Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-10
DAILY SHORT STORY
A MARRIAGE BY PROXY.

well bred about her that led people TO
suspect that she had been born III nigh
life, but if this was so the fact was
never proved She was a very pretty
girl, barely sixteen, though she might
have passed for much older. Every
body liked Daisy and said what a pity
it was that she should have to work for
der living, for her delicate physique
made it very hard for her.
There were two young. men in the
companys employ who, unknown to
each other, cast longing eyes on Daisy.
These were Enoch Devlin, thirty five
years old, and Philip Bowers. about
twenty three. Devlin had been with
the concern since he was fifteen and
considered himself entitled to any re-
spOnsible berth with a good income at
tached III the gift of the company.
When, therefore, one morning it was
announced that Phil Bowers was TO be
placed in charge of the company'S in
terests in South America, residing at
Rie de Janeiro, Enoch was green with
envy. However, he smothered his
wrath and congratulated Phil with
every appearance of sincerity. Phil,
surprised at his advance, knowing that
Enoch stood above him in the line of
promotion, was much touched with the
good wishes he expressed.
There was n happy factory girl that
evening when Phil Bowers called upon
Daisy and asked her to go with him
10 South America as his wife. There
WAS no time for preparation, for Phil
was ordered to start for his new field
the next evening. Indeed, the deter
mination to send him had arisen from
complications that needed to be
Strengthened out at once.
Daisy spent half an hour before go
ing TO bed packing her meager effects
and was ready to be married any time
the next day. AS soon as Phil could
spare moment from business prep
arations he hurried to the city offices
TO get marriage license. He was re-
fused without the consent of Daisy's
parents or guardian. since she was not
of age. Daisy had neither, but the
clerk told Phil that Il guardian might
be appointed. Phil left the office to
meet, coming down the street, Enoch
Deylin. Phil made confidant of Dew
lin and asked if he would serve as
Daisy's guardian. Enoch colored,
coughed and hesitatingly consented.
Phil took him TO a lawyers office and
paid a large fee TO rush the matter
through, then arranged with Daisy for
wedding at O'Clock in the evening
At 3 he was notified that Enoch Devlin
was appointed Daisy's guardian, and
he hurried to Enoch's rooms to get his
consent to her marriage W
Phil" said Devlin, Il have decided
that ii would be wrong for me TO con-
sent to the marriage of girl two
years under the legal age"
Phil was quick to take in the situa-
ton. He knew that he had been caught
in trap and without word turned
on his heel and walked away. Going
to Daisy, he told her what had
occurred.
Meanwhile it had been decided that
Phil should spend a few days in New
York upon business matter before
sailing. Daisy told him to leave the
guardianship in her hands, and she
would see what she could do. As soon
as Phil had gone she wrote her guardi-
to serve and agreeing with him that she
was too young to marry. Devlin, sur
prised, called upon her at once to gain
further information. The sly puss coy
ly pretended that native modesty
prevented her opening her heart, but
delicately led him to believe that her
real choice was her guardian. Enoch,
thus encouraged, told her that he loved
her and had acted as he had because
he could not bear to see her pass to |
his rival.
When Devlin left Daisy she had con- |
sented to be his wife provided the mat |
ter could be put through with as much |
dispatch as had been intended in her |
with Phil. pretending she was
afraid Phil would return and claim |
ler. Devlin was carried away with |
he idea of snatching her from the man |
lie hated. The next day he resigned
his guardianship and Daisy nominated |
lis successor, who was appointed by |
he court at once.
Daisy having received the consent of |
Ter guardian to marry Phil had moth
ng further to do in the matter except |
90 to New York, meet him, be married I
md sail with him to their new home,
nut Daisy proposed to punish Enoch
Devlin in her own way. She appoint
ID an hour to wed-6 o'clock in the
evening, the same hour she was to
nave been married to PhiI-and he was
,njoined to be punctual
When the hour arrived Devlin was
m hand, as was the clergyman whom
Daisy had herself Invited to nerform
he ceremony. When the latter came
o that part of the service wherein he
alls the contracting parties by name,
instead of Enoch he said Philip. Dew
In corrected him.
Il thought" said the parson, chat
his was to be marriage by proxy" /.
ut Is" said Daisy "Mr. Devlin is
tanding for his friend, Philip Bowers. !"
To picture the face Of Enoch Devlin
8 he performed his part in the cere-