Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-09-04
T h : u ally
Short Story

. e.
was not the only thing about her that
! resembled boy. she was given to
sports. rode on horseback astride be~
fore other girls got as far as divided
skirts. her own costumes being pair
Of baggy breeches She was the best
chauffeur in the country and ran her
own machine without regard TO speed
limits.
Her older sister. Amelia, was her op-
posite, Amelia was digui6ed and Was
never known to do anything that Tas
not eminently proper She was enc
gagged to a young lawyer Ralph Per-
kins, whose clerical bearing marked
him rather for clergyman than an
attorney Amelia's father 1Ir Row
ley. was somewhat opposed TO the
match because of Perkins want rf for
tune. but he had no idea oF f1r-
bidding it.
Among BiIlie's jdlosyucrBsiea ives
love for practical jokes. This was gzr
/ greatest real fault Practical Iokers
are a burden on society. and the only
thing that kept Billie popular ia Bita
of this propensity was that she was
every other respect Fascinating
Papa she said one morning.
have come to a knowledge of SOME
thing that VIII pain YOU very much
What is it, sweetheart
Amelia is very UndutifUi She is
going to disregard your wishes re-
! specting Ralph Perkins. She's going
to marry him despite your objections
to the match"
"she doesn't need to do that have
( never refused my consent to it'
fni G IN d
( This afternoon Ralph is coming 10 take
her TO ride III his new car, They're
! going to stop at st. James ractory
and be married
you don't mean it,"
/ yes. 1 do Now, Z have a scheme
that should make the affair very
/ pleasant one, Let's YOU and I and
mamma follow them IN my car and he
/ present at the ceremony"
That same afternoon Perkins and
+ Amelia started on their ride Thev
/ had no intention OF being married. but
/ they were intending TO take afternoon
+ tea with Mrs Hardesty, the wife Of
. the rector of St. James church. hav-
/ ing received an invitation to that af-
/ feet True, the invitation had been
forged by Billie, but the lovers didn't
know that and so it didn't deter them
a second car containing Mr. ana
! Mrs. R0wley and Billie left the house
shortly after the couples departure
and kept them i'm sight until they
reached the rectory The lovers were
admitted by q maid, and since they
came by invitation went in without
asking for Mrs. Hsrdesty. The lady
was not at home Mr. Hardesty was
in the study, and on being told that
Perkins and Miss RoWlev had called.
. fT4 To rE-l4a Fra d.
them.
He had scarcely entered the room
when there was ring at the d0orhaH
and the balance of the Rowley family
entered
There was surprise all around
Amelia, said her father 'yCl have
been very much in error in supp8siug
that 1T was necessary for you 10 mar
ry despite my consent. z am ready TO
/ give YOU away and have provided your
, dowry."
Father" cried the astonishe6 girl
Z didn't come here to be married.
came on invitation Of Mrs. Har5asty
/ to take afternoon tea
AT this Gfr HardesJy took an inter-
/ est in the proceedings. He said there
must be some mistake since his wife
had gone out and would not ra back
I'LL dinner time
4WelI,' drawled Billie. ssjuce SQUIRE
here, why not get married ana have
done with jt2"
Nr Bowlev. well knowing FiHas
propensity for practical Joking. looked
at her se8rchingIy. She looked very
innocent. but did not undeceIve aim.
He besirated between giving her
severe reprimand and helping her
through with her scheme
r-4s 4
and arose to go She was nor Cna.1ne-
ed thar Amelia was not decelviuE them
There seems to have been some
mistake, said 4Lrs. R0wIev, bIt since
we are all here. ready for a wedding
If YOU two referring to tHe .oEersj
choose to get spiCed, I have no Oh
lection. This episode is bound Go be
known and VIII excite much talk
il is given our that the wedding was
expected by Inc family. 1t wt ao pass
ed off with no especial eauua-. g,
on the contrary. ii becomes known 58zt
pit is the ridiculous affair tt IS we viii
ali the the laughing stock Of the VIZ
II agree with MIR. ROwleE,' said PER
kins Il think we had better have
over with now and here q .-EH-l
wedding would be bore TO me-
But it wouldn't be q bore t1 me.
moaned Amelia.
Il have "a house ready for you pat
in Air. R0wIey, "aud I have HruuEhts
the rest Of your dowry." producing
check for $4,000
The groom, Mr.. R0w}ey and Billie
ali surrounded Amelia and ig time
brought her round 10 immediate nap-
tla1s The ceremony was performed
and the wedding party drove to tas
house Mr.. RoWiey had provided lar MS
a. aa.=