Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-07
The Daily Story
IN SPITE OF MAcIC-BY LILLIAN VENT,
Copyrighted :sl3 oy Associatel Literary Bureau

ed Ne. but Now She Loves Another
in Cornelius memory and could not be
eradicated for many a day.
81 don't see where we fellows get
any fun out of it ALL" growled Mr..
Brady, whirling around on the stool.
II wonder II I couldn't let down my
hair and run around with hand mir
ror-what do you think I'd see. eh?"
You'd see conceited puppy" ioked
Mr.. Finn. slapping Mr.. Brady's broad
shoulders with easy familiarity. LET
me whisper 4 secret, Chris-excuse me,
gents"-he bent down and whispered
in Mr.. Brady's rcd ear. while that gen.
tleman nodded mirthfully.
Sure, I'll do ii. I'm on. thought
maybe there was something more!
Have cigar, Mr.. Finn" He followed
Mary's father into the kitchen. and
Cornelius sat silently alone. envyins
the easy manners of the big Mr.. Brady
and his apparent intimacy with the
Firms. Did this friendliness portend
some bond between Christopher Brady
and Mary Finn?
Cornelius grew wretched as the time
passed. Mary must soon make her
test of fate in the gloomy hall. When
would he know If it was his own face
she had seen over her shoulder? Would
she tell It to the assembled company
or would she acknowledge 1t by blush
ing when his questioning glance sought
hers? Desperately he calculated the
aLA Al,.A 81 4, ~ ~. ~ 4.
admitted they were very few indeed.
Everything he had ever gained he had
had to struggle for, as had his father
before him. He had fought tooth and
nail for his position as office boy in
the beginning, and he had fought his
way up to his position as shipping
clerk by sheer force Of will and pluck.
In his practical exp/ience he had
never called upon luck or fortune or
fate to aid him in his climb. He just
planned what he wanted and then
worked up to it 1t had proved a
good method in the past.
Now he wanted Mary Finn. II he
won her 1t must be by his usual meth
DDS. He must not trust TO chance nor
to any other doubtful means. There
was no time to fool with luck or the
magic sorceries of Halloween. He
must have Mary Finn in spite of
magic. in spite of Christopher Brady,
in spite of everything.
Then it was that a daring thought
came to Cornelius Babcock-daring be-
cause he was unaccustomed to in
trigue or fighting In the dark, and this
game called for darkness. Leagued
against him were Christopher Brady
and his intimacy with the Firms. and
also on the opposing side were the
chances that Cornelius would not win.
So he resolved to fight for what he
wanted-for Mary Finn.
Mr.. Finn entered the parlor and lift.
ed hand to the chandelier. "Tll be
dousing the light. boys" he warned.
"Everything's got to be dark as your
hat. Out she goes"
In the thick velvety blackness that
followed, Cornelius stepped, swift as
cat. across the floor to the door that
led into the corridor. 1t was njar and
he pushed it open, slid around it and
entered the hall where he felt his way
into the embrasure of another door and
waited. his heart pounding heavily.
Mary Finn would soon come down
| the hall, her fair hair swinging loose,
! her sweet face peering in the mirrors
! depths for the face of her true love.
| And Cornelius would be there, looking
over her shoulder, his eyes meeting
hers in the misunderstanding their
| futures at one blow.
| A door opened. and with muffied
shrieks slender form came into view
| holding n lighted candle before her. 1t
was Mary Finn!
| Christopher held his breath as she
advanced. She looked so much like an
| shoulders and her eyes fixed timidly
on the glass. that he almost forgot tho
| role he had selected to play.
/ AS she approached his hiding place
| Cornelius braced himself to overcome
| the shyness that began to steai over
him. Here was his opportunity to fore
stall the goddess OF chance-he would
win Mary Finn in spite Of magic!
/ As she passed he leaned forward
( a dark shock head leaned from the
| opposite doorway to perform the same
| service. Their heads bumped vigor-
| ously. were withdrawn and then met
in growing threats. Mary Finn turn.
ed with frightened cry.
Whatever is the matter? why-yr'
| She stared at the two rivals with
mirthful eyes. -.
Did you see my face. Mary?" snap
ped Cornelius sharply. aware that
he had suddenly attained manhood.
Didn't you see my face .HrstT"
She flushed and nodded with down
cast eyes. In the gloom her hand stole
into Cornelius outstretched palm.
'Ah-h-h." growled Mr. Christopher
Brady sourly. You saw my face in
the glass too. How about me. eh?"
Maybe you're going TO be my sec.
ond husband. Christi anything hap.
pens to Corny-but hope nothing hap.
pens!"
And Mr.. Brady had to be satisfied
with that arrangement.