Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-15
DAILY, STORY Y.
THE END OF A GAY SEASON.

100000
IOriGinal.1
| Madge Chapman was the belle of the
! village Madge was not every mans
girl, but every man belonged to Madge.
That is, they all wanted her-at least.
all but Cyrus Weatherby, who didn't
seem to want any girl. He was shy,
solemn, plodding sort of fellow, sell
dom taking any part in the amusement
of the young people who were the
gayest OF gay farmers sons and daugh-
ters
If there was one among the SWANS
who was considered to have any better
chance with Madge than the others it
was Tom Hatch, but this was rather
on account of his superior audacity
than any special encouragement Madge
had-at least, publicly-shown him. AS
Madge could have had any of the
young men, so Tom could have had
any of the young women. There was
only one of them that he wanted, and
that was Madge.
The winter was gay one, and the
young people of the neighborhood.
copying from their city cousins. re-
solved to end their festivities with the
beginning of Lent When Il number of
them were together one evening some
one of the party suggested that they
should wind up the season by Il grand
frolic.
Suppose" said Cyrus Weatherby in
n and
1--WE have a mock elOpement."
There was burst of laughter at the
sedate Cyrus making such Il PROPOSE
ton, which caused him to blush red as
Il rose. followed by a universal assent.
Tom Hatch, as he usually did. took
the lead, resolved that if he had not
made the suggestion he would be at
least the moving spirit in carrying it
out He suggested Madge as the fem
mime principal in the runaway and
that she was to choose the masculine
principal Madge accepted the role
and said that since Cyrus had made
the proposition he should be the man
in the case There were laughter and
clapping of hands at this, and, since it
was evident that no refusal would be
accepted, Cyrus blushingly consented
The plan when completed was this:
Cyrus was to call on a certain night at
Madge's house with the saddle horses.
Madge was to descend by a trellis.
and the two were to mount and dart
away. One of the pursuing party was
to be stationed at the bridge, half Il
mile up the road, and when the clippers
crossed ii he was to give a signal, and
the whole party was to ride after
them The clippers were to make for
the Washington tavern, ten miles
away. If they got there before being
caught, they were to be considered as
having escaped and been married. If
not, they We're considered to have been
captured. All were TO partake of Il
supper at the tayern-a mock wedding
supper
At the appointed hour Cyrus made
his appearance under Madge's window.
She descended the trellis, mounted,
and the two sped away like the wind.
When they dashed over the bridge,
a mounted man beside it fred shot.
which rang out clearly on the still air,
and a merry party of boys and girls
gave chase.
Cyrus and Madge had not gone far |
before it became evident that Cyrus, if |
stupid in other respects. had had the |
sense to secure a couple OF thorough |
bred horses. A full moon shining on |
snow fields made the road lighs as day. |
The clippers rather held in their steeds |
at first; but, having traversed half the |
distance and hearing a clatter closing |
up behind them, they loosened their |
reins, to reach the goal fully ten min
utes before any of their pursuers.
Tom Hatch had the next best horse |
to the fleeing couple and rode up to the |
tavern before any other of the purSu- |
ing party. y couple of steaming horses, |
over each of which blanket had been /
thrown. stood at the tavern door. Dis |
he entered the living room |
and saw the clipping couple standing |
at one end, man in white necktie
opposite. Tom was just in time to hear
the words:
81 pronounce you man and wife"
1t did not take Tom long to get the
situation into his head There was a
;inking'at bis heart, but he put on the
pest face he could and, going out just
Is the rest OF the party were riding up
% the tavern. shouted:
"We've been sold! They're marriedw
AS the party came up in couples the
'act was made known. and when the
lindmost couple arrived all entered the
avern, shouting, laughing and dancing
Up to the young man and wife, who
stood ready to receive congratulations.
ga nd now landlord coid ono Of tho
nen, "bring on the supper
a pair of folding doors were thrown
pack. and there stood the father and |,
mother of the bride, one at each end
# well loaded table.