Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-28


picture might have been painted any
time these last six years" Herman
said. But Olga has been nervous
about the ball we are going to tonight.
and | thought it best to bring her to-
day to distract her. You know this is
really house warming tonight
"And we were obliged to invite so
at the pictures.
Il hate these social affairs" Her
man ratified on. but l suppose in our
position they are inevitable. What
time shall | return for Olga?'
1T grows dark quickly" Karl said.
looking at his watch. I'm another hour
we shall not be able to see. Suppose
you return about o'clock"
VERY well. And now I must be GO
ing. You are coming to the ball to-
night. Karl? You know you really are
the guest of honor. Isn't he. Olga?"
"Yes. indeed. Karl is to fall in love
with his future wife tonight
Karl looked at her, but she spoke
with perfect self possession and light
~.
81 shall do my best" he said. and
he tried to speak with enthusiasm.
"Ah, you are not half grateful
enough for this treasure, Karl You
should be happy" Olga said.
"Of course he should, and he WILL"
Herman interposed, moving toward the
door. 1--WE will all be happy. you and
~ Il
hope"
Olga went nearer to Karl and spoke
seriously.
"She is very charming girl, Karl"
eff you say one word more about that
girl, l shall fall in love with her imme-
diately, which would be ahead of my
matrimonial schedule" Karl replied
jestingy. You know am not obliged
to fall in love until tonight"
'Well. well, must be off," Herman
said as he went up to kiss Olga. Good
by, dear 1 shall call for you at 4
o'clock"
Almost against his will, Karl asked
a question which he had never before
in all his life thought of.
aren't You afraid to leave your
wife alone?"
"Alone?"
with me, I mean"
Herman looked at him and then
spoke jestingly, but with an effort 81
am hurrying away because am afraid
I shall change my mind and take Olga
with me-" he said.
| you are not jealous?" Olga asked.
| '1f you don't want the truth-no,
am not" Herman replied, and in his
tone there was the peculiar meaning
which his words did not convey "If
were not afraid of becoming ridicu
lous I should say warningly, Children
be sure to be good"
He paused and looked at both OF
them Then he said: ~
"Goodby."
AS he turned Kar followed and e:
corted him through the door. dig
stood frowning, worried, i'll at cas-,
Karl looked at her in surprise whe
I he returned.
What is the matter?" he asked.
| Olga started nervously and locke
at him. She pressed her hands befor
her eyes and for moment did nc
speak. She looked away as Karl al
preached her and said tenderly:
Are you afraid? Please tell me-"
Il don't know what is the matte
with me, but just now. when my hu:
band went away, 1 felt as if l ha
been left without protector"
She broke off abruptly, and Kal
urged her to explain.
What do you mean? 1 don't unde
stand" he said.
''Yes, you do, Karl" Olga said q
she turned and faced him. You know
I 1 have fought against coming here If
six years-ever since my marriage"
She looked away from him, aroun
:, the studio, with its bizarre decoration
+ and shuddered.
ugh! This place looks like devil
Kitchen" she cried. These strane
:, things, terrible monsters, cold, whit
statues. heads without bodies, and 70
in their midst like conjurer-I di
not notice them while Herman we
! here, but now 49,.
I Karl turned swiftly toward her.
:, But nowT he asked.
r Olga looked at him with an expire
sion of terror in her eyes. The tw
/, stood thus at bay.