Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-03-11

her baggage was Il fabrication. She
was heiress to Il great estate. and rela-
tives, i'll order TO secure ii for them
selves, were cndeavoring to confine her
in an insane asylum. She was flying
to escape the horrible doom.
''Will they not telegraph to the pO-
lice to arrest you OH your entrance TO
the city?' he asked
Il didn't think of that" Her anxiety
was turned to terror.
HIM" said the gentleman. who
seemed to know more of the ways of
the world than the girl. Il must think
of some method by which you can elude
them" He sat for awhile plunged in
deep thought. then added: My coun-
try place is situated ut the next sta
ton. l keep il shut up in winter in
care of man and his wife. We are
about the same height and could wear
each others clothes. What do you say
to getting off there, exchanging gar
ments and going on, l as AlgernOn
Starkweather, you as
Lucy Atterbury. But 1 never, new
er, could put on mems clothes"
Its your only chance"
Mr.. Starkweather finally convinced
Miss Atterbury that donning mems at
tire for few hours was much less to
be dreaded than being shut up in Il lu-
matte asylum. When they reached the
next station, both left the train. Mr..
Starkweather called carriage. and
they drove to the grounds of a palatial
residence surrounded by many acres
laid out in a marvel of landscape gar
dening.
Remain here for a few minutes"
said Mr.. Starkweather, while 1 pre-
pare the way"
Going round TO the rear of the house,
he soon appeared at the front door
alone. Miss Atterbury ahghted and
entered. In an hour the twain reap
peared in vice versa costume. the lady
wearing a beard, the gentleman clean
" shaved. Re-entering the carriage,
they drove to the station, DEPRESSING by
the way in order not to arrive before
the next train. When it came, Mr..
Starkweather engaged Il compartment
which the two entered.
Can ever thank you for your kind
ness?" said Miss Atterbury.
Don't mention it
But it has just occurred to me that
it Is unnecessary to disguise yourself"
81? My disguise is necessary for this
reason: You will surely have to pass
the eye of the police at the Boston de-
pot. 1 shall be in your company. 1t
would never do for me to be known in
this transaction. When l get you
through the depot. shall stand by you
till get you out of the city"
''How will you do that?" asked the
heiress eagerly.
eve shall see"
The train drew up in the depot, and
Mr.. Starkweather gave Miss Atterbury
his suit case to carry. Then. leaning
on her arm, they alighted and were
walking through the depot when they
were stopped by two men.
Rats said one to the other. The
description is nothing like that. This
baby faced fellow doesn't tally at all"
fright you are, but there's something
suspicious about him.
ooh, Bob" asked the lady on his
arm, 'what are they talking about?'
Miss AtteTbury, considering her in
experience in playing such role, car
ried herself so remarkably well that
the men apologized and permitted her
to pass on. Entering a carriage, Stark
weather directed the coachman to
drive to a pier on the bay. When he
arrived there, he scrubbed something
on a bit of paper and hired a boatman
to take it out to a. yacht in the harbor.
When the messenger returned, he
brought the yachts dingey with him.
rowed by a sailor. Starkweather whis-
pered something in his ear. Then the
fugitives got into the dingey and were
pulled to the yacht.
what does all this mean?' asked
Miss Atterbury, astonished.
You shall see as soon as we get
aboard"
On reaching the yacht their apparel
was exchanged. When Miss After
bury left her stateroom and went on
deck, the yacht was skimming along
the surface under a full head of steam.
''Why, Mr.. Starkweather," she ex-
claimed, "what a head you have for
planningI But how did your yacht
happen to be ready at this time of
year? l supposed such craft didn't
come out till May or June"
"Tll tell you" said the gentleman in
whisper, dropping from a well bred
tone to that of low bred Englishman.
''This is Starkweather's yacht. and Pm
his major domo. I've got 10 end Of
bis money in that suit case you lugged
through the depot. l owe you one for
that, and I'll pay it. But, come now.
You're not flying from a lunatic asy-
lum. You're playing game yourself"
The lady chuckled.
Gown up same's I've DONE"
"I'm Miss Atterbury's lady's maid.
and I've got part of her jewels in my
pockets. The rest I'm wearing
''Well. now. we are 'appy pair o.
birds, aren't we?