Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-13

How the dickens c:.n II ne asked.
1--WE are all shooting at the dukes to-
morrow, and ] believe they're off on
Saturday. You're not in earnest by
any chance. are you, George?
"Damnablyr' he answered.
Lord Runton whistIed softly.
Fielding doesn't shoot" he remark.
ed, ''but they're going with us to Beau
manor. Shall / drop him a hint? He
might stay a day longer just to make
few inquiries about you on the spot.
you know"
"Get him to stay day longer If yon
can," Duncombe answered, "but don't
give me away The old chaps none
too cordial as it isl
II must talk to him." Runton said.
"Your baronetcy is laundering sight
better than any of these mushroom
peerages. He probably doesn't under
stand that sort of thing. But what
about the girl? Old De Rothe has been
know"
1--WE all have to take our chance In
that sort of thing" Duncombe said
quietly 81 am not afraid of De
Rothe''
''Ill do what 1 can for you," Runton
promised Good night"
Andrew, who had left an hour or 50
earlier, was sitting in the library
smoking pipe when his host returned.
"Not gone to bed yet, then?" Dun
combe remarked. Let me make you
a whisky and soda, old chap. You look
bit tired
every good of you. think l WILL
Andrew answered. And, George, are
you sure that l should not be putting
you out mt all if l We're to stay-say
another couple of days-with you?"
Duncombe wheeled round and faced
his friend His reply was not immed-
ate.
ANDREW" he said. you know very
well that l haven't Il pal in the world
I'd sooner have here than you for just
| as long as you choose TO stay. but-for-
give me if l ask you one question. Is
| it because you want to watch Miss
Fielding that you have changed your
| mind?"
THAT has good deal to do with it.
George Andrew said quietly. If ]
left without meeting that young lady
| again l should be miserable. | want to
hear her speak when she does not
| know that any one is listening"
Duncombe crossed the room and laid
his hand upon the others shoulder.
Andrew. old fellow" he said. 81
can't have it. | can't allow even my
| best friend to spy upon Miss Fielding
| You see-I've come Il bit of cropper
| Quick work, l suppose. you'd say Bui
I'm there all the same"
who wants to spy upon Miss Field
| ing?" Andrew exclaimed hoarsely
''She can be the daughter of q. multi
millionaire or Il penniless adventureI
| for all | care All l want is to be sure
that she isn't Phyllis Poynton-"
You are not yet convinced?
| NO"
There was q moments silence. Dun
combe walked to the window and re
| turned.
Andrew" he said, doesn't what
told you just now-make differenceT
| Andrew groaned.
'Of course it would" he answered
"but-I'm fool enough to feel the same
about Phyllis Poynton."
Duncombe in the full glow of sen
sations which seemed to him TO give 4
larger and more wonderful outlook or
life. felt lbs sympathies suddenly
awakened. Andrew Pelham, his ole
chum, sitting there with his huge. dis
figuring glasses and bowed head, was
surely the prototype of all that was
pathetic. He forgot all his small irri
tation ut the others obstinacy. He re
membered only their long years OF
comradeship and the tragedy which
doomed over the life of his chosen
friend. Once more his arm rested
upon his shoulder.
I'm selfish brute, Andrew ht
said. '.Stay as long as you please anC
get this idea out of your brains. Tn
trying to get Miss Fielding and her ia
ther down here, and if / can manage
it anyhow I'll leave you two alone
and you shall talk as long as you like
Come wen have drink together now
and pipe afterward."
He walked across to the sideboard
where the glasses and decanters wer,
arranged. Then for the first time ht
saw upon the tray awaiting him tele
gram. He gave little exclamation
as he tore it omen. Andrew looked up.
| A ~ n,,:o11lxY