Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-15
The Daily Story

NCopyrighted. 1913 by Literary Bu.eau

only one of the party who noticed IL
Are you sure you're free from the
effects Of tie poiSon:'' asked Mrs. APP
pleton. Hadn't We better telephone
for doctor"
"Or Il Superintendent Of uuatiC
asylum" suggested her husband. with
a sneer. There's law against sui
eide. I'm going 10 call for the police"
"Oh. please don't" cried Miss ngby.
wrinGing her hands
At this moment Il young fellow ap-
Deared nj the open door in his night
shirt He was very pale. What's the
matter?" he asked.
Go back to bed" said Mark
CLARA" said the young man. who
was Tom Digby. the real invalid for
whom l had suffered. Il thought You
were going TO give me my medicine ut
l. O'clock"
looked ut Clara. wondering what
she would say. Would she give herself
away after all | had done FOR her?
Il didn't wake mp" she faltered.
We'll" said Mark. you women had
better go to your rooms. III see that
he's all right. remaining with him as
long as necessary. Get along. all OF
you"
The ladies left us. Clara giving me a
look that ! construed To he one Of graft
tude That it meant great deaf /
could not doubt, hut so many things
that couldn't he sure which predOmi-
mated. As soon as they had gone Mark
said to me:
Have you got any more of the stuff
about you?"
NO" replied meekly. Il took it
all"
where's the bottle?"
ut wasn't liquid. 1t was tablets"
He looked at me, puzzled, then said:
There's something queer about this.
l don't understand it. Are you telling
the truth?"
My conscience began to prick me for
the lies | had told. At this last ques-
ton | weakened and went from black
lies TO white lies.
Il am truly" l replied. Il took a
whole swallow of what is usually given
in drops"
q thought you said it was tablets
you took?'
so it was. 1 am speaking relative
ly."
You're lying. and you know you're
lying"
Mark remained with me awhile
longer. then consented TO so back TO
bed on my promise to call him if felt
the least need of assistance. Before
closing the door he turned and said
Are You sure this-mania is OVER
"Oh, go to bed" | said impatientIy.
81 wish to go to sleep"
He gave me another suspicious look.
then left me.
The next morning when I appeared
at the breakfast table all looked at me
anxiousIy. Since my stomach had been
turned inside ont didn't look cheer
full, and didn't feel cheerful. especial
ly az to how | was to contnue to lie
about the cause of the trouble Clara
kept her eyes down on her plate dur
ing the whole meal Mrs. Appleton
looked as If she knew more than she
cared TO tell and Mark looked like
man who didn't know anything but
was very much disgruntled. II he
had been sure | had tried to commit
suicide he would have felt more COM
Portable
Mrs. Appleton insisted on my going
ont on to the porch and lying on n
wicker lounge. for the weather was
warm. and I was very glad to do So
During the morning when | was alone
Clara came out and, after trying TO
pull herself together by doing things
for mo | didn't need. suddenly faced
me and said:
THANK you very much"
"Oh. yes. You're quite welcome"
"You are very-very"- -r.-i
"What?" :Zr ~
accomplished liar"
'Just so-in good cause. It's too
bad you didn't wake mp IN time TO give
your brother his medicine"
THAT wasn't entirely untrue"
81 think I took mine very we'll"
Indeed you did"
81 couldn't have poisoned myself IL
a better cause than for love- could II"
NO" she said. turning away
ut came to me all of sudden. but
was no less real"
There was no reply to this reach
ed forward and felt for her hand She
tried to prevent me. hut didn't try very
hard.
Il hope you're not going TO drive me
10 another attempt I added
There was no reply to this either
We heard a step and a rustic within
and | dropped the hand Mrs. Apple.
ton came ont to find her sister cover.
ing my feet with an afghan.
"A pretty pair. Won two she said.
"Next time we're going to die TO.
Ecther." remarked.
How often have warned you
Clara. not to give or take medicine In
the dark -
Clara looked ponitent. and that's the
end Of tn" story. except that before
left Clara and I We're engaged. and
told Mark the whole story. He's told
II thousand times since. each time
adding IT, & on his own account