Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-01
CHATTER Ky.
''fMYV DON'T wish to talk Of Miss
lIs i Norman" said Paul bluntly.
EcA-Sf Then you can be no true
ts&eSoSs5 Iovpr'' rptorfel the widow

I'M u Il NOIilldll, Sdlu L dul DluAllS
EeHsSf Then you can be no true
kssSs5 lover" retorted the widow.
II disagree with you. A true lover
does not talk to all and sundry con-
corning the most sacred feelings of his
heart. Moreover, your remarks at our
last meeting were not to my taste"
II apologize" said Mrs Krill prompt
ly. land will not offend in that way
again. l did not know you then, but
since Mr.. Hay has spoken about you
to me know and appreciate you, Mr..
Beecot"
But Paul was not to be cajoled in
this manner. The more suave the wo-
man was, the more he felt inclined to
be on his guard and he very wisely
obeyed the prompting of his instinct.
81 fear you do not know me. Mrs.
Krill," said he as coldly as Hay could
have spoken "else you would hardly
ask me to discuss with you, of all peo-
pie. the lady whom | intend to make
my wife"
you are rather Il difficult man to
deal with" she replied, drawing her
thick white eyebrows together. But
L
admire Mr.. Hay. He is not q silly,
useless butterfly like that young lord
there"
"Silly he is not, but doubt his be-
ing useful. SO far as l can see, Hay
looks after himself and nobody else"
HE proposes to look after my
daughter"
80 l understand" replied Beecot
polit,ly. but that is matter entirely
for your own consideration
Mr.. Erin still continued to smile
in h placid way, but she was rather
nOnl,usgd all the same. From the
appeara nee OF Beecot, she had argued
that he was une of those many men
she could twist round her finger But
I've seemed IN be less easily guided
than she expected, and for the mo-
ment she was silent, letting her hard
eyes wander tyWard the card table.
round which sal the four playing an
eager and engroSsing game of bridge.
you don't approve of that, perhaps:"
NO" said Paul calmly; Il certainly
do not"
Are you a Puritan, may l ask"
beeCOC SHOOK Ills nSdu anu lduSucu.
81 am a simple man who tries to do
his duty in this worId,' said he, and
who very often finds it difficult to
do that same duty"
GLOW do you define duty, Mr.. Bee
cot?'
I'VE are becoming ethical" said
Paul, with = smile. 81 don't know
that 1 am prepared with an answer
at present"
Then the next time we meet, for
/ hope" said Mrs. Krill, smoothing
her face to a smile-it had grown
rather somber-"that we shall often
meet again. You must come and see
us. We have taken a house in Ken
sington."
Chosen by Mr.. Hay?"
eyes. He is our mentor in London
society. l don't think added Mrs.
Krill, studying his face, that you like
Mr.. Hay"
''As 1 am Mr.. Hays guest" said
Paul dryly, that is rather an unkind
question to ask
Il asked no question. I simply
make a statement"
beecOt round The conversation rather
embarrassing. In place of his pumping
Mrs. Krill, she was trying to pump him
which reversal of his design he by nc
means approved of. He changed the
subject of conversation by drawing q
powerfully attractive red herring
across the trail. You wish to speak tC
me about Miss Norman" he remarked.
Il do" answered Mrs. Krill, who
saw through his design, but apparent
ly that subject is as distasteful as @
discussion about Mr. Hay"
Both subjects are rather personal,
admit, Mrs. Krill. However, if yor
have anything to tell me which yor
would like Miss Norman to hear l an
willing to listen"
"Ah! Now you are more reasonable
she answered in a pleased tone. 1T i:
simply this, Mr.. Beecot: l am very
sorry for the girl. Through no fault o.
her own she is placed in a difficult posi-
ton. / cannot give her Il name, since
her father sinned against her as h.
sinned in another way against me, bu
/ can. through my daughter, who il
guided by me, give her an income. l
does not seem right that 1 should hav
all this money
'"That your daughter should have al
this money! interpolated Beecot.
'My daughter and are one" repliet
Mrs. Krill calmly. when / speak TO