Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-05-07

long. The times wifi change Let us 60,
and you will have friend when most you
need one''
He shock HIS head sulIenly. Il dare not
90 it, he said. And somehow I got the
idea that he was teliins, the truth and that
1t was not the man IS stubborn nature only
that withstOod the bride and the plea He
spike as Ii he were repeating a lesson and
the master were present.
When she saw that she could not move
him, the anger which Think came moro
naturally to her broke out afresh. You
will not, you bnundr' she cried ..Will
neither threats nor promises move your"
Neither" he answered doggcdly. Il
have my orders
So far had remained n quiet listener
standing in tho mouth of the lane which
opened upon the court where they were.
The women had taken 70 notice of me,
either because they did not see me or be-
cause, seeing me- they thought that was
hanger on of the man bcfcrc them. And
he, having his back TO me aifl his eyes on
them, could not see me. 1t was a surprise
to him-a very great surprise, l think
when took three steps forward and grip
ped him by the scruff of his neck.
"You have your orders, have your"
muttCrcd in his ear as shook him to and
fro, while the taller woman started back
and tine younger uttered a cry of alarm at
my sudden appearance. We'll, you will
not obey them. Do you hear? Your en-
ployer may go hang! You will do just
what these ladies please to ask OF you"
He struggled an instant, but he was an
understood man. and he could not loosen
the hold which had secured at my leisure.
Then l noticed his hand going to his CIR
die in a suspicious way. step that
said flashing before his eyes short, broad
blade which lad cut many n decr's throat
In old Arden forest. You had better keep
quiet, or it will be the worse for you.
Now, mistress" l continued, you can
dispose Of this little man rs you please"
Who are you?' sho said after Il pause,
during which she had stared at me in opcn
astonishnont. No doubt 1 was n wild
locking figure.
"A friend" I replied, ''or ono who
would be such. I saw this follow follow
you, and followed; him. For the last five
minutes l have been listening to your
talk. He was not amenablc to reason then,
but think he will 10 now. What shall
do with him,"
She smiled family, but did not answer
at once the GOODNESS and resolution with
which she had faced him before failing
her now, possibly In sheer astonishmcnt
or because my appearance ut her side, by
removing the strain, sappod the strength.
II do not KNOW she said at length in q
vague, puzzled tone.
Well" answered, "you are going to
the Lion wharf, and
''Oh, you fool!'' she screamed out loud.
"Oh, you fool" she repeated bitterly.
''Now you have told him ALL
l stood COMPOUNDED. My cheeks burned
with shame, and her look OF contempt out
me like a knife. That the reproach was
deserved 1 knew at once, for tho man in
my grasp gave q start, which proved that
the Information was not lost upon him.
''Who told you:'' the woman went on,
clutching the child jealousy to her breast,
as though she saw herself menaccd afresh.
who told you about the Lion wharf,"
Never mind,' answered gloomily.
Il have made mistake, but II is easy to
remedy it, Ard l took out my knife
again. DO you go on and Leave us"
hardly know whether I meant my
threat or no. But my prisoner had no
doubts He shricked out--a wild cry OF
fear which rang round tho empty court
and by a rapid blow, despair giving him
courage he dashed the hunting knife from
my hand. This done, he first flung him
self on me, then tried by sudden jerk to
free himself. In moment we were down
on the stones and tumbling over one an
other in the dir:, while he struggled to
reach his knife, which was still in his Cir
die, and strovc to prevent him. The
fight was sharp, but 1t lasted barely a
minute. When the first effort OF his de-
spair was spent, Icame uppermost, and he
was but "a child IL my hands. Presently
with my knee on his chest, looked up.
| The women were still there, tho younger
| clinging to the other.
Go! Co.. cried impatiently. Each
| second expected the court to be invaded,
| for the man had screamed more than once.
But they hesi:atcd. I had been forced
to hurt him little, and he was moaning
| piteously. Who are your" the elder
woman asked, she who had spoken oil
through.
| Nay, never mind that" answered.
| "Do you go. Go while you can. You
| know the way to the wharf,
Yes" she answered. But ! cannot
go and leave him at your mercy. Rcmem.
Der he is q man and has
He Is a trcaohcrous scoundrel,"I an.
swered, giving his throat a squeeze, ''but
he shall have one more chance. Listen,
sirrah," l continued to the man, land
stop that noise, or 1 VIII knock out your
teeth with my dagger Eilt- Listen and
be silent. shall go with these ladies,
and promise this-if they aro stopped OF
hindered on their way, or II evil happen
to them at that wharf, whose name you
had better forget, 1t will DO the worse fol
! you. Do you hear? You will suffer fol-
it, though there be dozen guards about
you. Mind you," added, IL have nothing
to lose myself. for am desperate already
He vowed, the poor craven, with hi:
suffering tongue, that he would be true
and vowed it again and again. But I saw
that his eyes did not meet mine. They
glanced instead ut the knife blade, and
knew even while pretended to trust hin
that he would betray us. Ny real hops
! c&ssS.atLlk..sgGs.
! Ay ~
| Il NJ. KA