Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-08
The Daily
Short Story
PLOTTERS OF LOVE.
By Michael ]. Whittine.

BY Michael J. Whittine.
Confess. Mr.. Kerr, that you har.
been warned to avoid me like pestl.
lence."
my dear Miss Prentice"
and to hate me with all the rss.
cor grown from the bitter frsternsI
feud."
Il see you understand the situation.
half smiled Alvin Kerr. but 81 "a
avoiding you," and the bright youn,
man caused Verda Prentice to bluas
under his manifestly ardent gaze. .oe
as to hating so beautiful being" hut
she had put her hands to her ears and
his eulogfes were wasted
And we have met entirely h.
chance" resumed Kerr. land N h
could not very cheerfully see you. oar.
less and drifting to the dam, o nv fak
enemy, let US improve the opportunity
to see il our views as to the peculiar
situation coincide"
VERY good" nodded the sprishtiv
young girl. you tell the story"
ut is soon related" answered Kesr
lover beyond the river is the old RIA.
ley farm. The father died, Leaving
two sons, James and Robert. In hi
will he divided the farm. The word
ing was faulty. and while it gave an
equal number Of acres and a home Ia
each of these persistent bachelors, !
100-foot strip running behind both
farms, and originally appertaining by
deed to the land James inherited.
came into dispute. By right Of orts.
inal deed James claimed it, becausA
for years one-half Of it was accepted
as going with land Robert inherited.
the latter claimed that running behind
his three hundred and twenty acres.
They fought over it, stormed over Il
litigated it. The court divided the
strip equally"
Then they became deadly enemies
Precisely, James Ridley vowed he
would never again speak to his broth.
er. Robert Ridley declared he would
yet possess the entire strip"
my Mr.. Ridley built q new house.,
observed Verda.
And mine followed suit, only big
ger and better one" declared Alvin.
Mr.. Robert Ridley, who was 4
great friend of my dead father, adopt
ed me-"
"And Mr.. James Ridley practically
did the same with me. His purpose, q
l now view it, was to use me as his
heir, so that by no possibility could
his brother ever inherit that unfor.
tunate strip of land"
Alvin had come home from collete
the first time in a year. He had seen
Verda at a distance, but only an hour
previous had come upon her in q ski6
In the river, with both oars floating
away He had rescued her and now
the. harmonious twain, fully aware Of
the wrath of their respective guard
ians were this acQuaintanceship dis
covered, discussed the situation.
There will never be peace between
those two men until that Troublesome
strip of land is out of the way" o..
serted Alvin.
IF we could only devise some way.
to make them friends again!" muir!
INJURED Verda.
Let us try it," suggested Alvir.
eagerly. Il will think out remedy
and am sure that you, with your gen
tie, peace-loving nature, will COOP
crate. Let us once a week, say this
day and hour, meet here and exchange
opinions"
But anywhere else l must view you
with disdain!" warbled verda.
"And l must frown darkly upon
you!" chuckled Alvin.
They made little progress, for the
brothers were set in their prejudicss.
About all for time that came Of the
clandestine meetings at the river
shore was a glowing love romance, 90.
sweet to the satisfied participants
that they closed their eyes to discnv-
cry.
Two incidents occurred, however,
which favored the plans and hopss q
the lovers. Robert Ridley was cut
by scythe one day and would have
bIed to death had not Alvin been lsefs
to succor him. James Ridley, q little
later, was overcome by the heat In ~
field and it was Verda who aided him.
One day Alvin met Verda, his face
aglow with satisfaction.
Il have seen my friend, the surveys
ing engineer" he announced. ats GU
settled"
About the strip OF land?"
"Yes, Verda"-he called her this
now. They put their heads togethsfs
two amiable plotters. The next de1
Alvin approached James Ridley.
1--WE got some news for you,' he N.
nounced. THAT big bone of conten-
ton, the one-hundred foot strip, passes
out Of the situation"
What do you mean" demanded
James Ridley quickly.
They've surveyed it for the new
| railroad"
We'll, they can't have it." !.
you can't prevent them advised
Alvin. If you don't take a fair price.
they will start condemnation process.
ings. Just think, hpugh. the road wiils
| increase the value OF your land 81 per
cent"
1t came about that James and NOD
ert Ridley had to meet to adjust ING
| sale. 1t came bout that Verda ufseo
Robert and Alvin influenced jane
and induced them to bury the hatcns.
"You scheming rascal" decla'nsa
James Ridley, when he learned ts..s
Alvin had influenced the utilization y
the land in contention througn ~
surveyor friend you've been W.
torously plotting with that pretty ",
all the time, Ell. Well. Robert ene :
have agreed to the marriage. VIZ