Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-02
attended his funeral in a body.


chances were that l would be consid-
cred instead the real impostor, and il l
were believed would only make those
who had shown me or my reputation
such marked attention feel uncomfort-
able. The consequence was that l left
the city without making myself known.
1t was late in the season, and. having
no further engagements in the east, L
turned my face homeward. l would
have written my relatives that II they
got report of my death and burial to
consider it incorrect, but could travel
about as fast as a letter would SO. Be
sides, l had no very near connections.
As to Miss Gregory, was In no hur-
~ to forestall any report she might
hear concerning me. l would likely
get home as soon as Harding, so had
little or nothing to fear from that
source.
did not care to travel very fast, so
that Harding. if he were carrying the
news of my death. could, IL he chose,
go faster than l. Spring was coming
on, and, fearing the heat of southern
countries, preferred to get into the
mountains. While in Interlaken
heard the news of an accident to
party Of men who had attempted to
ascend Mont Blanc. They succeeded
in reaching the summit. but In descend
ing were caught In an avalanche and
two out of a party of six had been
lost The name of one Of those who
were killed was given as Harding.
This news was received just as I
was starting to the station to catch a
train that would take me to the steam
er on which had engaged passage to
America without any time to spare.
! l was therefore prevented from get
ting any definite information respect
ing the accident or making sure that
my rival. Harding, had been killed.
| But since he was always climbing
/ did not doubt that he was the real
| Harding, the man whom knew would
| carry the news Of my death to Miss
Gregory
/ don't like to confess it, but candor
compels me to admit that felt just
! bit OF satisfaction at being able to go
home and announce the death of the
man who l knew had been anticipat-
ing making the announcement Of my
| own demise. 1 regretted not being
able to carry with me the details, but
| to wait for them would interfere with
engagements in America. Besides,
expected that the news Of Harding's
death would go far ahead of me by
cable. My sad end in Bombay was
not so likely to be forwarded. Bonn
bay is on the other side of the globe
from America, and one may be more
readily lost in India than in Europe
On my arrival at home after getting
settled in my accustomed quarters l
went one evening to call on Miss
Gregory. Now that Harding was out
of the way l did not anticipate much
trouble in bringing her to favorable
answer to my suit, though, Of course.
! on my first visit l should only an
nounce the sad accident, If she had
not heard it, and give her time to re-
cover from the shock.
| found her pleased to see me and
judged from her appearance that she
had not heard about Harding. We
chatted for awhile, when l said:
"That was very sad about Harding,
wasn't it,"
She was much surprised and begged
me to tell her at once what had hap
pened to him. | did so, and she APP
peared much affected at the terrible
catastrophe. While we were express
ing commiseration for him there was
a ring at the door bell and in walked
. Harding himself.
He was so astonished at seeing me
L..
but stood staring at me as if | were a
ghost.
; why, thought you were deadr' he
exclaimed
l explained the circumstances Of my
supposed demise in Bombay; then told
him of the news | had heard at Inter
!, laken Of his accident on Mont Blanc.
, That Harding he explained. was
an Englishman and spelt his name
, Hardinge."
Each Of us had returned expecting
the pleasure OF announcing the death
of the other and both were disappOint-
: ed. Miss Gregory was much interest
= ed in the strangeness of our double
:, death abroad and congratulated W
> both that we still lived
And now," she concluded, II wish
you two good friends OF mine to know
that during your absence have found
a great happiness. l am engaged to
, be married"
We managed TO say something glad
' some, though neither Of us felt glad.
Some one worthy of you. l am
:, sure" said Harding.
+, Worthy, but not as you gentlemen
: would put ii. He has not been heard
!. Of outside his little circle. He is a
: plain. unvarnished business man"
. And such IS fame. While had been
;. sufficiently prominent in the lecture
field to warrant rascal personating
me and Harding was known as the
only man who had climbed a certain
mountain, q nobody without any repu-
:. tation whatever and known to but a
= few hundred persons. had quietly walk
ed away with the girl we commended for.
= ------
= May D in American