Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-12-17

long as it makes "Where Is the adorable
a good story" EtteenT"
Rosamund flushed, then, always alive
to humor, laughed frankly.
"What nasty thing to say to wo-
manr' she observed. ''It fairly reeks
1mpertinence. Mr.. Lansing, you don't
like me very well, do your
81 dare not" he said, because you
are married. If you were only free, a
vinculo matrimonif'-
Rosamund laughed again and sat
stroking her mutt and smiling. "Curi-
Gus, isn't it," she said to Nina, ''the in
born antipathy of two agreeable hui
man bipeds for one another" And
again to Nina: Dear, have you heard
anything about Alike Ruthven? think
1t is the strangest thing that nobody
seems to know where she is. And all
anybody can get out Of Jack is that
she's in a nerve factory or some such
retreat and perfect wreck. She might
as well be dead, you know"
''In that case" observed Lansing, ait
might be best to shift the center of
gossip. De mortuis nil MIST bonum,
which is simple enough for any body
to comprehend"
THAT is rude, Mr.. Lansing" flashed
out Rosamund, and to his establishment
he saw the tears start to her eyes.
II beg your pardon" he said sulkily.
"You do we'll to. l care more for
| Alike Ruthven than-than you give me
credit for caring about anybody. PEG
! pie are never wholly worthless, Mr.
Lansing-only the very young think
that
Boots said respectfully: 81 am sorry
| for what 1 said, Mrs. Fame. I hope
that your friend Mrs. Ruthven viii
soon recover"
| Rosamund looked at Nina, the tear:
, still trimming her lids. 81 miss hel
| frightfully," she said. "If somebody
would only tell me where she isl,
know it could do no harm for me t.
see her. / can be as gentle and loya
as anybody-when I really care for ,
person. Do you know where she nigh
be, Nina?"
az? No. 1 do not. I'd tell you If
did, Rosamund."
'Don't you knowT"
"why, no." said Nina, surprised a
her persistence.
Because" continued Rosamund
"your brother does"
Nina Strengthened up, flushed an
astonished.
"Why do you say that?",she asked.
Because he does know. He sent he
to Clifton. The maid whotaccompanie
her is in my service now. It's 10,
way of finding out things,s but we a
, do it."
} "He-sent Alike toto Cliftonw r,
, peated Nina incredulously. "Your mai
z told you that?"
Rosamund finished the contents {
her slim glass and rose. yes, and
was brave and generous and 10y,
. thing for him to do. I care for Alix
' and I honor your brother for what b
. did"
She stood with pretty golden hea
around her neck and shoulders.
81 have been very horrid to Capital
= Selwyn," she said quietly. 'Tell bill
Z. am sorry, that he has my respec
8 And-if he cares to tell me whel
e Alike is I shall be grateful andldo I
t harm"
a Good night" said Boots tot Mn
: Then he took Rosamund down ITO b,
t brougham with silent forma1ity thl
d touched her present sentimental ,moo
r She leaned from her carriage wi
: dow, looking at him where he, stoo
J! hat in hand, in the thickly efallir
d snow.
Q "Please-withouts ceremony, INF. La
sing" and as be covered himsel
j! ~May I not drop .you at your destin
tionY
d "Thank you," In refusal.
o II thank you for being nicesto n
please believe therefis often lessrnali
d than perversity In me. II have
heart, Mr.. Lansing such as 1t is. Al
often those torment most l care
J. most 1t was so with Alike. Goo
], by
o. Boots salute was admirably form,
't Then he went on through the thicke
y ing snow. swung vigorously across t
avenue to the park wall and, turnf
: south, continued on parallel tosit und
the naked trees.
s Now he began to understand SON
fhfpo ~ tho >, no. IN M NJ +