Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-13

engaged, on comparing notes we found
that Edith had an uncle whose fortune
she expected to inherit, while | had an
aunt whose heir I was TO be. Edith
gave me the impression that her uncle
was a very dignified old gentleman.
whose ideas concerning the man she
should marry were that he should walk
a chalk line. This did not indicate that
my chances for pleasing the old man
were very good, for, if ever young
ster was full Of Old Nick, / was that
yOungster.
Per contra, my aunt had been in her
youth society girl, fiirt, fond of
horse racing, yachting, and had even
been so vicious as to play cards for
money. Edith was just the reverse OF
this: a young woman of reserve and
dignity and, withal. very religious.
Naturally. it was essential that
should be acceptable to Edith's uncle
and that Edith should please my aunt.
for neither Edith nor / had any for
tune and had both been brought up in
luxury. Edith's uncle was worth $780,
600 in 6 per cent bonds, while my aunt
had something more than this In well
rented real estate. The problem be-
fore me and my fancee was to make
her uncle believe that I was very
steady and we'll behaved young man,
and to make my aunt think that Edith
was woman of the world.
After long conference in which va
rious plans were discussed We decided
that we would begin with my aunt.
was to introduce Edith to her. and
Edith was TO put on as much sporti-
ness as she could, though 1 had mis-
givings as TO her deceiving my aunt.
for it was born in Edith to be dignified.
and she had no sympathy whatever
with that license which pertains to
people of the gay world. However, it
was arranged that my aunt was to call
on my fiancee, after which We three
were to pass an evening together at
my aunt's house.
The evening after this call went to
See Edith and found her in very dis
tressed state of mind.
"Why did you tell me that Miss Mar
tindale was a woman of the world?'
she said Il commenced soon after
she appeared to talk freely and kept 1t
betraying any sympathy with the
ideas 1 expressed, and she finally
arose, evidently very much disguised
with me, and took her departure"
what did you say?"
why, 1 began by cracking jokes
about our forthcoming marriage, say
ing that 1 hoped when you were out
late at poker parties your companions
wouldn't have to set you up against
the front door and ring the bell.''
What did she say to that?"
"Why, she scowled."
what else did you say?"
"I said 1 had lost $500 on the last
races and expected to make it up at
the meet next week. Then l said L
hoped you wouldn't feel that you must
be tied down to me all the while. You
were welcome TO fiirt with other wom-
en- and get yourself talked about all
you liked. provided there was nothing
could get on with one husband. must
have attention from other mem She
looked at me as if she would bite my
head off and whisked away without
even saying goodby."
Perhaps it was because you said it
all instead of doing it. Aunt Kate was
probably shocked at the bare state
ment. while she would not have mind
ed the acts mentioned
II am afraid you don't understand
your aunt. AT any rate, l have an
tagonized her. and I think you'll find
that If you marry me she will not
leave you a cent of her money"
1 went straight to my aunt to hear
what she had to say about the matter.
but she locked her tongue and would
give me no satisfaction. 1 judged.
however. that she had not been over
pleased with my fiancee. Doubtless
Edith had overdone the matter.
The next thing to be done was for
me to make the acquaintance of Mr..
Springer, Edith's wealthy uncle. He
wrote Edith that / was TO stay with
him at his house and desired her TO In
form him what train I would come on,
that he might send his car to the sta
ton for me. She gave him the desired
information. and one bright morning I
boarded the train, resolved to make
better impression on Edith'S uncle thaD
she had made on my aunt. One thing
I determined to guard against-that
was. OVERRIDING il.
I had not been long on the train
when a gentleman asked me if l would
make one of four to play whist. Glad
to while away the time, l consented
1 was the partner of the gentleman
who invited me to play, and the stake.
beginning at a quarter a corner, was
gradually increased to a dollar. But
our antagonists got the idea that I and
my partner We're a pair OF professional
gamblers who We're intending TO do"
them and soon retired from the game.
This threw my partner and myself
together. he assuming considerable
bonhomie. He had flask with him
and invited me to join him in emptying
II. I hesitated. fearing that when ]
met Mr.. Springer in the evening he
would smell my breath. But my new
FOUND friend was so urgent that at
last consented. Then he brought out