fin
est sermon that had ever been heard in
that church. Once when using a hu-
morous Illustration he smiled. That
smile captivated every woman present,
and there was not a girl unbespoken
who did not resolve that if Mr.. Cum
mings We're called and accepted the
call she would set her cap for him, for
il was known that he was both unmar-
red and rich.
When the congregation left the church
there was a hum of praises intermin-
gled with query and counter query
from those who had known Harding as
TO whether he and Cummings could
possibly he one person. Then it was
learned that the clergyman's name was
Harding Cummings, the latter name
having been taken to fulfill the prOvi-
siOns of a fortune. This settled it that
Cummings was none other than owen
Harding. who had been the laughing
stock of his acquaintances for u dia-
bOlic smile that had since become Sc
raPhic. y thousand tongues were set
babbling not ut the young minister's
eloquence. but at the transformation of
his facial expression. As people once
asked concerning a newly risen literary
star. Where did she get that style:"
so it was asked concerning the Rev.
Harding Cummings, Where lid he get
that smileF"
Mr.. Cummings became the pastor of
the church, and fifty young ladies in
and out of the congregation, all social
~ prominent, made dead set for him
1t must not be supposed that Mr. Cum
mingS' eloquence or his heavenly smile
would have alone led these young Indies
TO cOvet him for a husband. 1t was
the eloQuence and the smile supported
by his great wealth. The minister
showed no preference for any of them,
which made the race all the more eX-
citing. Young women who five years
before had made no attempt to conceal
their laughter at his unfortunate ex-
preston when he made a droll re-
mark did not nov scruple TO remind
him of their enjoyment of what they
called his sparkling wit. The clergy
man smiled pleasantly on them, al
though one Of his best friends remark
ed that it was to be hoped he had his
old smile at home. where he might put
it on after some of these fiattering re-
minderS.
Mr.. Harding Cummings had been
pastor Of the church a year, and the
battle of the beauties for his posses
sion was at its hottest when The bri-
gade was panic stricken by the an
nouucement that he had gone away to
he married. His bride lived in u far
distant land-her father having gone
out as a missionary therefore no
invitations TO the wedding would be is
sued. only announcement cards. When
several months later the groom brought
his wife home there was consterna-
zion ON the features OF some of the old
er bellies as they recognized Rebecca
Payne. And well they might tremble.
for Mrs. Cummings became at once d
prominent woman in society and set
the stamp of her disapproval on every
one OF them who had laughed at her
husbands misfortune
How in the name Of conscience
asked one Of several gentlemen smOk-
ing after a dinner party. did Harding