The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-02-10
The Daily Short Story

stairs she said to Dick. The stairs
were shadowy. Dicks heart leap
! ed.
Would you like an ice?" he ask
ed as she dropped down near the
top. She nodded YEARLY and he
went down to fetch one. She got up
and walked along the palm-embow-
cred balcony, looking down upon
the dancers passing the door. Sud
denly she stiffened. Dick was
dancing with Marie!
She dropped into chair, her face
white. Suddenly the man stood be-
fore her. Harriet, he said softly,
you don't think much OF me, do
you?"
Il did," she said duly.
No, you dfdn't-not enough. Har-
riet, can't you give me another
chance in spite of Marie?"
Il hate Marie" Harriet cried We
hemently ''She takes away the
very ones I like most in the world.
Look, now it's Dick. You don't
seem to care. You stand there smil-
ing as if it doesn't matter that my
heart is breaking" Her voice quiz
cred.
Dear little girl" the man ex-
claimed, "do you love this splendid
Dick? 1t was l made him dance
with Marie. 1 wanted this talk
with you.''
You mean-he knows about US ~
mo. l had hoped you'd take me
back-and tell him yourself. Har-
riet, think, I've missed you horri-
bly,. Won't you take me back?"
NO, MOI" she cried. They're
coming up the stairs. GO and take
Marie away. 1 won't talk to her
1 can't. Oh, if you ever liked me at
all-go take her away"
The man looked at her strangely
moment and turned away and left
her. She saw him laugh a NOM
ent with Dick and turn away with
Marie. Dick came to her with white
face and grim mouth.
Harriet, what is that man to
you?" he asked without preamble.
You haven't any right to ask
she said. You went to get me an
ice and you stayed to dance with
Marie. Marie," contemptuously.
He asked me to. He seemed des-
perate. He said it might mean your
future happiness. I'D do any
thing in this world for you, Hair
riet. You know that
Surely this was very different
from the other man. Marie had
tried and Marie had failed. Dick
loved her, Harriet Harriet put out
her hand. Dick took it in his and
drew her down beside him
Harriet, what is that man TO
you?"
''Oh, Dick, he-he-"
Tell me, Harriet
Dick, he's my fatherls she said
tragically.
your father!" Dick felt a wild
impulse TO laugh, but something
tragic in her eyes held him.
"Oh, Dick, 1 loved my dad and
he loved me, and he loved mother
so. How could he let Marie take
her place? He was the only dad
had, and yet he's let me be so lone
lyi And Marie was supposed to
be my best friend and, in one short
week while l was away, they went
off and were married without even
telling me. Can't you understand ."
Yes, dear. You're the one it's
hard on. Your father and Marie
seem happy"
"They are-selfishly."
Marie, perhaps, but not your
father. He wants your forgiveness
They sat together side by side. A
man and a girl came up the stairs
with every intention of having the
top step to themselves. They dis
covered it's occupants and turned
away in time. They were in love
and philosophically went about
finding another dim corner
Harriet" Dick said, will you
marry me?"
Dick had never seen this tremu- !
ious Harriet. They sat quietly side !
by side. Richard kissed her salts {
factorily, and later she stirred AMI ,
brushed her lips shyly against his