Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-06-17

! minutes il I have to make Crecy and
| Agincourt look like peace confer
ence," he snapped. And she sank back
(, into chair with a gesture of alarm.
Pike went closer to her and spoke
more softly.
/ "You and your brother have soaked
up society column notion of life over
! here" he said You're like old Pete
/ Delaney of Terre Hut. He got so he'd
drink cold tea if there was label on
the bottle that spelled whisky"
you're going too farr' the girl
cried.
They've got you fuddled with labels
here" went on the American Its
my business to see that you know
what kind of people you're dealing
with 1
She dropped her head.
you're bullying me! I don't see why
you talk SO brutally to me-"
do you think I'd do it for anything
but your" he asked
You are odious, insufferablev she
cried, with flash of temper
Don't you think l know you despise
me?" lie asked bitterly And she flared
again. sfi
Il do not despise you. If had stay
ed at home and grown up there
should probably have been provin-
cial young woman, playing Sweet
Geneyieve' on the organ for you to-
night" she said. my life has not been
that, however, and you have humili-
ated me from the moment of your ar
rival here. You have made me ashamed
both of you and myself. And now you
have some preposterous plan that will
shame me again-both of us-once
more before these gentlefolk.'
There was n bustling without and
some loud talking, and Pike smiled
wanIy
81 think them gentlefoIk are here"
he said. AS he spoke the door was
thrown open, and Lady Creech hur-
riedly entered. followed by the count
ess, Horace, Almeric and the earl. The
latter bowed sardonically TO Pike. and
Lady Creech hurried TO Ethel with
cry of establishment
MY dear child! What are you doing
here in this dreadful place with this
dreadful persona" she demanded
shrilly
'AIy dear! Les covenancesw cried
madame.
Ethel. I am surprised! Come away
at once" demanded Horace.
ooh, l say, you know, Miss Ethel.
reallyw echoed Almeric. You can't
stay here, you known
Pike stopped them with a gesture
and said:
"I'm her guardian. and she's here By
my authority. and, what's more, she'll
stay by my authority
Horace turned TO the earl.
Lord Hawcastle. will you insist
upon Ethefs leaving? It's quite on
the cards. we shall have 4 disagreeable
scene here"
Hawcastle smiled evilly.
Il see no reason for 1t. We're here
simply for Mr.. Pixies answer He
knows where he stands, and he knows
where we stand" said the earl suave.
", and the American met his smile
evenly.
Il reckon you're right so far" he
said.
and your answer will be yesT
asked the earl, but Pike shook his
head.
You're wrong there" he answered
and Hawcastle changed front in an
instant.
Perhaps you are right, Mr.. Gran
ger-Simpson," he said. "There may
N be painful things done. Better YOU
# sister were spared them. Take bel
" away"
If Pike snapped at them all and moved
to the door, where he faced them.
q Miss Ethel, you'll stay right where
d you are!' he commanded, and. paying
/. no attention, Pike turned to Hawcas
tie.
lie You're here for an answer, you
o say?"
d Yes" answered the earl, after al
It instant's pause, and Dan went close
to him.
g ''An answer to what?" he demanded
C looking the other in the eye.
1t "An answer to our request that 20,
accede to the wishes of this youn
g lady" replied the earl uneasily.
"And if l don't what are you goin
" to do" demanded Pike quickly. Hor
VI ace at once broke in.
Ethel, you must gow he implored
Ks But Pike waved him to silence.
e, TEL her. Why do you come her
e. sure of the answer you want?' he in
II sisted savagely.
"a gentleman would spare he
at that" said Hawcastle, with uneas
ness, and the American laughed.
; Il woI't"' he snapped. Speak out
Why?" But the carl would not NJ
swer directly, so Pike turned to Ethe
ne This afternoon / tried to help
poor devil, a broken down Russia
lie running away from Siberia, wher
| he'd been for nine years"
Ethel half rose in her chair an
faced him eagerly
I'D a poor, weak thing" he went OF
< "hOunded like you've seen a rat in til