Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-16
The Argus Daily Story
The Plain Young Many Jefferson Port.
Copyrighted. by Associated Literary Bureau.

wealth is set OF against Hicks brains
and ingenuity. so there you are.
There's only one thing to do, in my
opinion. and that is to let fate or luck.
or whatever you call II, have a hand
IN the matter. II Airline had a mother
1 would leave 1t to her. but as things
are as they are 1t shall be as I say"
He sat down In his big chair and once
more pressed his finger tips together.
airline is down at our place at
Belle Point It's a straightaway road
down there along the shore. You can
keep each other In sight part of the
way at least until one outdistances
the other. Hicks, you jump into your
monoplane. and Avery viii get into his
automobile. and away you go, and the
first one that reaches Belle Point and
sees my daughter may wed her. pro
vided she hasn't changed her mind
since referring you to me-"
"Doner' cried Hicks. rising and care
fully adjusting his wooden cap. MY
machines out at Fern park. and 1 can
be away in a half hour"
My car is downstairs. and TIL take
you out to Fern park and start from
anu luhh ANohy dAOoo anu
held out his hand to Arline's father.
"wiu you not come down and see us
Off. sirT'
Sorry, boys. but can't" returned
the mill owner hastily. Got another
interview on my hands now. Good
luck to both of your
"Thanksi Goodby, father-in-law"
said Joe Hicks boldly as he gripped
Peddington's hand.
"Goodby. Father Peddington." was
Avery's significant farewell.
You are good sports" said the
elder man kindly. Take good care
OF yourselves. You ought to make the
twenty-five miles in pretty short or
der. Wire me the result" He waved
them away. and after they had slam
med the the outer door behind them
he picked up his desk telephone and
then hastily set 1t down again.
I'D like to warn her: but, no. IL
wouldn't be playing fair. and the witch
deserves the embarrassment after
playing them Off on me like that. But
why in thunder should those two
idiots want to marry a girl who openly
tells them she doesn't love them. but
will marry them II commanded to?
Where is their good American bloodT'
"If you please, Mr.. Peddington."
said a crisp voice from the doorway.
I've been waiting some time. Per
haps you can see me now"
The open doorway framed the we'll
knit, compact figure and plain face OF
the plain young man. he carried his
panama hat under his arm, and when
you looked at him and saw his eyes
you would declare that they would
beautify any face. so bright and blue
and true were they.
Come in" said Mr. Peddlngton
courteously. And when the visitor
had seated himself the mill owner
said. you are Russell Osgood. the
architect who planned my Belle Point
place. aren't your
Russell Osgood smiled at Silas Ped
dington's tone. He had met the mill
owner a hundred times since then.
and they were on friendly terms, yet
now his tone was distinctly anxious.
81 am all that and more now" he
said clearly. I'm your sonin-law.
Mr.. PeddingtonT
"Why-what-whe gasped Mr..
Peddington, sitting up very straight in
his chair.
Because Airline and I were married
an hour ago She is waiting down
stairs in a taxi told her you would
come down and give us your blessing.
You always liked me. you known
81 did" breathed Mr.. Peddlngton
helplessly, land / do now. I'd rather
have you for a son-in-law than any
other man I know. Yes. mean II.
You're the right sort. Russell. I'm
mighty glad you got married this way.
Weddings always made me nervous
almost TO hysteria. Fact, son. though
/ don't look IL. and ever since Arline's
been grown up I've had her wedding
hanging over me like a nightmare. so
she's downstairs. Ell, waiting for my
blessing? Wait till write a check to
go with it." He tapped out a check
book and in his big. square hsndwrit-
ing drew a check Of four figures. you
will want a honeymoon. Of courser'
We're going up TO New Brunswick"
explained the bridegroom in the same
quiet. self contained manner that had
already won Mr.. Peddington's admira-
ton.
As they reached the outer door Silas
uttered a sharp exclama-
ton. "By Jove. what about those two
chaps who are racing out 10 Belle
Point for Arline's hand2 Gee. can't
face them when they come back and
find she's married TO you. RUSSELL"
Better come with us on our honey
urged his son-n-law.
Il will"' calculated silas Peddington.
And, thrusting bis head within another
office. he said briskIy. 10 the utter mys-
OF bis clerical force:
"I'll wire any instructions may
have concerning the business. I'm
called away on a honey
moon"