Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-24

V ~ ing news of Gerald's
runaway marriage to
the young girl he was
laying his own plans to marry some
day in the future. and at first the news
staggered him, leaving him apparently
no Immediate incentive for securing
his freedom.
But Ruthven instantly began to real
lie that what he had lost he might
not have lost had he been free to
shoulder aside the young fellow who
had forestalled him. The chance had
passed-that particular chance. But
he'd never again allow himself to be
caught in a position where such
chance could pass him by because he
was not legally free to at least make
the effort to seize 1t.
Fear in his soul had kept him from
blazoning his wife's infrmity to the
world as cause for an action against
/ her, but he remembered Neergard's
impudent cruise with her on the Mo
brara, and he had temporarily settled
on that as a means to extort revenue.
not intending such an action should
ever come to trial. And then he
learned that Neergard had gone to
pieces. That was the second check.
| Ruthven needed money, He needed
It because he meant to put the ocean
between himself and Selwyn before
commencing any suit, whatever ground
he might choose for entering such a
euIt. He required capital on which to
live abroad during the proceedings If
that could be legally arranged. And
meanwhile. preliminary to any plan of
campaign, he desired to know where
his wife was and what might be her
actual physical and mental condition.
But Ruthven was totally unprepared
for the report brought him by a pri-
waite agency TO the effect that Mrs.
Ruthven was apparently in perfect
health, living in the country. main
tanning villa and staff of servants;
that she might be seen driving per-
fectly appointed Cossack sleigh any
day with groom on the rumble and a
companion beside her; that she seem
ed to be perfectly sane, healthy in
body and mind. comfortable, happy
and enjoying life under the protection
of certain Captain Selwyn, who paid
! all her bills and at certain times was
seen entering or leaving her house at
4 Edgewater.
Excited. incredulous, but hoping for
the worst, Ruthven had posted off to
his attorneys. To them he naively
confessed his desire to be rid of Alike.
He reported her misconduct with Neer-
gard-which he knew was Iie-her
pretense of mental prostration. her dis
appearance and his last interview
with Selwyn In the card room. He
also gave a vivid description of that
gentleman's disgusting behavior and
his threats Of violence during that in
terview.
To all Of which his attorneys listen
ed very attentively, babe him have nc
fear of his life, requested him to make
several af1idavits and leave the rest
to them for the present.
Which he did without hearing from
chem until. Mr. Hallam teiegraphet
him to come to Edgewater II he hat
nothing better to do.
Mr.. Hallam was a very busy, yer,
: sanguine, very impetuous young man
and when he met Ruthveu at the Edge
water station he told him prompt,
that he had the best case on earth
that he, Hallam, was going to New
York on the next train, now almos
due, and that Ruthven had bette
drive over and see for himself how
> gayly his wife maintained her house
bold, for the Cossack sleigh. with it
: gray crimson tchug. had but just re
: turned from the usual afternoon spin
and the young chateiaine Of Willow
Villa was now on the snow covere,
lawn, romping with the coachman'
huge white wolfhound. Ruthven drov,
] to the villa.
$ There were clumps Of evergreen
about, tail cedars, bit of bushy fore
: land and stretch of snow. AM
: across this open space Of snow
81 young girl was moving. followed by
] white wolfhound. Once she paused
$ hesitated, looked cautiously arount
! her. Ruthven. hiding behind bush
saw her thrust her arm into a Low
: evergreen shrub and draw out shin
I ing object that glittered like glass
Then she started toward the hous,
0 again.
At first Ruthyen thought she was bill
wife, Then he was not sure, and b,
cast his cigar away and followed
= Sinking forward among the ever
greens. But the youthful, fur ella,
!. figure kept straight on to the verand,
!, OF the house, and Ruthven, curious
and determined to find out whether
8, was Alike or not, left the semi-shelte
OF the eyergreens and crossed the one,