Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-09-10
CHAPTER LII.
EAR the Temple station OF the
Metropolitan railway is a
small garden which contains

Few flower beds interSeCted by asphalt
paths Here those who are engaged
In various offices round about come to
enjoy rus in urbes. to listen 10 the
gay music And lovers meet here also.
so IT was quite in keeping that Paul
Beecot should wait by the bronze
statues of the Herculaneum wrestlers
for the coming of Sylvia.
On the previous day he had departed
hastily after committing the old man
to Deborah's care. At first he had
fingered to see Aaron revive. but when
the unconscious man came to his
senses and opened his eyes he tainted
again when his gaze fell on Paul. so
he left.
1t was strange that the sight of the
brooch should have produced such an
effect on Aaron, and his fainting con-
flrmed Paul's suspicious that the old
man had not a clean conscience. But
what the serpent brooch had to do
with the matter Beecot could not con-
lecture.
While he was trying to solve the
mystery light touch on his arm made
him wheel round, and he beheid Sylvia
smiling at him.
81 can't stay long" said Sylvia. MY
father is still i'll. and he wants me to
return and nurse him"
HAS he explained why he fainted?"
asked Paul anxiously.
mo; he refuses TO speak on the mat
ter. Why did he faint. Paul?"
The young man looked puzzled,
upon my word don't know" he
+, said. "Just as l was showing him a
brooch wished to pawn he went off"
What kind of a brooch" asked the
girl, also perpleXed.
Paul took the case out of his breast
pocket, where it had been since the
previous day. MY mother sent it to
me-" he explained. You see. she
guesses that am hard up, and. thanks
to my father, she can't send me money.
This piece of iewelry she has had for
many years. but as it is rather old
fashioned she never wears 1t. SO she
sent it to me, hoping that l might get
FLO or so on it. A friend of mine wish
ed to buy il, but l was anxious to get
it back again so that | might return it
to my mother Therefore | thought
your father might lend me money on
it%
Sylvia examined the brooch with
:. Hgreat attention. 1t was evidently of
Indian workmanship, delicately chased
and thickly set with jewels. The SER
pent, which was apparently wriggling
across the stout gold pin of the brooch
had its broad back studded with Opals
large in the center of the body and
small mt head and tail. These were
set round with tiny diamonds, and the
head was of chased gold. with ruby
tongue Sylvia admired the workman
ship and the jewels and turned the
brooch over. On the fiat smooth gol(
underneath she found the initial 'R.'
scratched with pin. This she showed
to Paul. II expect your mother made
this mark to identify the brooch sh'
said.
"My mothers name is Anne" re
piled Paul, looking more puzzled thar
ever-"Anne Beecot Why should sh'
mark this with an initial which ha'
nothing to do with her nameT
perhaps it is present" suggested
Sylvia
Paul snapped the case to and replac
ed it in his pocket. Perhaps it is,
he said However. when | next writ
to my mother I'll ask her where sh
got the brooch. She has had it TO
many years." he added musingly, 80
1 remember playing with it when
small boy"
Don't tell your mother that my ia
Their tainted
"yVhy not? Does it matter?"
Sylvia folded her slender hands an
looked straight in front, of her. Flo
some time they had been seated on
bench in a retired part of the garden:
and the laughter of playing children
the music of the band playing the me-
riest airs from the last musical come
dy. came family to their ears. II thin
It does natter said the girl seriousl.
"For some reason my father wants
keep himself as quiet as possible. Fl
talks of going away"
Going away2 Oh. Sylvia. and 20
never told me-"
'.IIe only spoke of going away whe
came TO see how he was this morl
ing she replied. II wonder If h
fainting has anything to do with tn
determination. He never talked of G
Ing away before.
Paul wondered also. 1t SCENE
strange that after so unusual an ever
the old man should turn restless an
wish to leave a place where he hA
lived for over twenty years. I'll con
and have an explanation" said Pa
after q pause.
II think that will be best. dear. F
Their said that he would like to see yC
again and told Bart to bring you in
he saw you"
I'm call today-this afternoon, ar
perhaps your father will explain. Al
now. Sylvia. that is enough about OF
er people and other things. Let
talk of ourselves
Sylvia turned her face with fol
smile She was delicate and datr
little lady. with large gray eyes al