Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-19


'why. I'm going back to the Office
with Mr.-Neergard."
Nonsense! Oh. Mr.. Neergard. would
you mine" very sweetly-''if Mr.. En-
roll did not so to the Office this after
noon?"
Neergard looked at her-almost-a
fixed and uncomfortable smirk on his
round, red face. Not at all, Mrs.
Ruthven, If you have anything better
for him
II have-an allopathic dose of 1t.
Thank you. Mr.. Neergard. Rosamund.
we ought to start. you know. Gerald"
with quiet significance. "Goodby. Mr.
Neergard. Please do not buy up the
rest of Long Island. because We need
new kitchen garden very badly"
Mrs. Ruthven's motor moved up
from its waiting station. ROsamund
was quite ready to enter when Alike
said cordially: Where can we drop
you, dear? Do let us take you to the
exchange If you are going there"
Now, Rosamund had meant to go
wherever they were going merely be-
cause they evidently wished to be
alone. The abruptnesS of the check
both irritated and amused her.
IF knew anybody in the Bronx I'd
make you take me there" she said
vindictively. but as l don't you may
drop ME at the Orchils', you unclvil
creatures. Gerald, | know you want
me anyway. because you've promised
to adore, honor and obey me. If you'll
come with me now I'll play double
dummy with you. No? Well. Of all
ingratitude."
And she smiled dazzlingly upon Ger
aid, then turned up her pretty nose at
him. but permitted him to attend her
to the Orchils door.
When he returned to Alike and the
car was speeding parkward he began
| again eagerly:
Jack asked me to come up, and. of
| course. / let you know. as promised
| would. But it's all right, Mrs. Ruth
| ven, because Jack said the stakes will
not be high this time"
| you acceptedT" demanded Alike in
quick displeasure.
1
amount to anything"
| "Geraldr' 'a'
| "What?' he said uneasily.
"You promised me that you would
not play again in my houser'
II said for more than 1 could af
ford"
mo: you said you would not play
That is what you promised, Gerald"
| "Well. l meant for high stakes. /
| well. you don't want to drive me ou
altogether. even from the perfectly
harmless pleasure of playing for nomi
nal stakes"
Yes, l do"
"W-why?" asked the boy in hurt sur
prise.
Because it is dangerous sport Ger
aid" ,m
What! To play for a few cents {
pointw
Yes. to play for anything. And a!
far as that goes there will be no sucf
play as you imagine"
Yes, there WILL beg your pardon
but Jack Ruthven said SOL
Gerald. listen to me. A boa maj
like yourself has no business playin;
with people whose losses never inter
fere with their appetites next day. 4
business man has no right to play sucl
a game anyway. l wonder what MI
Neergard would say If he knew
you
"Neergard! Why, he does know"
"You confessed to himp'
Eyes; l had to. was obliged TOT
ask somebody for an advance"
you went to him? Why didn't yo,
so to Captain Selwyn or to Mr.. &c
rard?"
81 did; not to Captain Selwyn. 1 wa
ashamed to- But went to Austin, an,
he fired up and lit into me, and we ha,
a muss-up. and I've stayed ava
since"
"Oh. Gerald! And it simply prove
me right
"No, it doesn't l did go to Neel
gard and made clean breast of II
And he let me have what wanted lik
good fellow"
"And made you promise not to do
again"
mo. he didn't. He only laughed