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

tions. Indeed 1 had rnysclf no more lei
sure than enabled me to notice their gen
eral appearance, which was that of COM
Portable trafiesmens women folk. Their
clcaks and hoods were plainly fashioned
and OF coarse stuff; their shoes were thick
and no jewel or scrap Of lace peeping out
betrayed them. Yet there was something
IN their carriage which could not be hid
jen, something which, to my eye, told
tales, so that minute by minute l became
,aorc sure that this was really an adven-
ture worth pursuing, anu that London had
kept reward in store for me besides Its
oG,d stones and inhospitable streets.
The city was beginning TO rouse itself.
As we fitted through the lanes and alleys
wt.rh lie between Cheapside and tho river
We met many people, chiefly of the lower
classes, on their way to work. Yet in spite
of this We had no need tn fear observation,
fo-, though the morning was fully come,
with the light had arrived such q thick,
choking, yellow fog as !, being for the
most part country bred, had never expe-
rienced It was so dense and binding that
we had a difficulty in keeping together
and even hand ~ hand could scarcely see
one another. In Iry wonder how my com
panions found their way presently failed
to notice their condition and only remark
ed tho distress and exhaustion which one
of them was suffering when she began.
notwithstanding all her efforts, to lag be-
hind. Then l sprang forward, blaming
myself much. Forgive me-" said.
You are tired, and no wondor. Let me-
carry the c;iid, mistress.
Exhausted rs she was, she drew away
from inc jca,ously.
No" she painted. "Wc are nearly
Z l.
ed the child closer to her, as though she
feared might take it from her by force.
well, If you will not trust me-" an
swrod, 'lct your friend carry it for time.
can SEQ you arc tired out"
Through the mist she bent forward and
pecrcd into my face, her eyes scarcely n
foot from mine. The scrutiny seemed to
satisfy her Sho drew a long breath and
held out her burden. No." she said.
lyon shall take him. I will trust you"
/ took the little wrapped up thing as
gently as could. You shall not repent
it if can help it. mistress
''Bertram,' She said.
mistress Bertram,' repeated "Now
let us get on and lose no time
a walk of a hundred yards or SO brought
us clear Of the houses and revealed before
US, In place Of all else, n yellow curtain Of
fog. Below this, at our feet, yet apparent
ly a long way from us, was a strange, pale
line of shimmering light, which they told
mo was the water. At first could hardly
believe this. But, pausng a moment
while my companions whispered together,
dull creakings and groanings and uncouth
shouts and cries, and at last the regular
beat of oars, came to my ears out of tho
bank Of vnpor and convinced mo that wo
really Ind rho river hpfGra
Mistress Bertram turned to me abrupt
ly. Listen" she said, ''and decide for
yourself, my friend. We arc close to the
wharf now, and In a few minutes shall
know our fate. 1t Is possible that We may
be intercepted at this point, and If that
happen IL will DO bad for mo and worse
for any one aiding me. You have done us
gallant service, hut you are young, and
l am loath to drug you into perils which
do not belong to you. Take my advice,
then, apd leave as now. would could
reward yor," she added hastily, ~bus that
knave has my pnrse."
put the child gently back into her
arms. ''Goodby," sho said, with moro
feeling. I'VE thank you. Some day l may
return to England and have ample pow
er'-
mot SO fast" answered stiffly. Ibid
You think it possible, mistress, that
would desert you now? gave you back
the child only because 1t might hamper
me and will DO safer with you. Come,
let us on at once TO the wharf"
"You mean itf" she said.
"Of o certainty!' I answered, settling
my cap on my head with perhaps q boyish
touch of the braggart.
At any rate, she did not take me at once
at my word, and her thought for me touch
cd me the moro because judged her-I
know not exactly why-to be q woman not
| ovcrprone to think Of others. "Do not
be reckless" she said slowly, her eyes in
| tcntly fixed on mine. II should be sorry
to bring evil. upon you. You are but q
boy"
And yet" answered smiling, "there
Is as good as price upon my head already.
| should be reckless If staid here. If you
will take me with you, let us go. We have
| loitered too long already"
She TUNED then, asking no questions,
| but she looked at me from time to time in
puzzled way, rs though she thought she
ought to know meas though reminded
her Of some one. Paying little heed to
this then. hurried her and her compan-
| ion down to the water, traversing n stretch
| of foreshore strewn with piles Of wood and
stacks of barrels and old rotting boats, be-
tween which tho mud lay deep. Fortu-
nately it was high tide, and so we had not
far to 60. In q minute or two I distin-
| guished the hull Of ship looming large
through the fos. and a few more steps
| placed US safely OH floating raft. on the
far side of which the vessel lay moored.
| There was only one man to DO seen
lounging on tho raft, and the ncighbor-
hood was quiet My spirits rose as looked
round Is this the Whelp:" the tall lady
| asked. had not heard the other open
her mouth since tho encounter in the
court.
"Yes, it Is the Whelp, madam" the
man answered, saluting her and speaking
formally and with foreign accent.
You arc the lady who Is cxpected2"
II am" she answered. with authority.
''Will you tell the captain that desire to
sail Immediately, without q moments de-
lays Do you undcrstands'
We'll. the tide is going OUT" quoth the
sailor obviously, looking steadily into the
fog. which hid tho river. 1t has just