Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-24


done?" u
That's what l want you to TELL"
was the trusting answer. you have
never failed me yet. Paul. even
when
Blake nodded. No need to put into
words the memories of those troublous
times when he had interviewed to save
her from the drunken whims of the
man her parents had forced her to
marty
Il think l have an idea" he said
after a moment of thought. 81 don't
suppose the coant knows that you saw
him"
Il was ON the other Size OF the room
and with my back turned. / saw him
In the mirror. He took it off Bessie's
wrist and slipped it into the breast
pocket of his coat"
I'VE used to have lot of fun over
my magic" Blake said reminiscently.
Its hardly the thing for a ballroom.
but you might ask me to do a few
| tricks"
"And borrow the bracelet of tho
count?" she asked hopefully.
Something like that" was the laugh
| ing answer. 81 believe that you have
| n bracelet little like Bess' Well, put
| It on and lend it to me when / ask for
| it."
Mrs. Thearle clapped her hands. 81
| knew that you would think out some
| way" she declared. "Shall ask you.
as soon as we get back to the ball:
roomY
I'm about a quarter of an hour" he
| explained. "Don't let 1t look too cut
| and dried"
Blake slipped out of the conservatory
| by another door, and his surprise was
well simulated when he was asked TO
| perform a. few tricks. Mrs. Tbearle
had only to make the suggestion, for
the other guests eagerly took up the
matter Paul Blake had at one time
thought of going upon the stage, for
he was more than ordinarily clever
performer, and only the unexpected in
heritance from a great-uncle had head
ed off professional career.
| OF :ate he had refused all requests to
perform in drawing rooms, as the de-
| mands upon his good nature had be-
come too frequent, so there was the
promise of novelty in his performance
| after two seasons of retirement.
He rapidly arranged his improvised
stage with couple of tables and such
simple properties as he could obtain
from his hostess, while the guests stop
ped dancing to crowd around and
watch his really clever work.
Here's a now one," he announced
after he had performed a routine of
familiar vanishments and appearances.
For this l want a piece of jewelry-a
| watch, ring, anything"
A dozen articles were offered, for a
number of times he had drawn upon
1.-THE audience for handkerchiefs and
other small loans. Without seeming
to make any particular selection Blake
took the bracelet that Mrs. Thearle
offered and palmed it while he pre-
tended to wrap it in borrowed hand
kerchief, which he gave to Mrs
Thcarle TO hold.
You are positive that you feel the
bracelet in the handkerchief" he ask
ed, and Mrs. Thearle in answer to an
almost ippereeptibie nod declared in
the affirmative. Blake gave her closed
hand tap with the fan he used as @
wand
do you feel it now?" he asked.
| Mrs. Theatre gave a well simulated
cry of surprise and at Blake's direc
ton unrolled the handkerchief to show
that 1t was empty.
IF the count will oblige me by tax
ing the bracelet from his pocket, Mrs
Thearle will identify it as her prop
erty," announced Blake. stepping to
ward the surprised foreigner
1 Before the count could act he had
thrust his hand within the pocket and
| obtained possession of the stolen brace
let A quick pass and the bracelet
which he had borrowed from Mrs
Thearle was in Blake's hand and the
other was in his pocket
Later the stolen property was con
| veniently found by servant and hand
ID to its owner, and Blake's trick wa:
lot thought of in connection with tn,
ind.
L "It was beautifully DONE" praised
Mrs, Thearle as he fingered after tn,
est shad gone. "No one suspected.
lust knew that if I accused the coun
lie would insist upon making scene
de is that sort of man."
'.As it was, he found the trick de
ided surprise" said Blake, with
reminiscent laugh. 1T was worth tn
rouble Just to see his face
ct was worth more than that" wa
he warm response.
I'm glad you think So" said Blake
aking possession Of her hand, "for
I'M going to ask the highest fee hav
,ver demanded. I want nothing les
han you, Alma"
Il think You have earned your fee,
he said simply.