Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-23

as your heart longs for.
"You darling Queenr' and with an
impetuous bound the younger girl was
on her knees with her arms around
Emily, raining kisses upon her lips.
This ELUSIVE show of affection Emily
received with evident pleasure, for,
however dignified she could be in her
bearing, leaving the impression that she
was cold, in reality she was warm heart
cd to degree which would have sur
prised the g5ssips.
Nesting her head in the folds of her
sisters soft silk gown, thus hiding her
face, Dora said timidly:
MAY tell you something, Queen?"
"Ha! You mischief, what have you
to confess now:''
II have invited man to call here"
replied Dora, suddenly raising her head
and speaking with different touch in
her tones.
''Is that ALP" laughed Emily. "Who
is the monster? Where did you meet
himf''
II have met him several times at aft
ernoon teas. The last time he asked me
if he might call, and told him he could
do SO this afternoon-when thought you
would be at home Was it very wrong?"
"Well, Dora, don't think it was ex-
actly proper. but perhaps it may be all
right. since You have met him at several
of our friends houses But what is his
name?''
"Alphonse Thauret.
ga Frenchman?''
eyes, though he speaks English with
only very slight accent
II don't like Frenchmen. I know it
is prepcsterous prejudice, but never
meet one without thinking him a posi-
BILE adventurer. With their soft, syco-
phantic ways, they remind me of cats,
and expect them to show their claws
at any moment. However, pet, perhaps
your Frenchnan will not call, and
them
"Oh, but he will! He said he would
come this afternoon. That is why I
have been so nervous. was afraid you
might be going ont, and''-
"No; will be here to protect You.
Besides I expect Bob at any moment.
He said he would come about noon, and
it is after that already. Perhaps that is
he now. Yes; three rings!'
"Oh, 20 Romeo and Juliet have sig
mails! But jump up, Queen. He must
not catch US lying down and spoon
ing"
A moment later Mr.. Mitchell entered,
to find both girls seated in the most
dignified manner, reading novels. Walk
ing over to Emily, he stopped and kissed
her lightly on the forehead, whispering,
my Queen" Next he patted Dora OH
the head as one would pat child.
Emily, I have taken the liberty of
telling Il friend of mine that he might
| call here You do not mind?"
"Why, Of course not, Roy" She had
made this name fer him by eliminating
the first syllable of his second name,
Leroy. She told him that thus she could
call him King without heralding it to
| the world. Almost Immediately the bell
| sounded again, and Mr.. Barnes was in
troduced. Mr.. Mitchell presented him to
| the two ladies, and then devoted him.
| self to Dora, thus leaving the detective
| perfectly free to converse with Emily.
Being we'll educated and having tray
! eled through EnSlan early in life, Mr..
| Barnes soon made himself at ease and
talked like any society man. Presently
Mr.. Mitchell took Dora to the window
and stood there looking out and chat
! ting, apparently absorbed and unohserv-
ant of the others. Mr.. Barnes decided
that this was his opportunity.
Pardon me, Miss Remsen, and let
the interest Of a collector excuse the i'm
pertinence Of my noticing that beautiful
pin which you wear. Canoes, I think,
are too little appreciated nowadays. They
are passed by, while statuettes bring
fancy prices. Yet does it not require ex,
quisite skill to carve SO small an OBJ.
ject?"
| Il agree with you, Mr.. Barnes, and
am not at all angry with you for admir-.
ing my pin. You may look at it if you
wish. 3" Saying which she took it off and
handed it to him. 1t was the fac-simile
of those which Mr.. Mitchell wore as but
tons, save that 1t bore the image OF
Shakespeare. The cameo was mounted
III gold frame, and surrounded BIZ dia
monds made beautiful ornament.
"You would never guess, Mr.. Barnes,
that that was once an ordinary button:'
MIR. Barnes assumed an expression Of
surprise as though the idea was entirely
new to him. All he said was:
1T may have been button, but sure
~ never an ordinary one.''
well, no, not an ordinary one, Of
course. suppose you know that an
engaged to your friend:"
MIR. Barnes assented with q bow, ant
Emily continued:
Shortly after we became engaged
went to Europe, and while there came
across jeweier who produced the mos
| ,;s,5sN 80