Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-06-03

men, remaining in Mexico with the
one and being provided for by the 9th
or. Either would have suited her if
he had had the qualifications Of both.
Marina. being. ms has been said. Of an
acquiring nature, concluded to get as
much as possible out of OSmOre in the
way of household effects and trouSSeaU,
then send him off and marry Escohar.
OSmore, who was madly in love. fell
into the trap. He was self made man,
and Marina. though of a different ma
tionality. was II lady and at the only
age when most Mexican women are
beautiful. He sent her to the City of
Mexico with ample means to spend il
any way she liked. she did not need
much for household effects, for she
owned the furniture that her family
had possessed III their halcyon days.
She spent most of what her lover had
given her on Il rousseau.
After her return. instead of fixing
day for the wedding. rs Osmore begged
her to do, she began to cool toward
him and within another month broke
off her engagement with him. Now
came for her the critical moment.
Would Osmorc try to take hack the
trousseau. and. if So. how could she
keep It? She offered 10 return it to
him. He would not accept it.
Later he was Informed that the CIR!
had not intended 10 marry him and
was intending to marry Diego Escobar.
OSmOre would not believe it till the an
to EScobar. Loverlillc. he threw all the
blame on the man and resolved to take
revenge upon him. He sent ESCObar
an invitation to walk on the line Of
the railroad at 6 o'clock in the morn
ing armed with 4 rifle and he, OSmCrc.
would meet him, armed with similar
weapon. \ reply was sent stating that
the challenge was accepted.
At the appointed hour the engineer
took his rifle and proceeded on his
way. The stretch over which the com
| batantS were to walk was straight for
| n mile. Presently Osmore saw Il small
| figure Escohar, like most Sp2niards,
was notwithstanding. hearing Il
| rifle. The Americans rifle would have
carried Il ball for the distance, but
he did not fire. The figure kept adj
| vancing and OSm0re finally stopped
and raised his weapon. After a time
the Mexican did the same. but took
so much time about il that OSmOrC
could easily have shot him. At that
moment the manner in which he had
been triclied came Up to influence Os
more. and. taking aim, he pulled the
trigger. The figure fcll.
Regret at once took the place of pas
| sion, and O=more ran toward his enc
my, who was stanchinG blood OOZins
| from a wound in the shoulder. As Os
more Joined him lie turned his face
and revealed the features not of EScO
bar. but of Marian Olmcdo.
In moment OSmorc had the girl II
his arms, iinploring her forgiveness
Hastily examining her wound, he saw
that it was not in n vital part.
"Why did you come instead of Esco
barr"
"Escobar had nothing to do with you
wrong. 1t was l."
But. why did you come Mt ALP
because l would have been asham
ed to keep you from your revenge
But you were not ashamed to &c
cept from me lovers gift when yo,
intended to marry Escobar."
Il did wrong 1t shall all be yours"
Osmore was astoniShed. The girl ha
deliberately tricked him, then to max
an honorable amend permitted him t
shoot her. He drew her nearer an
kissed her. 4 faint tinge of red wa
left on the spot his lips had touched
Che first evidence of love he had eve
Z seen there, though he had kissed he
/ often.
2 Osmore committed what would seer
! to be the height of folly by marryin
Z Marina. He got a Wife who loved hi
{ devotedly, and her talent for getting o
z developed in better channels. Osmof
is still in Mexico. and his wife ha
been Instrumental in making his TO
! tune. NELLIE EDNA CURTIS.