Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-11


embassy Mrs. Worthington Wood, who,
though born of French parents, had
lived the first fifteen years Of her
life in America, was taken in to din
ner by Sir Bradford Chichester. She
knew that his family, though ancient,
were not rich and that he would glad
ly take a wealthy wife. She manifest
ed so much interest in seeing his coun-
try seat, the Dunes, on the Irish chan
mel and some 200 miles from London,
that he, thinking to benefit in the
matter of courtShip-should he deem
such desirable-arranged a house party
to go there to remain till the 18th, when
he must return to the city to be ready
to sail on the 14th. OF course Mrs.
Wood was invited.
The next day a small number of
guests assembled at the Dunes. 1t
was winter, but the house was cheer
fully lighted and logs blazed on every
hearth Sir Bradford devoted himself
to the young widow. There are WON
en- who possess the knack Of carrying
an impossible man quickly off his feet.
Such was Mrs. Worthington Wood.
She administered, so to speak, a love
potion. There was in it a reason-to
cause her victim to feel that he could
never aspire to possess her. Eyes that
shot a spark to kindle passion, feigned
innocence to excite reverence.
Sir Bradford, Mrs. Wood and sew
eral others Of the house party had gone
up from London on the same train and
in the same compartment. Mrs. Wood
noticed that her host carried leather
hand bag that he never lost sight Of
If he left the train for a moment at a
station he took the bag with him; If
he went into the smoking compart-
ment to enjoy a cigar the hand bag
went with him.
Mrs Wood also noticed that when
he entered the family equipage to be
driven to his home, while he gave UP
his rugs, umbrella and other such be-
longings to the servants, he held OH
to the satchel. She deemed 1t neces-
sary to her plans to know where the
hand bag would be deposited. But as
| soon as the host entered the house,
leaving his guests to be shown to their
rooms by the housekeeper. he disap-
peared. When Mrs. Wood next saw
him the satchel was not with him.
81 have brought with me-" she said
| to him, "a few Of my finest jewels,
not daring to leave them in London
| Have you a safe. in the houseT'
Certainly" he said Zone moment.
! / will call the housekeeper. The safe
is in my bedroom. She will go with
| u.s."
us? Is it necessary for you to go?~
"I never allow my safe to be opened
! except by myself"
ION second thought, will keep my
! valuables locked in my trunk"
There was a faint reproach in the
glance she gave him and her tone.
Pardon me-" he said. IL would
trust you. but my housekeeper"-
You would not trust?"
Certainly. / would trust you both
but there is property in that safe that
doesn't belong to me. Would be jus.
titled in permitting any one. however
trustworthy. to go in there?''
His tone was growing more decided
Interests of state were asserting them.
selves.
"You would be a fool to do so. Here
is my box. l intrust it to your care"
A temptation came to him not to be
outdone in a matter of confidence. but
he resisted it. Taking the box, in
which there were only a few gems for
informal occasions. he went away and
placed 1t in his safe.
The next evening at dinner the young
widow was enhancing. She seemed
to be in a light, happy mood. She
told the story of how the host had re-
fused to permit her to visit his safe
without his being present and set all
the guests laughing by its humorous
telling The host laughed with the
rest, and had he not been coming un-
der a spell that would have ended the
matter. AS it was he WINGED. There
was underneath Mrs. Woods humot
a faint suspicion of ridicule. He tried
to excuse himself, but only got tangled
in his own excuses.
"Don't you think" said the lady to
the others. that Sir Bradford owes
me some reparation?'
All banteringly agreed that he did.
'sWall this is the last night OF our