Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-06-03
chair down with a crash.

SOleHnly lot a moment.
'Well, don't know as could say
anything against that. He must be
mighty nice fellow. and you must
think heap of HID" He sighed.
THAT'S the way it should be- He
looked at ner. And you're happyT'
"Distinctlyr' said Ethel decisively.
Pike looked off over the blue bay
and then his gaze travelled to where
Horace had Been standing. and with
start he turned to her again, speak
ing eagerly:
1T amt that fellow 1 was talking
with. yonder?"
And she voiced an indignant protest
'"That was my brother!'
Lord "a mercy! calculated Daniel
and then recovered himself. But
then, / wouldn't remember him. He
couldn't have been more than twelve
when you was home last OF course
I'd "a known YOU
"Howw demanded Ethel. you
couldn't have seen me since 1 was a
child"
From your picture though now
see it amt so much like YOU" he an
swered, and she stepped forward, with
astonishment.
you have photograph of raeY'
"The last time saw yen. father
alive he gave it to me-to look at"
"And you remembered"-
Eyes. ma'am."
A look Of incredulity passed over
Ethels face. and she replied:
1T does not strike me as possible.
However, We will dismiss the sub
ject"
'Well. if you'd like to introduce me
to your-to your
ITO my brother?"
mo, ma'am; to your-to the young
man..
'To Mr.. St Aubyn?" cried Ethel, re-
coiling a step. Il think it quite I'M
necessary"
I'm afraid l can't see it that way.
I'll have toshave i couple of talks with
him. sort of look him over No. TO
speak. 1 won't stay around here spoil
ing your fun any longer than l can
help-only just for that and to get a
letter I'm expecting from England"
Ethel biz her lip veXatiously.
81 do not see that you need have
come at all We could have l. -er
spared this-this modification"
You mean l mortify you? VIII,
i can't see how"
I'm hundred ways" she repn :;
every way. That common per-.
who Is with you
HE isn't common. You only Il =
SO because he's with me-" return
Daniel sadly. looking down
"Who is he?" demanded Ethel sh g..
".
HE told me his naH,a. L.lt ca;
remember It. call him zoo -"
ut doesn't matter. What does ,ast
ter is that you needn't have come
You could have written your consent"
NO, ma'am. not without seeing the
young man." answered Pike resolute-
ly.
"And you could have arranged the
settlement in the same way" went on
Ethel unheedingly.
Settlement, You seem to have set
tied it pretty well without me-" re-
turned Pike. smiling
You Cont understand" said Ethel
IAN alliance of this sort
always entails a certain settlement"
She paused. please listen. IL you
were at all man of the world 1
should not have to explain that in
marrying into noble house 1 bring
my dot. my dowry"-
Money, you mean?" asked Pike,
puzzled.
Yes, if you choose to put it that
way"
You mean you want to put aside
something of your own to buy q lot
and start housekeeping
No. she flared. 81 mean a settle
ment upon Mr.. St Aubyn directly"
you mean you want to give it to
him?'
IF that's the only way to make you
UNDERSTANDINGS" she flashed
How much do you want to give
him?' asked Pike thoughtfully.
"a hundred and fifty thousand
pounds" said Ethel desperately.
Pike whistled.
Seven hundred and fifty thousand
dollarsv'
Precisely thatv' said Ethel
We'll, he has made you care for
him." said Daniel. 81 guess he must
be the prince of the world! He must
be great man. l expect you're right
about me not meeting him. l probably
wouldn't stack up Very high alongside
a man that's big enough for you to
think SO much of as you do him. Why,
I'd have to squeeze every bit of prop
erty your pa left YOU
rs it your property?" she fiared at
him.
I've worked pretty hard to take
care of 1t for you," he answered gen.
tly, and instantly she regretted the
sharp speech.
Forgive me-" she pleaded. 1T was
of me-unworthy of the
higher and nobler things that life calls
1T