Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-27
The Argus Daily Story
A Chase-By Ernest G.. Browne.
Copyrighted. 1871. by Associated Literary Bureau.

at table, after pumping at my cour-
age for nearly half an hour, at last
took seat at table near them, keep
ing my back toward them that I
might after awhile turn and put on
look of surprise. After several at
tempts to face them l finally sue
ceeded. Partly turning my chair and
my head at the same time, looked
first in the direction of the ladies'; then
my gaze settled on the younger.
l had my surprise all ready to put
on instantaneously, but l didn't use
1t. 1 shall never forget the expression
on the lady's face. There was nothing
dangerous in Itch, no.-quite the
reverse. She was trying hard to re-
press q laugh There was some olush-
ing, but most of the expression was
amusement Did she know that had
been Intentionally following her?
There was nothing to do but open
the ball. Rising from my seat, hat in
hand, 1 advanced and said:
II am quite sure l have seen you
ladies' before, but can't for my life
tell where we have met"
I'VE were in the same hotel IN
Paris a few days ago." said the young
er lady, with a mischievous look in
her eye.
"Our meeting dates back Of that
81 think 1 saw you one day on the
street"
Are you sure you have not seen
me before that? You are Americans,
aren't you?"
Yes; we are Americans. This Is
my mother, Mr.
l didn't propose to give her the ad-
vantage Of knowing my name, so
bowed low to the mother and omitted
to supply the deficiency. Indeed,
was not sure that the daughter did
not know my name.
How singular" she remarked, that
we should have met in Paris, then
here within so short time"
There are many such condolences
among those who are fellow country
men abroad"
What is coincidence7 have
never been sure . the meaning Of the
word
1t was plain that she was chatting
me.
"a coincidence" I replied, giving q
definition that suited my purpose, "is
something that happens"
I'm which there is nothing premedi-
tated, supposeT
The mother was either ignorant OF
this sparring or pretended to be so. I
! preferred to finish 1t without her be-
ing present. So, rising, asked If they
would be some time in Interlaken and
was informed that their stay would be
indefinite. Then asked permission, as
a fellow countryman. to pay my re-
spects to them, and it was granted. In
a few minutes more, that l might not
be presuming on a short acquaintance,
l arose and with deferential bow was
moving away when heard the younger
lady say to her mother in a stage
whisper:
Formal isn't he?"
That was too much. I turned and
said:
There's something wrong here.
You either have known me before or
think you have"
1 will explain"
called at her hotel that evening.
She wore a dress that seemed familiar
to me. l looked from her face to the
dress. evidently to her amusement
You recognize my costume"'
Have l seen it before?"
Eyes"
"When?"
"At A"
81 have not been at A for fourteen
years and was never there but once in
my life"
you were there long enough to pro-
pose to q girl in her teens; but, judg-
ing from your reputation at this time,
that was a mere pastime with you"
was dumfounded.
But this dress?" asked.
at has been made over several times
since then"
A light began to break through the
clouds.
"You are Alice WarfieldT'
az am. / don't blame you for not rec
ognizing me. There's a great differ
ence between the appearance of a girl
of fifteen and one of twentynine."
1t was all out. There had been a
youthful affair of the heart between
US, but since she was then a school
girl. just out of college, nothing came
of it.
well" I said, 81 suppose WIS
neglectful not to follow up the episode,
but / have atoned for my fault by
chasing you from Paris without even
, knapsack and would have followed
|. you around the globe"
II the little god. angry with me for
: having forgotten my youthful love, shot
, a second arrow into me that sent me
? On my mad chase after her 1t certainly
had perceptible effect on her. Scarce
ly any woman can resist a man who
T without even an extra collar. will start
, after her, he knows not where. espe
Z cially when she renA1Hbeqs tepderly 8
8 former episode. | captured the fyinl
E enemy, and two romances were merged
. into one that has thus far had no end
Jan. q in American