Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-11

mauve coat sleeve and glanced nerv-
ously at Ellen Dugane.
"Nellie"- he began softly.
"Ellenw corrected Miss Dugane loft
lily.
But Steve Morris calls you Nellie"
protested Harold Indignantly.
lis your name Steve Morris?' de-
manded Ellen.
"Of course it Isn't Well, If you will
treat a fellow that way when he's +.
asking you to marry him
lis that what you're trying to dor"
interrupted Ellen Dugane, with mis- |
chievous eyes.
"Of course it is" responded the tor |
mented Harold. hopping his brow |
with snowy handkerchief, yet vague |
ly relieved that the phrasing OF the
momentous question was not now nee
essary. "Win your"
viii II" unused Ellen Dugane.
pressing q slender forefnger against
her white forehead where her dark
curling hair grew low over straight
black brows and blue Irish eyes.
why should marry you. Harold"
Because 1 love you,. Ellen. Isn't
that enough?" he asked boldly.
1T might be enough for you, but it's
not enough for me-" decided Ellen.
Harolds long. pale face heightened
with disappointment But he be-
gan when Ellen faced him with
! queer light in her eyes.
you've met my father. haven't
your" she demanded.
Yes" wavered Harold
"Well, you go and ask father If you
can marry me. II he says Yes I'll
do it" Ellen resumed the slow rock
ing of her chair.
| IL don't know him." protested
Harold-''that is. not very we'll. I've
met him only once"
when was thatT
I'm the hall one evening last week.
He was coming in just as was going
out He seemed to be put out about
something" Harold's tone was remi-
nlscent of past unpleasantness.
Ellen giggled. Il thought it was
some one else who was put out" she
cried significantly. There. you needn't
be minding my jokes. Harold. Only l
was saying you've met pa-you go and
ask him If you can marry me, and If
be says Yes I'll do it"
I'm not afraid of Mr.. Dugane," an
nounced Harold with all the bravado
he could summon to down the grim
recollection of the great brawny black
smith whom he had met in the little
front hall one evening.
Ellen looked a little anxious as she
watched her sutton stridng briskly
down the street toward the edge of the
village, where her fathers smithy stood
beside the road, convenient to the ne
cessities of the farmers as they went
to and fro.
II wonder-I wonder If Harold will
dare to go and talk TO pa" unused Ellen
doubtfully as Harold's dapper little
form disappeared from her view. III
he does Her fair face paled as she
thought of the result either way.
That was on a Saturday afternoon
and for Harold Spencer it had happen
ed to be a half holiday from the store.
1t was also a half holiday for Steve
Morris. young market gardener, whC
had also been paying court to Eller
Dugane. Now he drove up to Ellen:
door in a shiny top buggy drawn by {
glistening black mare named Nellie.
A few minutes later Ellen and Steve
were driving toward the mountain
road. Ellen with a deep flush on he
6 cheeks that had not been there before
Steve was a handsome, black haired
black eyed young man with a stronI
chin and a resolute mouth that wa
very tender now as he looked down a
: the face of the girl beside him.
: Nellie" he half whispered-"Nellie
look at mer'
But Ellen's fair. rosy face was turn
{ ed away toward the distant hills.
e DO you name you don't want TOP
he insisted.
81 don't mind looking at you, Steve
b only-only | have to be fair TO every
1 body" said Ellen in a distressed tone
$ All the coquetry was gone. and she
q was only a girl being wOOed by thu
/. man she loved. In the instant she haC
understood what Steve Morris mean
{ to ask her that afternoon she realized
g that In fairness to Harold Spencer
whom she had sent on hopeless
quest to her father. she must withhold
r her answer to Steve until Harold hat
/ proved his vaIor She wished she hat
not been so sure of the slim youth
cOwardice.
> You have to be fair to everybody
t darlIn'? What do you mane:" Steve
arm was stealing around EIlen's slim
waist
e "Ill marry you If father says Yes
e breatbed Ellen quickly. You go AM
& ask father, and if he says Yes II
marry you."
%The divil you willp' quoth the as
h tOnished and indignant Mr. Morris
e Withdrawing his arm. I'm not ask
n in your pa If | can marry you. III
n askin' yOu, Nellie, darin' II you Low
me well enough the little house
ready for you. and I'll send old Aun
a Bridget apaclling back to her husban
e as soon as you'Il say the blessed wurrC
J. Come, now, Leayin' your pa out an
g not mIssln' his company at all. at al
r could you be happy with me-"