Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-18

The room was almost deserted, ex-
cept for the five. when through the
doorway came a big. broad shouldered
figure. Charlotte, who was bringing In
finger bowls. saw him first, and her
tray dropped with crash. Her face
was white as she bent to pick up the
little brass bowls. Her dress was wet.
Her crisp apron was bedraggled.
AS the big man sprang to assist her
she fed from the room. And then the
big man walked over to Inez and de-
manded, what was Charlotte doing
in that dress"
"Oh, Dick" Inez stretched out her
hand in welcome. "Dick Wentworth,
when did you get back from Arizona"
Yesterday" he told her tersely, but
want to know what Charlotte Is
waiting in a tea room for"
Inez glanced at the girls. at Regi-
maid. and then brought out bravely.
"She is earning her living"
She expected an expression Of SYM
patty, Of coincidence. but instead the
big mans face was radiant. "Char-
lotte poor! he exclaimed. "Oh, where
is she|'
81 will find her." Inez promised.
"and take her home with me-" And
she went in search Of Charlotte. whom
she discovered, red checked and wet
eyed, in little room adjoining.
"Oh, Inez," she gasped when she saw
her friends, what does Dick Went
worth think of me?"
Think Inez told her. "Why. he
looked radiant when SAID that you
were poor"
On Charlotte's face dawned an ex-
preston Of bliss that puzzled Inez.
what has come over you. Char
lotte?" she demanded. "You look as
if life suddenly were one sweet song"
well" Charlotte blushed as she told
it. 1T begins to look as If the little
plot Of my making had been carried
beyond my expectations"
I'VE can't talk about it here" Ine2
| said. Get your things on and come
| to my home. and we will talk it over
When they reached the front dool
| they found the three girls and Regi
Maid and Dick waiting for them. Reg
| maid refused to go with them in the
| motor.
81 am starting on long Journey
| he explained stif1iy to Charlotte. 90
should have told you before. but m!
plans have been made hurriedly."
"Bon voyage" Charlotte wished hin
| lightly. but as he went down the stree
she shrugged her shoulders. "Goodby
little man." she said and laughed ant
waved her hand to his retreating figure
| Once in Inez's luxuriant home Dicl
! demanded five minutes alone witt
| Charlotte. and when he had her to him
self he said: Il love you. You know
it, Charlotte"
"How should l know it?' she asked
you have never told me-"
"How could / tell you" he demand
ed fiercely. when you were rich an
1 was poor?'
"What difference would that make.
Charlotte asked softly, IF you love
me?"
a man has his PRIDE" Dick stated.
"And a woman her love-" Chariot
whispered. ooh. Dick. Dick. don
ever let money come between u.s.
1T can't now" said Dick securel
: ''for you haven't any,"
] And then Charlotte. with her hea
up, confessed: 81 am not poor. | sir
ply tried my little plot to get rid I
Reginald Barrett. l knew his motiv,
: were mercenary, but mother wante
me to marry him. So while he was
8 New York for a few days 1 planne
my descent into poverty. 1 suppose
7 was silly"
She stopped. then went on softl
D "And-and / didn't dream that "
were in town-that you would kno,
e That is where my little plot carried b
t yond my expectations"
G "And now that you are rich l mu
7 go away Dick began. but Chariot
interrupted him with little cry, "Ar
e leave me to be always lady in wal
( ing?"
81 don't understand"
: 81 shall always be waiting for yo'
|, love. Dick" Her mouth and ey
= pleaded together.
And then he surrendered. "Anyho'
: my old mine is beginning to NAL
good" he stated later, $50 1 am n
I quite beggar."
"You are rich" Charlotte told him
L. she laid her flushed cheek against h
! coat-"you are rich because love 20
Dicky. dear"
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