Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-07

HSudi, HC 49, Ia '4'N -N.'>
'ject and told me--oli. dozens of things
about you. | suppose he began inquir-
ing for you before he crossed the
troopers gangplank. and somebody
sent him to Neergard & Co. Haven't
you seen him.
No. he said. staring at the bril-
liant fish, which glided along the crys-
tai tank. goggling their eyes at the
lights.
.You-you are living with the Ge-
rards. believer. she said carelessly.
For awhile"
"Oh, Boots says that he is expect
ing to take an apartment with you
somewhere"
What! Has Boots resigned"
$50 he says. He told me that you
had resigned. I did not understand
that. imagined you were here on
leave until I heard about Neergard &
CO..
DO you suppose l could have re-
manned in the service?" he demanded
His voice was dry and almost accent
less.
why not?" she returned, paling.
"You may answer that question more
pleasantly than l can"
She usually avoided ehampag ne, but
she had to do something for herself
now As for him, he took what was
offered without noticing what he TOOK
and grew whittier and whittier. But a
fixed glow gradually appeared and re-
manned OH her cheeks. Courage. impa-
tience, Il sudden anger at the forced
conditions, steadied her nerves.
''Will you please prove equal TO the
situation:" she said under her breath,
but with charming smile. do you
know you are Sowing? These people
here are ready TO laugh, and I'd much
prefer that they tear us to rags on sus-
picion of our overfriendlinesS."
"Who is that fool woman who is
monopolizing your partner"
.'Rosamund Fame. She's doing it on
purpose You must try to smile now
and then"
"My face is stiff with grinning." he
said, but I'll do what can for YOU
please include yourself too"
"Oh, l can stand their opinions" he
said. Il only meet the yellow sort oc-
casionally. | don't herd with them"
II do, thank YOU
"How do you like them? What is
your opinion of the yellow set? Here
they sit all about you-the Phoenix
Mottlys. Mrs. Delmour-Carnes yonder.
the Draymores, the Orchils, the Ven
denning lady, the Lawns of West
lawn"-he paused. then deliberately
land the Jack Ruthvens. l forgot,
Alike. that you are now perfectly
equipped to carry aloft the golden
hod."
Go on" she said, drawing a deep
breath. She forced smile and drew
her glass toward her. The straw tint
ed wine stopped over and frothed on
the white skin of her arm.
Well" she breathed, this CHASTITY
dinner is nearly ended"
He nodded pleasantly
And Phil:" bit tremulous.
"What?"
WAS it all my fault mean in the
beginning? I've wanted to ask you
that-to know your view of it. Was
it?'
NO. 1t was mine-moSt of it,
Not all-not half We did not know
how. That is the wretched explana
ton of it ALL
And we could never have learned
That's the rest of the answer. Bu
the fault is not there"
Il know better to bear the ills We
have.''
Yes; more respectable to bear them
Let us drop this in decencys name
Alike
After a silence she began: "One more
| thing. l must know it, and 1 am go
| ing to ask you il | may. Shall II"
He smiled cordially, and she laughed
as though confiding delightful bit O
news to him.
do you regard me as sufficient!
important to dislike me?'
| 81 do not-dislike you"
as it stronger than dislike, PHILIP
ayes
"Contempt?"
| mo"
"What is it?'
at is that-I have not yet-become-
| reconciled."
ITO my-follyY'
"To mine"
She strove to laugh lightly and, fail
ing, raised her glass to her lips again.
Now you know" he said. pitchin
his tones still lower. 81 am glad. afte
all, that we have had this plain under
standing. ! have never felt unkindl
toward you. l can't. What you did
might have prevented had l know
enough, but l cannot help it now, no
can you If you would"
"If I would" she repeated gayly. fo
the people opposite were staring.
I'VE are done for" he said. noddin
carelessly TO servant to refill hi
glass. land ! abide by conditions bt
cause | chose to, not" he added cor
temptuously. because complacer
law has tcGlcred you toto the thin
that has crawled up on your knees t
have it's cars rubbed
The level insult TO her husband stun
ned her. She sat there. upright til
white suile stamped on her stiffene
lips, fingers tightening about the steI