Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-07


by making you put it into words. I'm
no hog. anyway; know when I've had
enough"
To his amazement Mary burst out
laughing. ''Of all the funny things to
say at such time" she cried. Her
eyes were full of mischief, yet beauti-
fully tender. 'Oh. Tom, indeed you are
the blindest Of the blind"
A sudden hope stirred in Toms SOUL
Mary" he exclaimed. You don't
mean
Il do. Tom" softly replied Mary.
How could you believe | didn't love
you? You ought to be ashamed of your
self"
And Tom Strickland took Mary Tod
hunter in his arms. leaving old Solo
mon to go his own way unguided
I'll tell Mrs. Todhunter and the
colone! this very day" he announced
a few moments later Lord. they'd
see it anyway in my face. I'm so proud
and happy. | want to know if they
think I'm good enough for you.''
Mary tossed her head. They'd bet
ter think so"' she retorted Indignantly.
Not good enough, indeed
But Tom was near to being panic
stricken when they had gained the
wide gallery of Mary's home and were
confronting her parents.
'Howdy. Tom spoke Colonel Tod
hunter. His glance passed from young
Strickland to his daughter with just
the faintest twinkle of amusement in
his gray blue eyes.
Tom Strickland had taken Mrs Tod
hunters hand. "Howdy. Mrs Tod
! hunter-Howdy. colonel" he said, his
face an open book of confession. "I-
! I-welI. MARY was good enough to
/ say could come home with her."
We're glad you did. Tom" replied
Mrs. Todhunter. And you've got to
I stay to supper"
! Colonel Todhunter's lips were witch
/ ing 81 don't know about that, honey"
/ he spoke. Tom don't look to me like
! he's very hungry"
! Mary flashed swift indignation at
| her father. Mrs Todhunter looked at
the colonel in surprise. Then in sud
] NCh SuS ohDI a IhANh
/ glance at the young people. Tom
/ Strickland blnshed redder than ever.
( Mary fred at her mother one soft vol
ley of entreaty from dewy eyes and
/ then fed pfecipitately into the house.
! Her face flied with c0mprehending
/ tenderness. Mrs Todhunter followed
Mary, making no excuses.
TOM" said Colonel TodhuBter, you
seem to have been kicking up a mighty
man.
Tom stood like a condemned fel0n
! in the dock Il reckon / have, colonel"
he made answer. Then. after a dis
| may filed pause, 'I-I-Pve been ask
! ing Mary TO marry me, sir"
! Colonel TodhHhter's face was impas
| sive
Tom Strickland stood very erect
| Pride shone In bis eyes. Il don't know.
/ sir, whether ysu'Ve noticed ii or not"
he resumed, ''bst rye been in love with
! Mary for leng time"
/ relishfui twinkle was In Colonel
| Todhunter's eyes.
| And. sir-and-well, Colonel Todhun-
ter. it's Just this" exultsntiy but blush
! ingly exclaimed Tom. Il know / don t
/ deserve It'll can't hardly believe it
/ but Mary says she loves me. too-and-
/ well. sir. want to ask Mrs. Todhun-
! ter's and your consent to our marriage.
sir
/ Colonel Todhunter was contemplat-
/ ing the young man with eyes brimful
Of kindly amusement
Tom" be said. las long as yeu live
you'll never forget how skeered you
are this minute sun But you got
thrnne;, eith ii like hero. blamed
sight better than | did when | asks :
I for Mira. TOdbunter That sure was a
terrible experience"