Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-15


MarSton'S brain.
Letters of thanks having been receiv-
ed from both the sender and the re-
cipient OF the letter. they being per-
feet strangers to MarSton. il would
seem that there was no occasion for
any further correspondence. But. il
love cannot feed on fancy, fancy may
be called the germ of love. 1t is qHes-
tionable If love can be born without
being warmed by imagination. and once
born he usually becomes vigorous. He
will not only catch at n straw. but it
is remarkable how he will pull himself
along by means of this slender assist
ance. Marston spent several days hunt
ing for some slight excuse for follow
ing the matter further lie finally de-
cided that there was less risk OF being
considered presuming IN laying his net
through the Older lady.
Be it understood that he was not
looking for a sweetheart or wife.
Surely the latter was especially just
what he did not wish. The trGSS = s.
didn't know what he wished. Per
haps it was the instinct OF the hunts
man that was influencing him. At
any rate, he finally took the risk OF
breaking the conventional bonds that
/ separate strangers and wrote another
note TO Mrs Sherwood. Stepping
| clear over the line. he expressed &
! curiosity TO know why in her letter TO
! Miss Martin she had signed herself
your grateful friend" He was
aware that this request was trespass-
ing on ground forbidden TO him.
stranger. But this interest had been
excited in him by seeing Mrs. Sher-
woods picture, which gave the i'm
preston that kindness was TO be ex-
pected from her rather than that she
should receive kindness.
This letter of Marston's placed the
matter IN the position of an episode,
an adventure-call it what you will
and its development depended upon
the future course OF the woman CON
Cerned Mrs Sherwood wrote I'm a
responsive vein that she had received
so many acts OF kindness from 'Nir-
ginia" that it would be impossible for
her TO single out any one for especial
mention. Indeed. she gave Mr.. Mars
ton the impression that Miss Martin
was an angel.
To this Marston replied that young
ladies who could elicit such encomiums
from elderly persons were rare and
their acquaintance was desirable. lie
regretted that he had no better claim
to make Miss Martins acquaintance
than the return of mlsdirected let
ter He didn't under the circum-
lit,
mission to call upon Miss Martin, but
he would feel grateful to Mrs. Shcr-
wood If she would permit him to pay
his respects to her since he was de-
sirous of meeting one of whom Miss
Martin had referred to as the dearest
old lady IN the world"
When Mr. Marston opened the reply
TO this note he took out photograph
of a girl whose expression was de
, lightfully feminine. One would know
upon looking on her features that any
nice old lady would speak kindly of
/ her. Mrs. Sherwood wrote that unhe-
known to "Virginia" she had sent this
photograph that he might the better
= determine whether 1t was worth his
= while to make the young lady's ac-
ulitlUttnft. requesting ulhi " itANl ~
:, It, she having perfect confidence from
= his being a member Of the w club
ana from the few words he had writ
ten her that she ran no risk whatever
= in doing So
Mr. Marston's condition was like
: that OF a CRATE fire In which kindling
= wood has been swapping. Now a bright
fame shot from the coal. He began
at once TO make excuses for retaining
= the picture In a few days he wrote
y, expressing his thanks for the loan and
= his admiration of the picture and ask
- cd how long he might be permitted "a
y retain it, Mrs Sherwood waited IT
week before replying. then said that
she would leave the time of its return
10 his own inclination. To this he re
Piled that on the following Wednesday
. evening he would do himself the honor
y to pay his respects to Mrs. Sherwood
y and would bring the photograph witt
: him.
- The call was made and the outer
II wall Of the citadel was taken. Durinl
Il the visit he made an appointment
- through Mrs Sherwood. to call on Mis-.
b.. MhIllI aNh llt lblthfE lll5 tFtlth- "
:, ushercd into u drawing room dimiN
u lighted 10y rose aud violet lamps ant
~ saw for the first time, dressed IN hci
= most becoming costume. Virginia.
~ Thus the citadel Itself was captured
10 Or. rather WIS the citadel captured Of
was John MgrstOu made q prisoner:
p, One afternoon a month after Mars
=, ton had stood before his friends side
70 board he stood there again.
A 81 hear, John" said Taylor, "tha
4. you are going to marry"
:, Il am about TO enter into paradise.
r. II thought you considered marriag
q more like the other place"
~ 1T may be, but the doors are jew
mr. eled and the interior is concealed by
&c profusion Of flowers. The entering !
"a worth century Of matrimonial mis-
- cry"
2 It's dream, isn't itg'
= you bet"