Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-10-31
D1ILY STOR 7
THE FOOL KILLER.


[OriginaI.l
Mrs Cleaver had an object. Her
daughter Carrie had inherited a for
tune from her father and another from
her aunt; nevertheless Mrs. CieaYers
supreme object was to marry her
daughter to Il rich man.
Mr.. Algernon Bedell was composed
of two parts, man and money. There
was very little to the man, but great
deal to the money, which his father had
made for him out of bones. The only
notable thing Mr.. Bedell had ever done
was TO give Il dinner to dozen persons
costing 81 900 Il cover. He was looking
about for another opportunity to dis
tinguish himself when he met ana
wooed Carrie CleaVer. She supplied
him with Il method for gaining new
distinction.
Mamma" said Miss Cleaver one day
after her mother had taken ten pounds
of flesh off the girl in her efforts to in
duce her to wed Mr.. Bcdell, Il will
consent on one condition. l must be
abducted"
"Abductedr' exclaimed the mother.
and Mr.. Bedell has aspirations for dis
tinction. An elopement would set all
the world agog."
Caroline said Mrs. Cleaver, amaz
ed, have you taken leave of youl
senses?' And she swept out of tho
room.
But Mr. Bedell, though he feared the
absence of motive would render the
plan unsuitable to his purpose, still had
Il mind for it. and so told Mrs. Cleaver.
That lady, being absorbed in the main
object. the marriage, finally consented
to allow the pair Ito make fools OF
themselves if they liked"
All things must end, even engage
ment periods, ana the day finally ar
rived or, rather the night when Miss
Cleaver was to be abducted. She was to
sleep in n wing of the house, where her
mother would not be likely TO become
aware of her flight Miss Clcaver in
sisted on carrying out all the details
the same as in Il real elopement. Mr..
Bedell was to bring Il ladder and n
carriage, and the fugitive was to take
only Il hand bag. An address was to
be left on Miss Bcdelrs pincushiOn to
which the trunks were to be sent the
next day.
Soon after dark on the evening of the
elOpement 4 wagon drove up to the
CleaVer residence, Il man carried lad
der into the back yard, and the wagon
was driven away empty. Mrs. Cleaver
looked out OF the window. saw the pro
ceedin% and wondered why her daugh-
ter preferred To see Il ladder carried
into the back yard to numerous costly
presents carried in ut the front door.
Carrie" she called, the ladder has
come. If the fool killer should hap
pen by he might feel disposed to put it
up to your window and carry you Off
himself
would he take AIgy, too?" drawled
Miss Cleaver.
Mr.. Beden only consents to this fol
ly TO humor YOU
We'll. mother dear. if the fool killer
comes | hope he and Algy will meet.
1t would be so romantic to have them
fight for me-"
Romance, romance. nothing but 70
nance. l call it idiocy."
Eleven o'clock was fixed for the
elopement. and as the cathedral clock |
in the nei%hborhood struck that hour |
Mr.. Bedcll drove up to Il corner Op |
pOsite the Cleaver mansion. alighted |
and walked across to the CleaVer back |
yard. He was surprised TO see the lad |
der standing UP against the brick wall |
and Miss Cleaver's window open. An |
other thing he saw. but it did not i'm |