Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-17
BE APPROACHED HER AND WAS GRACIOUS
LY RECEIVED.

HE ABPROACHED HEX AND WAS GhACIOUS-
LY RECEIVED.
evfnced considerable interest in what
was shown her, taking up laces and
examining them with a critical eye.
Taking up a fine piece of valen-
! ciennes, she said something to the pro-
prietor, who was showing her through
his establishment, which called forth
a protest from him.
You are mistaken, Nine. Wether-
ELL" he said. THAT is the finest quail
ity of its kind. l can prove it to you
by this gentleman. This is NJ. Run
Mon, who imports as much lace every
year as any merchant in New York"
RunnioD confirmed the proprietor's
opinion as to the quality of the lace,
and being attracted by the graceful
figure and languishing eyes of Miss
WethereIl proceeded with them in their
inspection of the premises. 1t was ap-
parently to them simply a matter of
sightseeing, for neither Of the ladies
bought any lace and the younger one
wore the bored expression of one who
has for months been occupied with
visiting European curfosities- Runnion
walked beside her, chatting with her
III Il dtSullOIN way was nOlh-
ing remarkable in what she said, but
her voice was melodious.
1t is strange that Americans who
might at home know each other casu-
ally for years without getting any near
er together will when abroad become
friends on the slightest provocatiOn.
Within an hour in the French lace fac
tory Runnion and the WetherelIs be-
came more intimate than If they had
known one another year in America.
When they were making their exit the
mother dropped behind to hold a con-
versation with the proprietor, while
Runnion and the daughter sauntered
slowly in advance. Then when the
two were Joined by the madame they
proceeded together to the railway sta
ton and to Paris. Runnion asked if he
might call upon them, but they said
they were about to sail for America
and had so much to do by way of
preparation that 1t would be difficult
for him to find them unoccupied. How
ever, It came out that they had all
engaged passage on the same steamer
and on the voyage they would have
plenty of time to enjoy one another's
society.
On the steamer Runnion looked for
his newly made friends, but for the first
two days neither of them appeared |
On the third day he saw Miss Wetherell
sitting on deck in a steamer chair, !
wrapped in rugs. He approached her |
and was graciously received. Inquir- |
ing for her mother he was told that |
h. 1I6 a.,
were papers to be signed in America |
by Miss Wetherell to complete the sale |
Of some property she had owned, and |
II was essential that she should go at /
once. Mrs. Wetherell would sail In an
other fortnight.
Say what you will about marriage, II |
Is a leap in the dark. Runnion had |
come to realize this and knew that he
must choose between such a leap and
a lonely old age He could take
cha noes on occasion and determined to
make the plunge with Miss Wetherell
that is, If she would have him. If
he had asked himself why he was sat
Ished with this especial young lady the
only proper answer would have been
that she had willowy figure, a melo-
1ioUs voice and languishing eyes. This
Is hardly a sufficient reason for a man
who since early youth has doubted the
whole sex on which TO choose a wife,
but when he once decided TO plunge he
shuts his eyes and plunges.
Runnion, It has been said, had been
captiyated by Miss WetherelFs will
lowy 1guFe. When she threw of her
rugs and arose from her steamer chair
70 go down 10 luncheon her figure did
not seem quite 90 wfllowy as when he
had first seen nes. On several other
occasions during the voyage +Tben she
was without wraps he noticed tns
same thing. Every day the young lady
lost something Of those lines OF figure
that had touched Runnion's fancy.
But her voice remained melodious and