Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-21

Rutherford had suggested. He then
left the young man to pursue the mat
ter in accordance with his own meth
DDS
It is remarkable how many young
men and women are brought up to-
gether who never think of marrying
And is it not that they either grow to
be old maids and old bachelors side
by side or take partners from other
places because of the very fact that
marriage does not occur to them? The
curate found himself face to face with
the converse of this proposition. Mar
riage had been suggested. He must
either get out of marrying a certain
girl or give up a pet scheme. He was
in love with the scheme, not with the
girl.
Constance was very young - too
young one would say to play the prin-
cipal part in this little comedy. Her
mother chose her daughters costume
for the occasion. but did not hamper
her with instructions. The girl was
not displeased at the idea of becoming
the curate's wife and was very much
pleased at the prospect of having
wife's interest in a million. When she
entered the room where young Main
waring was waiting for her, blushing
and avoiding his gaze. she certainly
looked verv attractive. Though her
mother had robed her in the gown
having the longest skirt In her ward
robe it reached but little below the
tops of her boots. Her figure was of
the willowy kind, though she was
neither very tall nor very slender. The
curves Of both her figure and her face
were those of youth. She seemed so
embarrassed that she scarcely knew
what to do. Advancing shyly to the
curate, she put out her hand. all the
while with averted gaze. The little
member nestled soft and warm in the
mans larger palm, and a delicious
thrill ran up his arm.
When she had withdrawn from him
she went TO the other part OF the
room and seated herself as far away
from him as she conveniently could.
Mr.. Mainwaring felt the difficulty of
addressing young girl barely seven
teen on such a subject. It was his
purpose to dissuade her from marry
ing him. What a situation! Had he
been on the other side be would have
found his task very easy. Had she
been older he could have appealed TO
her higher spiritual sense with more
chance of success. AS il was he fear
ed to put himself in very ungallant
il not unmanly position. He remained
silently turning the matter over in his
mind till the silence was becoming
NJ "a ha
began:
"a certain proposition has been
made to me in which you are involved.
Ny father has done you the honor to
wish you for his daughter-in-law
know you TO be worthy Of the compH-
ment. / am sure there is IN you a
nobility of soul far beyond the aver
age. II you decline proposition from
me, father will not insist on my marry
ing any one else. In that case / shall
be ena bled TO confer a great benefit on
the church and through the church On
millions OF beings. No one knows
warming TO his subject, he arose and
took a seat beside her-"how many
immortal souls by decision Of yours
may be saved and translated at last to
glory. ] think I hear a chorus Of
voices OF those whom you have saved
exultingly chatting your praises be-
fore the heavenly throne"
He paused for breath Constance
seemed very much affected She did
not look up az him, but rested her
bowed head on her hand. the elbow
resting on the arm Of her seat-a sofa
and Mr. MaiHwaring moved nearer
to her and bent forward that he might
see the effect Of his exordium. Her
hand nearest 70 him lay limp. That
he might make tine rest of his appeal
more successful be clasped it softly in
his own.
"If you choose selhshly in this mat
ter" ne continued, what do you
gain? First, an unworthy servant OF