Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-17

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ETY.. I quoted the bedside Theobaid.
but Raffles did not smile. His eyes
had been downcast all this time, and
now when he raised them 1 perceived
that my comfort had been administer
ed to deaf ears.
"Do you know who she isl" said he.
mot from Eve"
Jacques Saillard," he said as though
now must know.
But the name left me cold and stolid.
1 had heard 1t, but that was all. 1t
was lamentable ignorance, am aware,
but 1 had specialized in letters at the
expense of art.
"You must know her pictures" said
Raff1es patiently. But 1 suppose you
thought she was a man. They would
appeal to you, Bunny. That festive
piece over the sideboard was her work
Sometimes they risk her at the acad-
envy; sometimes they fight shy. She
has one of those studios in the same
square. They used to live up near
Lords"
My mind was busy Frightening dim
memory Of nymphs reflected in woody
pools. "Of course" l exclaimed and
added something about "a clever WON
an" Raffies rose at the phrase.
"A clever wonnan!" he echoed scorn-
fully. IF she were only that, / should
feel safe as houses. Clever women
can't forget their cleverness. They car
ry it as badly as boy does wine and
are about as dangerous. l don't call
Jacques Saillard clever outside her art,
but neither do 1 call her a woman at
all. She does mans work over q mans
name, has the will OF any ten men 1
ever knew, and 1 don't mind telling
you that fear her more than any per-
son on Gods earth. l broke with her
once" said Raff1es grimIy, "but know
her. If l had been asked to name the
one person in London by whom 1 was
keenest not to be bowled out, l should
have named Jacques Saillard."
That he had never before named her
to me was as characteristic as the
reticence with which Rallies spoke of
their past relations and even of their
converse ton in the back drawing room
that evening. 1t was a question of
principle with him and one that like
to remember. Never give a woman
away. Bunny" he used to say, and he
said it again tonight. but with a heavy
cloud upon him, as though his chivalry
was sorely tried.
That's all right" said l, eff you're
not going to be given away yourself"
That's just it. Bunny; that's just
The words were out of him; it was
too late to recall them. 1 had hit the
nail upon the head.
so she threatened you," said, did
she?"
Il didn't say So" he replied coldly.
"And she is mated with a clown!
pursued.
How she ever married him." he ad-
mitted. lis mystery to me-"
at always is.' said ], the wise man
for once and rather enjoying the role.
Southern blood?'
Spanish
SHELL be Fostering you to run OF
with her, old chap" said 1.
Rafiies was pacing the room. He
stopped in his stride for half a second.
So she had begun Fostering him al
ready, 1t is wonderful how acute any
fool can be in the affairs of his friend.
But Raffies resumed his walk without
a syllable, and / retreated to safer
ground.
$50 you sent her to Earrs Court" I
unused aloud, and at last he smiled.
You'll be interested to hear, Bunny
said he. that I'm now living in Seven
Dials. and Bill Sykes couldn't hold a
farthing dip to me. Bless you, she had
my old police record at her fingers
ends, but it was fit to frame compared
with the one 1 gave her. had sunk as
low as they did. / divided my nights
between the open park and thieves
kitchen in Seven Dials. If was de-
Gently dressed it was because I had
stolen the suit down the Thames val
ley beat the night before last. I was
On my way back when first that sleepy
square and then her open window
proved too much for me. You should |
have heard me beg her to let me push |
On to the devil in my own way. There |
[ spread myself, for / meant every |
word, but 1 swore the final stage would |
be six foot DROP
'Yoa did lay it on" said I.
cit was necessary, and that had it's |
affect She let me go. But at the last |
she said she didn't believe 1 |
was so black as I painted myself, and |
then there was the balcony scene you |
missed
So that was all. 1 could not help tell
ing him that he had got out of it better
than he deserved for ever getting in.
Next moment 1 regretted the remark.
III have got out Of It," said Raff1es
1--WE are dreadfully near
neighbors, and can't move in a min
ute, with old Theobald taking grave
view Of my case. suppose 1 had bet
Ier lie low and thank the gods again
Tor putting her off the scent for the
lime being"
No doubt our conversation was car
lied beyond this point, but it certainly
vas not many minutes later nor had
We left the subject when the electric
oell thrilled us both to a sudden silence.
''The doctor?" 1 queried, hope fight
ng with my horror.