Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-13

growled old Simon Webb as he re-
turned the salutation of young man
on the sidewalk.
Dorothy flushed deeply, and her pref
ty>head turned little aside. why
do you call Bob Quincy that, father:"
she asked
Because he is one asserted Simon,
with more asperity than the occasion
demanded. for the Quincys were not
related to him. The only bond be-
tween the two families was the long
existing partnership between the re-
spective heads. Look at him, Doro-
thy! The eldest of four boys, every
man jack Of 'em has b-anched out in
business for himself except Bob, and
he's content to clerk it in our Offices
clerk it, mind you, for he's too woolly
headed to assume an executive posi-
ton. What do you think of that. eh?"
II think it must please Mr.. Quincy
to have one of his sons remain in the
business" remarked Dorothy firmly.
"Humph! The business has done
mighty we'll so far without assistance
from any of the youngsters. Tom and
Dick have gone into the automobile
business, as you know, and Frank is
junior partner in the house Of Heller
& Co. Here's Bob, who has been in
our Offices for twelve years, still peg
ging away as head bookkeeper. He
ought to have pushed his way to the
fore. If he'd had any ginger in him,
| by George, he'd have elbowed his IA
Their out of the place. 1t makes me
nervous to see such dead one around"
'Why, father" cried his daughter,
with some indignation, IT don't think
it's right to call Bob a fool just be-
cause he hasn't pushed his father out
of business. 1t seems to me that he is
very considerable and''-
BAH" roared Simon Webb rudely,
and, with a saucy upward tilt Of her
| chin, Dorothy turned her face away
and apparently became absorbed in the
passing crowd as seen from the ton
neau of their handsome motorcar.
That evening after dinner Dorothy
was called into her fathers library.
CLOSE the door, Dorothy" said Mr.
| Webb, with an austere smile.
what is it, father" asked the girl.
"Sit down, my dear; here, close to my
desk. have had a singular experience
today, Dorothy" He looked keenly at
her over his spectacles.
| Dorothy was fairly puzzled. Sand
you want to tell me about it, dadT'
eyes. You recollect we were speak
ing about the Quincy boys today, eh?'
She nodded carelessly. what about
them:"
you've never told me they were at.
tentive to you," he suddenly accused
her.
For an instant she was disconnected
You never asked me anything about
it." she answered quietly.
Simon Webb threw back his head
and laughed heartily. MY own daugh
ter" lie chuckled "GIad you didn't
shipper over it; 1 detest a simperine
miss. Then you knew the Quincy boys
were in love with you:" He fired the
question suddenly at her.
mo. / didn't" she replied honestly.
"What did you think they We're doing
around here, then? Coming to see your
mother-or me. eh:'
81 knew they came to see me. Why
father. you know we've always been
friends with the Quincys. and the boys
are more like cousins than anything
else" said Dorothy warmly.
"And now they crave closer rela
tiOnship, eh?"
"You are joking, father. What dc
you mean" Her face was very pale
and her voice was unsteady as she
rose To her feet and stood beside him
II mean that three of the Quincy
boys have each written me letter ask
ing permission to pay his addresses to
YOU. What do you think of that in this
land of the free and home of the brave
eh? l thought the present custom was
to ask the girl first and then announce
, the result TO paterfamilias."
"WelI?" asked Dorothy.
i at so happened that ! found al
three letters in this evenings mail
: What started the boys of don't know
, unless you met them somewhere last
night and flirted outrageously with al
: of them. Is that so:"
81 met all of them at the Teales. an(
I danced with each one" said Dorothy
evenly.
well" said Mr.. Webb, tapping thu
communications, what shall l tel
them? Suppose ! say that here is ;
letter from Tom Quincy?"'
tom" repeated Dorothy, with al
incredulous smile. why, dad. Ton
Quincy is a mere baby"
"Ha! We won't rob the cradle, then
Exit Master Tom" Simon Webb funi
the letter aside and tapped a second
one at his daughter. Dorothy grew
pale again. as if smitten with suspense
AS she made gesture of fmpatienc'
! her father spoke once more: 'Suppos,
/ ask, How about Dick. Ell? A likel.
young fellow, smart as trap. inherit
: $4,000 from his godfather and bount
to make a bowling success of whateve
/ he undertakes"
: Dorothy shook her head. Il Xix
Dick. but
''Skiddoo"' calculated her father. send
Ing the second letter after the first. e
] feel Ike an auctioneer. Dorothy, offer