Rock Island Argus., 1908-10-07

demo1selle.
''How can I be impudent, though.
when you are SO polite to me?" she
cried petulantiy.
"Shall we end the conversation,
then?'
"Oh, no; not yet" Elsa cried, embar-
rassed. Then she went on, with deter
mination, "When you came in here you
said l was the girl they were going to
throw into Karrs arms"
81 did"
"But you did not say that I am the
girl who permits herself to be thrown
into Karrs arms. Am right?"
ayes"
"Please sit down." Elsa went on,
recovering her self poise, which the
battling politeness of Millar had dis
furbed.
He declined the chair with gesture,
but she insisted.
81 feel much more commanding
when 1 stand, and I want every ad-
vantage" she said. Il want to set
you right, and it will be much easier
when you sit down and I stand"
Smiling, Millar sat down and looked
up at her expectantly. Slightly con-
fused. she went on:
81 don't want people making fun of
me before my face. L know every
thing Do make myself clear? You
were kind enough to mention the sub
ject, and I shall delegate to you the
mission of explaining the true facts
to those dummies"
She grew quite vehement, and her
cheeks flushed. Millar looked at her
admiringly as he said:
"Your confidence does me great hon
orr
"As a rule, don't take these people
seriously" the girl hurried on. Il
have no more interest In them or
| their opinions than l have in last
weeks newspapers. But l want them
| all to know that they have not fooled
me into marrying Karl And you all
want me to marry him-you all want
! to throw me into his arms"
Pardon me- Millar interrupted.
| But she went on unheeding:
Don't you think l can see through
your transparent schemes? But I'll
marry him just the same, IL he'll have
| me. Do you understand? I'll marry
| him.
Il do not think you WILL" Millar said
quietly.
! Il tell you 1 am going to be Karl's
wife!' Elsa cried, with emphasis.
'Now that you have graced me with
your confidence" Millar said, rising,
Il feel that | may be quite frank with
you. This marriage cannot take place.
He pointed to the chair he had va
Gated and smiled
Now, you sit down, because / am
going to set you right" he said
Wonderingly, Elsa obeyed. Millar
called a servant who was passing and
said:
You will find small red leather
case in my Overcoat pocket. Bring il
here
The servant went out, and he con.
tinued to Elsa:
Il know the reason Of this marriage
but you-you don't know the reason
orr
"Or what?"
"Or you don't want to know; hence
you are about to consent"
Consent to what?" Elsa cried
Don't beat around the bush. That is
what am trying to avoid. am about
to consent to become the wife of &
man who loves another woman, and
what is more. / intend to go on my
honeymoon with man who has an
other woman in his heart, who leave:
with this other woman everything h,
should bring to his wife-loye, sympa
thy. enthusiasm. everything. You see
you did not know me-"
Millar was unmoved by her vehe
: ment declaration. AS the servant re
entered their room and handed him
small red leather case he said:
II did not think this subject coult
: excite you to such a degree"
Il don't want any one laughing a
me-" Elsa protested. 81 want them al
i to understand that I know quite wei
the way l am going and that 60 tina
way proudly, fully conscious of II
that I know everything, and yet
consent to be his wife"
"Why?" Millar asked, opening hi
little satchel
"Because-because-I love him,
the girl answered and began to sob.
Millar smiled wickedly as he tool
from the case dainty lace handker
chief and held 1t toward Elsa.
Pardon mel always carry this witt
me-" he said. 'It Is my weeping bag
In 1t is everything a woman needs TO
weeping"
Elsa sobbed and dabbed at her eye
with the handkerchief, not noticin,
that the man was amused.
IL love him." she declared.
"And take this Also" Millar said
handing her little mirror, then
powder puff and tiny stick Of rouge
Elsa could not help smiling through
her tears at the absurdity of 1t as sh
. dabbed and busted her tear staine,
= face, looking at herself in the littl
mirror, until all traces Of her weeping
were removed.
$50 this is the far famed Sauc,
III Elsa" Millar said as he watched her.