Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-20

W -lhC pun yO0tA WIN
ing hard for living and giving him
self and his secret away in every 9TH
er sentence he uttered.
Once more he went forth, cheered "
smiles and even invited to stay aid
lunch Quite relieved in his mind con-
corning the power Of his own person
atty when stripped Of his usual at
mosphere of wealth. Dick Rodman
HE'D himself to dairy lunch room and
proceeded to order a meal that might
be within the limits of brush agents
income.
AS he unfolded the morning paper
which had protruded from his coat
pocket during his visits he was more
puzzled than ever over the situation.
He blushed furiously that he should
be so weak as to love two girls equal
iy well. He glowed with enthusiasm
as he recalled the gentle courtesy that
each had extended to the humble
brush agent.
"Peter Brownelrs all wrong" he
muttered, turning the pages Of the pa
per. "There are plenty Of nice girls
that might fall in love with a fellow
even If he was burdened with a few
millions. Why
Richard Mortimer Rodman's jaw
dropped in amazement and something
else. All the healthy color fed from
his face. and his brows knitted fierce
". His fingers clutched the paper as
his burning eyes read and reread a
brief paragraph that had challenged
his careless glance. 1t was in the $50
ciety" column:
at is understood that an interesting
romance will soon come to light when
the engagement of Miss Amy Packard
to Franklin Barnes IS announced"
Five minutes afterward a rather di-
sheveled young man plunged into a
Fifth avenue stage and was slowly
conveyed to the Packard abode.
Simms, the butler. smiled on the shah
by millionaire, while his hand received
a crisp five dollar note.
Into the small drawing room, Mr..
Rodman. I'll speak to Miss Amy at
once"
Rodman was still pacing excitedly
up and down the room when Amy fit
ted in, small and dainty, with soft
masses of bronze brown hair. eyes the
color Of brown and gold pansies and a
delicate rose color fiickering in her
cheeks.
why. Dick, what is the matter
Simms quite frightened me. He said
you wanted to see me on business of
Importance
Dick crushed her little hands in his
own. rs it true, Amy?" he demand
ed fiercely.
lis what true, Dick:' she asked in a
puzzled tone.
What 1 read in the paper this morn
ing-that you're engaged to Barnes
Never mind, 1t can't be true because
I love you. and you've simply got to
marry me. Why. you've only known
Barnes n few weeks, and I've loved
you'll have loved you all my life"
when did you find it out, Dick?'
she asked softly. 81 mean find out
that you liked
Loved" interrupted Dick forcibly.
Loved. then" blushed Amy. When
did youY'
"A half hour ago-after I read that
in the paper. You must break It off,
Amy. Why. blame it all. I've got to
have you and nobody else
There, there. Dick" soothed Amy,
between tears and laughter. IF you
hadn't spent all your summer at that
horrid old sea resort you might have
been up at the camp and noticed that
Mr.. Barnes had eyes for nobody else
but Lena. Just a stupid newspaper
mistake, that's all, and I've been re-
ceiving congratulations all the morn
ing over the telephone and trying TO
explain the mistake"
Then he told Of his morning escapade.
81 know both the girls" said Amy
after she had wiped away her tears
Of laughter at his recital. You were
wise to come TO me. dear Dick, for
you would have had scant show with
either one. You see, Alice Brayton is
engaged 10 some man out west. and
Eleanor Lee is to marry my cousin,
Tom Packard. | don't wonder they
were interested in buying brushes"
Even as Dick Joined in her laugh at
the expense of his own conceit the
telephone bell rang sharply.
Another congratulation, hazardcd
Dick. smiling.
"If it is" said Amy sweetly, II shall
accept IT,"