Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-03

tiers, GrayQon.
by Jove, Elias, you are giving us
treat" laughed Graydon. The old
mans mood had changed suddenly.
He was beaming in his effort to be
agreeable. A glance around the room |
had convinced him that the prettiest
woman there was sitting at his table. |
He felt a new sense of pride.
81 am proud of myself" said broom,
and he meant it
Its very good of you to ask me to
come. Mr. Droom." said Jane, her
bright eyes meeting his before they
could lift themselves into the custo-
mary stare above her head.
I'm not so sure about that" said
Elias. From time to time he glanced
uneasily toward table at his left. 1t
was set for six persons, none of whom
had arrived. 81 trust it viii not be
the last time you will honor me. Miss
Gable. l am getting very hospitable
in my old age. If you don't mind,
Graydon, l won't drink this cocktail.
/ may take the champagne. I'm quite
a teetotaler. you see. Milk, always.
BY the way. Graydon," he said. turn
ing suddenly to the young man, II
suppose you've led her to believe that
I had a motive in asking her to dine
tonight mean other than the pleas
ure 1T would give to me-"
81 rather thought something of
the sort" stammered Graydon.
well there is q motive. I've decid-
ed at last to tell all l knew. Don't
look like that. Miss Cable. You'll at
tract attention. Calm yourself. 1t
will be some time before the story is
forthcoming Besides, I doubt very
much whether you'H get any great
satisfaction out of it, although it may
clear things up bit for you. If you've
been hoping that your father and
mother-well, Wen take our time.
Here are the oysters. Oysters make
me think of your father, Graydon.
Don't choke. my boy" he chuckled as
Graydon stiffened quickly. "He had a
woman arrested at her own dinner
party one night-right over there in
Fifth avenue too. Search warrant and
all that. The oysters We're being
served when the papers were served.
All, he was a great man for eff
fective revenge. She had dared him,
you see. Did you ever hear of the
| other time when he permitted an ig-
norant host to invite two deadly enc
mics to the same dinner? One fellow
| had robbed the other fellow of his
wife Terrible scandal. Your father
knew that they expected to kill one
another on sight. And yet when the
| host told him whom he expected to
invite he let him ask the two men. He
| told me about it afterward. 1t amused
| him. Everybody but the host knew of
| the row, and there was panic In the
drawing room"
| "Good Lord" gasped Graydon, help
lessly pushing the oysters away. why
| are you telling me this?"
"Oh. it was great joke. It's good
dinner story. The joke comes in at the
end Both those fellows got tight and
went. home with their arms about one
another. By the way. Graydon, what
| do you hear from your fathers"
Graydon looked uncomfortably at
Jane, whose face was set with distress.
| ELIAS, you've got no right to- be-
| gan the young man coldly.
'"I beg your pardon If I've offended"
said broom abjectly IL don't know
| the etiquette of small talk. Forgive
me. i was interested; that was ALL"
at may interest you to know that l
had a long talk with Mr.. Clegg this
| afternoon. He says there Is q move
ment on foot to secure a pardon for
| father. Father hasn't asked any one
to intercede 1t is known that he will
go to England as soon as he is released.
That's an inducement, you see." he
said bitterly.
Droom's face turned a frozen white.
His steely eyes took on peculiar
glaze. and his hand grasped his leg as
if 1t were a wise intended to hold him
in his chair.
81 haven't tolG you about 1t, Jane
went on Graydon. ''Mr. Clegg has seen
father, and he says he is Indifferent
about it. He intends to leave the coun-
try in any event. 1 am going to write
to him tonight asking him to let them
apply for pardon. 1t may save him
from three years more of servitude
Mr.. Clegg is sure he can get his re.
lease. What's the matter Elias?'
The old clerks body had stiffened
and the look on his face was something
horrible to behold. Terror was visible
in every lineament. His companions
started from their chairs in alarm
With mighty effort the old man sue
ceeded in regaining a semblance of sell
control. His body relaxed. and his jaw
dropped. His voice was trembling and
weak as he responded. an apologize
grin on his face.
Nothing nothing at all. A momen
tary pain. Don't mind me. Don't mind
me-" he mumbled. II have them often
think it's my heart. What were yor
saying Graydon2 Oh, yes. the pardon
IL hope you'll mention me in writing
to your father Tell him hope to-to
see him If he comes to New York"
81 don't believe he likes you, Elias.
said Graydon. half jestingly.
"Wha-what has he said to you?" de
manded broom sharply.
HE rather resented your taking
Jane and me to Joliet that day." The
| old mou,c GRIN xrac yuaJicfOyyas UI5f