Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.
An INTERRUPTED WEBBING.

in tho south his spies in New York dis
covered little or nothing against the
persons whom they had been charged to
watch. Indeed from the standpoint Of q
detective the actions Of all had been
most uninterestinG. The usual round Of
social affairs, the customary number Of
theater or opera parties. the regular aft
ernoon teas-in fact, the ordinary routine
life OF the man or woman Of fashion
was all that could be observed. Yet of
course these weeks did not pass without
any occurrence Of note. Tie chief enc
perhaps was the naming Of the day
upon which the wedding of Mr.. Mitchell
and Miss Remsen was to occur. This
was May 5, tie very day upon which
Mr.. Barnes would reach New York with
Mr.. Neuilly.
Thus fato seemed hurrying Gu eli
max which WIS to occur Gu the wedding
day. In New Orleans a detective was
seeking evidence upon which lie hoped
to convict "a man Of the heinous crime OF
murder, while III New York Il beautiful
woman was bcstowins her faith upon
this same man, and, with the assistance
of many fingers, preparing to bedeck
herself III bridal finery for his delecta-
ticn. Meanwhile the man himself acted
most unconccrnedly. He seemed to cen
slider himself beyond the risk OF danger.
and he accepted his happiness as does
enc who had hororsbly earned it.
OF much interest to Us, in tie light
OF fast approaching events, was the Gu
rious conduct Of Dora Rea.sen during
this period. 1t will be remembered that
Mr.. Randolph had lost all opportunity
of declaring himself, ard that he warn-
cd the young lady against Dir. Thauret
as one not to be trusted. This kind Of
advice, it is to be presumed, is offered
by the one giving it, with some idea,
however distant, that it may be accept
cd Yet the histories Of many lives
would show that only a email percent
age Of similar advice has over been re-
Ccived with aCguiesceuce. Indeed, il
might also be said that many pcrsoEs
have hecn buried into each others
arms by the interference Of wiscacras,
when perhaps, if left to themselves,
they woa!d have drift2i apart. At least
tO ~ scCii!tu III l.lis Case.
Mr.. Thaurot lad .lCcCue not only a
constant visitor 1T the houso of Tie
kcinscns, but he seemed 4 welcome
one. he certainly was most entertain
ing man. and his manners utterly unap-
proachablc. Go had travelled. ana not
only had seen the world. but k:d OBJ
served il. which is another thing. The
II ~ tI,is, 10, L. L. &
narrative always at his disposal, and his
conversation was SO attractive that he
easily mcuopoliZcd the attention Of a
coterie ut any social gathering Mr.
Randolph noted with growing uneasi-
ness that Dora was always one of the
group who listened to these tales. What
disturbed hin most was that after the
greatest amour. Of time spent and vast
ed in seeking some fragrant defect in
the mans character he was at last COM
PEELED to acknowledge to himself that
no had nothing against Mr.. Thauret
except prejudice. But that prejudice
was as great if not greater than ever.
He determined at length to speak to Mr..
Mitchell about it, and did SO one after.
noon when the rooms were crowded,
his rival being as usual the center Of an
attentive group.
Mitchell, he began, chow the deuce
did that fellow Thauret get into this
family"
Dora met him somewhere, I believe.
why?"
why? Can you ask that:"
ss(Ian To Wh1 cor,a,,,11, oop a; :
ask you Why
~ declare, Mitchell, you are either as
blind as bat or else you have eyes on.
" for Miss Emily. Don't you see the
danger that the younger sister is in, as.
sociating with that mani"
"Well. now, Randolph, to be candid,
must admit / do not see the danger.
What is it?''
"Why. suppose-suppose she fell il
love with him? Suppose she married
himr'
"Well, what then?'
"What then? You would provoke 9
saint. You talk ls coolly about tina,
child's throwing herself away on "a
nobody-as though we We're discussing
shot at billiards.
Randolph, my friend, let me give
you a bit Of advice. When a man wish
es to marry girl, there are two i'm.
portant rules which he must observe
and both of them believe you havs
neglected.
"what do you meant"
Before I explain let me ask you o
question. Am right in supposing thai
you wish to marry Dora yourself:"
"Well, that is rather pointed. How
ever, will admit the truth. Iwoult
be happy to have her love-"
every well. will tell you these two
rules. The first is, Never speak i'll Of
your rival The second is, Don't be
too late asking for the young lady,"
Randolph looked at Mr.. Mitchell {
moment intently, then offered his hand
which was grasped warmly. BE said
simply, II thank you," and walked
over to tho group where Dora was. Aft
er awhile, taking advantage of an op
Fortune lull, he leaned over her and said