Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-04
The Daily Story
THE COLOR SCHEMER-BY CLARISsA MACKIl
copyrighted, by Associated Literary Bureau

lions unless 1t is because she is too soft
hearted to turn him away. DO you
know he is going to sing tonight at the
show?"
II didn't know it. Ben bought those
things from him in Boomers, and he
told Ben 1t was color scheme If
he knew we were going to the show
tonight I'd say he did it on purpose"
He did know we were going. So
he's the one who rugged Ben up like
minstrel, is he:" Dora was indignant
New way to foil your rival, you
know" said Timothy dryly.
Ben Marshalfs brilliant attire at
tracted more attention than that mod
| est young man desired. and before they
| entered the darkened interior OF the
! picture show he was wishing he had .
/ never attempted to make himself more
! attractive in the eyes of the girl he
! loved. I'm too blamed homely TO
! play tricks with myself" he thought
modify. II expect Flora thinks I'm
/ pretty mean to make myself and the
rest of 'em so conspicuous. When I
get home guess I'll make one bon
fire.
The reels passed before their eyes7y
revealing one picture after another,
weaving romance and tragedy until
the last scene vanished. The pianist
paused for breath 'and then broke into
a soft prelude. colored sheet of music
was thrown on the screen and william
Perkins appeared upon the stage.
If Ben Marshall was a color scheme
in his orange and green tints. Mr.. Per
kins was a symphony in lavender and
gray. For an instant the spot light held
him in its white circle and displayed
perfectly fitting gray suit pale Law
ender shirt with a scarf Of violet silk.
A lavender silk handkerchief protrud-
ed from his upper coat pocket. and his
low cut shoes displayed silk hosiery of
the same delicate hue. Mr.. Perkins
might not have been appropriately
dressed for the occasion, but certainly
the effect was most pleasing to the
young women of the audience.
Mr.. Perkins sang a love song Illus
trated with sentimental pictures, and
he rolled his light eyes at Flora Mills
and shook his dark locks of hair and
exercised the tremolo of his voice in
the tender passages. Flora looked at
the pictures, q scornful smile curving
her lips. Poor Ben thought she was
comparing his outlandish garments
with the sartorial glories of the singer
and was very miserable. Willie Per-
kins had the same idea and was equal
~ happy.
Another picture song flashed upon
the screen, and the little group of four;
were startled into close attention
There upon the cover was Tyrolean
peasant waving the duplicate Of Ben
MarshalIs foolish green hat Then
the page turned. the piano rippled and
was still. and then burst forth a
startling yodeling song from the tn
umphant lips of Willie Perkins
Poor Ben crushed his green hat I'M
der the seat and stared miserably ct
a the pictures on the screen. Flora sat
beside him. very straight and cool. and
beyond her were Dora and Timothy,
4. indignant and uncomfortable.
Surely Willie Perkins had spared no
- pains to present his rival in a foolish
aspect before his sweetheart.
Poor Ren's interest in the show was
entirely gone. His whole mind was
, occupied with very bitter thoughts
against his rival. who had rugged him
out in such an outlandish color scheme
i merely to be a foil to his own ex-
J. quislte selection. He was thankful
when the entertainment came to q
J. close.
= The four were very silent on the
homeward way. The night was warm.
and full moon silvered the river. As
= they left the ferryboat Ben tucked
= Flora's hand under his arm and was
4 rejoiced that she did not resist bis
. boldness. In the shadow of a droop.
!. ing tree he stopped for an instant.
Flora" he choked. you must think
70 I'm an awful fool TO rig myself up like
this. And don't suppose you'd marry
me. Flora?" This last question popped
from Ben's agitated throat with star
Ting suddenness and was prompted by
a realization that Flora was close to
- him. that her hand was not withdra wn.
that his pressure was returned by her
- fingers and her face was temptingly
near his own.
So he had his answer, and Flora told
:, him that she knew why be had array
:. ed himself in such gorgeous plumnge
" and he kissed her again. Wien they
reached home they found Timothy and
Dora just cementing their betrothal
!. in the approved manner. and for mo.
" ment the congratulations were confus.
- ed and happy.
- At last Dora laughed merrily. II
~ suppose we can thank that color sohem'
- er. Willie Perkins. for this" She
swept the porch with little gesture
- Ben Marshall tossed his green hat IN
~ the air with an exultant whoop
: Flora. I'm going TO keep this hat for
=, ever" he said.
10 IF you don't l shall" said Flora
~ calmly.
In II was only a few weeks later that
II, the engagement Of the two sisters wal
,s announced. Then IL was that Willie
20 Perkins discovered thut his 'color
scheme so nicely planned for his RI
m val. had not worked u his own advan