Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-24

girl, being about the only woman at
the beach who was not intent upon
Darlington. naturally fell to the man
who had introduced him to the others.
Darlington spoke of him as the phiios-
opher" and those who didn't know his
name fell 10 referring 10 him by this
appellation SO the philosopher. having
been left out in the cold by the wor-
shipers of the author. was obliged 70
content himself with the girl who
didn't care to join the throng OF the
authors adorerS.
Darlington ignored so far as possible
the fact that he had been mistat en- for
the author OF Her Quick Recovery"
but at last when lady asked him if
it was not delightful TO be literary
lion he affected surprise and declared
that far from being a literary lion he
was but literary critic. 1t Is possible
to create a false position that cannot
be easily shifted TO true one. Every
woman at the hotel by this time had
been permitted TO look upon Barring
ton as a lion, and since none OF them
cared to be placed in the ridiculous
light of having mistaken an ordinary
animal for the king of beasts when
| harrington denied the authorship OF
Her Quick Recovery" they simply de-
! elined TO believe him.
He was somewhat staggered by this
! view OF the case, but since he had not
| claimed to be lion his conscience was
clear. Most men would have been very
much annoyed at not being able to
/ throw Off an honor falsely bestowed
upon them, but Darlington had become
| used to 1t by this time, and since the
women would insist upon thrusting 1t
upon him what could he do more than
deny that 1t was due him?
One thing, and one only, In connec-
ton with the matter troubled him.
There was handsome girl whose opin-
ionjof literary excellence was much re-
! spected by her companions for whom
Darlington had conceived one OF those
quick. fierce passions that viii some
times inlame a man. This young lady.
Miss Butler, had originally been drawn
toward him from the fact that he was
literary lion. After having been
openly charged with the authorship OF
Her Quick Recovery" he had denied
1t to her among others, but since the
authorship of the book was every day
becoming more of a mystery and the
author still keeping IN hiding Miss But
Ter with others believed that Mr. Bar
rington had come to the seashore for
the express purpose OF getting out OF
the way of those who were striving to
fiud him.
One day Darlington came to the
friend who had introduced him much
distressed and made a confidante OF
him. Darlington said that he had. pro-
posed to Miss Butler and she had ac-
cepted him. He had denied to her. as
we'll as to others. that he was the lit
erary lion he was supposed to be, but
she had declined to believe him. The
matter had become serious. His future
happiness was ut stake Something
must be done to correct the error at
once, for the longer Miss Butler was
permitted TO cherish the belief that she
had caught a lion the worse it would
be for harrington.
Il can disabuse the lady's mind If
you like" said the philosopher.
How"
by admitting that ! myself am the
author of the novel"
YOU" exclaimed harrington con-
temptuousiy
Yes. l. And now will tell you why.
When | saw you reading my story on
the train asked you If you considered
it worth reading ! was anxious to
get an ingenious opinion"
What proof Gave you that you are
what yOu claim TO bei''
The philosopher finally convinced
harrington of the truth of his claim,
whereuDou the latter said:
lit is in your power TO do me a great
favor. Go To Miss Butler and assure
her that Won wrote the novel which I
am accused of having written"
"AccuSed?"
Yes. accused" harrington was dIs-
gruntled. Il told you on the train
that it is worthless. and | don't go
back on what | said"
The real author tlIereupon Informed
his friend that he might get out of the
scrape as best he could
Darlington apologiZed. and the an.
thor sought Miss Butler with view
to helping him out of his unfortunate
: position. The young lady heard him
through. then sneerinGly remarked
that she would never have taken him
, for one who cond write such noble
. sentiments as appeared in the story.
She dismissed him with the remark
that of oil the claimants for the au-
thorship OF that book he would be the
last she would suspect Of having pro
dUced il.
And her discreditinG him was quite
. enough for him From that day for
: ward be never attempted to make good
his claim When other stories of his
appeared and certain persons saw a
similarity between them AID "Her
. QuicR Recovery" he simply allowed a
grim smile To play about his lips aud
kept his own counsel
The real lion fell to Miss Edith
Crane.