Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-09
In colonial days in virginia there


was a society that was unique.
A number OF planters with their fam
lilies were assembled at winter fes-
tiyal In the manor house of lie Roy
Chalmers. There were driving, horse
back riding, shooting and other sea-
sonable sports. affording a merry time
to all. Beatrice Chalmers was the
acknowledged belle Of the party, not
only on account of her comeliness, but
a certain dash there was about her,
an impulsiveness which was constantly
bursting through conventional re-
straint. The young people of the party
had done more or less pairing of, but
Miss Chalmers, being hostess. had re-
Trained from accepting more attention
from any one of the men guests than
another.
Nevertheless there were two who, it
was generally conceded, were nearer
to her than the others-the one. Ed
mond Dargan, a creole from Louisiana:
the other, Louis Fitz Maurice, a young
Virginia attorney. Dargan had re-
Gently come to Virginia, had made the
acquaintance OF Colonel Chalmers, who
with the hospitality Of the times and
the locality had invited him to his
house Fitz Maurice had known Bea-
trice Chalmers from childhood and was
in love with her; but, being only an
attorney, which was then considered
greatly inferior to being planter,
and since he had no fortune, he had
kept his passion to himself. At any
rate, he had not spoken it.
One day when the party were re-
| turning from a hunt Miss Chalmers
missed her riding whip. In the ham
die was a valuable diamond. Her ex-
/ pressive face at once showed how
keenly she felt the loss. They had
been riding through thickly wooded
country, and it was quite possible that
the whip might not be found.
"What will you give the finderT'
asked one of the young men.
At that moment Dargan. who had
fallen behind the others, rode up and,
having heard the question and know
ing the impulsive nature of the girl,
said:
"Yourself?"
Eyes, myself" said Beatrice, "and
| all possess
Every young man Of the party turn
ed his horses head to the direction
from which they had come and spur
red away to look for the lost whip. A
short distance from the manor house
they met Fitz Maurice and Carey EN-
mons, who were just coming in. Fitz
Maurice succeeded In stopping one OF
the riders long enough to discover
what they were returning for, but in
stead of Joining them rode on to the
house with Miss Emmons. Then he
saw the ladies of the party standing or
the porch. AT seeing him Miss Chal
mers cried out:
Aren't you going to look for my rid
ing whipT
} You would not have me be so dis
courteous as to leave Miss Emmons?"
Certainly not But, now that Miss
, Emmons is here, l see nothing to pre-
vent your returning to search with the
rest"
Nothing but that the whip has
doubtless been already found"
A look something akin to reproacl
i flashed in Beatrice's eyes at what sh'
| considered this ungallant treatment.
Half an hour later the men were
seen riding back headed by Dargan
who held aloft the recovered whip
Miss Chalmers, who saw it all through
a window, knit her brow and cast /,
deprecating glance at Fitz Maurice
who was standing near. In a few mo
ments the hunters threw themselve:
from their horses, which were takeI
away by negro slaves, and all followed
t Dargan into the house. Advancing to
r ward Miss Chalmers, he dropped oil
one knee and handed her the whip.
t "You have found my whip" she said
a at remains with you to say If yol
e wish the offered reward"
81 certainly do wish it and claim /
as my right"
d Every one present except the mai
addressed, who was on his knees witt
r head bowed, saw by the expression OIL
p the lady's face that she certainly di
8 not wish 1t, and every one saw a hal
reproachful, half appealing glance sh
threw at Fitz Maurice before replying
ENO SAhlLucIb Ad5 cNcE SOuc DdC
on his or her word. My friends,
have to announce my engagement t
Mr.. Dargan."
There was clapping Of hands fror
some who considered the matter to b
q mere banter and frowns from other
le who believed the girl would be FOOLS
enough to sacrifice herself to a falls
sense Of honor. Dargan took he
hand, kissed 1t, rose, and the party diI
persed.
The same evening Fitz Maurice, fine
ing Dargan walking alone under som
:" magnolia trees near the house, al
preached him and said:
"Dargan, I was surprised that
claiming your reward today you faile
to say that you could only accept it
IL case the lady's heart went with it."
Dargan turned upon Fitz Mauric
like fury.
THAT Is a matter between MI.
ds Chalmers and myself. / brook no Il
reference in my affairs from an
I'd man."
Daa0ita fha fart that hot soufhe