Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-27
DAILY SHORT STORY
A TEST.
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IOrigiDal.l

warned, forearmed, you know"
You might at least tell me for what
faults you propose TO test me-" she
pouted
'Oh, there are innumerable faults in
women to make a mans life misera-
ble''
"Such as
well. there's curiosity, for in
stance"
What else?'
Jealousy. To tell the truth, l think
that on these two hang the law and the
prophets"
Upon my word, you quote Scripture
like the devil"
He started as if struck Could the
immaculate woman he had chosen to be
his wife use such language? You sur
prise me-" he said coldly
"Why, don't you know the devil
| quotes Scripture admirably?'
OH he muttered with evident re-
lief
He kissed her. and they parted. He
fully intended when he spoke to apply
| the tests for the faults he had men
toned, but men are not adopts in such
matters, and they haven't the time 10
devote to them. Besides, he was pretty
well satisfied that the girl he had cho-
| sen was superior to most weaknesses
peculiar to women. The next time he
saw her the subject had slipped his
mind.
On her wrist was Il gold bracelet a
snake making three coils about the well
shaped member. Its eyes were emer
aids y tongue, at the tip of which was
a ruby, protruded from its open mouth.
1t was certainly not Il pleasant looking
| ornament to be worn on the arm of
fair girl. 1t caught his eye in mo-
ment, giving him a slight shudder, and
a vague premonition came to him that
| the serpent had come between them.
What Il singular bracelet he re
| marked. Il don't remember seeing ii
on your wrist before"
THAT is because / usually put it on
when go to bed and take it off when
/ get up in the morning"
That's singular. And why do you
depart from your rule today?''
Because this Is the anniversary of
| the day it was given me. On this day
once 4 year 1 wear ii the whole twenty
four hours
ing his mustache wonderingly.
The girl he had chosen for her i'm
maculate traits turned the subject.
Are you going to the Crabtree ball?"
she asked.
"Perhaps-that is. if you CO." he re-
piled absently. But this bracelet
about which there is so much mystery
does it pertain to anything in your past
life / would wish to know?"
NO. she replied after some mo-
ments of thought. Il should not con-
slider it anything that you have right
to know"
His reply came after period of
thought equal to her own: 81 did not
speak of my rights. 1 merely spoke of
my WISH
AT any rate, any wish you may
have in the matter cannot be gratified."
This time he was much longer in
framing his reply. and it came in Il
changed tone. do you think it pru-
dent for n man TO marry woman
who must keep a lifelong secret from
her husband?"
IF he has not confidence in her he
would be imprudent to marry her.
He arose. shook down his trousers,
buttoned up his coat, took out his gloves |
and put them on with unnecessary de- |
liberation. All this was to give her |
time. But the bluff was without effect. |
Having proceeded thus far, it was i'm |
possible for him to recede.
NO man i'll his Senses" he said, |
would tie himself up for life with a |
woman who has a secret of her past |
life that she dare not impart to her hus
band
You mean that this ends our en-
gagement?"
She was very cool about it. Indeed, |
her Indifference troubled him. He |
sought loophole through which to
crawl out
will you assure me that the brace
let has nothing to do with a previous
love?"
mo; it is connected with the deepest
love of my life"
The color faded slowly from his face.
To give his hands employment and for
the purpose of concealing his feelings
he took out his handkerchief. His hand
trembled
'Is he dead?' he asked. grasping at
q straw.
mo, thank heaven, he lives"
There was an awful silence, at the
end of which he moaned:
''Will you grant me one last favor?"
what is it?"
"a kiss"
eff it will be of any comfort to you"
He advanced, and when he reached
Ter she sprang up and into his arms.
''What does 1t all mean?" he asked, :
ut means that woman may apply :
/ test as well as a man. But if the |;
nan doesn't stand the test she needn't .
urn him away for little thing like
hot 60;