Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-10
The Argus Daily Story
Reduced to an Absurdity-By Isabel Morton.
Copyrighted 1911. by Associated Literary


whom they did not know, one with
arm, another having a wooden case.
The three on seeing Wartield and his
second looked equally astonished.
Gentlemen" said the man with the
foilS, Il presume we have both come
for a similar purpose. but fortunately
there is plenty of room for ALL
We presumed that your Carriages
contained the other half of our party"
said Warfield, looking at his timepiece.
1T is few minutes past our appoint
ed time. We were to meet at 5 o'clock"
That was our hour"
Indeed. Strange that two affairs
should have been arranged for the
same hour at the same place"
The last words were scarcely spoken
when another carriage drove up and
out stepped a third party, unknown
TO the other two All three of the diff
ferent sets looked at one another In
amazement
There is something singular about
all this" said Winston. Then, turning
TO one Of the party who were second
on the ground, he asked
Would you mind informing me, sir,
OF the name OF the man you are to
meetT'
The other handed the inquirer a card
bearing the name of George Carnoux.
Winston and his principal looked at It
in added establishment.
And your" said Winston. turning to
the third party, who produced a card
bearing the same name as the other.
As soon as Warfield could regain his
tongue he asked both parties II they
had long known Mr.. Carnoux and re-
ceived a reply that they had met him
only the evening before, where both
principals admitted that they had been
grossly insulted by him.
Wartield and his second looked at
each other puzzled. What could it
mean? Carnoux was fiery fellow. but
a gentleman who would not be likely
to insult any one. Could It be that his
courage had failed him and in order
10 prevent one duel he had taken upon
himself two more?
What kind of looking person was
the man who insulted your" asked
Winston OF the others. They described
Caruoux ct must be So" said War
field TO his second. Then to the others:
Gentlemen, you may as well return
! to the city. The man who insulted you
did so, doubtless, to escape meeting
( with me. l sent him a challenge yes
terday afternoon and received reply
| directly from him appointing the meet
ing with me here this morning"
At that juncture more wheels were
heard, and another carriage rolled into
the wood. All eyes were turned toward
I It, eager to see who would aGght, all
suspecting that new person who had
been insulted the night before was
coming to receive satisfaction. To the
establishment of all three parties. out
stepped lady-a lady whom Warfield
and his second recognized at once as
! Therese CarnouX.
What does this mean, you coward?'
Numbered one of the principals. do
you come here to shield yourself under
a woman's skirts?"
please explain, sir" said Therese
haughtily.
George Carnoux is my brother" re-
piled Therese, and he could not have
insulted you, because he went yester-
day afternoon to our plantation, fifty
miles away"
There is some trick herew cried the
other furiously. Warfield interrupted
him.
You came here to meet this lady's
brother. One disrespectful word to her
and you will have an opportunity to
settle the matter with me-"
The three parties glared at one an
other for a few moments; then both the
second and third parties to arrive bolt
ed for their carriages and drove away
They had scarcely gone when a fourth
carriage came hurrying on, then stop
ped, and out jumped George CarnouI.
Seeing his sister. he exclaimed re-
proachfully:
"Therese, what have you donef You
have sought to disgrace me"
Brother, you must make the best OF
all this. / am engaged to Clarence
Warfied and command you to make Il
all up with him"
81 beg OF you to do So" said War
field, advancing, with outstretchet
hand. Carnoux hesitated, then tool
the proffered hand.
"But what does it all meanT N
asked Of his sister.
Il received the challenge intended
for you, replied to 1t in your name
sent you off to get you out Of the way
went out dressed in your apparel. com
plicated matters by insulting persons ir
your name and came here to exonerat'
you"
What a mad freak"
You returned sooner than I expect
ed"
II met a man from the plantation
who told me that there was no DANCE
from the levec"
And now. gentlemen" said Therese
'since this affair has been brought Il
the reductio ad absurdum come home
with me and we Will have some break
fast"
June 10 in American