Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-23

Its a hard to bear, mighty hard"
she whispered. We've ought to bear
1t for the child Spelling her SO is our
work. But for heavens sake keep
still. Her whole future depends on it.
Douglas is the man of men for her,
and she will throw him over II she
has the least chance"
Daddy! Oh, dear daddyw Kitty
painted, trying to reach out appealing
arms Douglas pinioned them fast and
went close to Major Clyde, saying,
with laugh that was not quite easy:
major, this girl you gave me is be-
having so badly. .hi1k you might
throw in one of o,d Flossy's pups to
even up the trade"
At that Kitty screamed afresh. The
majors breath came hard, his face
grew epoplectic, but his wife's hand,
closing and unclosing convulsively,
warned him not to interfere.
He tried to assume judicial air
and say, 1.-The case admits of argu-
ment," but at the second word the
door opened to admit Miss Alicia Ack-
royd, ~ho usurped and abused priv
ileges Of intimate neighborliness.
The Ackroyd house stood just across
the road. The two sisters had been
on watch in the front windows ever
since they saw Douglas ride through
the Clyde gate.
They had heard the screams and
had made their incursion. Somebody
must be killing somebody over there.
Pm going to find out who" Miss Alicia
said to Miss Patricia, not even stop
ping to snatch at a bonnet as she
sped through the front door and down
the walk.
After one startled ooh" she stood
still, staring at Douglas, who had
loosed his hold Of Kitty, but kept her
hand. Kitty had been in a white rage.
Now she flushed brilliantly and
looked at the intruder with her most
infantile smile. Dear Miss Alicia, did
1 really frighten the neighbors? 2" she
asked. I'm so glad. Do say l did.
We have just had an impromptu re-
! hearsal. Douglas, wretch that he is,
| insists that l can't act. that he is not
| depriving the stage of a great orna-
ment in marrying Inc, and l was bound
to prove him in the wrong
OH Miss Alicia said again. this
time with a mighty different infection
! yet one that still lacked something of
! conviction. Miss Patricia, fully bon
neted, here painted in.
! When the stir of settling her ended
/ Miss Alicia returned to the charge
| You ought to have called in a bigge,
| audience, dear Kitty" she said in the
suave voice that always meant mis-
chief. But do tell me what the play
was. don't seem to recall
"Of course you don't. l belong to til,
new school," Kitty said brightly. 9Th,
new school exists. you knew, to prov,
that until 1t came nobody ever PLAYED
Shakespeare quite right. Maybe IT.
because Of my name, but I've Away!
felt that l could give new renderin,
Of Katharine. you know, in The Tam
ing of the Shrew' y
"She did DO ii and was most con
vfncing,' Douglas interrupted crate
fully. He hGd been going hot and cold
wondering if there were any escap
from the valley OF humiliation ope,
before them. He knew that only by
miracle could the Ackroy tongues b.
stopped.
$50 convincing" he went on. II SCI
/ must marry her right away Mis-
Alicia. Miss Patricia, will you come t,
the wedding? It's to be just tire
weeks from now"
You are n wretch, an ingratew Kit
ty said to him half an hour later whe,
the Ackroyds had reluctantly takel
themselves away. 81 saved you and Il
doing 1t trapped myself beyond escape
What punishment do you not deserve
sir:"
Nothing short of Imprisonment 70
life" Douglas said Kitty. darling
you showed yourself a genius and
heroine. In reward you shall go o,
having your own way"
81 don't want it-except sometimes,
Kitty answered. racing away to kis
the major and Mrs. Major and at las
to pet old Flossy's precious puppies
1