Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-15
The Argus Daily Story
A Firebrand-By Emma Aldrich,
copyrighted. 1917. by Associated Literary Bureau

had been buzzing about her lately, and
she thought il would be no trouble to
bring him to the point. Indeed, it was
not likely but that she could induce al
most any of them to marry her, espe-
cially If she told them that by doing so
he would get fortune. But there were
obstacles in the way of quick work. In
the first place, the only one Of the lot
she wanted was Bob Hackstaf. But
Bob. In addition to preferring Julia
Green. was an independent sort OF a
fellow. and she had heard him say that
the last thing he would do would be to
tie himself up to some woman's for
tune, to have it continually thrown in
his face.
81 wonder unused Miss Mortimer,
..if there will be time for me 30 see
Bob and find out how he would feel
about it I'm afraid there won't be.
That little cousin of mine may be too
retiring to hunt up a husband, but
that kind of a girl Is easily hunted,
and as soon as it gets out that IL she
marries before me she'll get fortune
there'll be dozen men offering to mar
~ her. Every one of them will swear
he has loved her since she was baby,
and she'll believe every word OF 1t"
Then she thought of the half million
that might be hers and what she might
do with it-how live. how dress and the
admiration it would bring to her. No,
she wouldn't send for Bob. 1t would
be q loss of valuable time to no pur-
pose. Why. Just think Of it--every
ten minutes might be worth a hum
dred thousand dollars! While she was
celebrating her cousin might be pick
ed up by some designing man
A pile of money is always an object
of attack Old Muldridge, with all his
shrewdness and foresight, though he
could keep secret the conditions Of the
Inheritance from his nieces till the pro-
per moment, could not keep 1t from all
men. The trustee had 1t and acted
upon 1t. He didn't want the inheri-
lance for himself Indeed. he couldn't
have It, for he was married already.
He didn't want it for his son, for he
had no son. But when he saw little
Miss Brown sitting in his Office with
out any sign to be up and stirring 10
secure fortune he bethought himself
how he could help her and a nice
| young fellow who was his clerk.
Henry Forsythe was hunting over
some lawbooks when his employer en-
tered and said to him:
Henry, there's a girl In the other
room who, If she can be married at
got sweetheart"
mo, Mr.. Andrews; haven't"
"Well, come in there and I'll intro
duce you"
Forsythe was presented In due form.
but since time was precious Mr.. An
drews thought proper to state TO the
parties concerned what 1t was in their
power to do-what 1t might be their
interest to do. Then, shutting the door,
he left them together. But, taking
time by the forelock, he sent out for a
clergyman, and there was a notary in
the Office.
I Half an hour passed, and, hearing no
word from the couple in the other
room, he called out: Time is precious.
Half a million at stake"
Ten minutes more elapsed, when Mr..
Andrews put his head out of the win
dow and saw q carriage dash up and
stop at the door below. Out jumped
Miss Mortimer and young man. The
elevator was at the top Of the building
. at the moment, and some time must
pass before the couple could come up.
Throwing open the door where he had
shut up Forsythe and Miss Brown, he
!, surprised Forsythe imprinting a kiss
on Miss Browns lips.
times upr' cried the trustee.
"Come here, Mr.. Parson. Hurry up.
Marry these two at once!'
When Miss Mortimer and Mr. Thorn
as Scovill, whom she had decided as
the only person she might marry In a
hurry, reached Mr. Andrews office
they found him just coming from an
adjoining room and announced that
they were ready to be married.
There's a clergyman here" replied
the lawyer, ''who has just performed
! the marriage ceremony in the case OF
your cousin. l dare say he'll be happy
to marry you as we'll"
my cousin married" exclaimed Miss
, Mortimer.
- Just married"
+ She sank in a chair and covered het
face with her hands.
Sweetheart" said the would be
l. groom. I'VE can be happy without this
L fortune I'lT"-
Get outr'
If the shade OF old Muldridge looked
down on this scene which he had con
trived it must have been with su
y preme happiness.
Mr. and Mrs. Forsythe, notwith
standing their hurried courtship, lived
happily together. spending a good dea
OF the income on the poor. which
Muldridge would have deprecated
But they had a son to inherit the prop
erty which the old rascal had provided
for
As for Miss Mortimer. Mr.. Scovil
:" never spoke to her again. though sht
apologized for her heartless conduc
toward him when she heard that sh,
had been forestaled. She Is still un
e married and bids fair to be an oil
u maid.