Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-17

visitor when the first summer visitor
came down upon him with a rush. She
was a young lady about twenty years
of age mounted on a horse whose eyes
were afiame, nostrils wide open and
sides covered with foam. Dashing up
to where Murdoch stood. she looked at
the open door of the inn as if expecting
some one to come out to meet her.
Not seeing any one, she fired volley
of questions at the landlord:
rs there a gentleman here waiting
for me?"
Nom"
HAS he been here?'
Nom"
"Have you had any word from him!"
Nom"
"Then l am undone"
Murdoch stood gaping at her. Pres
emily she spoke to him again:
Are you married."
Nom"
would you have any objection to
marry meg
IT wouldn't be flt.''
Never mind that. Answer my ques-
ton"
Really married."
Yes, really married, but not to live
with me. No; you won't do. Go find
| me husband"
| She gave him her hand that he might
help her of her horse. threw the rein
over hitehing post and directed him
| to bring any man in the place who
was not married. together with a par
son, if he could find one. and be quick
! about it. She would give the groom
/ $500. While speaking she kept looking
up the road in the direction from which
she had come, and when she had I'm.
ished she listened.
The landlord put on his hat to go
across lots TO house where he knew
of a single man that needed money
badly. Those were the days when
everybody ''biked," and a young fell
low got up in a short coat. knicker-
lockers and wooden stockings came
pedaling along the road.
II say. young fellow" said the land
lord. ARE you married."
"No."
would you like to make some mon
ey that wayF'
"What way?'
by marrying girl"
"What girl?"
"She's right over there at my house.
Come and have look at her.
Il don't mind
The landlord went back by the short
cut to the house. and the biker ped
aled there by the road The young
lady was out on the porch staring up
the road. Turning, she saw the land
lord and the bicyclist coming.
Hurry up" she called.
This young man the landlord be-
gan.
"Yes. I know. Where's the parson p
"Ill get him as soon as
Get him now Don't waste a mo-
ment. Oh. dear. I'm afraid we'll be
too late"
The landlord hurried away again
The girl turned toward the young man
You're going 10 marry me, and III
pay you $500 for doing it,
Not without some show Of an ex
PLANTATION"
1--WE can't be married till the parsou
comes. so I'll give you what you ask
I'm an orphan. Ny guardian managed
TO get hold of me after fathers death
and tried to persuade me to marry
him. I've been his prisoner for
months ! have been told that as a
married woman I'll have a better
chance to light him under the law
and I want a husband TO protect me
that is, wanted one and expected to
meet one here. but he has disappointed
me. Ny guardian has doubtless dis
covered my escape and is liable to be
here at any moment. Hist. Is that
wheels? No. When he comes | wish
to be a wife, and l hope you'll have
the pluck to prevent his dragging me
hack TO that horrid"-
She stopped short. seeing the land
lord coming with a man in white neck
tie.
Come inside" she added
The four Of them went inside. TheI
the groom 10 be said
I'm ready to help you out of
scrape. but not for pay. And ! insis
an signing away any claim to wha
you possess before the marriage"
We'll. hurry up"
Give me writing materials"
The landlord pointed TO the ofic
counter. where there were pens an,
paper. and the young man signed ava.
the girls fortune. Then be stood u
beside her. and they were married tn
: groom lifted his brides hand TO hi
lips in courtly manner and kissed /,
Are you a geuteman?" she aske'
with some surprise
Don't | look like one:"
Not in those clothes. You under
stood. didn't you. before the ceremony
that all want OF you is TO get rid o
l my guardian: We are not to live tc
gether."
Certainly not
oh. heavens. Here he comes"
. A galloping horse came clatterin
down the road. dragging buggy afte
It. In the buggy was n man sonnewha
past middle age lie drove up to tn
= hotel door and called out for the land
lord
"a young woman-a luna:ic-has e