Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-07

during his call she was uiiinteresung,
while now she was very charming
Had he known the sex better he would
nave taken warning at that seductive
smile. those bright eyes turned up OF
him so cnchaptingly. But one thought
possessed him. that he had made
mistake. Il very natural one under the
circumstances, and that perhaps. after
all. he would change his mind and
make a second application.
A few days later Louise was again
called into her fathers study.
Louise" he said. II have a note
from Mr.. Caruthers in which he makes
a formal application for your hand.
He protests against what he calls our
effete customs in such matters. but,
since he must defer TO them. tells me
that he has made a fortune in mines
in his country and will be able to give
you every luxury"
Eyes, papa"
ct have told him that his offer IS
favorably considered. but that. not
withstanding our marriages in France
are arranged differently from those in
America. l must leave the matter in
your hands. He is 10 consider him
self permitted to WOO and win you"
Yes, papa"
That's all. You may 60"
Perhaps the father OF this young
lady was not sufficiently prone TO con-
slider that about her age girls are liza
BILE to change from docility unde,
parental authority TO an assertion of
A.rfc IL, hot
talk about leaving her to accept orNde-
cline the sutton as she liked was alb
surd. And the count knew II too.
When she left him he felt assured
that she would accept Mr.. Caruthers.
and he dismissed the matter from his
mind as an accomplished fact.
Since the sutton found himself
obliged to adopt the European matri-
monlal method he concluded to do II
all that way. He drove up to the
chateau one afternoon and, going In.
called for Mile. VilIiers. She came
downstairs to meet him in appearance
at least a very different person from
the girl who had been looked over by
him on their first meeting. She was
graciousness itself. There was moth
ing of embarrassment. Caruthers did
not waste much time in coming TO the
object of his visit. The words OF his
proposal were formal: but. notwith-
standing he was blunderer. he was a
true man and a modest one. His heart
was In what he said with frankness
truly American.
The girl waited until he had finish
ed then said:
THE honor you have done me. NJ
Caruthers. is gratifying i'm the extreme,
but must beg leave to decline It."
Caruthers, who had supposed the
counts assurance that his offer was
considered favorably as tantamount
to an acceptance, was startled. He
was not only startled, but disappoint-
ed-indeed, he was very much disap-
pointed. Then it occurred to him that
while there are different matrimonial
customs in different countries the hu
man heart is the same everywhere.
This young girl who had been brought
I'D to consider herself bound TO go
where she was given had declared her
independence. And. while before he
was not quite sure he wanted her, he
was now quite sure that he wanted
her very much.
The next morning Caruthers called
on the count and requested him to
forego any attempt to interfere with
his daughters decision. The count
looked very grave, listened with re-
spectful attention and bowed his visl-
tor out with great ceremony. Then he
called Louise into his study and gave
her lecture on the sin of young la
dies throwing over advantageous of
CONTINUED on Page Eleven.)