Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-15
The Argus Daily Short Story
ADVERTISING &c r AN ANGEL---BY MARSHALL CROMWELL.

Copyrig lighted, /

Cranston picked up the locket and hur>
ried after the girl, but during that mo-
ment in which he stopped to pick the
jewel from the floor of the ferryboat
passengers.
He was certain that this particular
girl had dropped the trinket, for he
had left the ferryboat behind her and
he had heard the tinkle of the locket
as it struck the planks.
Cranston was decidedly interested in
her. Once before he had seen her in
a street car, and she had haunted his
memory for days. On this occasion
she had completed her conquest. and il
was man very much in love who had
followed her from the boat in the hope
that something might occur to enable
him to speak to her.
He might save her from being run
down In the traffic, or she might slip,
or any one of hundred things might
happen which would break the ice of
convention and permit Cranston to take
the plunge into upconventionaiity.
And now something had happened, but
to his dismay Cranston found that it
did not profit him greatly. though per-
haps in the long run it might The
| locket was Of gold, plainly chased and
of no very great intrinsic value. but
still it might be valued for lis associa-
| lions. Cranston opened the case and
| was dismayed to find there the picture
of two small children.
| 1t was just such locket as a young
matron might wear and Cranston re-
| garded the pictures dolorously. The
| girl did not suggest matron. yet why
else should she carry with her the pic
lures of two little children?
! His hopes rose again when in an
swer to his advertisement he received
q letter from Miss Eunice Remson.
| giving a detailed description of the
lOcket and Offering payment for the
advertisement and a suitable reward.
Cranston performed Il solemn dance
emblematic of joy as he blissfully re-
garded the Miss" written in paren-
thesis. At least he was not in love
with married woman.
He made all haste to reach the Rem
son home, and as he sat in the recep-
ton room waiting for Miss Remson
he tremhled with anticipation. By
this time he was almost ready to
throw himself at the feet of Miss
Remson when she entered and cry,
BE mine!" like the hero of novel.
He was glad when Miss Remson en-
tered that he had checked his impulse
for she proved to be a sweet faced
lady Of perhaps fifty.
You have brought the locket?" she
asked as she motioned him to n seat
Il am very much indebted to you"
But are you the ownerT' he de
manded. II should like the pleasure
Of giving it to the owner"
Unfortunately that is impossible
was the quiet reply. Mrs. WeymeI
left for her home in the west last
night"
Mrs. Weymerr' Cranston's spirits
sank again. After all, she was mar
ried. The children of the locket were
her babies. After the hopes raised by
the signature of Miss Remson" the
phrase Mrs Weymer" seemed douhly
cruel.
Mrs. Weymer is my niece" explain
ed Miss Remson. Here are picture:
of my little grandnieces from which
the miniatures in the locket wess
made. I presume that you will resart
this as sufficient proof of ownership"
cit is entirely satisfactory" STAN
mered Cranston as he delivered to thu
old lady the golden trinket on wkicl
he had built such hopes. Don't speal
of reward" he added as he saw sh'
was opening her purse. .The adver
tisement cost only trifle"
But it was In every paper" remind
ed Miss Remson. "We sent for all TIL
papers in the hope of finding it in on,
Of them at least, and then. through
curiosity, we looked through them ALL
ut was just trifie," repeated Gran
aton vaguely. After the nature Of tn
reward for which he had hoped mer
money recompense seemed mockery
He had advertised to find the girl a