Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-24


word or two of commendation she re-
turned to the sitting room. Here she
played game of patience, arranged
the tea things, although 1t was yet
early, and finally settled down to one
of Mrs. Woods interesting novels.
Deborah had lighted cheerful fire
before she went that her mistress
might be comfortable. so Sylvia
sat down before this and read for
an hour, frequently stopping to think
OF Paul and wonder if he would come
at the appointed hour of 4 or earlier.
What with the warmth and the read
ing and the dreaming she fell into a
kind of doze, from which she was
awakened by sharp and peremptory
knock. Wondering if her lover had
Unexpectedly arrived, although she did
manner, Sylvia rubbed the sleep out
of her pretty eyes and hurried to the
door. On the steps she came face to
face with Miss Maud Krill.
DO you know me- Miss Norman?"
asked Maud, who was smiling and
s,ave. though rather white in the
face
'Yes. You came with your mother
to Gwynne street" replied Sylvia.
wondering why she had been honored
with Il visit.
"Quite so. May have few min
utes' conversation with you?"
Certainly" Sylvia saw no reason
to deny this request, although she did
not like Miss KriH. But Ii struck her
that something might be learned from
that young woman relative to the MUIR
| der and thought she would have some
| thing to tell Paul about when he ar
rived.
Are you quite alone?'' asked Maud,
! entering and seating herself in the
| chair near the fire.
quite" answered Sylvia stifl1y and
wondering why the question was ask
ed-"that is, the four washerwomen
are in the place at the back. But
Mrs. Tawsey went to your house tC
see her sister"
'-She arrived before 1 left" said
Maud coolly. Il saw them Quarreling
in a most friendly way Where is Mr.
Beecot?"
Il expect him later"
"And Bart Tawsey, who married
your nurseT
! LIE is absent on his rounds. May
ask why you question me in this
way, Miss Krill?' asked Sylvia coldly
Because l have much to say to yor
which no one else must hear" was the
calm reply. Dear me. how hot this
fire isr' And she moved her chair
so that it blocked Sylvia's way to the
door; also Miss Krill cast glance a
the window. 1t was not snibbed, an6
she made a movement as if to go t.
4 it; but. restraining herself. she turne;
her calm, cold face to the girl. g.
have much to say to you" she re
lpeated.
! Indeed" replied Sylvia politely, I"
don't think you have treated me 81
/ well that you should trouble to con
verse with me. Will you please to b
brief? Mr.. Beecot is coming at 4
and he will not be at all pleased t
see you"
Maud glanced at the clock. wv
have an hour" she said coldly. Il
is Just few minutes after 3. NJ.
business will not fake long" she ado
ed. with an unpleasant smile.
,"What is your business?" asked Syl
via uneasily, for she did not like tn
smile.
eff you will sit down, I'll tell you"
, Miss Norman took chair near tn
60, how let n
} was possible in so small a room
Maud took from her neck black sill
handkerchief which she wore. evident
e ~ as a protection against the colo
i and, folding it lengthwise. laid
across her lap. Then she looked a
r Sylvia in cold, critical way. "Yo
i are very pretty, my DEAR" she sal
G insolently
Ibid you come to tell me that?
r asked the girl, firing up at the tone.
II mo. l came to tell you that m
mother was arrested last night for th
r murder of our father"
y "Oh," Sylvia gasped and lay bac
on her chair, "she killed him. tha
8. Icrnel woman
II she did notv' cried Maud passion
h ately. My mother is perfectly innt
"A cent My mother did not kill our f,
T 'ther." -
II MY father, not yours" said sylvi
d firmly.
How dare you! Lemuel Krill wa
r my father"
l. No." insisted Sylvia. 81 don
e know whp your father was. But froI
-iyour age know that you are not
leave my age alone, cried {
other sharply.
. 81 won't talk. to you at ALL" sa
: Sylvia. rising.
), "Sit down and listen. You, sh;
l. hear me. / ara not going to let Il
mother suffer for deed she new
committed, nor am / going to let "
have the money"
"It's mine"
III cit is not, and you shall not get 4
Is "Paul-itr, Beeeot will assert I
d rights."l
a. Twill he indeed?" said the 9TH
" with a glance at the clock. "We'll S
'. about that. There's no time to
lost. / have much to say
:. that non int mo