Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-29

ton after all. And yet l don't know
that really want to live up to 1t now
that have seen Maize"
Mr.. Alfred Bennett found a very
cordial welcome awaiting him at the
pleasant home of Mrs. Grayson. May
Grayson-the May-was a nice looking.
stately girl of twenty one. with beau
tiful crown Of nut brown hair and clear.
expressive graz eyes. She was bright
and intelligent. and he was forced TO
admit after an hour spent in her COM
pany that there was nothing of the
mining camp style in her manners.
!, he liked her very well. too. and might
have fallen in love with her IL he had
not met Maize first Bright, merry
Maziel She charmed him more and
more as days and weeks went by.
And yet she studied to avoid him I'm
every possible way. and she succeeded
almost always In forcing him into the
, company Of her cousin, thus escaping
any marked attention he might wish
to pay to herself.
But this scheming on her part did
not lead young Bennett to bestow any
warmer affection on Miss May. Ere
I
life would be an intolerable failure II
he was obliged to live It without Ma
zie. The struggle between this love
and the desire to gain possession of
bis deceased uncle's wealth was over,
and as he arose one morning he an
nounced to himself"
May Grayson may have half the
money and the orphan asylum the 9th
er half for all / care! III be true to
| the love that has crept into my heart.
III marry Maize If I can win her.
! With her by my side shall be brave
and strong enough to earn my own
/ wealth"
| Having thus decided in his own
mind, the young man set out for
stroll through the pretty little meadow.
! Suddenly he came upon q tiny figure
| In white. "Out for q morning consd-
tutional, Mr.. BennettP' she inquired.
! "It is an ideal morning, as Cousin May
| would say"
You are always thrusting Cousin
| May at me-" ALT returned, with some
slight irritation. "But It is you wish
| to speak with this ideal morning
| am going to leave tonight, and must
say something to you before 60"
WED be sorry to have you leave us
with anything burdening your mind,
Mr.. Bennett"
you know, suppose, why I came
hereT'
II believe So" she said.
"Well, want to inform you that the
condition in my uncle's win can never
be complied with now"
els that so?" came from her lips in
feigned surprise. at will be such a
pity for you to lose the fortune"
Eyes. but have learned that there
| is something better than riches 1t is
love. Marie, 1 cannot begin to tell
you how tenderly love you. I want
you to be my wife"
what! After all the attentions you
have been showing Cousin May"
"You are responsible for those at
tentions.' How else could it be when
you persisted in throwing US together
SO oftenT
'T think you are very tickle"
mo; am very constant. I haven't
ceased loving you a single minute
since first saw you. Can't you love
me just little, MazieT'
I'm afraid not"
won't you try to love me, dearest"
| 81 don't need to try. Alf," she re-
| piled. looking up into his face with
shy smile.
You sweet deceiver" he cried.
catching her In his arms and pressing
| her to his heart. You were fooling
| me all the time"
| Yes, for, much as I was growing to
love you, 1 resolved not to let you
know" she said. freeing herself from
his arms. because. you see oh.
there is Mr. Goodfriendr' she cried.
rushing forward to greet the lawyer.
who had come unannounced.
"Oh. l saw it all. children" he said.
shaking hands first with Maize, then
with ALI. Il didn't cover my eyes. 1
came unexpectedly on the night ex-
press and got here in time for break
fast. Mrs. Grayson told me. I'd find
you both down by the meadow. 1 ar
rived in time to see that you two have
come to an understanding"
YES. SIR" said ALT decidedly. 1--WE
concluded to enjoy love in n cottage
with Maize rather than take Miss
Grayson with all my uncle's money"
1
Love in a cottage! Oh. the refresh
| ing youth" And Goodfriend broke into
| a hearty laugh, in which Maize could
not help joining. Pardon me. Ben
nett" said the lawyer, wiping the
mirth shed tears from his eyes. "but
you are the victim of your own blum
der"
"Blunder? don't understand yoL.
SIR said Aft.
"Of course notr' And the lawyer
went of into another CONFUSION Of
laughter. This sprite, whom You took
to be the daughter of Mrs. Grayson
because Of a pet way she has of call
ing her mamma is the true May
Grayson referred to in your uncle's
| WILL"
One month later the annoying con-
dition' In the will was complied with