Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-05-13

ror stricken ST seeing the object of
his love enter the shop.
Wheaton. seeing no way of retreat.
advanced toward Miss Twiss and
greeted her as heartily as if he were
really delighted to see her. She had.
come in to order footwear and was
surprised 10 learn that Mr.. Wheaton
had his boots made by her shoemaker.
he turned the topic OF conversation
to other matters and as soon as pos
si6le got away from Miss Twiss and
the shoemaker
The latter conceived the idea OF
turning this chance meeting in his
shop TO account He saw in it a way
to collect his unpaid bill against
Wheaton. Knowing the young mans
idiosyncra cies well. he sent a woman
to him to solicit charity. directing her
to say that Miss Twiss sent her. Whea-
ton considered that all between him
and his love was at stake. 1t would
never do for him TO refuse to give TO
a solicitor who had been sent to him
blythe lady he hoped to marry. Ask
ingSthe lady to wait, he took his snuh-
box around the corner to a pawrshop,
DOTTOWel Sd on II anu EdNG NlG HUI
ey to the solicitor.
Miss Twiss had noticed Mr.. Whea-
toms embarrassment when she had
met him at the shoemaker's and di-
vined the cause. She thought the
matter over and sent a messenger to
the shop. directing him to pay Mr..
Wheaton's bill and take a receipt.
The shoemaker, suppostng the mes
senger to come from wheaton, receipt
ed his bin, which amounted to $50,
and returned So. with a note confess
sing the stratagem by which he had
collected the account
OF course the note and the surplus
amount went to Miss Twiss. She was
very much surprised and at the same
time amused. She inferred that the
last article possessed by her lover, the
snuffbox. had gone to pawnbrokers.
She telephoned Mr.. Wheaton that she
would like him to call.
Ned" she said when he came, 81
have had a long struggle with myself
about accepting you. You have been
so fmprovident, or, rather, so tender
hearted, that everything you had has
gone except your jeweled snuffbox.
NV heart, I am sorry to say, has tri-
umphed over my better judgment
will marry you. but 1 am determined
that the one thing you possess shall
not be bestowed on some leach or for
charity or find its way to the pawn
shop. Bring ii to me-" she concluded.
mot tonight?" exclaimed Ned, both
delighted and in mortal dread.
Eyes, tonight. You have not far
to 60"
"But, you know. it is an heirloom.
must have time to consider the pro
priety of parting with It. 1t has been
bedueathed to the eldest son Of the
eldest son, to go down in that line for,
ever. Have a right to give it to any
one?"
That's the reason I wish It. I de-
sire to make sure that it goes to your
eldest SON."
But
mo more butts please. but the
snuffbox. If you refuse me 1 shall
consider that you don't trust me; that
you love the box better than you love
me"
you know that love you"
"Then prove it. Go and get the
box"
But, weetheart-darling-I can't /
get it before morning. Sensible OF my |
to let things slip through |
my fingers, 1 put it in a safe place"
The girl smiled
at is in a safe,' he added.
who's safe?"
zone who has a deep interest in
me-"
can interest of S25. Come, Ned,
know where your snuffbOx is. You
pawned 1t TO get the money you gave
the woman I sent you to get a sub
for the orphans home"
Ned bowed his head.
'Why did you yield to her?"
Consider the poor fatherless and
children"
'YOu are very weak"
''I know st. How ever interested
girl so superior to myself 1 can't CON
,eive"
"If marry you fear you'll give
AWAY everything I possess"
81 don't see how 1 can do that since
YOu possess it.
"Well. I'm in n very respondent state
IF mind today about your pawnlng the
;nuffbox. Come and see me tomor-
-ow."
Ned borrowed a dozen or more kisses
md left her much relieved that the
affair had not induced her TO break
With him forever. He went from her
o the shoemaker who had jeopardized
lin and so represented the enormity
II his of'ense that the repentant man
rave him credit for another pair OF
hoes.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wheaton are married
md seem to get on very well He
poke truly when he said he would not
e able TO give away what be didn't
'Ossess.
n n 4