The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-02
on DUTY.
By Mrs. Clara {. Holmes.
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn

NSCpSA 1O--y ~ W ASSAS@ - -
dictate, Inc.)
Land o. liberty, Olive, aren't
you going to the beach some ear
ly?"
perhaps so, Molly-its half past
six But l mean TO be in prompt
to breakfast. Say" she continued,
CHANGING up to a window at an an
gle above, and lowering her voice
almost to a whisper. Il suppose
you've noticed how attentive he's
been lately. l know you think I'm
foolish: but, honestly, Molly, I'm
getting bored to death with his
everlasting pu1ctiliousness. Here's
where he gets the dodge"
Molly, spinster housekeeper,
laughed a mirthless laugh as she
watched Olive, youthful and lovely,
lightly run down the path to the
beach.
Paul Richmond, having heard the
sound of voices, stood concealed
behind his window draperies. He
heard Molly's blunt question. and
he caught olives veiled reply.
Dazed. he slowly drew back from
the window and sank down upon
his bed>
Then, this was to be the end!
The end OF that spell of delicious
madness, under which for more
than a year the girl had held him
enthralled, He sat motionless for
force of habit, he mocha nically be-
gan to dress.
4 must see less of her" he rea-
soned, struggling to regain self
control. PLAINLY she does not care
for me; and. since she cannot love
me. and l must lose the game, the
only fair thing for me to do is to
take my knockout blow like 4 gem
uine sport"
His thoughts went backward to
the eve before. and he cried aloud:
II see how l was a fool"
Yet he had planned it all so care
fully, He had suggested a walk
on the beach promenade Then,
abruptly, in well chosen words, he
asked her whether she was willing
to discuss a momentouS matter
with him.
What matter, Paul?' she asked,
laughing.
The proposition of taking a COM
mon-place position for life, dear"
"A proposition suggests geome-
try" she teased. giggling.
Her attitude was so disconcert-
ing that he forgot the question as
they came in the rotation of his
plan. In fact. he jumped to the
very last:
May I get you an engagement
ring?"
Her answer was a brisk one
paul, do you think getting mar
ried can be momentous matter
to a phone girl at the beach?
Dearie, let's go up to the casino
and start up the player and dance"
Now this morning Paul strove to
dismiss this incident from his mind. |
He had Numbered, he had lest. but
in this game of games. he deter
mined to take his defeat like a I
gallant knight !
YEARLY the long days of summer |
passed one by one. Stoically Paul |
refrained from intruding upon the |
telephone girls leisure time. Ev- |
erywhere, on the golf links or at |
the casino, she never lacked an es- |
cort. Paul stood back bravely try /
ing to stamp out the green, poison |
envy which continually would ger
inmate and grow within his breast. !
One day. at last, Paul found Olive /
alone in the breakfast room. As his
serious eyes frankly met her laugh
ng ones, he felt the blood rush
ng involuntarily to his face. She
observed, and a look of triumph
fitted over her own.
- She spoke nonchalantly.
paul. Milly actually scorns me
But you did right" he stated,
quietly Soon we both can go
lway and forget" he concluded as
someone came into the room
The next morning, S O'Clock. sharp,
) usual, Paul was at his place q