Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-29

Ior the first time. And vet how was il
possible for her to have seen SO striking
FACE and have forgotten the place and
the circumstances? The same hasty scru.
tlny which showed her this showed he,
also that the woman was richly, even
iavishly, attired, and that, though she
might be between 80 and 40, she was
still young, still fascinating.
Men would like her." thought the
artists sister, in spite of the cynicism
and dlsdain that spoil the face for me. -
And thinking this she went on, vainly
trying to stimulate the passive senti-
ment that rose in her mind at the sight
OF this new countenance into active rec.
objection.
AS for the other occupant of the car.
rage, Ellen hardly noticed her. Yet she
knew, III mechanical way, that she was
young, not more than 20, perhaps much
less; that she had smiling, pretty face,
OF much the same type of beauty as the
more mature features beside her.
As Ellen passed that point in the
street where the vehicle stood her strain
ing ears caught only six distinct words
IN woman s voice:
1t Will admit of no DELAY"
MI. Dyes response was inaudible.
This was all that she, without betray-
ing an interest in the affair beyond that
OF chance passer, was able to rescue
out of the whole conversation. She was
so careful not to do this that she even
refrained from looking around after she
had passed the carriage. In truth. it was
not until she had nearly reached the
corner vi tho street. and the sound of
wheels on the hard stones warned her
that tho carriage had started ahead. that
she again ventured to satisfy her curl
osity.
A rather curious state of affairs pre-
sented itself to her view when she
turned The carriage had indeed re-
sumcd its onward course in the same di
recrIon as before, but Mr.. Dye had faced
about and was preceding it upon the
sidewalk little distance in front. The
snow was now beginning to fall more
thckly, and Ellen felt that there was
serious danger of losing sight of the
people III whom she was SO greatly in
terested
Undoubtedly when the carriage cot to
the top of the hill it would drive ON mt
much more rapid rate. She uuickened
her footsteps and crossed the street so
as to be upon the same side with Mr..
Dye. By this time the trio had reached
the top of the deciivity and We're going
down on the other side Ellen fastened
forward, keeping as much as possible
out of sight behind the occasional pedes-
trlan. But before she reached the end of
the thorouShfare all anxiety that the
carriage would drive on out of her reach
had left her. She began to understand
the situation. Whoever the women in
the carriage might be they We're evident
~ afraid or ashamed Of being seen in
company with the forlorn DYE. And vet
1t was very important that he should 90
along with them. They dared not take
him into tbs vehicle, so they had COM
promised the matter by causing him to
walk short distance ia advance. No
body would think that this wocbecone
raganuffin who walked could have any
possible connection with the elegantly
dressed ladies who rode.
Mr.. Dye must know the way. then.
perfectly well. Undoubtedly, for he
turned the corner without looking back,
and the vehicle in its succession
promptly wheeled about into the same
avenue. Ellen perceived this with an
increasing glow at her heart and the
most bewildering speculations i'll her
head.
The snowflakes came more thickly.
and the young woman who had taken
upon herself the bold and masculine task
of following the sonber DYE kept as
close as she dared to her unconscious
victim lest some significant circumstance
should escape her observation. But no
significant circumstance occurred
The carriage and the man went on
steadily, without any further intercourse
or interchange of any possible signs,
through the network of city streets to
some definite destination
This can see very clearly" thought
Ellen. But why. if this woman is so
afraid Of attracting observation. did she
not send this man about by another road
and drive on at n natural pace? People
must think it strange to see her walking
her horse in the midst of a heavy snow
storm. Evidently she mistrusts him.
Evidently he fears her This is most
inexplicable affair"
The carriage at last turned into a
broad avenue lineNwith elegant houses.
1t was, in truth, one of the most aristo-
cratic streets of the city. and the house
before which the vehicle eventually
stopped was not eclipsed by any of its
neighbors.
Mr.. Dye had already mounted the long
flight of brownstone steps, had opened
the outer door and gone in out of sight
of anybody in the street It was not to
be supposed that he had entered the
house, however, for all of these resi-
dences were protected by double doors.
separated by vestibule Mr.. Dye, in all
was waiting in the inner
space for his fashionable patrons to come
up and admit him. Almost at the mo-
ment the carriage wheels grated against
the curbstones i'll front of the house a
serving man came up out of door uH-
derneath the steps, and after helping the
ladies' ont rrpf i,,fn fbn .,,,,tx- c,,& c,,.J