Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-22
In March, 175S, there appeared in
the London Chronicle the following ad-

In March, 1883, there appeared in
the London Chronicle the following ad-
vertisement:
living of E10o a year will be given to
a curate on condition that he marry the
giver. He must be young. well recon-
mended for morals and good temper and
firmly attached to the present happy es
adjustment Answers may be left at the
bar of the Union Coffee House. Strand
London, directed 10 2. L. The utmost Sc
crecy and honor is to be depended upon
Gerard Wentworth, young man Of
twenty-five. saw it and was attracted
by 1t for the following reasons: He
had barely completed his studies pre-
hminary to taking orders when stimuli
taneously a lawsuit involving the fam
lily property was decided adversely
and Gerard's father died. This left
the young clergyman on the thresh-
old OF life with two sisters and
mother to provide for. He was think
ing of giving up his profession and
accepting a clerkship in a mercantile
house where he could earn more mon
ey than in the church when his eye
fell on the advertisement.
Els there not in this" he unused, ga
chance for me to follow the career /
AONC anu d1 AllGu lOE IL SuOulu
marry this woman l might eventually
become bishop"
So he left a note at the Union Coffee
House stating that he would be happy
TO meet the holder of the living and in
due time received an invitation TO call
at Twickenham, suburban town a
couple of hours ride from London.
Mr.. Wentworth alighted from the
coach at an imposing gateway and
walked up through attractive grounds
to manor house. Dreams of marry
ing a fortune were kindled in his
brain, but they were soon put to fight
by housemaid who answered his
knock, pointing TO a dilapidated look
ing cottage In one corner Of the in
closure and telling him he would find
the advertiser there. With sigh he
turned and, walking over to the house
in question, knocked again. serv-
ant who had apparently left the wash
tub replied to the summons and show
ed him into dingy living room, the
blinds to which were all closed. Pres
emily an angular woman Of fifty en-
tered and announced that il was she
who had the disposal of the living
Wentworth was too much Of gen
tleman to get up Immediately and take
his leave. He talked in desultory
way and among other things told the
lady that his purpose in getting the
living was to be able to continue In his
career and provide for his mother and
sisters, whereupon the woman told
him CURLY that his application would
not be considered for moment.
Wentworth rose to go. but the wom-
an asked him to wait few minutes.
She then left the room and was gone
some time. When she returned she
said that, after all, his love for his
mother and sisters had affected her
favorably toward him and that she
would think the matter over. Would
he call again in few days?
Wentworth said, Thank you,'
which might mean anything or moth
ing and took his leave. AS the door
closed behind him a figure emerged
from the manor house-a young girl
dressed like lady and withal comely.
She and Wentworth met at the gate,
and 1t seemed to him that she must
know that he was an applicant for the
living to be disposed of, for she looked
amused. Wentworth. who had reach
ed the little gate beside the driveway
a few PAGES before her. paused to let her
go through, taking of his hat politely.
81 wish you joy with your living
and your BRIDE" she said, snap in
her eye and pair of dimples on each
cheek thanking a smile.
81 have not yet been accepted, nor