Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-10-26
The Daily Story
Worthless LOFTY Margaret G. Devereaux.
copyrighted 1919 by Associated literary
BY Margaret G. Devereaux

Stder herself DreSeDtaDle as a hr3do
especially to the grand folks in The
east to whom her lover would tnt,o-
duce her. She did not give him tbf,
as q reason; she told him that be wss
a stranger to her and she didn't III.
to take the risk of marrying him WITH,
out his being voucbed for. StapIetor
failing to persuade her to marry a,
once, gave her references In Denver
This suited Maria's plans exacnv
She would go to Denver, get some An.
parel that would be more appropria,a
for a bride than her cheap, soiled gar.
ments, see the persons referred to and
return without a word to her fame
of what she was going to do. But ono
thing interfered with her plans-she
had neither money for the journey nor
for the clothes.
There was but one way for her IN
secure the necessary funds, and from
this she shrank. Jacob Cowdry might
possibly have enough for the purpose
and would doubtless let her have Il
but she knew that he loved her, and
how could she ask him for money
with which to buy trousseau for mar.
rage with a rival?
While she was trying TO throw of
her repugnance Jacob came to see her.
She received him with so much era.
ciousness that it excited in him hope
that she might yet be won.
Jake" she said, IL need some
money"
"How much do you want?" he asked
"Oh, about S5O0r'
i've got something over $500. Can
you make that doY
Reckon"
"All right; III go and get It for
you"
But I've only one way OF paying
you-tffe last of the claims father left
me, and that isn't worth $50. I've been
trying to sell it for that, and can't"
II don't want any return. Maria.
You know that anything 1 have you're
welcome to-
This staggered her. She was not
dishonorable and would not accept
such a favor without telling the truth.
She did so and was panied at the i'm.
preston her revelation made on him.
He did not speak for some time, then
said:
Maria, I'll not deny that this is
shock to me, but we must stand what
is melted out to US, and l will do any.
thing to make you happy"
The girl WINGED, but she had made
up her mind to better her condition
for the present and the future. and
she steeled herself to what she was
doing She permitted Jake to go for
the money and when he had gone un-
locked tin box in which she kept the
deed to the last of the lots her father
had left her and, taking it out, assign
ed it to Jacob Cowdry. When Jake
returned with the money she hung her
head in silence for awhile. then hand
ed him the deed. saying:
Its all have TO repay you. Jake.
but l shall never forget your kind
ness"
81 don't want it." said Jake.
Take it. will feel better II you
do and will be happier if it should
some day turn out to be valuable"
Jake took the deed. remembering
that he would need a wedding gift and
this was all he had to offer. Then he
went away. AS soon as he had gone
Maria sat down and cried.
Stapleton missed Maria the next day,
and he concluded that she had gone to
Denver. The references be had given
her were his pals. and he knew they
would give a good account OF him. so
he rubbed his hands gleefully and
awaited her return with Impotence.
When be saw Maria again she was
dressed becomingly. and ii occurred to
him that if he really wanted a wife
he might be inclined to keep her after
he had married her. He complimented
her on the clothes she had purchased.
They're all | have in the world.
she said. You'll have TO take me as
am or not at ALL
Il love You for yourself alone. But
how" he asked presently. did sou
get money to buy this OUTFIT:
Il owned five acres of worthless
and. l sold it for $500"
Stapleton started-started inwardly.
lot outwardIy. His cold gray eye was
ixed upon her. but gave no sign OF
what was passing within him. Then.
lfter having secured promise from
Ter to marry him the next day. he dc
'arted.
That was the last Maria ever saw
# him. Where he went she did moi
now. On the day the wedding was
o be celebrated he did not appear.
'ut Cowdry came with the deed. reas-
igned TO her for wedding girt.
'hrowing her arms about his neck. she
aid with tear dimmed eyes:
Jake. I'm going to be married To-
ay. and I'm going TO marry you II
QUILL take me"
lake took her gladly. and the cere-
lony had no sooner been performed
then man appeared and offered Jake
10000 for his lot. Jake concluded 10
,ok into the matter and refused 10
all He and his wife owned In II one
{ the large gold mines Of Colorado.