Rock Island Argus., 1908-09-30


garded her with his EXPRESSION of Gym
ical amusement, bowed gravely and
said:
''Then l was mistaken, madame
Wont you sit down." Karl said.
"Allow me to- present you to-but 7
can't remember your name"
.It does not matter" the other said,
with an expansive outward gesture of
his restless. eloquent hands. "I am
philanthropist travelling incognito. You
may call me anything you like; call
me DR.. Millar.''
"Dr. Millar," Karl repeated, seeming
for the first time to have some doubt
as to the character of his guest
"Oh. you may rest assured my social
position is beyond question" the stran-
ger said. as # divining his thought.
Karl did not heed the irony Of his
/ speech, but presented him to Olga.
who distantly acknowledged his bow.
AS Karl appeared to succumb to this
| strange influence she felt herself grow
! ing indignant Millar seemed bent On
provoking an outburst, and his aston
ishing remarks in another would have
seemed vulgar insolence, but in him
they possessed a singular meaning that
made both Karl and Olga shiver
| Under different circumstances I
| should now take my hat and say good
by" Millar said after the introduc-
ton. But my infinite tact compels
me to force my presence upon you in
| this most unpleasant situation"
| The innuendo stung. Olga, and she
turned to the artist
Karl, l can hardly believe it." she
exclaimed Indignantly. "Think of it
this man dared to-
| How long has your husband been
dead?' Millar interrupted, with exas-
! perating coolness.
| 81 am not a widow" Olga said, sur
prised that she should reply.
| 'Oh. you are divorcedr'
81 am not"
"Then If you feel that I have af-
| fronted you 1 should think your hus-
band would be the proper man to ap.
peal to- he said, with the utmost cool
| ness.
He seemed like a trainer proddine
tame animals with sharp prongs out
Of the lethargy of their Gagged lives to
stir them to viciousness. Turning to
Karl, he went on:
However. if you wish it I am also
at your disposal. But do you not see
madame, that it would be an admis
sion on your part?"
He spoke as one who had read every
secret thought of each. Bewildered
Karl cried out:
What does all this talk mean?
don't understand anything. You come
In here unannounced; L don't know
how nor from where. You make u:
feel quite uncomfortable, just as il
you had trapped us in some compro
missing situation"
yes, yes, that is it." Olga cried, re
lieved at Karls outburst.
The stranger looked at him amused
ly.
''You may be as impolite to me a
you wish; l cannot go,' he said.
"Why" Olga demanded.
"My departure NOW would mean thai
leave you because I have interrupted
you. On the other hand, by remaining
prove that l suspect nothing"
'HThere Is nothing to suspect" Kar
declared angrily. Il do not want yol
here"
"Then that Is settled. Let us tall
Of something else" the visitor re
marked with the most casual inatten
ton to Karl's rage. "The weather
isn't it showing beautifully? Art-ar
you preparing anything for the sprin
exhibition at the Royal academy"
Perhaps l may send something,
Karl answered suIlenly.
Olga's bewilderment gave place t
panic. In her mind was formed tn
purpose of snatching up her waist an,
rushing from the room. Before sh
could do it the stranger was there
holding the waist out and bowling Pre-
foundly.
Permit me, madame" he said.
With cry of astonishment dig
snatched at the garment.
"Who are you? Where do you com
fromF she cried
With his restless. vibrant hands 4
the air the stranger said:
81 come from nowhere; 1 90 every
where; am here"
, He touched his forehead with hi
long white fingers, and his black eye
were fixed upon her. Clutching th
silken garment she had worn. dig
rushed into the studio. Millar, man Q
: devil, looked after her and chuckled.
: I1U,rHU W.T.