Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-19
The Argus Daily Short Story
ON THE EDGE---BY BARRY PRESTON.
Copyrighted 1908. by Associated Literary Press

You are very much in love with
inquired, not without certain doubt
full note in her tone. which seemed to
hint that such possibly might not be
the case
The girl who stood by the window,
looking out at the uneven pavcments
Of the Roman street. turned slowly
and smiled. In that smile were weari-
ness and subtle understanding and pa
tient resignation.
Eyes, l am very much in love with
him, Aunt Elinor," she said in col
orless voice, as If she We're saying the
words more because they were expect
cd of her than for any other reason.
Mrs. BTevort smiled her open APP
prevail. The little frown of doubt
which for the past few moments had
wrinllled her brow suddenly disap-
peareG. She crossed the room to the
girls side ard threw an arm about
her.
"Of course dearie,", size cooed, your
happiness is my first, might almost
say my only. concern. No one realizes
better than the portent of this step
that all your future, all your lifelong
happiness depends upon IT. No one, I
think you'll admit, too, is more averse
to the majority of these marriages
than I am. but the duke is so utterly
different from all the other eligible
men we have met. He is not seeking
ha t. 81 -
wealthy in his own right. He is an
upright. honest, splendid type of an
more like our own men in America,
think, than any one we have seen.
Isn't that your impression of him"'
"Yes." said the girl in the same col
orless voice
Mrs. Brevort's pale face grew rather
eager. Somehow l have felt from the
first that your destinies were linked.
yours and his said she. but when
he talked with me this afternoon I
gave him no definite answer. let him
understand that the matter rested pri-
marily with you: that it was'your hap
piness that was at stake.
HE didn't seem quite to understand
my attitude at first. but he was per-
fectly charming about it. as he is in
everything. He said l was to speak to
you and that he would call for me this
afternoon at 4 in the road car, and
while we went out to the aqueduct
could give him my final decision, or,
rather. yours"
The girl had turned again TO the
window. She was looking distracted
ly at the passing crowd in the street
below. Her brow was furrowed by a
little disfiguring frown. Her lips were
set tightly together. Her, eyes were
| troubled.
$50 suppose l am to give him a IA
yorable answer, am | not?" Mrs. Bre.
wort suggested tentatively.
The girl was silent. The troubled
| look in her eyes grew more pronounc.
ed. Her aunt watched her narrowly
| and with growing Impotence.
Peggy, Gear. / asked you a ques
| tion," she reminded her niece. lis it q
favorable answer am to give?"
The girl shrugged her dainty shout
ders. Eyes. yes: oh. yes!' she said
Ldrriedly. ut doesn't matter" Hel
voice suddenly choked. Nothing mat
tersv'
Mrs. Breyort elevated her brows
Really. Peggy she began chidingly
| But the girl turned swiftly and lef
the room, waving back the older won
an, who started to follow her. Some
| thing like smothered sob sounded q:
| the door closed behind her.
Mrs. Brevort looked rather angry fol
a moment Then she recovered hel
| usual composure and smiled. But ther'
was something distinctly unpleasant il
that smile
She glanced at the bronze clock tick
ing unobtrusively on the mantel.
pointed to half after 3. She went to ,
desk near the front window and from
a drawer drew out bundle of letters
| They were all directed in the sam
hand-Peggy's hand. And they wer
all addressed to Mr.. William Hale. a