Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-07

II Gent care 4 dash fer her money"
Nj. Davis informed his nephew. MY
rents bring me In quite q sum yearly.
What are you grinhiag about:"
81 shall ask her the night of the
spring dance" Mr.. Ferris decided.
NO girl In her senses would consider
that fat old widower when she might
have me"
"That skinny old bachelor hasn't the
ghost Of shown Mr.. Davis assured
Frank. 'I'll ask her the night of the
spring dancer
The eventful night came-a resplen-
dent night The elite of the town
streamed into the clubhouse Lights
shone from every window. Merry
waltz music set young feet tapping.
The sound of joyous voices was every
where.
And Serena Fairlie. graceful, gra-
cious, good TO look upon. her brown
gold hair shining in the light. her eyes
cleaning like topaZes. her simmer
ing gown of black just flecked with
glowing orange. was in herself an en-
trancing apparition.
Mr.. Ferris secured the first dance.
Mr.. Davis. putting up belated. eagerly
appropriated the second. The rest
We're already blurred out by cabalistic
initials.
Il call this unkind discrimination
painted Mr. Davis. But Serena Fairlie
only laughed. Mr. Ferris whisked her
away. and there was sardonic CLEAN
I'm, hiC, fhAx-
brious countenance of Mr.. Davis.
The dance done, Mr.. Ferris promptly
led his partner to the conservatory.
Dear Miss Serena" began Mr. Fer
ris fervently. Il have long admired
that noble sentiment. Once to every
| man and nation comes the moment to
decide y
Isn't it warm?" asked Miss Serena.
moving toward the window.
ard" continued Ferris. following.
I've always admired that exquisite
sentiment. Two souls with but a sin
| gle thought -
Serena gave him smile of exquisite
leniency and looked out at the span
| Sled sky. All. sweet was comprehen.
sion and sympathy! His lyric instinct
| scared once more.
I'm leading up to an avowal, dear
Miss Serena. | prefer to let the great
| poets speak for me. 1t is Owen Mere
! dith who sings:
| But l will marry my own first love
| With her blush rose face, for old thing.
| are best"
IF you only knew" murmured Sc
rena, with sweetest reproach, chow
much object to being referred to as
| an old thing."
| There WAS fusillade of panic
| stricken apologies
| Miss Serena. our dance. / believe
| And Mr.. Davis triumphantly led Miss
| Fairlie out upon the polished floor. As
the dance ended he spoke with a di
rectness that almost startled Serena:
Maybe Frank told you was going
to ask you To marry me. Well. | was
I dol am | can't sling poetry like
| Ferris. but If you'll say the world
| Miss Fairie smiled sweetly. I'm
| battered" she said. but can't, you
| see. for I'm going to marry Frank"
That young man came hurrying up
| His eager eyes We're bent on Serena
His audacious arm encircled her waist.
He spoke with ardor
Our waltz. dearest" he said.
AS Davis started blankly after them
a hand gently touched his arm.
Come home" counseled Ferris
Frank has told me just now that he
was engaged to the girl before the
| Fairies came here to live I've some fine
madeira in my cellar-can't be beat"
| Davis met the extended hapd-and
| gripped it hard.
| Good boy! You smoke the same
mixture, dare say. Got a lot from
| town this morning. o Lord. what q
| pair of old fools we've beenr'
| They glanced back as they descend.
| ed the steps. The illuminated hall
was Kaleidoscope Of whirling figures
Ferris spoke, his voice not a little
wistful
The dear young fools!' lie said.
| God bless them. said Davis
|
| L.,