Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-04-04
The Argus Daily Short Story
Mr.. Mudges Wooing-By Adelaide Ruth Hill
Copyrighted. Literary

loww If Nudge had heard the re-
mark possibly he might have gathered
a ray of hope. The young lady's moth
err asked her if she had ever had any
communication with Nudge. to which
she replied that she had not known
that there was such person In exist
ence.
This was the first episode in Mr..
Mudges courtship. The second was
very different. Jabez kept an eye on
the Meredith place and noticed
young man who called rather more fire.
quently than the red headed lover
thought might be well for his own
suit One afternoon when this gentle
man was leaving the Merediths, Jabez
wayIaid him and asked him if he could
tell him the way TO 3. The man re-
piled that he could not. Jabez told
him that he believed he was lying.
The man promptly slapped Jabez's
face. and Jabez as promptly knocked
him down. The young mans jaw was
pretty nearly broken. and when be got
up he was in no condition to renew
the fight. He went back to the Mere
diths for assistance. told OF his en-
counter and spoke of his assailant as
''red headed. monkey shaped devil"
Miss Meredith. who was bathing his
Jaw, at once recognized her persistent
lover. What woman can fail to feel
some interest in a man who for her
sake will first consent to be ducked
by her father and then will permit no
other man to pay her attention? She
expressed to the gentleman under her
care her adherence of Jabez Nudge
and his act. but for her life she could
not but consider him in the light of
victor When her visitor showed
shrinking from meeting the red head
ed, monkey shaped devil again and
asked to be driven to his home Jabez
had got rid of his only rival. Miss
Meredith had more admiration for tbs
monkey shaped man than his oppo-
nent
Not long after this Miss Meredith
concluded to walk to the village. Her
mother told her she had better go in
her pony cart since she might meet
Mr.. Nudge, and it would be easier for
her to drive away from him than to
walk away. To this the girl replied
that she was not afraid of Mr.. Nudge
and would not permit him to restrict
her movements in the least. Down in
the bottom of her heart she had a
curiosity to talk with this singular be-
ing who was suffering and daring for
her and hoped that he might join her.
Jabez, constantly on the lookout for
such an opportunity, saw her leave
the place ON the hill and sailed forth
% 49, Il
stood still with his hat in his hand
and his head bowed.
MAY 1 have few words with your"
he said in sad voice.
"No."
Nevertheless he walked on beside
her.
do you want another ducking?" she
asked.
"a thousand if they will bring me
nearer to you"
What in the world put it into your
head to want me?' she asked.
First, you are the most beautiful
woman in the world he replied
''Second?'
Second is all the rest of it 1 must
have you, and t1iH have you"
rAnd 4ciIl not have you"
Then 1 snail love you from a dis
lance as long as live"
And 1 wish you to understand that
in case any man pays me attention in
future you are to let him alone"
Wont you at least give me the sat
isfaction of dying by his hand? ]
would rather do that than live TO see
him possess you
Yours too silly for anything"