Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-19

your action toward me throughout
this affair has been dishonorabie," said
Shotwell.
81 see no occasion for you to make
any such charge. You proposed to me,
and asked for time in which to make
a decision. Meanwhile 1 was studying
you. Had you not accused me of
treating you dishonorably 1 should not
have given you the result of my OBJ
servations. AS it is, 1 will say that 1
have discovered traits in your charac-
ter that 1 do not fancy"
This is simply an invention to cover
your duplicity. You know very well
that you encouraged me, then threw
me overheard"
With that he withdrew, inwardly
vowtng revenge. The girl, instead Of
considering a man who would take
the position he had taken contemplate,
was crushed at his charge, weeping
hot, bitter tears.
Shotwen was suffering from what
he considered unfair treatment and in
no mood to look at the matter dispas-
sionately. Had he done so he would
have recognized the fact that no con-
tract had been made between them.
Miss Gwynne had not accepted him,
and even if she had and afterward
dismissed him he should have remem-
bered that it is a womans privilege to
change her mind. But in this partic-
ular case the lady had refused him for
reason. Beyond all this no man should
take revenge on a woman for refusing
him. whether for or without cause.
The rejected lovers path led across
a district Of the city where the lowest
part of the community lived, or. rath-
er. existed, for in such crowded tene-
ments as are occupied by the poorer
classes people cannot be said to live.
Coming toward him he saw a man
whose face and bearing belied his torn
and dirty clothing
'"That fellow resembles Bedding, the
northumberland, for all the world"
unused Shotweu. Then, suddenly
caught by an idea, he turned and
called:
Hi! You there.'
The man faced about Shotwell beck
oned to him. and the two stood togeth-
er on the sidewalk, when Shotwel be
gan a series of questions.
Have you ever been told you look
like any one?"
mot that / remember"
Want a Job?"
"What kind of job?"
"Well, there's a bit of personation
in it."
what do you mean by that?"
81 know a young lady who 1 think
wouldn't mind marrying a fortune.
You very much resemble Howard Beld-
ing, the millionaire. How would you
like to try itT'
The man looked Shotwell square in
the face, but Shotwell could not tell
how his proposition was received. For
a moment he thought he saw flash of
indignation, but the first remark that
came from the ragged man treasured
him.
81 couldn't play a game like that in
these rags"
'T'n dress you up like a gentleman"
But how would / pass myself off
for one with such ignorance as miner
"Oh, you've seen better days! l can
tell that. Something has broken you
down. What was it-Iiquor?"
'No; don't drink"
well. do you accept?'
The man appeared to be thinking. /
Presently he asked:
What is there in it if 1 don't sue
coed in marrying the girl?"
IN give you $500. besides what you |
need for spending money"
''All right. When shall I begin?'
Shotwell gave him an address at |
which he was to call at a certain hour |
the next day. When he appeared |
Shotwell had a wardrobe ready for |
him. and when properly dressed he |
certainly looked like refined and in |
teiligent man. Shotwell told him that |
Howard Bedding, whom he was to per |
senate, had inherited an estate of sew !
eral million dollars, which he was Civ |
Ing to charity.
Having coached his man. Shotwell |
sent him away to form the acquaint- |
ance of Miss Gwynne. He instruct |
ed his decoy so far as possible as to |
the lady's idiosyncrasies. recommend |
ing him not to go too fast with her, |
and that he might not want for funds |