Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-29
The Argus Daily Story
An Unexplained Affair-By F. A. Mitchell
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

II was generally supposed Il, at what
there was of tender feeling wis all on
the side Of the lady. And yet some
who knew Barker best-or thought they
did-declared that he was much ''cut
up" at the outcome Of the affair. Most
of the women condemned his action
with indignation, but there were those
who said that Glenn Wilson was a fool
to reject the only offer she had ever
had or was ever likely to receive; that
Barker was only providing for future
emergencies in legally making the prop
erty one before the marriage. But the
fact that the consideration was not 81,
the amount stipulated in formal docu-
ments. indicated that Barker never had
such an intention. but did intend the
courtship simply as a means of buying
the Wilson farm for half its value.
While Barker never spoke of the
matter between himself and Miss VIII
son, he gave every indication Of bitter
ness toward her. As to Clementine,
she had lived before her engagement q
patient, plodding life, and after her dis
appointment she resumed IT. When the
finer clothes she had put on during the
courtship were worn out she did not
replace them. If she met her ex-lover
on the road she spoke TO him as pleas
antly as before her discovery of his
game to secure her property.
At one time a rumor was started that
the matter was about TO be patched up
between the two, but It could never be
traced to any reliable foundation, and,
since a statement was coupled with it
that Barker was the one who wished
the reconciliation, no one believed 1t
from the first. At any rate, the rumor
was never confirmed by any change in
the treatment OF the parties OF each
other.
One day the doctor was called In to
see Barker and when he left the house
told those who asked about his patient
that he had typhoid fever. The doctor
went every day to see the invalid and
finally let 1t be known that Barker was
a very sick man.
One thing was noticed during the ILL.,
ness that was much talked about.
Clementine Wilson was seen standing
at the door Of the Barker farmhouse
with a bowl Of soup in her hands.
Some one came to the door; Clementine
said something; the person disappear
ed and returned. Then Clementine
went away with the soup.
1t was surmised that an Offering had
been refused, and whatever sympathy
had arisen for the sick man was blight
ed by his inhunan treatment Of the
woman he had been engaged to marry.
Some of the women offered Miss VIII
son their sympathy, at the same time
| animadverting upon her former lovers
| cruel act. But Clementine refused to
listen to them.
One morning there was Grape on the
door of the Barker farmhouse. Tongues
began to wag as to what would be-
come of the property he had acquired,
he having none but distant relatives.
Every one thought of Miss Wilson and
what had slipped through her fingers.
"She ought to have sold him her
property for nothing" said some.
shed have 1t all back now"
'She wouldn't any such thing" said
! another. HE never had any idea of
marrying her"
wonder If she'll go to the funeral?"
81 should think she would. There
oughtn't to be any hard feeling after
death"
II should think she wouldn't. What
business has she at the funeral of II
man that treated her as he did,"
And so the gossip went on. Clemen-
tine gave out the first bit Of inforna-
ton she had to give. She would not
attend the funeral because she did not
wish to be remarked upon and because
Mr.. Bankers death ended the saddest
affair Of her life, and she did not think
she had the fortitude to stand being
present at his funeral.
So the funeral took place without any
one being present who was or ever had
been nearly connected with the deceas-
ed. The next day lawyer sent Glenn
entine q notice that the will would be
opened at a certain date. and she was
invited to be present.
Whatever were her feelings at this
information she kept them to herself.
She went to the appointed place-the
Barker farmhouse-and found there
two or three distant connections Of the
] hGNcdSCu. 4lc was OPChCd anu
read as follows:
1 bequeath all my property, real and
personal, TO Clementine Wilson.
When it was known that the Tilted
woman had received some 100000
from the man who had Tilted her the
previous wagging Of tongues compar
ed with that which followed was like
a tinkle Of bells beside the din OF bat
tie.
What did 1t all mean? No one ex-
cept Clementine Wilson knew. aud she
never told But we do know that the
human heart gives US some inscrutable
mysteries; that side by side with the
most contemplate meanness lies the
deepest, the most enduring love. And
usually those who feel deepest are most
prone to hide their affairs and their
feelings No one can contemplate
what is plainly indicated by BarSer's
action without making an inference
that his nature and his habit Of life
cost him a happiness he ardently de-
sired.