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
him, dear, aren't you?' Mrs. Brevort
inquired, not without a 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 pavements
Of the Roman street. turned slowly
and smiled. In that smile were weari-
ness and subtle understanding and pa
tient resignation.
"Yes. l am very much in love with
him, Aunt Elinor," she said in col
orless voice, as If she were saying the
words more because they We're expect
cd of her than for any other reason.
Mrs. Erevort smiled her open ap-
prevail. Tue little frown of doubt
which for the past few moments had
wrinllled her brow suddenly disap-
peared. 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 I 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
hn to- ,o,r lx-
wealthy in his own right. He il 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 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. I 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 was to speak tc
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 6
little disfguring frown. Her lips were
set tightly together. Her eyes were
troubled.
$50 suppose am to give him ia
yorable answer. am I not?' Mrs. Bre
wort suggested tentatively.
| The girl was silent. The troubled
look in her eyes grew more pronounc
ed. Her aunt watched her narrowl!
and with growing impotence.
Peggy, dear, l asked you a CUES
tion," she reminded her niece. ''Is it ;
favorable answer ! am to give"
The girl shrugged her dainty shout
ders. Eyes, yes: oh. yes!' she sait
Ldrriedly. ''It doesn't matter" He
voice suddenly choked Nothing mat
tersv'
Mrs. Brevort elevated her brows
Really. Peggy she began chidingly
But the girl turned swiftly and lief
the room, waving back the older won
an, who started to follow her. Some
thing like smothered sob sounded O
the door closed behind her.
Mrs. Breyort looked rather angry 70
moment. Then she recovered he
usual composure and smiled. BUT Their
was something distinctly unpleasant i
that smile.
She glanced at the bronze clock tict
ing unObtrusively on the mantel.
pointed to half after 3. She went to
desk near the front window and fror
drawer drew out bundle of letter!
They were all directed In the sam
hand-Peggy's hand. And they wer
! all addressed to Mr.. William Hale q