Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-07-14

4 Inc pEOISSSOE idusnS0 SuOEtly.
HE will be at home tonight" Dick
remarked insinuatingiy as he turned
toward the door.
When he was alone again the pro-
fessor turned on the electric bulb
above his mirror and pitilessly exam
ined his own tired face. BE noted
with a grim smile the hard lines which
seemed to have formed .oOut his
mouth. He was glad that Mollie was
| not to be seen when he sought her
| home. for the sight OF her winsome
face would be more than p could bear
in his present mood.
Her father welcomed him with his
usual cordially. The professor stood
with frowning browS and briefly stat
| ed his errand.
II come at your daughters request"
he said. hoping that when you realize
her future happiness is at stake you
will not withhold your consent to her
marriage with Richard Brandon"
Then while he e arged upon Dicks
! few virtues and condoled his many
/ faults the older man listened atten-
/ lively.
This is a great disappointment to
me-" he said at length, and you will
! pardon my bluntness. 1 had hoped
that my daughters choice might have
: fallen upon yourself"
/ John Craythorne sighed. st also
dared TO hope" he said quietly.
: Before we discuss the subject fur
ther," her father continued. II would
like to send for Mollie."
/ IN Ia q that
/ discussion the professor answered
stifdy. Then he turned suddenly to
| face Mollie herself. After the first
! startled glance he resolutely avoided
| her eyes.
| Professor Craythorne has been In
/ terceding with me in your behalf. Mol
I lie," her father said. He assures me
that young Brandon will make you
good husband, though I confess 1 re-
greet your choice. Nevertheless your will
must always be mine. my daughter"
/ John Craythorne waited in breath
| less suspense for Mollies answer.
| professor era ythorne." asked a meek
little voice. will you kindly tell me
| Just why you choose to play the part
| of John AldenT"
| He confronted her Indignantly. "Dick
Brandon gave me to understand that
| such was your WISH" he replied.
Mollie's eyes widened. and then she
| laughed-it was an aggravating little
| laugh 81 did not expect you would
| give Dick such a good character" she
said wickedly. when you know very
| we'll he flunked last year"
A prolonged whistle sounded down
the hall at this moment, and Mollie
| puckered up her lips TO answer. In
| stantly the object of the conference
| burst into the room.
"HelIo, Mollie!" he called. ''T-.4t
| laundering man just gave me your card,
and rushed over. What's the news"
! Mollie extended her hand. "Dickie."
she said, will you let me zee that
| card? l left two of them at the uni
versity today, one for Professor Cray
| thOrne and one for you. 1 am begin
ming to suspect that l put them into
the wrong envelopes. Yes" she said.
| smiling over at the professor, this
one was intended for you" Then she
! read aloud:
! II shall expect you at this evening.
/ Do not disappoint me-"
Yours was just a word of sympa-
V.
! ten when Bette told me that her IA
Their had refused his consent to your
marriage"
John Craythorne took one hasty step
in her direction. then hesitated as Mol
lies father spoke sharply. will you
please tell me what this all means?"
he asked.
Mollie's eyes were dancing.
Beetles father thinks very highly
Of Professor Craythornes opinion. and
that is why suggested that he might
persuade the obstinate old man to
withdraw his objections TO Dick as a
sutton However'-she laughed over
her shoulder-"I think I have man
aged it for you. Dick. You had better
go over and see"
"Mollie," John Craythorne cried
eagerly. but she chung to her father for
moment, ignoring the call. while the
old mans face beamed with satisfac-
ton; then she pushed him gently from
her
Daddy" she limited broadly, "must
you really go?"
And long time after, while the pro-
fessor and Mollie stin fingered in the
library. she raised her glowing face to
look up at her lover reproachfully.
You do not deserve such happiness"
she said. "You would have married
me of TO another man"
Dear" John Craythorne answered
tenderly. "how dared 1 hope that you
cared for this solemn old student.
while Dick possessed those admirable
qualities-youtb and good looksT'
The girl touched the little crease
upon his forehead caressingly. You
have qualities which Dickie will never
possess" she said; then her laugh rip
pied merrily. ANY one but a stupid
professor would see that do not need
youth or good looks" said Mollie.