Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-04
Copyright By W. c. ChapmapJ

out enthusiasm. But among our best
people a different feeling is growing
up"
Don't say that, Mamma" cried Mu-
riel earnestly. Don't you recollect
that delicious French count last sea
0on who turned out TO be a butler in
disguise?"
Il remember the impudent fellow
WE'LL returned her mother. He &C
tually dared TO stay at our hotel, and
l must say his manners left nothing
TO be desired. But a butler"
Perhaps Mr.. Jocelyn, too, is mas
querading," said Muriel archly.
Lord Jocelyn placed his hand upon
his heart and bowed.
Il pledge my honor" he said, that
! am not a butler. Indeed, it would
require attachments far greater than
my own"
20, Muriel!" said her mother re-
| proachfully. MY daughter means"
| she added, that you may be some
body greater than you acknowledge
a member Of the peerage, for exa-
| mple"
]
/ ing a glance that for a moment he
felt convinced his secret was discov-
cred. But Muriel, intent upon her
! phase OF the subject, turned the con-
versation most opportunity for him.
We'll" she said, IF a butler with
the perfect manners OF that French
man were to save me from imminent
death-by drowning, for instance-I
would as willingly give him my hand
as If he we're q Duke"
''Muriel! My dear!" said her moth
er. Mortified.
But her sentiments were, in general,
those Of profound satisfaction, for
there was no doubt Lord Jocelyn was
fairly captivated. That night he
dreamed Of Muriel, and also onI the
next. These dreams we're but the pale
reflection OF his thoughts by day. And
what with long. happy rambles and
moonlight walks. the subjugation of
the young man become complete.
"Muriel." said her mother, as the
second week drew toward a close,
Lord Jocelyn" (for so she had come
to speak of HIM has asked permits
sion TO call on us next month in Bos-
ton. Do you know, Muriel, that you
can win that young Englishman II you
want 20? And the rent roll is thirty
thousand pounds year-just fancy"
IF marry. Mamma, it will be fol-
love" said Muriel
IF, indeed, he is a Lord" contin
ued her mother. ignoring the answer
Il wish we could find out for sure
I'm pretty well satisfied he is, for he
knows all sorts Of people in England
though why he should be masquerad
ing here is more than l can tell.
shall ask him point blank when he
proposes for you"
For me?" cried her daughter indig
nantly.
Among the better class of English
men it is the invariable custom Il
ask the mother for the daughter:
hand" said Mrs. Van Loo.
But Muriers thoughts ran alonl
quite different lines. There was NJ
doubt that she was sincerely in Low,
with Jocelyn. Whether he were
lord or not, she had pretty well mad,
up her mind to accept him. But hi
= proposal should come to her direc
and not through any intermediary
She puzzled over the problem of &C
, complishing this all night until sh,
. fell asleep. and she awoke in the morn
: ing with the germ of the idea full.
I matured.
A Next to the promenade along tn
3 shores of Craig's Peak the pier is
3 perhaps, best known to visitors at tina
= summer resort How many engage
3 ments have been brought about at tn
= far end of that imposing structure
q TO the tune OF the waves and tn
light Of the moon, it is impossible t
4 say-space would not permit ii. Gel
2 tainly they have been ndmerous-an
o Muriel knew that no place could b
Il better suited to her plans. The mex
Z night was especially favorable, for
d high tide was washing the steep an
: rocky shores Of the mountain, so tina
a the pier was the only place for
= promenade. Thither, about eight
4 the evening. the three repaired; Lor
juicy II anu N lt- al IL III al III vi
n Van Loo waddlins comfortably behint
8 at an interval of about 200 fee
4 AS the couple approached the end {
n the pier Lord Jocelyn dared to TAX
+ Nuriers hand in his and press it gen
8 ". A slight but unmistakable retur
u OF the pressure from her slim finger
q convinced him that his passion wa
n not wholly unEeQulred, and a deliriul
e OF happiness possessed him. Had NJ
!. riel left her well-considered schem
J. unfulhlled, it is probable that til
would be the last chronicle Of Lor
y Jocelyn's adventures, for he was a
r ready revolving In his mind the forl
! Of his matrimonial proposition. Blu
/. though the girl was aware OF his ag
y tation, she did not sense the actui
struggle that was going on in LoI
r Jocelyn's mind. They advanced {
r the very end OF the pier and sat dow
upon a seat, looking into the seethir
/ waves below them. Meanwhile Mr.
t Van Loo. ambling in the rear, smile
? knowingly 10 herself as she perceive
q the propinquity of the pair.
L Muriel was an excellent swimmt
% and had gagged the situation TO
Fl nicely. She know that there we're l