Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-08-20

Il bit better than you do
Blake sat silently watching the
stream of passersby on the cleaning
sidewalks for Il time. then suddenly
threw away his half burned cigar
and pushed back his chair.
Good night said he CURLY and
Stalked stiffiy out of the room.
There wasn't word of truth in
what Johnson had said. he told him
self over and over again. Johnson
WAS Il woman Halter anyway. He
would have said the same Of any
woman 1t wasn't Ethel Darlington
III particular Yet despite all his men-
ial arguments on the matter, Blake
was vaguely disturbed in his mind as
he called a, cab and drove uptown to
his apartments. for. more than he
would admit TO himself. Blake was
prone TO rely on Johnson's judgment.
But Johnson was eff in this case
surely. he was way off,
Ethel Darlington was the finest, the
trueSt woman in all the world and
Johnson was dyspeptic croaker.
where the matter must end.
Two weeks later Blake again sat be
fore the window in the club, Again it
was rainy day. and again the pave
mentS cleaned in the wet mist. Blake
was quite alone in the room. His face
was drawn and haggard. Great rings
showed around his eyes.
He turned as he heard step behind
him and saw Johnson coming toward
him
You We're right" said Blake. 80
Lord, you We're right
Johnson very quietly drew chair
beside the diStraught man ana sa
down.
Maybe you'll feel bit better if yo,
tell me about it. Tommy" he said
Blake smoked furiously for mo
| ment. when the crash came" h,
| said at length. Il was almost glad 4
| first. l told myself it would disprov,
| all those things you had said. o
| course | was intending TO release tn
| girl. ! was III honor bound to do il
I But | thought was fool enough (,
| think she cared as much for me witt
| my fortune wiped off the boards as sh
| did before"
- Johnson said nothing.
at was yesterday morning that tn
| news Of the wipipS out of all had il
the world was published Blake wen
on. AT 10 O'Clock got letter from
| Mrs. Carrington-a special delivery let
| ter. mind You. she said that Ethel wa
| too broken up TO write personally, bu
| under the circumStanceS-O Lord. yo,
know well enough what it was with
out my going into all the horrible de
| tails
This may prove a blessing in dis
guise. Tommy" said Johnson, bu
Blake, with dropping head, was shut
fling out of the room.
Blake. moping in his apartment al
| hour later, was summoned TO the offic
by Il message that lady was waitin,
| for him. He went down to find Ethe
| Darlington. rather wet and very white
| in the reception room.
YOU he cried in dazed surprise
| Your
| IL couldn't be hedged in by con
| ventions when | was-so worried abou
| YOU she said hurriedly, 80 | cam,
| straight here. What is wrong: VIII,
have you stayed away for two days
| without sending me Il word:''
| Blake stared. Then light of under
| standing came into his eyes.
How much has your mother tolt
| ynu y" hp asked
Nothing" she said, looking at hin
| with widening eyes.
| Ethel he said slowly, Il have
committed the objectionable sin-un
| pardonable in the eyes of the world 10
day. l have lost every cent of m!
money
is that all?" she said i'm relief.
Blake stared.
why didn't you come and tell me
them she demanded.
Silently Blake drew her mothers let
ter from his pocket and handed it t,
! her. She read il through With deepen
ing color. and an angry light in he