Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-11-12
Copyrighted. 1914

|
youths pride themselves. Strangely
enough. however. though otherwise
| complete. 1t lacked one of the essen
tfals-indeed. vital essentiai-of q
students room decorations 1here
were no photographs.
| The other fellows had pictures of
/ girls in evening gowns. girls In street
costume. girls In golf garb. girls on
| horseback. girls afoot-alwnys girls.
| But not n girls picture adorned Perce-
walls den except one lonely small min
fature. and that stood far withdrawn
hidden ON the back of his desk.
Randolph Chase hauled it out on one
occasion before Perceval could reach
him with a OBTAINING hand
"What a queer little girli' Randolph
said.
Put it back" Perceval said shortly
his face afiame.
But the other fellows crowded be-
hind Randolph and looked at the pic
ture over his shoulder.
such n mop of hair and such little
facer' said one of them.
Bur teICef III tCht thSpto
with irritation. Put it back. Ran
dolphr'
Randolph. after one glance at the
younger mans countenance, set the
miniature back on the desk hastily.
But the next night when he was
alone with Perceval he said: Il don't
want to be inquisitive, but 1 was aw-
fully interested in that girls face.
Who is she?'
That" said Perceval without look
ing around-"that girl. as you call her,
is Mrs. Perceval Moore"
What" Randolph's tone expressed
extreme incredulity. You surely don't
mean
Perceval whirled around. THAT I
am married? Yes"
Randolph whistled well. of all
thingsr' he said. And after that there
was silence.
Then Perceval came over and flung
himself into chair opposite Randolph
1--WE simply got to tell somebody.
Chase" he said. I'm in an awful fix.
and she's the dearest and truest and
best little thing in the world. I've de-
ceived her She doesn't know that ]
dlI III COIIcSt- ShS Oil SoAN
ing n good salary in business"
well, son." said Randolph Chase.
1T seems to me that sort of deception
is a kind that n girl can forgive easily
enough. l guess she won't be wildly
indignant when she finds that next
year-it is next year that you come of
age, isn't it?--you'll have a big pile OF
money coming to you. Any girl would
be tickled to death to find that"
Perceval shook his head. Not An
Mabel" he declared. Isn't her name
dear and old fashioned. Chaser
Yes" Randolph agreed. But why
will she object to million. Perceval?"
Because she will say that 1 lied to
her," PerceSal said slowly, land An
mabel can forgive anything but lie"
"Out with it, Randolph probed.
Tell me the whole story. 1t must be
a queer one. and if you don't mind
my saying so. old man, she must be a
queer girl
That's just what she is" said Perez
val II met her last year at the beach.
She was such q quaint. queer little
thing that she attracted me. She al !
ways wore white. and L would find
her sitting on the sand singing little |
songs to herself There was an old |
sea captain to whom she talked a good |
deal. and L got him to introduce us.
well. she had read lot of books ,
ON social equality. and she just simply !
didn't have any use for the gilded /
youth with money. What Annabel |
wanted was a man who worked. pref !
arably with his hands. but. failing |
VIII in ho ial- aP
The fight for existence. And she meant
t too. And that is where l fell
81 was head over heels in love with
her," continued Perceval forlornly.
and | simply wouldn't let her go
So l let her believe that I was work
ing my way up in business. The first
lie was simple enough and looked like
one of those things that could be
squared easily enough afterwar1. But
oh, Chase, ] had to back that lie up
with details on details until I had lied !
o her ut least ten lies TO the hour
Well. we were married before | left
n the fall. | wasn't of age, and she
wasn't. and she wouldn't leave home
Until l could support her without ham
,ering my business career.
II knew | had to come back TO col
eye or get dad down on me. so ] told
Ter to stay" Groaned Percevai. But
made her marry me for fear some
hing might come between us. and
couldn't stand that. Randolph But
hink how III appear to her. for I've
led in every letter. telling her how
business was. and all that"
The young fellows voice broke Ran
lolph held out a sympathetic hand.
shell forgive you. all right" he
aid. But You sit right down tonight
nd confess. old man. It's not ouiy
he right thing. but the best policy. TO
'e perfectly frank with her, and If
he's in love with you she'll forgive
on"
But Perceval shook his head II
ont dare he said huskily. II am
o afraid I'll lose her. Randolph. and ,