Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-04
DAILY STORY
ALL FOR NOTHING.

old for his age. The only tnlnS YOUTH
full about him was his love for Anita |
Merriweather, who was but seventeen
and young for that tender age. Anita
parents had reluctantly consented to
an engagement, fearing that their |
daughter might change her mind be-
fore reaching a marriageable age or
later on find herself tied to man
whom she would not choose at matu- |
rity But Anita regarded herself al |
ready as at a manageable age and |
saw no possibility of ever changing her
mind.
johnny" she said one day, 81 wish
you had more spirit
What do you mean, sweetheart"
asked John, surprised.
Il think you submit very tamely to
all these requirements and conditions
laid down for us by papa and mann
ma"
II don't know of but One-the wait
ing till you are nineteen"
Isn't that enough? But l suppose 1t
doesn't seem very long to you"
Il don't permit myself to think Of
1t. try to keep my mind on my daily
work. This will the better enable me
to take care of you when | get you"
What humdrum sort Of fellow you
are! like a man who resents hav-
Ing others stand in the way of his de-
sires, especially in love"
There was a good deal more of this.
Anita. though not much beyond child
hood. had woman's natural aptitude
for carrying her point. and she sue
ceeded in doing so with John. That
point was to gain his consent to mar
rage with or without her parents per-
mission.
Every WELL" he said after discover
ing that a willful woman must have
her own way. What do you propose?'
Il suppose We'll have to run away"
Il don't think We'll have to run very
fast"
Indeed we shall If papa should
get wind of our going he would follow
us furiously."
Il doubt it. He has no objection to
me. He only wishes us to wait till you
are sure of your own mind"
days later John stopped at the door of
the Merriwea Tiers with his automo-
bile, Anita got in. and they rolled
away. They had taken many an after
noon ride together, and there was nei-
Their occasion to ask permission nor to
put on any considerable power. Anita's
mood, however, was not in keeping
with their quiescent conditions. She
either clutched Johns arm as though
for protection or drew away from
him as though he was dragging her
| into it. John. when he had got be-
yond the town limits, put on fat.
| speed. For the first time since the
elopement, If it could be called such,
had been mentioned Anita's thoughts
| appeared TO be turned from her own
| desires to whatever of pain she nigh
be infiicting upon her parents.
| 81 wonder how mother will take it,
she said.
Don't know" was Johns laconic
reply.
| i've always been papa's especial
| pet It's hard to do anything to hurt
him"
81 suppose he'll have to stand it."
| you're very unfeeling."
"Cnfeeling. sweetheart, 1t isn't that
We must face boldly the conditions we
take upon ourselves"
There was n pause. after which she
began again:
Mothers health hasn't been of the
best for the past few months / hope
1t won't break her down"
John made no comment on this
They We're jogging along steadily. Sh,
was so absorbed with her thought.
that she paid no attention to the rout,
they We're taking.
Il don't know she went on. "wha
I'm going to do without papa's kis.
every night and morning"
"I'll give you two" said John, ''in
stead of one"
HIM
They We're approaching a house
John guided the automobile in to til,
. sidewalk and stopped.
Whats this? exclaimed the would
be bride in terror.
2 Clergyman"
''That horrid Mr.. Parker? 1 dom
want to be married by him. Go on
' quick"
: John pushed on. Anita leaned bacl
: on the leather cushion and as pro
s lection against wind and dust drew
+ veil over her face. The machine chue
: ged, the sun shone down softly, tn
Q birds We're singing in the trees besid
the road. John heard sob. The
/ Anita took out her pocket handkeI
i chief, managed 20 get it under her vel
and covered her eyes with it. If job
: had been driving horse instead of a
automobile he would have put an arr
about her to comfort her. but his ms
chine needed both hands Anita mair
tanned her position. She kept her hand
kerchief over her eyes and occasion
ally gave an audible sob. John mair
tanned silence. Being old for his ag,
he knew that anything he could sa
would be of no avail and would /,