Rock Island Argus., 1908-09-30

happy Nothing has happened. but the
| mischief is done. What mischief? Ap-
| pearances. Whatever you say makes
| matters worse. and compromising
| situation like this is never forgotten by
| the husband. You go home together in
| silence
| "Ah. if it were like thatr' Karl broke
| in. But we are not alone. You are
here"
| Millar shrugged his shoulders.
| "Ah, that is it! 1 am here, and with
one word | could dispel the Illusion"
he acquiesced But l know myself.
l am cursed with 4 peculiar, sinister
sense of humor, and | am afraid I
would not say the word; hence when
the husband enters we are all silent.
Then | say, L regret TO have arrived at
such an inopportune moment | take
my hat and walk out, leaving you,
madame, your husband and Karl
He seemed to find keen pleasure in
the possibility of forcing the two into
Il position which would cause them
suffering and weaken the barriers of
self control they had built up around
that boy and girl love that had come
back so vividly TO both. Had they re-
garded him rs merely human it is GER
tain that Karl would have kicked this
cynical being out of the studio with his;
Internal innuendoes. But there was
something supernormal about him. He
dominated both the artist and the
wife, and they We're completely under
his spell, struggle as they would TO
break it. Olga shrank from the cruelty
of their tormentor.
"If this is jest it is cruel one"
she cried.
"True. madame. But there is another
way. II you wish it I can be quite
truthful Should your husband arrive
l can tell him the portrait has not
been touched and ask his pardon"
. Pardon for what?"
, For having seen your shoulders"
"This is trap" Olga cried. turning
toward Karl for protection. what do
you want? You overwhelm me with
false insinuations. l hardly know you
five minutes. and | imagine | feel your
long fingers at my throat"
''Other pretty women do not feel
them quite so soon,'' he murmured,
, bending toward her.
, Enraged at the attitude of the man,
, Karl stepped toward him.
"Stop! l won't allow any more O.
this" he commanded.
The entrance of Heinrich checked his
speech. The old servant said:
t 'The tailor has sent some evening
, clothes, NJ Karl, but they are MOI
$ yours"
"They are mine," interrupted she
stranger.
"Yoursf' Karl said in amazement.
"Ies. They were crushed in my
trunk" the other said coolly. Il told
the tailor to press them and send them
here for the evening. / must dress, as
l am invited to the ball of one of tht
most beautiful women in the city to
night at the residence of the Duke OF
Maranese"
But the duke is not living there any
more" Olga interposed .He is IN
Madrid"
Eyes, know that. 1 met the duke
in Paris"
"Ie has sold his house to us. We
are living there now, and the bah is
given by me- she went on.
The man looked at her, his black
eyes seeming to burn through her own
Shrinking. fearful, fascinated, Olga
was held in the spell of those eyes.
WAS l mistaken? Am 1 not invit
ed?'' he asked.
Eyes, you are invited" she falter
ed.
She could not resist the subtle infiu
ence of the man, even while every in
stinct of good made her recoil from
him. With a triumphant smile ht
bowed and said softly:
Madame, little while ago you ask
ed me what wanted. 1t was your in
vitation that l wanted. thank YOU
But my husband" Olga said, al
ready repenting of the advantage she
had given him.
"Oh he will be delighted to see me, ;
the stranger assured her confidently
HE speculates in wheat. l have in
formation that will be of value t
him. The crop has turned out worse
: than was expected. You love youl
. husband. You should be happy tina
& the wheat crop is bad"
81 Il am" dig ted. eve wan
g wheat to be bad the price vii
3 go up"
ri "Your husband will make anothe
8 fortune, and you will have the nev
2 gown you WANT"