Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-17

"Oh, I wouldn't think OF separating
a newly married couple Come with
US Cousin Della" sai6 Miss Auchin-
Gloss.
Several OF the party turned their
backs at this reply. and it hooked to
the guest that 1t was for a reason.
There was something going on under
meath this cousinly welcome that mys-
titled Miss Anchincloss. Cousin Della
excused herself ON the ground that she
was obliged to get letter written to
be sent out before the mail closed. 1t
did not seem TO Miss Auchincloss that
there was anything husbandly and
wifely between her and Charlie. They
had been married but q short time,
and even between couples who have
lived together for years there Is GER
tain something that marks them as
belonging to each other. Nevertheless
while Miss Auehincloss noticed the alb
sence of this something It did not oc-
cur to her that the couple were any
thing but man and wife.
Cousin Della" she said to Charlie as
they strolled away together, looks
enough like you to be your sister"
"W-h-a-tr'
II have never seen a married couple
resemble each other as you two do"
Yes; several persons have spoken
of that. l don't see it at an replied
Charlie, then turned the subject.
He led Miss Auctncioss about the
grounds which covered a dozen acres
attractively laid out, rivulet running
through it SPAWNED by rustic bridges
and here and there broadened into a
fish or a duck pond. Is they strolled
along together Charlie seemed to lose
that embarrassment which had troubled
him, but he surprised Miss Auchincloss
by certain glances and words that
were altogether too firtatious to come
from married man, especially one
who had been recently welded. Miss
Auchinloss suggested that the sun
having set, the air was becoming a
trife chilly and she thought she would
return to the house. They found the
auto standing before the door,
why. you're not going out again in
your machine tonight, Cousin ChsrlieF'
remarked Miss -Auchincloss.
81 thought we would have another
ride was the reply. The moon is
coming up, and it is fun tonight"
But
But whatT'
why, don't you think you'd better
take Cousin Della out with your
"Oh, she doesn't like to ride IN an
automobile; she's afraid
They went into the house, and Char
bia Inta m +alra n
cousin for moonlight ride. This did
not surprise the others, and when Miss
Auchincloss offered TO give place to
Della the latter repressed a smile and
said that her moonlight rides with
Charlie were a thing Of the past.
So the cousins got into the auto to
gether and started forth. They had
not been out long before it was evident
that Cousin Charlie was trying to get
something out. He made several at
| tempts, all of which were failures,
when Miss Auchincloss said:
There is something about this visit
of mine that l can't understand, a
secret among you all, to which 1 have
not been admitted. l wish you would
tell me what It IS"
Cousin Charlie made another effort
and was soon launched upon an ex-
PLANTATION mingled with frequent eX-
cuses and apologies. He told her that
when he saw her in his auto he knew
at once that she had made a mistake.
He was not her Cousin Charlie at all
The temptation to impersonate that
gentleman and take her for a drive
was too strong for him. Then 1t oc-
Cured to him TO take her home with
him for dinner. He had prepared the
family for the event by telephone and
asked one OF his sisters to impersonate
his wife. They had protested against
the plan at first, but finally consented.
The matter would have gone OF more
, smoothly had itsnot been for Frank,
who kept them in constant terror lest
he should let out the plot.
1t took Mr.. Chamberlin the greater
part of the ride TO smooth Miss An
chincloss ruffied feelings, but grad
ually it came over her that the affair
was a very good joke. and she admit
: ted that she had made some very
pleasant acquaintance. She asked
= Cousin Charlie In what direction he
" as {lTiNjuSt anu ne SdLu Lndb 40
taking her TO her real cousins. He
J, had telephoned them that her arrival
= would be delayed. She asked when
her suit case would be sent to her, and
: he told her that it was slowed away
in the rear of the auto.
It had been very easy for the young
man to play the game; indeed, Miss
= AuchIncloss had walked into 1t Of her
own accord 1t was another matter
to smooth her ruf1ed feelings. Never
theless by dint Of penitence and per
suasion he finally succeeded.
= And so ended the first chapter in a
: love story which was quite awhile In
= developing Miss Auchincloss was pre-
: vailed upon to visit again those who
had entertained her, and they all be
: came very intimate. Cousin Charlie,
= OF Fred Warrington, took her on many
u m auto ride and one moonlight night
10 the autumn secured her promise Ia
y De his wife.