Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-04-23
DAILY .STORY y.
THE PRETENOE r.
(Original.1

A carriage drew up 10 HdhuSonc
country residence in New England and
young man apparently about eight
cen, with perfectly smooth cheek ana
a delicate manner, stepped out and en-
tered the house. He was met in the
hall by an elderly lady, who received
him coldly, though she permitted him
TO kiss her cheek.
Il will not conceal from you" she
said. that l have brought up your
cousin Elton to suppose that he was
the heir TO this estate, and your appear
ance is disappointment to me. How
ever l will make the best of it and
treat you with every consideration"
y man of thirty, with an honest.
manly countenance, came into the
room and, without waiting for an in
PRODUCTION to the newcomer, went to
him, put out his hand frankly, and said:
Il am Elton Parmeter, and suppose
you are my cousin Gus. You are heir
to an estate l have supposed from my
childhood l would inherit. If l bore
you the slightest malice 1 would de-
spise myself"
Augustus Parmeter looked up into
the face of his cousin with grateful
but panied expression, and a tear
glistened in his eye.
Come" said Elton cheerily. Il
want to show you your possessions"
Years before this scene was enacted
Ralph Parmeter ran away with and
married Martha Redmond, the daugh-
ter of a penniless attorney. From the
time of his departure till few weeks
before the appearance of Augustus Par
meter Ralph's mother heard nothing OF
her son. Then one day she received
note from a lawyer presenting the
claims of one who purported to be
Ralph's son, Augustus. The claim was
supported by affidavitS furnished by
Augustus mother, stating that Ralph,
the father, was dead and Augustus was
his son and heir.
Augustus was as delicately made as
Elton was manly. Elton tried to in
fuse more vim into the boy, but his
efforts were a failure. Augustus also
made Il bad return for his cousins
friendly treatment and was always
bringing up the matter of the dis
possession. When Augustus mention
ed the subject Elton would knit his
out of his dissatisfaction, but never
succeeded. AS time went on the pos
SCISSOR of the estate appeared to be
miserable. while the one he had >dispos-
sessed was happy.
Gus, my dear boy said Elton one
day, IF you don't stop bOthering your
self and me about this business I'll
leave the place. 1 confess 1 don't want
to do so, because Aunt Caroline would
miss me"
'You think only of Aunt Caroline"
said Gus glOomily. You never think
of me-
You, Why, my dear boy. I'm as
fond of you as my younger brother,
and if you'll only be satisfied to accept
what rightfully belongs to.yOu we may
all be happy together as long as we
live
While Augustus was ansunmaply fell
low, he was so kindly disposed to ev-
cry one about him. so self sacrificing,
that after awhile the household foE-
gave him for turning upsto dispOsseSs
their favorite and began\ to love him
in n very different wayt from what
they loved Elton. IndeedS the cousins
were very unlike-the ore a typical
man: the other a sitive. tender
hearted little chap with a winning way.
Elton became much attached to him,
the only fault he had to find with him
being his constantly bringing up the
one unpleasant subject OF the dispos-
session.
One night they We're together when
Augustus especially irritafted his cous-
in by proposing some ridiculous
scheme by which he migftt turn over
the estate to him. Efoni laughed,
whereupOn the boy went to this room,
and as he departed Elton thought he
saw tears glisten in his eye. Augustus
always locked his bedroom door, ad-
hitting that he was afraid oftburglars,
but this time he forgot to do 50. Elton
finished cigar he was smoking, then
concluded to go to Augustus ITO apollo
giZe for laughing at him and thank
him for his proffered surrender. Civ
ing n rap on the door. ,withouts waiting
for Il reply he threw ittopen.
There stood Augustus before mir
ror with an uncovered bosom that be-
lOnged Enthusiastically to woman See
ing Elton, she first paled, then the
blood rushed to her cheeks in aItorrent
as she seized a cloak and threwtit over
her shoulders. Elton stood looking at
her, thunderStruck.
Il am glad the secret is out" walled
the girl. Il was forced into ut by
mother, and it's been killing me-"
1t was some time before, Elton utter
ed a word He was thinking. FINALLY
he spoke: