Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-27

She was blond and patrician, with
just enough pink I'm her cheeks to re-
deem her face from pallor. Her hair
was pale gold. but shining. That other
girl was pretty, too. but in rich. dark
fashion that belonged to the south.
Dicks mother was from Dixie, and
she recalled. with a pang. that he was
a worshiper Of southern women. A lit
tie sob shook her. She turned away,
covering her face with her hands. Hot
tears sprung through her quiTering
lashes. but she dashed them away In
self contempt and went into the next
room to pack her trunk.
She reached Palm Beach eighteen
hours later. Her courage had raj
lied amazingly under the stimulating
change of scene, and she felt almost
happy again as they drove home
through borders Of sun kissed palm
and palmetto.
An hour afterward Winona emerged
on the funny, squat little piazza of the
bungalow, radiant in a gauZy gown of
pink liberty chiffon. Mrs. Spence
caught her by the hand and drew her
up to the small coterie already assem-
bled and waiting for her.
''Mr. Grayson, Miss Paulding," she
said conventionally.
Winona started, flushed. paled and
poised herself admirably. She held
out her hand. Dick had risen and was
pressing her fingers with elaborate
cordially, but his own were cold with
H. Id 1t
to hide its unsteadiness.
The group fell into conversation.
Then, two by two, they drifted away,
leaving them together, alone. The
moon had come up. flooding every
thing with it's magic white light till it
was as clear as day.
Young Grayson looked at Winona.
and she met his glance with an indig-
nant flash of her eyes.
what made you run away from me,
Nona?" he asked gravely.
You! Why, / was not even dream
ing of you," she retorted, with pink
cheeks.
Evidently. That is. why 1 asked
you the question"
You have forfeited all right to ask
me questions Of any sort" she flung
back unguardedly and bit her lips
| when it was too late.
"Winona! What do you mean by
| that?" His eyes held hers dominantly,
| and she found her lips framing the
words despite herself.
THAT other woman-that-that-
| wife, She blurted it out in sheer des-
| peration at last.
"Ahr' And. considering the gravity
of the situation, her companion did a
/ most remarkable thing-he laughed up
| roariously. When his mirth had some
what subsidized he bent over and caught
her little hands in his big ones and
held them. His words fell rapidly.
1.-The dear old governor took it into
his head TO marry a second time when
| down in Richmond last month. An ur-
gent telegram called him back to
| Washington on business, and he was
forced to leave her behind. AS luck
| would have it, the very day he was
| scheduled to arrive he was taken with
| the grip. / had to go to the train to
meet the lady, while he remained in
the apartment to receive her,
| He paused a moment for breath
Then he went on: 81 found your note
in my box about 10 O'Clock. 1t hurt
me. and it made me angry too. / put
down everything and took the first
train south in response to a pressing
invitation from Jack
A swift little sob of relief escaped
Winona's lips. She looked up with lu
minous eyes. The color surged into
her face.
| "But-but we were never more than
friends. There was nothing-I-you-
there never was anything between u.s.
She finished with flash Of the ole
coquetry Her lips We're still parted
scarlet, humid. tremulous. Young Gray
son made no effort to resist tempta
ton.
But there was going to be-there is
and there always will be?' A stey
sounded on the gravel walk. ANSWER
me-quick!'
There was