Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-09-14

orably. and l fear, Sylvia. darling. we
have not been quite fair to your ia
Their"
Il think so, too, Paul, and intended
to speak when we went home But
give me your address, so that if we go
away unexpectedly I'll be able to write
to YOU"
Beecot gave her his Bloomsbury ad-
dress ana also that of his old home at
WargrOve, in Essex. Write care of my
mother" he said, land then my father
won't get the letter"
Would he be angry if he knew"
asked the girl timidly.
Paul laughed to himself at the
thought of the turkeycock's rage Il
think he would. dearest" said he, ''but
that does not matter. Be true to me,
and I'll be true to you"
Here the nurse came to turn the Wis
itors away on the plea that Paul had
talked quite enough Debby tlared up.
but became meek when Sylvia lifted a
reproving finger Then Paul asked
Debby to seek his Bloomsbury lodg
ings and bring to him any letters that
might be waiting for him.
On arriving in the room over the shop
they found themselves confronted by
Aaron. who looked less timid than usu-
al ana glowered at the pair angrily.
where have you been, Sylvia?" lie
asked
Father, have been to see Mr.. Bee
cot ut the Charing Cross hospital"
"Why is Mr.. Beecot in the hospital?"
"He was knocked down." said Sylvia
quietly, "and his arm is broken. \ mo-
tor car ran over him in Gwynne street
He wants to see you to tell you that he
lost something"
Norman turned even whittier than he
was by nature, and the perspiration
suddenly beaded his bald forehead.
THE opal serpent he cried.
Eyes, the brooch he showed me-"
HE showed you cried Aaron, with
a groan. and what did he tell you
about it? -what-what-the truth
Or He became passionate.
Debby graspcd Aaron's arm and
whirled him into the middle of the
room like a feather. Then she planted
herself before Sylvia. with her arms
akimbo. and glared like Il lioncss. You
can pinch me. sir, or give me black
eyes and red noses if you like, but no
finger on my precious, if | die for it."
Aaron was staggered by this def
ance and looked fierce for the moment.
Then he became timid again and cast
the odd. anxious look over his shoulder
leave the room, Deborah he said in
mild voice.
The faithful maid replied by sitting
down and folding her arms. Get your
wild horses, sir" she said. breathing
heavily, for only by them will be
tugged away" And she snOrted SO
loudly that the room shook.
"pshawr' said Norman Grossly "Syl-
via, don't be afraid of me-" He wiped
his face neryouSly. Il only want to
know of the brooch. 1 like the opals.
l wanted to buy it from Mr.. Beecot.
He is poOr-he wants money. l can
give it to him for-the-the brooch
He brought out the last word with a
gasp and again glanced over his Shout
der. Sylvia, not at all afraid. ap-
preached and took the old mans hand.
The watchful Deborah moved her chair
an inch nearer, so as to be ready for
any emergency. Dear father" said
the girl, Mr.. Beecot doesn't know
where the brooch is. It was stolen
from him when the accident happened.
If you will see him he can tell you
Not where the brooch is" interrupt
ed Aaron, trying to appear calm.
"Well, well. it doesn't matter" He
glanced anxiously at Sylvia. You be-
lieve me, child, when 1 say it doesn't
matter"
a snort from Deborah plainly said
that she had her doubts. Sylvia cast
n reproving glance in her direction,
whereupOn she rose and committed per-
jury. "Of course it don't matter, sir"
she said in a loud, hearty voice which
made Aaron vince. MY precious be-
lieves you, though lie it might be- But
folk so good as you, sir, who go to
church when there amt any one to
see, wouldn't tell lies without them
a-choking of them in their blessed
( throats.''
''HOw do you know I go to church 2"
! asked Norman, with the snarl of a
, trapped animal.
Z "Bless you, sir, I don't need glarses
at my age, though not so young as
I might be. Church you emily, say
what you may, you being as regular
as the taxes, which is saying much.
Lor' save us all,"
Deborah might well exclaim this
Her master flung himself forward with
Outstretched hands clawing the all
and with his lips lifted like those of
an enraged dog. You she cat" he