Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-01
t he Daily
Short Story
PROBLEM SOLVED.
BY Pauline Edwards.

| a man who had accumulated a large
fortune. boarding money had become
second nature to him and now as
an old man he had fixed plans for
boa daughter and money. She mus,
marry and have heirs to inherit his
wealth. He would make will tying
up the property to her and her chill
dren, the husband to have absolutely
no claim upon It.
| His one stumbling block was. tha,
! Madge was very h;.rd TO manage. Ea
gave her perfect liberty in her selec.
/ ito nof husband but since she was
| not in love or the man she wanted
failed to propose, she did not make
| choice of anyone.
| She was scolded by her father till
she became desperate and decided
upon Jack Fisher, who she knew was
really in love with her and not with
the money.
| She allowed him to be devoted to her
I for some time and her father was
/ feeling quite encouraged. when SUD
denly Fisher stopped coming to the
house except occasionally. and the old
man was made positively Ill by Madge's
Discrimination to select a husband
| Hope sprang up again In the old
man when Tom Martin, chum of Jack
Fishers, became a devoted slave TO
his daughter.
Deep in her own heart Msdge knew
she had made choice The man was
~f-fsn 10
fascinating and considered a good
sport among the young people. Madge
often met him socially, and had mo.
tored with him occasionally.
Not being an advanced woman" she
could not plead her own cause. and
jyet here was the solution by which
she might be satisfied with a hus
band and her father restored to health
Finally in a state Of desperation she
went to the Office OF Robert Morris
described to him the predicament she
was in and asked him as a lawyer to
| tell her some way in which she could
be married to either Jack or Tom. BY
which, if her father recovered; she
could have the marriage easily an
nulled.
The young lawyer assumed very
/ grave look and assured her that he
would look up the matter and report
to her within a few days. Just before
+ she left the Office he asked:
/ Is there anyone whom you prefer
to the two men you have mentioned?p
! A vivid flush covered the girls face
at the unexpected question, and with
a startled look in her eyes she made
q hasty exit.
| More than week passed and Madge
heard nothing from her lawyer.
I A day or two later the doctor re-
1 ported to her that her fathers mind
must be relieved Of worry or he would
not answer for the results.
u think he will recover If you will
crafty his wish and marry"
After the doctors departure, Madge
determined to consult the young law
yer once more.
She told him she must decide be-
tween her two suitors at once.
Il have looked the matter IN and
advise you TO have what is called a
mock marriage" he said.
Madge looked very grave for while
there had been dim hope in her mind
! that he might solve the problem by
| proposing to her himself.~ Then she
said: Suppose neither of the men
will consent to such PLAN"
no harm to try them
If either one consents will you be
present at the ceremony"
Decidedly l will be there. I must
see to it that you fall into no Legal
error
| At this moment a thought flashed
into Madge's mind She told Mr.. Nor
ris 10 be at her house at 5 o'clock the
next evening.
I AT the appointed hour his motor car
appeared before the house and he was
shown into d reception room where
he was confronted by Madge.
Where is the groom?' ne asked.
Il sent for both grooms this after
noon, explained to them my predica-
ment and begged either one to help
me out, but both seemed much Of
Tended
Then as your lawyer said Morris,
81 am bound TO help you out. [ have
longed to settle the problem for YOU
by offering myself, but one fears IN
| these days, where much wealth is in
vclTed, TO be looked upon as for
tune hunter. If you believe me not
to be that Madge. but loving YOU for
your own sweet self we might have
real ceremony instead of the mock
one"
Her happy look and smile we're suf-
hcient answer.
An hour later clergyman arrived
ard the party went up to the Invslin-s
broom where Madge announced to her
father that she was to marry Mr. Nor
ris
But, Madge, I understood your
| choice was between the other two
young mem"
Madge flushed, Well father. that
was because Air Morris didn't ask me.
She came TO my Office and asked
tne." said Robert.
Well. we'll, said Mr.. Clark, Il don't
care who did the asking. you two Just
kneel down her and have the knot
tied, then I'll take nap"
Ii the course of a month he was
able to attend to his business again.
and when the first grandson arrived
settled a large portion of his fortune
Of land north of the present city limits