Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-09-22

who trusted him. Go on, sir. shall not
oppose you. F"
Il am half mind to take you at your
word" cried Maxey, rising and iInpa-
tiently pacing the floor.
81 shall not resist you, sir"
''Do you mean to tell me that you do
not know Of the foul attempt ON this
poor girls life ON the sea road the very
day you disappeared from town.
Mr.. Dye made no reply at once, but a
harsh, grating sound issued from be-
tween his lips. Maxey even Thought he
heard him murmur through his clinched
teeth:
1.-The black heart! The black hearth
But his faded glance was scarcely lift
ed from the forlom hat ere he became
passive again.
II can only say TO you, sir, that /
never heard Of this thing before"
Don't you read the newspapers
Not except by accident. i have no
interest in the world whatever
''Do you never hear people talk:''
~ have heard nobody talk about this,
but / have been away where would be
little likely to"
why did you so away?"
Because it was necessary for me to
have money. have been engaged in an
attempt to raise money by dishonest
means-an attempt which failed as dis
astrously as It deserved. 1t was my be-
lief until l came here that Annette had
indeed voluntarily absented herself from
my abode, Us she had threatened 10 do.
If you will ask the landlord at 40 Flood
street, he viii tell you that l left money
in his charge TO be given TO her if sine
returned during my absence. / had, /
could have, no possible i'll will for that
unfortunate girl. Neither was her life
such that she could have acquired enc
mics You speak in riddles, sir. Would
it be asking too much that you should
tell me the circumstances: But. no; yor
will not do that, for am the man sus-
pected.
u think circumstances warrant n sus-
picion that you know more than you
viii admit. Nevertheless, lest / do an
injustice, will tell you what You ask. .
He told il. Mr.. Dye listened motion
less TIL the end. When it was over, lie
remained silent
Howe yon pething 70 say to this:''
ss5d Aa,ay "Ro you suspect nobody"
81 have nothing 10 say, sir. -
Nothing
Not a word.
Well them" cried Maxey excitedlv.
there is only one course open to me"
He was interrupted by knock at the
door. Annette. whose eyes were rot yet
free from tears, implored his attention
for moment He went into the parlOr
with her.
Miss Maxey. dressed for the street,
sat in one corner of the room, apparent
II preoccupied, though the unusual color
III her cheeks was evidence enough tlrst
she was disturbed by more than ordinary
emotions. The artist barely noticed her.
He was too much under the power Of the
new and conteDding feelings that filled
his soul when Annette spoke 10 him to
heed anything else, for Annette opened
her heart 10 him and laid bare her sweet
and forgiving nature as she never had
done before. And she pleaded for the
token of his regard for her which he was
the least III the world DESTROYS Of grant
ing. But what could he do under the spell
Of her presence: How could he say NO
even when the granting of her prayer
would allow to slip through his fingers
the first real key 10 the mystery Of the
sea road which he felt he bad ever held:
The beautiful face turned toward him so
beseechingly. the dark eyes emphasized
her words SO elogUently that he had no
power to resist.
She could not forge. that Nr Dye had
brought her up, had given her a home:
that he stood To her III place of a father.
She could not bear 10 think of his being
prosecuted or molested on her account.
If he would not speak. lei Kim remain
silent. The past was passed. Would not
Mr. Maxey give her his promise not to
follow up that dark matter further: Mr..
Maxcv did not want 10. bu. for her sake
Mr.. Maxcy would, and he did.
~ promise YOU" he said at length.
Il will detain him no longer. will
tell him that he is at liberty to 60 where
he pleasss, and that ! do it for his
daughters sake"
Va, HO, l'ie1>t tuil tell MIN mat
1t is not necessary that he should know
that interceded for him. ! would rath-
CT not "
Very well then" said Maxey. so
be il. :"
He left the room and dismissed Mr..
Belfry from his post in the hall
As he was holding the door open for
the sly landlord TO pass ont, Miss Maxey
swept by him on her way 70 the street,
and as she went she flashed into her
brother s face look Of mingled pity and
contempt which made him feel decided
~ uncomfortable.
"She thinks have yielded TO Annette
too readily" he reflected, land no
doubt she is right No doubt have"
Still he could not retract his promise
now. He went into the room where the
somber man still sat
''Mr. Dye, have only one more ques-
ton to ask You Have you told me ev-
erything which you believe it is neces-
sary for me as the guardian Of Annette
to know:''
''Sir, ! have nothing more to say"