Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-06

glad that the doorbell spared her /
a reply. When Dick returned his !
friends name was not mentioned.
Beryl sat reading in the little parlor
when her brother went out Ito pay :
some calls" he said evasively. When :
the door closed behind him she drop /,
ped her book and assumed ease.
Pacing up and down the rooms. she |
assured herself that she would go TO
work at something presently and for
get the episode. But, try as she would,
her heart was filled with bitterness
that her brother'e r"ieGd-her friend,
too, she had once IT, ught-should have
been so heartless, so utterly contemptu
Gus of her as to paint an ideal Beryl.
HE could not have told me my short
comings more brutality in plain words"
whispered she passionately.
Then, seeing something white on the
hall rug, she stopped and picked up a
card. Edith Cuyler." she read-her'
brothers Andromache ana Lindley
Woods Beryl! In that moment she
felt almost as If she hated both artists
and their model.
A chaos of thoughts danced through
her brain. but through it all she al
WAYS saw the pink and white face that
had smiled from WuUu > ,....,..., above
her name.
Unable to stay indoors, she put on
her wraps and went out, but even the
clear ozone of the winters night did
not arouse her from the strange thrall
put upon her by the card.
She turned into the block where
some friends. the Stones. lived, but she
had no intention Of going in. for she
knew that IGiti Cuyler was staying
there. Sud,.t j. il pillar of fame shot
from building ahead. In Il moment
! the street WAS confusion of hoarse
shouts "uu screams. Beryl stood still
and Watched the residents, like a
stream of human ants, carrying valu-
ables to safety. Then, as one awaken
| ing from troubled dream recognizes
| the environment, she realized she was
| looking at the Stones house and that
| it was afire!
ATTRACTED by a shrill scream, she
| raised her eyes to the third floor. The
beautiful Miss Cuyler stood in a win
| dow. her blond head silhouetted against
Il curtain of fire.
| Beryl was conscious of a commotion
| in the crowd. Then man in evening
dress fought his way to the burning
structure and went up the ladder with
eager steps. At the second floor A
/ tongue of flame lit his features, and
Beryl almost swooned with horror as
she recognized her brother Dick.
The next FIVE minutes were each a
fearful, anguish laden century to the
watching girl At any instant the
walls might collapse and engulf them
both.
She saw the cameo-Iike face, pearl
white against that red curtain, bright
en- with hope as she recognized the
coming hero. Beryl saw Dick lift her
from the narrow ledge and begin the
perilous downward journey with her
arms around his neck.
They reached the second floor iI
safety. though the ladder swayed un
steadily. Willing hands held it as wei
as inexperienced people could. but dan
ger threatened every step. Forgetting
that she stood among strangers, Berry
clutched some one near. Il can't
loohr' she cried despairingly. ooh, i
they should fall!'
why, Miss Stanhope," answered al
amazed, familiar voice. "why are yol
hcreE'
She chung to Lindley Wood with ;
little sob of relief. Tell me-" sh
begged pitifully.
BY the necromancy of intuition h
understood. They are safe,'' he said
tucking her hand under his arm. lie
me take you home. You are icy cold
Dick is all right reassuringly.
She trembled violently. To reassur
her the artist assumed n light, jestIn
tone.
IF Dick and Miss Cuyler were no
already engaged they will be now h
went on. How can j manage, / woI
der to make myself appear equally be
roic to you. Miss Stauhope?'
why in gentle whisper.
because | love YOU" drawing he
!, into the shadow of a building ava
from the crowd. IL was coming t
say it, but it is easier to say it her
: under the stars than it would be
= your lighted rooms. l can better Ell
dure your No if you cannot see its e
feet"
Your ideal Beryl is a cameo blond,
she reminded. 81 am plain
"What has my ideal Beryl to do wit
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