Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-03
The Argus Daily Story
A Voice in the Nightly Agnes G. Brogan.
Copyrighted 1911. BY Associated Literary Bureau

that this was Billy-Billy, straight
and fine and strong, who sang the
song of love. So undoubtedly the pro-
fessor waited, and after a time q voice
came ringing down to him, mans
masterful voice, now reasoning, now
entreating, until the professor became.
aware at last that he was listening to
an ardent avowal of love. His heart
contracted suddenly as he heard wo-
mans quickly stifed sob. Then the
mans voice burst out again passion
ately:
You love me, Margueriter' he cried.
"why seek to deny It? What is that
man and his sorrow to you? You have
always loved me-only me-Marguer-
iter Again there came a smothered
sob and then the mans triumphant
laughter. "See!' he cried exultantly.
'It is true, dear one. You dare not
meet my eyes!'
The street swan dizzily before the
professor as he slowly retraced his
steps.
Professor Brunn made no apology
for his absence, and Marguerite asked
none. The lessons now were strict
matters Of duty, while the relation of
teacher and pupil became each day
more strained. The grim lines about
the professors mouth deepened, and
Daisy, dear" who was Daisy, dear"
no longer, regarded him with wide
eyed repronch. But the tall form of
Billy waited regularly beneath the
study window until each lesson was
concluded. And then one day Marguer-
lite closed her music case with little
vicious snap.
81 am not coming for any more les
sons" she announced.
The professor turned his face from
her. MOP" he questioned patiently.
You are going to be married, then.
perhaps?"
Whom" asked Marguerite in very
small voice, whom would I marry"
The professor cleared his throat.
That one word seemed very hard to
say. "Billy," he answered CURLY.
Marguerite sadly shook her head.
ale does not love me-" she said.
Professor Brunn swung about HE
does love you" he replied sharply.
did 1 not hear him tell you so my
self?"
The girl leaned forward. when did
| you hear?" she asked breathlessly. A
dull red crept from the professors
throat to the crisp curls on his fore
head. at was the night failed to
keep my appointment" he replied. 81
had reached the door of your home
when his voice came floating down
through an open window" The pro-
fessor's face darkened. "If he has
changed to you he threatened.
Marguerite was smiling now, though
tears shone upon her laEhes. HE has
not changed" she said. "He never
will 1t is all mistake. Billy is go
ing to marry my sister. He has cared
for her all his life" She paused, look
ing back from the doorway. win you
keep that broken engagement now,
professor" she asked. "Will you call
on me tonlght?" Then before he could
reply Marguerite sped swiftly down
the stairs. The professor stood staring
after her in bewilderment, and his
mind was still strangely confused as
he assembled the steps of the porch
that evening and saw Marguerite's
winsome face framed between the ruff
fles of the curtains.
Come in," she called gayly, and as
he entered the little sitting room she
drew forth u chair with mysterious
, formality.
! kindly sit still. OH doubling profess
. sor," she laughed land listen"
I Still under the spell OF pleasurable
excitement. he watched her slight fig
: ure as she crossed the room to adjust
\ some object upon n small square cab
q met. then seated herself with demurey
folded hands. And presently the room
n was filed with merry. lifting tune.
a tune which went floating Infectious.
, ly out into the spring night air. 4
n light of slowly dawning comprehen-
sion shone in the professors eyes. "a
q monograph" he questioned wonder
q ingly.
}, They sent 1t to me on trial." Mar
e guerite called above the jangle of the
b tune. Il wanted you to hear 1t, Pro-
fessor Brunn, before it is returned to-
n morrow" She held up an admonishing
C finger. Loudly from the depths of the
S box came Il mans voice, reasoning. en-
d treating: You love me. Marguerite
y Why seek to deny it? What is that man
p and his sorrow to you? You have al.
e ways loved me-only me-Marguerite."
e At the sound of stihed sob the pro.
fessOr jumped to his feet and rushed
4. over to the girl.
marguerite" he cried, twas 1t this
l. then that | heard-this voice in the
t, night" Laughing softly. she put out
e small. restraining hands. but the mes.
sage Of her eyes belied them, and he
r clasped her close.
10 daisy. dear" he murmured tender
! ly, 'Oh, Daisy. dear, II you knew how
y I have suffered Once again the low.
&c er poured out his ardent tale; once
again, at L precise moment, the object
b" Of his devotion gave forth her smOth.
It cred sob Then Marguerite raised a
- dreamy. radiant face from the prOfes-
e sor's shoulder. B-r-r.r-r-r-r-r! cried the
W phOnograDh.
= Nav a IN American