Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-13
The Daily Story

cent of such marriages are followed
by divorces
Mr.. Hardwick admitted that they
were risky.
Miss AlIerton's hopes fell thick with
the October leaves. ana November
brought an actual misfortune she
fell ILL., seriously ILL., John Hardwick
realizing how his friend had set her
heart on keeping her New Years reso-
luton and how her illness would stand
in the way OF her doing so. was very
Kind. very sympathetic. He sent her
little gifts and with one OF them a
note stating that he had in view Just
the man to make her happy and as
soon as she was able to receive com
pany he would bring his friend around
and introduce him. There Is still
plenty of time" he added. 1--WE shall
have all of December"
Miss Allerton appreciated John Hard
wick's kindly sympathy Unfortunate
ly she was in low physical condition
and easily worried. AS has been stat
ed. she was a resolute young woman.
and with her SSw Years resolution
she had made n second that come
what might she would keep the first.
Her mother knew that something was
troubling her and tried to find out
what it was. But Sophie would have
but the one confidant In thanking
John Hardwick for one of his atten-
lonesome fowers-She showed her
condition by a lamentation that she
would not be able to go downstairs. so
her doctor told her. before the middle
OF December. and even then IL she
met Mr.. Hardwick's friend she would
present wretched appearance. and
how could marriage possibly come
of it within two weeks? Such things
were only possible in stories. The
matter was hopeless
When John Hardwick read this note
he was troubled. There was evidence
in it that the writer was retarding her
recovery by brooding over an impossi-
bility. Indeed. he had been informed
by her doctor that some load was rest
ing upon her mind and pulling her
down. Her condition was serious.
John wished he might do something to
tide her over "A few weeks until she
should regain her strength and throw
off the incubus. He pondered on the
problem with the following result:
He wrote her a note in the name
of one Arthur Clendenin. stating that
his friend. John Hardwick, had spoken
of her in such high terms that she
must certainly be an estimable and at
tractive young woman. He Glen
denim was tired of single life and de-
sired a home with some one to love
in it He was sure, judging from what
his friend had said OF her and her
picture. which had been shown him.
that he should love her devotedly.
NOW, get well, dear heart" he added,
$50 that we may be married at once"
This letter produced quite a revul-
sion of feeling in the invalid. which
Indirectly relieved the strain. IL was
the discovery that she did not wish To
marry this man she had never seen.
Now that she was Mt liberty 10 keep
her resolution she felt easier about
the matter. She still wished to keep
1t, but somehow this stranger was no
more acceptable to her than a wooden
man would be. She wrote John Hard
wick that she was not yet so anti
quated that she needed to take dunn
my for husband whom she had never
seen. adding that Mr. Hardwick seem
II
desire to have her
marry.
81 see." said John Hardwick, after
puzzling over this inconsistent note.
you can never tell what an invalid is
going 10 do. However ! have done all
| can for her and must hope for the
best"
At Christmas time it was reported to
John Hardwick that Miss AlleTton was
much improved. The mental load
seemed to have been lifted. On the
asst day OF December she wrote him
% come to see her that afternoon.
Delighted at her better condition. he
made the call, He was received some
What coolly.
why did you take such an interest
Turing my illness in marrying me 10
his Clendenin MANI" she asked
There is no such person. ! invent
ID him to relieve your mind by MAX
ng it appear possible for you to keep
'our resolution"
WAS 1t necessary to invent man."
"Wbnt else could do?"
II must be very unattractive per
on. or II your friendship-for the fam
ly-were what you have always pro
essed you would have offered TO help
ne out in another
She sat with her eyes cast down
ward. John Hardwlck looking at her.
great light breaking In on his brain
Are you rs intent on keeping your
esoIrtiOn as when yon made ~" he
sked.
II am"