Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-21
demonsrrauve.

a big effort not TO get on to another
one. l may steal In unobserved and
see how you do it. know every door,
every nook in the house. Isabel will
doubtless receive you in the little draw
lug room. 1t communicates with the
library, and may find a chance TO
hide there"
That's all right, but don't spoil it all
by getting caught"
Half an hour later Ned called on the
young lady in question. He was shown
into the room where she had been ac-
customed to receive her lover, and pres
emily she came down prepared for
struggle no woman likes-to convince
him that his case is hopeless. Absorb
ed as she was in this anticipated strug-
gle, probably no better opportunity
could have occurred for him to foist
himself upon her for his brother.
Knowing her lovers disposition she
came forward expecting him TO wait
for her to speak. Instead of that he
sprang forward with one word. in
which was passion. protest, despair,
hope-indeed a mingling of feeling that
electrified her.
Isabel"
There was no need for her to utter a
word. Indeed, he did not give her an
opportunity.
81 have been crushed by your letter.
But it has produced contrary effect
from what might have been expected.
Confronted with the fact that must
lose you, have become changed
man. For you 1 will root out a ma
ture planted in me at my birth and
replace it with one OF a different kind.
I have been unkindled fuel. You have
applied the torch that has caused that
fuel to burst into Il fame. With you
IL will burn forever; without you 1t
will be quenched as suddenly as you
have ignited it. Isabel, you are my
world, my whole being. Oh. do not
cast me of! Give me one chance I'M
| der this awakening to win you, and
| every idea that enters my brain In fu-
ture shall be inspired by knowledge
that possess your love-"
She stood listening to this remarka-
| BILE speech in silent wonder. But the
pleader. like a general who pushes on
|
vanced, seized her hand and pressed it
passionately to his lips. She looked
down upon his bowed head-inclined
partly because he feared a continued
study of his features might betray
him-but she could not speak from
mingled amazement and pleasure. She
loved, and now the way had been
made clear for that love. Finally she
found her tongue and said:
"Oh, Fred! How happy you have
made met
"Oh. Isabel! 1t seems to me that all
the joy of my whole life is concen-
trated in this one moment"
A blissful silence that followed was
broken by the closing OF door in the
adjoining room. The scamp knew
that his brother had observed the
| wooing and, he hoped, had benefited
by 1t.
That was indeed joyful evening to
the girl whose heart had been torn by
casting off the man she really loved.
She could not understand the change
in him, but cared not for a reason.
since she knew that the change had
come. She frightened him by saying
that 1t was hard for her to believe he
was not some one else.
The visit would have probably lasted
till the wee hours of the morning had
not the actor said that after the receipt
of his note rejecting him he had walk
ed the floor all night, whereupon she
forced him to leave her that lie might
seek repose The repOse he sought was
at the club. where his brother had or
dered a bottle of champagne on ice
and was waiting for him to come and
celebrate the victory. for Fred had
stolen into the ladys house, hidden in
the library and heard if he had not
seen the victory He threw his arms
around Ned'S neck and Rugged him
Its all very well. Fred" said his
brother, but do you think you can
keep it up?'
"You bet"
Don't be so sure I'll put you
through your PAGES every day. You
shall make love to me. and / will
coach you"
Agreed. But how am | to repay
this kindness? Isn't there something
that can do for you:'
I've been thinking Of That. My Mar
ion doesn't tumble TO my lovemaking
as your Isabel does. Suppose you try
like game in my favor"
Il will"
BE yourself. Don't initiate me ex-
cept with your own Gancee."
That's right"
The experiment was tried. but with
Indifferent success However, the
young lady, who preferred Il more so
Der, undemOnstrative man, was pleas
ed with what she supposed was a
change for the better in her lover. But
unfortunately she was more observant
than Miss Isabel and in time discover
ed the trick that was being played
upon her The truth is that Fred had
not the histrionic ability of his brother
and couldn't keep up the deception.
Later the brothers and their wives
, laughed over the comedy.
II AAo ~ -. .-:~