Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-31

JET. it's tough on Freeman.
know" he protested rs they par
Hes a mighty fine fellow. and
hard hit in that direction. As vo
the lucky one. you ought 10 81
him"
But Jefferson Dean was IN
good hur,or with himse'f He clayl
his friend on the shoulder and la
ed loudly.
Now. don't get prea rhv. old M
he demonstrated Its only
and FIVE years from now Freeman
be laughing at it himself"
Five years is mighty long rln]
wait when you're trying to- al ,,re5v
n joke like that on yo Self. He'll b
sore about it."
It's only a Joke Look out you
don't get caught y8urself." laughed
Jefferson rs he went on alone.
Sam Freeman found the dainty little
note among his letters one morning
He had recognized the handwriting
at once. and his wildly throbbing hra-r
had testified 70 his desperate interest
in lovely Alice Chase. But Jefferson
Dean. that light hearted cavalier. had
appeared 10 be first favorite. At least
he was always in the field ahead Of
Sam, and now an engagement was
openly rumored.
In the face OF these facts the con
tents Of that little note were astound-
ing to sam Freeman. He pored over
the few words with white. stunned
face and bright eyes.
What did ii mean?
Alice Chase was SAYING that she
loved him and would marry him. and
she hoped he would come tonight
when father would he home. and his
proposal was so unexpected, but she
was so happy.
He had not even asked her to marry
him. though he had Ionged to do 50.
Again he asked himself what it could
mean. Surely. surely he was not con
ceited enough to believe that Alice had
thrown the handkerchief in his dirce-
ton. She was not that sort. Anyway
he would call upon her that evening.
Again he read the little note. 1t was
for him alone 1t began Dear Mr..
Freeman" and ended Yours ever. Al.
ice Chase"
He was of a dozen minds whether to
send her flowers or not, but his long
ing to do so prevailed. and he sent
huge box of American Beauties.
That evening Jefferson Dean reach.
ed the Chase mansion at an early hour.
Alice received him with her accustom-
ed sweet cordiality, and he noted that
she was looking especially beautiful in
a cream colored gown. frightened 10y
several American Beauty roses.
They were not his Offering. and Mr.
Dean felt thrill of excitement as ho
poudered whether Sam Freeman had
taken advantage of the note and sent
her the flowers.
But there was little time FOR such
reflections. The successful working
out Of his joke absorbed his attention,
for presently Sam Freeman was an.
nounced.
Now for the fun" chuckled JEFF in.
wardIy as he shook hands with hit
rival and noted that young mans
tense. eager face as he bent over
Alice's hand.
The run came thick and fast. but
somehow it was not amusing to JEFF
fersou Dean.
While that young mans attention
was diverted by Aice's mother the
man at the other end OF the room.
When Mrs. Chase had gone Alice
turned and came down the room with
Freeman. and Sam was holding her
hand with an air of proprietorshlp.
Jefferson Dean saw and gasped in
wardly. Outwardly his face was quite
coIorIess. and he cursed his own folly.
Jefferson said Alice sweetly, soon
graduate us. We are engaged to be
married" She bent down and her lips
brushed one of the roses on her breast
"Married"' echoed Jefferson, with
hollow laugh. us It n ioke?"
No, indeed!' protested the happy
'air In unison. 1T true" And they
turned and looked into each others
Eyes and entirely forgot poor Jeffcr-
son Dean, who gladly slipped ont Of
the house.
lie met Bob Water and that your
man hooked hand iu the arm Of Il
llscohsoiate one and led him 10 II
'iub. Perhaps Bob was conscient
for be had coHverscd vii
Allce Chase over the telephone thu
morning. and he bad told her few
hlngs concerning the Joke Of Jeffcr.
on Dean. and Alice had declared It
vas the most sensible thing JEFF Dean /
al ever done In hi life.
Aiter long and moody silence JET
erSoh Dean looked up from steady
Of his dead cigar and
hHressed his sympathetic friend
say. Bob. whats that thing those
"uth sea islanders use-you throw IL i
M II comes back and hits you or
ne head-whatT'
boomerang?" asked Bob in
tead y voice
boomerang, Al. yes: thanks"
lhrinured Jefferson Dean. and he re-
u -hed to the obsequies he was holding
Yer his defunct sense Of humor 4
Dec. 81 in American