Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-01-23
THE Trouble With DAN

lCOpyr1RnI, LUZ, 1. u MCCluTe-l -
1t was a wet night, very wet and
I chill, although the fine rain barely
made the cutters run. A saturating
night, deceptive to the eye and bring
| ing woe to those unguarded souls who
! braYed its seeming mildness scorning
umbrella or macintosh.
In the house of Finch Macomber all
was hospitality and cheer. The volume
of many cordial voices mingling with
the strains of the city's choicest orches-
/ ira poured out into the gloom as the
doors opened TO admit we'll covered
/ figures whose somber wrappings gave
little hint of the rich apparel beneath.
! She who a half hour ago was JUS
| tina Macomber, now to be known as
Mrs. Almon Hartwell, stood, bright
| eyed and smiling, by her husbands
side. Her hand ached from many fer
vent graspS; her round cheeks blushed
from many kisses. welcome and other
wise. She Ionged for the moment
when escape would be hers, and with
Almon's arm about her they might
hear the shutting of another carriage
door and speed away upon life's happy
| journey.
The man at the door was still busy,
although that lull had come between
general arrival and departure. At first
his broad, clean shaven face had borne
q grin of polite welcome. Now it was
grave and worried. and he glanced fire.
uuentIy over his shoulder to scan the
throng crowding the rooms behind.
Many knew the old family indoor
man and nodded at him Familiarity,
wondering at his perturbed look. Then
his mistress came up.
Whats the trouble, Dan? Tired
out?"
mo, num-"
Anything go wrongT'
"No, mum; but there's a-many people
here. Most of 'em 1 know. Some of
'em 1 don't. I'm frettin' lest you may
have somethin' stole. num-"
Mrs. Macomber chuckled. "There
isn't the slightest danger, Dan. What
with an officer watching the presents
and a detective keeping his eye on
things, we needn't worry, l guess
Why don't you go now and get bit to
eat and n cup OF coffee? You haven't
sat down since morning. I'll tell Mary
10 take your place"
"No. NUM- Not till they're all gone,
num-"
You're foolish" said the lady and
moved away.
Maybe" muttered the old man,
leaning one thick shoulder against the
wall "rhe bobby's n weary boy he's
told me- Three nights now and not
slccpin' well. Dan he says to me
this noon, L dread the evenin'. IT'S
hard for one pair of eyes to cover a
mob. Two of us is one too few says
he. but Mr.. Macomber gives me the
grand laugh. and I'll have to tend bar
alone And it's so.
1.-THE detective? 4 needle in a hay
stack, oh, well, there'll prob'ly be
nothin' happen. Ali, but to think of
Miss Tina a-Iavin' us. And to stop and
kiss old Dan GoOdby when she starts
for the church, all in her weddin' gown
like the angel she is. a baby when l
first come twenty year ago to work on
the bosses. Liked me, she did, and
twas Dan, DAM till was like a nurse
gal and in the house helpin'. And me,
three months after a ring fight. Twas
time l quit; too old, too old. Lucky
I've been to get where L am and no
one suspectin'. Still, twas an honest
trade, and only now and then I'd meet
a man. A waiter, a coachman, train
er. q fighter, n hostler, a nurse gal-he
-he-and now a nice respectable old
butler man mindln' the door and every
thing else. Sure, it's n curious round,
a bloomin' queer one. Father Il Yam
kee, mother English, me born in Aus
-, IN-tcn in l.,
sas City and now for twenty year a
New Yorker, decent and layin' UP coin.
Dan. you're not q bad sort to do so well
by your gray hairs"
These reflections, cut short by a
burst Of shouting mirth, a rush Of feet,
4 shower of rice and Il flying slipper,
changed to swift attention. Dan closed
the portal after the fleeing couple and
watched the scattering TO the dressing
rooms, for the exodus was at hand.
The crowd began TO thin with Dams
rapid dispositions. \ heavy set man,
with his overcoat collar high turned to
his ears. pressed close upon the heels
of the Drayton party. There was a
sudden stoppage. Dams watchful eye
narrowed sharply. The old servants
hand stole cautiously up the back Of
the overcoat beside him to touch the
hair and lift it slightly with an unfelt
finger.
Wig" he growIed to himself, and
cropped. By
Right aIong-' sounded his pleasant
call, and with the movement his foot
went out. The gentleman beside him
stumbled and clicked his teeth with
an exclamation.
Beg PARDON said the butler and
caught him gently around the body,
but with hands that ran searchingly
and pressed on curious hard knobs.
Go on. please" entreated Dan calm
", dropping his right arm and slipping
TO the left and forward. Not hurt, sir,
l hope:"
A mumbled No" with a shake OF
the lowered head.
do move or1tf' cried the butler 81