Rock Island Argus., 1909-02-15

her. NJ Alfred. indeed. on his way
down the room wondered what had
driven the hopeless expression from her
face.
The waiter brought her bill She
paid it and tipped him with prod;gality
which for woman was almost rock
less. Then she ordered coffee and aft
er a seconds hesitation cigarettes.
Why not? Nearly all the women We're
smoking, and she desired to pass for
the moment us one of them. For the
first time she ventured to gaze at her
neighbor.
1t was the young lady from Vienna.
She was dressed in i. wonderful demi-
toilet of white lace, and she wore y
large picture hat adjusted at exactly
the right angle for her profile. From
her throat and bosom there flashed the
sparkle of many gems. The finger
which held her cigarette was abla2e
with diamonds. She leaned back in
her seat smoking Iazily. and she met
Phyllis furtive gaze with almost in
solent coldnesS But moment later.
WhtI NJ AiiieI OlCA was lieu, Sle
leaned forward and addressed her rap
idly. -
a man will come here" she said.
''who could tell you if be was willing
all that you seek to know. lie viii
come tonight lie comes all the nights
You will see l hold my handkerchief
so in my right hand When he comes
l shall drop it-so.'
The girls swift speech. her half fear
ful glances toward the door, puzzled
Phyllis
Can you not come nearer to me and
talk she asked
NO. You must not speak to me
again You must not let any one. es-
pecialiy the man himself. know what
for the handkerchief"
But what shall | say to himT'
The girl took no notice of her. She
was looking in the opposite direction.
She seemed to have edged away as far
as possible from her. Phyllis drew q
long breath She felt her heart beating
with excitement. The place suddenly
And then all was clear again. Fortune
was on her side The secret of Guys
disappearance was in this room, and Il
few careless words from the girl at the
next table had told her more than an
entire police system had been able to
discover But why the riysteryY What
was she to say To the naii when he
came? The girl from Vienna was talk
ing 10 some friends aud toying care.
lessiy with = little morsel of lace which
she had drawn from her bosom. Phyllis
watched it with the eyes OF cat.
Every now ana then she watched also
the door,
The place was much fuller now.
Mile Flossie had arrived with a small
company of friends from Maxim's.
The music was playing all the time.
The popping of cOrks was almost in
cessant. The volume of sound had
swelled. The laughter and greeting of
| friends betrayed more abandon than
| earlier in the evening. Old acquaint.
| ances had been renewed and new ones
made. MademOiselle from Vienna was
surrounded by little circle of admir-.
ers Still she held in her right hand
a ,crunpled up little ball of lace.
Men passing down the room tried to
attract the attention of the beautiful
| young English demoiselle who looked
| out upon the little scene so Indifferent
Iy as regarded individuals and yet with
such eager interest as whole. Nc
one was bold enough, however, te
make a second effort. Necessity al
times gives birth to a swift capacity
Fresh from her simple country life
Phyllis found herself still able with ef
fortress serenity to confound the mos
hardened boulevarder who paused tt
| ogle her. Her eyes and lips expressed
| with ease the most convincing and alb
solute indifference to their approaches
i a man may sometimes brave anger
he rarely has courage to combat indif
/ ference. So Phyllis held her own an(
| waited.
And at last the handkerchief fell
Phyllis felt her own heart almost stoI
beating as she gazed down the room
4 man Of medium height. dark, immac
4 lately dressed. distinguished. wa,
! ;lowly approaching her. exchanging
| greetings on every side. His languit
eyes fell upon Phyllis. Those who hat
watched her previously saw then .
change. The cold Indifference ha,
Il vanished from ner face. She ieane
forward as though anxious to nttrac
his attention. She succeeded easil
enough.
j He, was almost opposite hel, table