Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-17


red as if had accused him of snatch
ing it from my lips. Then you must
have both together before you begin to
tell me anything"
'We might go out and have a sand
witch somewhere" suggested.
There's nothing the matter with the
Waldorf sandwiches"
Except that they're expensive" said
l. You must remember you and |
aren't millionaires."
Il have been doing pretty well hate
ly." said he. Il can almost call my
self rich. Please have some lunch. |
can afford it. and if you refuse I'll
know it's because"-
l guessed what he might be going
TO say. so stopped him.
"NOnsense!' | exclaimed. "But I've
run away from Mrs. Stuyvesant-Knox,
and l don't want to be found. If she
or her brother should have come to
New York o. if anybody else
I've thought of that" said he quick
ly, but We've no time to waste.
You're starving If you wouldn't mind
my getting you private dining room
| and sending you in some lunch
"But / want you to be with me-"
insisted.
He evidently hesitated, but only for
minute. | don't think he's the sort
of man to hesitate long about any
thing.
Every we'll, that's what I'd like best.
| of course, if you don't mind" he said.
I'll go and see to everything, and be
| back before you can count sixty. if
you do it slowly
| I didn't do it at all, but thought how
thankful | vas that he had come to
me, for | was sure everything would
so right now.
In two or three minutes he came
back to take ne into charming little
| dining room. where there was no dan
ger that Mrs. Ess Kay or Potter could
pounce upon us. as it was for Mr.
Brett and me alone. l shuddered to
think what it must be costing, but his
clothes were so exceedingly good !
hoped he hadn't exaggerated about the
| luck that had come to him.
| Naturally | couldn't tell the part of
my story which concerned Potter
Parker. but / said that Mrs. Ess Kay
wanted. me to do things which l didn't
think it right to do. and / couldn't stay
in her house even a day longer
| Il should like to go home" l went
on. "but l can't yet. and the only other
thing is TO join Miss Woodburn in Chi
cago. You remember Ness WOODBURY.,
don't you?"
He said he remembered her very
well. had read in the newspapers that
she had left Newport for Chicago and
thought it was wise idea of mine to
| join her.
I'm glad you think that" said /,
''for want to start today, and | hope
you'll tell me how to go, how much
money it will be, how long it takes to
get there and all about it,
He didn't answer for minute. but
sat looking very grave, staring at his
brown hand on the white tablecloth
as If he'd never seen it before. Then
he said:
Cautiously enough, / am going west
this afternoon too. Would you object
to my being in the same train?
wouldn't suggest such thing. only.
you see, as you're a stranger in the
lcountry / might be able to help you q
little
: How splendid!' 1 exclaimed. ut
seems almost too good to be true. You
can't fancy what a relief it is to my
mind"
He looked pleased at that and said l
!. was very kind, though l should have
thought it was the other way round.
IN get your ticket. them" he went
on. IF you'll give me twenty-five dol
lars-five pounds, you know-I'll hand
lyou back the change. but I'm afraid II
won't be much"
"Change?" l echoed "Why, l sup.
Z posed it would be ever so much more
than five pounds to get to Chicago
4 which is almost in central America
isn't it,
"The people who live there thini
it's central" said Mr.. Brett. but the!
make the railroad men keep price,
down so that dissatisfied New Yorker.
can afford to go and live there. 1
isn't bad journey. you'll fnd l thinl
It will interest You. You sleep ant
eat in the train. you know"
"What fun!' ] exclaimed. I've new
er slept in a train even on the con
tinent.'
I; IF you had it would be differen
, from this one said he. Can you b.
ready In twenty five minutes? Th