Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-07-18

shall surely turn you over to the po-
lice" Nevertheless all this merely add
ed to that wildly sensational condition
which will beget more of the passion
Of love in a given time than any other
cause. One moment he would calm
himself down to a realization of the
fact that he was in an abnormal condi-
ton. the next another paroxysm would
sweep over him. and he would consider
the propriety of blowing out his brains.
This may seem ove-drawn, but We
must remember the many actual sui
cides by young men or girls as result
of this very love frenzy.
But he survived. Gradually he came
down to a condition where he could
take thought upon the matter and lay
q plan for future procedure. He would
endeavor to gain the services OF third
person. through whom he might gain
forgiveness from the woman who con-
sidered herself insulted. The only per-
son he knew who was surely acquaint-
ed with the Girl was Charlie ricketts,,
at whose house he had met her. He
wrote ricketts, a note asking for a prl-
vate interview. His request was grant
ed, and Eggleston told him the whole
story. He had not gone far before
Ricketts, endeavored to put in a word,
but Eggleston insisted on telling it all
before receiving any comment.
When the story was finished Rickets
offered to introduce his friend TO the
young lady, guaranteeing that she
would listen to an explanation and the
lover would be treated with considera
y H,% ba
for Eggleston to be his own defender,
and Ricketts, would not enter upon the
subject with the girl.
A few days later Ricketts, wrote Egg
gleston. saying that he had arranged
with the young lady that the latter
should call on her on a certain evening
At the time appointed EGEleston call
ed and SEN in his card with a wildly
beating heart. he was ushered into
q coy reception room, where he found
the lady of his love. She rose as he en-
tered with a reassuring smile. but said
no word of welcome. Inviting Eggle
ston to q seat, she took up an ear
trumpet lying on a table and. adjust
ing the small end TO her ear. waited
for him to talk into the other end.
sudden a relief. Like a fash 1t oc-
CURED to Eggleston that on neither
Of the two occasions he had addressed
her had she heard him. He had come
to her to explain what he supposed
she considered an insult. His inten
ton was to tell her frankly that his
excuse was the great love he had con
ceived for her. but this unlocked for
situation was too much for him. He
didn't know what to say. The small
end of the tube was in the girls ear; |
his mouth was in position to speak |
into the other The girl was waiting |
for him to begin. but he couldn't be- |
gin. Desperate. scarcely knowing |
what he said. he shouted:
Its a hot evening"
These four words were the beginning |
Of a courtshlp that had been going on /
in Eggleston for long while, but of .
which the lady was not conscious. |
They have been long married, and Egg
gleston Jokes about his first words to
his wife-the first, at least, she heard
having been so commonplace But he
has never forgiven Charlie ricketts, for
not having told him before he met her
that she was deaf as a ferryboat.
Charlie says he tried to do so, but Egg
gleston wouldn't listen to him.
If there is any moral to this story
It is that it is the listeners and not the
takers who win. Eggleston should
have suffered ricketts, to tell him that
the girl was deaf.