Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-21

lon:"
The question was asked By young
man of an old one who had called
upon him at his bachelor rooms. The
two seated themselves. and Mr.. Dillon
explained his visit.
"You are my sons most intimate
friend. John, and have more influence
over him than any other man. Jim
has come to crisis In his life and is
likely to be wrecked. l wish you to
try to save him.
You mean his infatuation for Clara
Marklaud?"
Il do. I am convinced that she
wishes to marry him for what he will
inherit from me; that she cares moth
ing for him; that as his wife she will
be constantly encouraging the atten-
tons Of other men. and in the end
! there will be a divorce, he being oblig-
ed TO pay her very large alimony."
Why do you not make it known to
the lady that you will disinherit him
If he marries her?"
Such a course would make q breach
between him and me. He Is my only
child, and we have always been friends
as we'll as father and son. In any
thing else than an infatuatioR for a
! woman he would do rs | might ask.
The only way to handle this case Is
! to convince him beyond a doubt that
+ the woman is fooling him. and ap-
peal to you to accomplish that If pos
( sible"
John Turner sat in deep thought for
awhile, then said:
You are asking me to make a
breach between Jim and me. but since
it is far better that 1t should occur be-
: tween him and me than between his
father and himself i will do what l
can in the matter. but my experience
is that one who interferes between 8
man and the woman he loves or girl
and the man she loves gets himself
diSliked without securing the desired
end. will. however. try to form a
plan by which | may show Jim the
woman's character without his being
aware that l know she is the woman
he loves. He has asked me to go with
him to call upon her. but l have al
ways put him off with some excuse.
She has never seen me. which will
give me an advantage. This is all
can say to you at present. IL | save
jim from an unfortunate marriage.
even at the expense OF our friendship.
/ shall rejoice. Besides | would glad
ly serve his father"
Mr. Dillon rose, pressed Turner's
hand and left him with thanks for the
spirit in which he had received his re-
quest. Dillon. whose inventive facul-
ties seemed to need the stimuiant OF
tobacco. lighted pipe and sat down
to think npon what he considered a
problem, the solution of which was al
most hopeless
One afternoon not long after the in
terview between Mr.. Dillon and Johh
Turner the latter telephoned his
friend Jim to meet him at their club
for dinner. He hoped Jim would not
fail him. since he had communication
to make of confidential nature Dill.
Ion. who had no engagement with his
fiancee for that evening. promised to
be present, and ut the appointed hour
the two met in the club lounging room
What Is it, old man?" asked Dillon
Pm in love-" replied Turner
Good; there's an additional bond OF
union between us. YOn now know how
l feel. and we can symPathize with
each other. Who is she:"
The loveliest woman on the face OF
the earth"
There | must differ with you" smii
ed Jim. Il happen to be engaged tC
the loveliest woman on earth myself
When yon see the one refer to you
will acknowledge ycnrself mistaken"
Well. well; we won't quarrel about
that. Tell me of her"
She is c0ntiding and gentle. but
witha strong In honesty
She must he Clara Marklands twin
sister"
She is no woman's twin sister
There may he doubIe stars in the fir
mament Of the heavens. but the woman
who has honored me with her regarC
is central sun"
You're enthusiastic. John. What {
change from the man who Received thu
announcement of my engagement 81
cnldly! You've caught the fever your
self, my boy. and know now what {
fiery disease it is. But you haven't tolC
me the lady's name"
, Nor can at present"
Why"
"l}ecanse we are not engaged"
But you will be Besides, there's
no harm in telling chum that 70,
, love certain woman On the con
. trary. Jon are paying her a compli
meGt."
, There is harm in telling any friend
that certain woman is considerIn;
whether or no she will accept an offe
of marriage from me"
'You should certainly marty aa hon
orahle woman. Your own seEse O
honor Is too keen to he practical
1T Is that high sense of honor In
born in the woman | love which makel
me honorable. Ii is understood be
| tween us that neither shall say any
thing TO involve the ether till hav,
/ her final answer. If supposed II pos
J sible for .you to discover whom 1 refe
} 10 ! should never hold up my heai
/ again"