Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-07
The Argus Daily Short Story
Doing Something Desperately Jeanne Olive Lozeaux.
ated Literary Press

The moonlight and her beauty SOFT
ened the scorn of her glance when
she saw that 1t was Max who had
been sent back for her. She sat alone
in Jack Burroughs stalled machine
Jack and his wife had walked i'll. be-
ing due al an important function.
You" Sylvia's tone matched the
intention of her glance.
Even |. Sylvia" he replied with "A
rueful grin. Fate is sometimes de-
cent. A fellow has to risk what vel.
come is coming to him"
1T was horrid of the Burrougnes TO
send you. but they had to get 10 that
dinner, l suppose. My ankle still re-
fuses TO let me walk far. or I'd have
gone with them afoot.''
Tall and fair. cap in hand. he was
standing with an offered hand to help
her down and into his own little run
about. But she did not move His
glance followed hersIto the cleaning
object held fearfuIly in her lap. He
took both hand and pistol as she ex-
planned
Jack would leave it when ] insist
ed on their going and sending back the
first respectable person they met
Thanks, Are you coming?" He
pocketed the weapon. But she only
removed her big hat and veil.
You know why Pm afraid. You're
worse than pistol. can't trust you"
Her tone was quite serious. Next
time you ask me to marry you | shall
do something desperate. | would al
most prefer staying here alone. Oh.
Max, would you. for once. take me
straight home? And behave? You
used to he nice when we were chill
dren"
Il won't propose. in the ear. | prom
Use. But will not take you straight
home-it's too early-you and the moon
are too divinely fair. don't want to
behave especially. but since | must |
will. ] will vary the program by ask
Why is it that you won't have meT
Gomez
Finally she reached him her hand,
but without excuse he suddenly took
her in his arms and lifted her to his
car, For few minutes they sped
along with the June breezes freshen-
| ing on their faces. At length he spoke
frankly. quietly:
sylvia. let's talk it over. l may
have annoyed you'll may have made
Il fool of myself imploring you to be
| mine times innumerable. like a comic
opera hero with the same old song.
don't know how to say it many ways
| 1t all comes to the same thing-mar-
riage or not. But | love you"
1t pleased him to be whimsical, and
| Sylvia laughed. 1t was change from
the dead serious. anyway. He was
J never modest about his real worth
+. He continued:
| Il am lovable, too. with an affection
! ate disposition. What is the matter
| Sylvia? Please tell me. l will moi
| ask you again-in the carl promised
and never again at all once see yor
do not love me. You have never fiatl,
denied that. you know"
| He turned his face away that SHE
might speak freely if she would. No
4 that she had ever been embarrassed
with him; he wished she had. At las
she spoke.
You bring this on yourself. ] don
feel polite. You always make me 81
irritable and unlovely. | want to Il.
when I see you coming. l came on
with the Burroughses to be rid of yo'
and to save them from each other
h company. | can't tell you just why
is. but the sight of you makes m
contrary. and cannot say what yo'
want me to-"
Speeding a little more, he turned t
her coolly.
You are never uniovely, Sylvia
Just how do I irritate you?"
They glided on through the sof
dusk between the dark. sweet breath
ing woods and lighter meadow land:
On and on they came. nearer the cit,
whose myriad lights seemed to fas