Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-25


Much as Davis diSliked the average
wealthy girl and the summer resort
type OF young womanhood, he became
greatly interested in Miss AstOr.
Though he had intended to spend only
Il day or two in the country. he found
himself postponing his return indefi-
nitely There seemed TO be so much
to talk about. there were so many
places round about the hotel that Miss
Astor never had seen, and. altogether
he found the time passing far too
quickly.
The tongues on the veranda began TO
wag vcciferouSly Fond mothers who
yearly spent small fortunes at summer
resorts trying to find eligible partners
for their daughters longingly wished
that these same daughters had golden
hair and appealing blue eyes. While
their daughters sat in detected twOs
and threes wishing vainly that they
might travel alone. Miss Astor and
Harry Davis wandered here and there
in utter Oblivion to it all.
On the very day on which Davis
had decided in his own heart that he
loved Marguerite Astor and could not
be happy without her he received a
telegram urging his immediate return
to the office. Business that could not
be transacted by his subordinates
called him home.
He sought the girl and told her wha:
had happened. asking her at the same
time to go for last walk with him.
In her simple white frock and with
her shining golden hair coiled softlv
ABOUT her head she waited for him un-
der the great tree in front of the hotel
She was hatiess. but she carried par
asol dotted with tiny silk rosebuds
Even in their envy of her the mem
bers of the rocking chair fleet could
not help the admiration that forced it
self into their chances as they beheld
her. She was indeed pretty.
Davis and Marguerite strolled along
the country road listening to the birds
and to the steady click-click of a
moving machine in n field near by.
For time they walked in silence.
neither one finding words to fit into
the exquisite tranquility of the scene.
At length they came to running
brook and halted by its side. They
stood on the bank gazing into the mir
ror-like water. AS Davis studied the
reflection of the girl in the brook he
fancied he saw her brush away Il tear
He turned suddenly toward her to
make sure. He sought her eyes and
saw within them unshed tears. With
Il fervent cry, he stepped toward her
Marguerite shrank back nervously
Historically IL can't she said
looking into his outstretched arms. 81
II have deceived you. l am moth
ing but an impostor! l am not at all
what you think | am. T. But she
could say no more. She burst into
sobs and covered her face with her
hands.
Davis. abashed drew back for n mo
ment. Only the girls sobbing and the
whispering of the wind to the leaves
all about them broke the silence.
'Tell me-" said the man very softl.
ut last.
"You see.'' said the girl. her fac.
| turned from him. 81 am not Marguerite
| Astor at all-I'm only Mabel Arndt-
and / work-for living. / haven't
! always had to work, -but-but those
days were long ago. so long that nj
| one remembers them. no one whom
| know now" she said YEARLY.
The man waited for her to go on.
Each year. instead of taking the va
cation that was due me. have savet
| my money until | could accumulate
enough to spend short time In the
| way that used to live-the way al
| ways dream of living again. Perhap:
YOU think I'm foolish. but Eve pinchet
| and saved and waited and managed
| and dreamed. I've saved even ca
fares to have these few days of idea
living. free from work and care ant
| worry. IL even changed my name 81
as to make my castle more nearl.