Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-31

turn 10 Withdraw their money. Pay
ing tellers worked with elaboration
that was maddening. Some days only
half a dozen people would be paid off
but still tie line increased, hoping
against hope. For two days and nights
the figure of young girl had been
noticed. She was slowly working her
way to the front At 2:45 p. N. Cd
the third day she was admitted to the
bank and withdrew her entire account.
To avoid confusion depositors were
admitted at one door and passed out
through side entrance, and as she
emerged from the latter she cast hur-
ried glance about her, She gave a
sigh of relief when she saw that she
was quite alone and apparently I'M
noticed. Then suddenly a tall man
appeared in the doorway behind her.
Lillian Burkhart trembled as she
clutched the roll of bills. her teeth
chartered, the color faded from her
cheeks, and she was conscious that her
hands trembled visibly. The man look
ed at her sharply. stepped forward
and asked if he could be of service to
/ her
You seem to be in trouble. Can
do anything for you?" he asked. with
| some concern.
You can so away" she managed to
arsWer
The man calmly proceeded to button
his heavy ulster, slipped his hand in
the pocket thereof and pulled out
| heavy pair of gloves, which he drew
| on slowly. His tall, broad shoulders
| were surmounted by q handsome clear
cut face; his whole appearance was
| faultless. He glanced concernedly at
| Lillian. whose color had not yet re-
| turned and who seemed to tremble
| from head to foot
Really. l feel that must call for
assistance. VIII you have a cab or Il
doctor? 1t would be nothing short of
| brutal to leave you here shivering like
that. Are you i'll or simply cold?
| insist upon knowing"
Lillian was forced to look at him
again. and it seemed to give her cour-
age TO speak.
Were you ever hungry" she muir
| INJURED as she took a firmer hold on
the bills.
Yes, indeed" said her companion.
But never with that amount of mon
ey in my grasp
Lillian started with sudden jerk at
the mention of her money and drop
ped the entire roll of bills. He stoop-
ell TO pick it up, and after one wild
shrek she called distractedly:
stop thief! Stop. l say"'
The crowd was massed in front of
the bank. and the cry seemed to have
passed unnoticed. The man picked up
the bills despite her exclamation and
handed them to her Lillian laughed
a sickly little gurgle, saying:
perhaps you're not a thief after all
are you?"
mo, I'm not! Are you?" suggested
the man. 81 am merely one of the
many depositors trying to get few
dollars. But you were more fortunate
than l. When reached the window
the cashier pulled it down, saying 1t
was o'clock and too late to draw.
, Better put that wad out of sight and
, not tempt the hysterical mob outside
he added.
That's what wanted to do, but
you won't go away and let me. A wo-
man doesn't have pockets all over her
, clothes like n man. And, oh, l sh
you would so, for I'm so hungry and
want to get home! I've stood in that
line for nearly three days to get mon.
ey for the landlord. My, but l hate
that man" she expostulated, with q
shrug of her pretty shoulders.
We'll. I'll be on my way. and be
sure you tuck it safely away in its hid
ing place. I'll promise not to look
back" sHe laughed and turned OF
down the street
Lillian hurriedly slipped the bills il
the bosom of her gown and nervously
started in the opposite direction to
ward her little home. Her mother me-
t her at the door, and after some hot
+ luncheon the girl was equal to relating
l., her troubles.
Y But, mother, we have the money
Y and that old Shylock can be paid. II
d take it around to him myself in tho
o morning and just tell him what
/ think of him." said Lillian, with some
@ satisfaction and a threatening intona
ton of her voice.
c The next morning about 10 o'clocl
;, she started for the landlords office
y and as she passed the long line wait
', ing at the bank she thought how fortu
:. nate she had been. Extras" were on
saying that no more depositors woul'
be paid.
Arriving at the offices of Payne 4
Payne on Main street, she entered tn
II snug little reception room and aske'
e for Mr.. Payne.
J. (which one, ma'am?" asked the OF
e fee boy at the door.
: why, the one who owns our house
a. the cross one" she added by way o
IS further explanation.
h The boy seemed to know which ma
r she wanted and disappeared in the In
ii ner office. He returned in few mir
l. utes, saying that she might go right IL
d ushered her to the door and closed
e. after her.
Once inside. Lillian, blushing to th
roots of her red brown hair, found hel