Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-04
The Argus Daily Story
The Mahogany Dresser--By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1911 by Associated Literary Bureau

fasnIonabIe people, and Agatha was
weary of it all.
That was one reason she had left
New York and was on her way to the
home of an old college friend, a class
mate who had married a ranchman
and settled in a wilderness OF the
west whose nearest railroad station
was at Pollock. Agatha's mistake in
getting off at the flag station was an
unlocked for adventure in the monot-
ony OF her journey.
Another reason for her departure
into the wilderness was that year be-
fore Agatha Waite had met a man
who loved her and who possessed all
the qualities OF mind and heart that
her own heart recognised as its true
mate. Agatha loved Jim Fenton In re-
turn, and yet such was her fright
when he actually declared his love that
she begged for time to consider. This
he granted reluctantly and, as 1t prov
ed, fatally for their little romance.
Agatha's aunt had overheard bit of
Jim Fenton's confession and was pre-
pared to tell him few minutes later.
when she found him moodily alone,
LudL aSdlhsh ACeAAI "GAO ~
ready disposed Of. Angered at Agatha's
| apparent deception, Fenton had flung
himself away and betaken himself to
his home in Chicago without one word
of explanation between them.
| So here was Agatha Waite riding
over an unknown prairie In the most
unexpected manner. Surely her new
existence was beginning with adven-
| lures.
What made Il more Of a real adven-
ture and indeed lifted 1t into the
realms of actual romance was the fact
that the large, lean. brown man with
the sparkling blue eyes was none 9TH
er than Jim Fenton himself.
What was he doing here In the far
westp He had spoken Of his mother
was It his mother that she was to
meet In a short time. the mother OF
whom he had spoken so often In those
brief blIssful days OF woofng, when
she had not realized It was love that
was at last creating new world for
her? His sudden disappearance the
day after hts declaration of love was
a horrible mystery to her. She shud-
dered now whenever she thought of
the days ana nights Of agony that fol-
lowed. She had herself well In hand
now, she told herself rather triumph
antly. She could treat him as dis
family and coldly as a stranger, as his
conduct deserved. Nevertheless she
wondered what had made the lines of
suffering about his lips. They had not
been there before.
Suddenly he spoke, and his voice
smote the heavy silence like a deep
toned bell:
I'VE sha'n't get home till just after
sunset"
"Yes," she returned in a strained
voice.
Il suppose suppose SIR Robert win
be anxious about your absence. If you
like, can drive over to the telegraph
Office at Piedmont and send a message
for you" His calm, even tones did
/ not falter as he thus acknowledged
their former acquaintance.
Agatha, whose eyes had been fixed
on the sun dropping behind eank Of
blue black clouds, turned toward him
and spoke with genuine surprise.
"Sir Roberto she repeated haugh-
tily.
81 understood your aunt, Mrs. Nor
gan Waite, to say that-that-you were
to marry the Englshman," said Fen
ton slowly. "PerhapsI am premature
in assuming that it has already hap
pened."
you are premature indeed" Aga
tha's voice shook with realization Of
what had happened to blight her ro-
nance. 81 have never entertained the
idea OF marrying Sir Robert-or any
one" She looked away with quivering
lips. The sun had set now and the
prairie was dimming with an early
twilight. Away in the distance twin
kled the lights of a ranchhouse. They
neared 1t rapidly as the man sank into
silence. s.
At last he spoke again, this time
sternly.
. Then your aunt-lied to me?" he
asked.
YES" returned Agatha. with stiff
, lips.
, And I-you-Agatha; what have you
, thought Of me to leave you without
, explanation
r what could 1 Think" pleaded Aga
: tina, conscious that his hand was coz
! ering both of hers.
He uttered an exclamation of pity
{ "Please tell me If you will. how you
: came to be here?" he asked after
awhile
! She told him In few words In re-
| turn he said that he had long owned
> this ranch and feeling the desire or
: change for his mother and himself he
had brought her out here where the
free, open life was doing wonders for
= her frail health.
= at wasn't mere accident that set you
; down in the desert here for me to come
: along and pick you up-me out OF all
r the whole world, Agatha, darling! It
Is Gods will that we two should meet
: again and be happy. Say it is?' His
Z arm had stolen about her and her ten.
g der lips were upturned to meet his.
4 Their kiss was the answer.