Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-26
The Argus Daily Short Story
Queer Miss Egerton-By Emma Morehouse
Copyrighted. 1910 by Associated Literary PrssE

His incIinationS drew him rather TO-
ward Agnes than Marcia, but since
Marcia possessed a fortune and Agnes
was poor he accepted the encourage
ment of the former and proposed to
her and was accepted.
When a certain scheme of Marcia
Egerton's was whispered about, all
who heard it wondered at her infatua-
ton for her bosom friend. On the
ground that she did not feel that she
would live long she made will leav-
ing half her estate to charitable in
stitution to be named for and in men,
DRY of her mother. The other half
she divided between her lover and her
bosom friend.
Those who were observant noticed
that Bakers inclinations were rather
toward his fiancee's friend than his
fiancee. They also noticed that the
friend, except when the flancee was
present, did not show any disposition
to compel Mr.. Baxter to reserve his
especial attention for his betrothed.
These people said, What a pity that
Marcia should not take herself off to
heaven, leaving the poor their share of
her estate and the lovers the rest of
it." And yet there were others who
claimed that, no matter what happens
out of usual and conventional lines,
tongues will wag; that these three
young people understood one another
thoroughly, and that was all there was
about it. All agreed that the bequest
was very lovely in Marcia. who was
Just the kind of girl to look out for the
happiness of others and was as simple
minded as a child.
Meanwhile Marcia Egerton seemed
to be slowly failing. Her physician
advised her to visit other lands. Since
she couldn't very well go alone it was
suggested that she be married and
travel with a man. But she replied
that she did not propose to throw any
such obloquy upon a husband as max
ing a courier of him. Then it was
announced that she would take her
girl friend with her. At this every one
said: THAT is exactly what was TO
have been expected. The society OF
the bosom friend is necessary; that of
the fiance is not"
The two friends one day in January
sailed on a Mediterranean steamer for
Egypt That is the last any one in
America heard from them for several
months; then one day Agnes returned,
saying that she had left Marcia start
ing for trip through the Holy Land.
She reported her friend very much i'm
proved In health and not at all averse
to travelling alone. Agnes was tired
of travelling and preferred TO 90 home.
AS soon as Marcia learned this, which
Agnes said she had tried to keep a
secret, Marcia would not hear Of her
remaining abroad any longer. Agnes,
after refusing for a long while to re-
turn, had been literally compelled to
do so by Marcia
Since Agnes and Baxter were seen
together a great deal after her return
critical persons said that Agnes had
come home Npurposely TO monopolize
him. The case excited more talk than
any social happening that had been
discussed in the place for years. Every
one wondered that Marcia EgertOn
should be so blind. By some she was
blamed for Offering inducement for
crime. Here were two lovers between
whom she stood and who might be
tempted to put her out Of the way that
they might be united, each with con-
siderable mems, into possession of
which they wo--1 come at her death.