Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-25

claimed Lady Maud innocently, AFTER
moment. "T didn't know they im1-
tated rubies so we'll, though, of course,
I know nothing about it. II it were
not an impossiblity, should take 1t
for a real one"
$50 should l." assented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. It'll make pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall I have 1t mounted
for your
Thanks, awfully, but I think /
should like to keep 1t as it is for a
little while It's such a lovely color.
just as it is Thank you SO much!
DO tell me where you got it,"
"Oh, well, there was a sort OF a
traveller came to New York the other
day selling them what they call priv
ately. l guess he must be q Russian
or something, for he has a kind of an
ofH-look of your husband. only he
wears q beard and an eyeglass. 1t
must be about the eyes. Maybe the
forehead, too. He'll most likely turn
up in London one of these days to sell
this invention, or whatever it is"
Lady Maud said nothing to this, but
she took the stone from his hand.
looked at it some time with evident
admiration, and then set 1t down on
its bit of paper, upon a little table
by the end Of the sofa.
eff were you, 1 wouldn't leave IT
around much" observed Mr.. Van Torp
careIessly Somebody might take q
fancy to it. The color's attractive,
you see, and 1t looks like real"
'Oh. I'll be very careful Of Il, never
fear! can't ten you how much I
like it," She twisted It UP tightly IN
its bit of paper, rose to her feet, and
put Il away IN her writing table.
It'll be a sort of souvenir OF the old
Nickel Trust said her frieRd, watch
ing her with satisfaction.
Have you really sold out ali your
interest IN it?" she asked. sitting
down again; and now that she re-
turned to the question her tone showed
that she had not yet recovered from
her establishment
'"ThRt's what I've done. I always
told you I would, when I was ready.
Why do you look so surprised? Would
you rather hadn't"
Lady Maud shook her head and her
voice rippled deliciously as she an
sweTed:
81 can hardly imagine you without
the Nickel Trust that's all! What in
the world shall you do with your
self"
"Oh, various kinds Of things
think I'll get married. for one. Then
I'll take a rest and sort OF look
around. Maybe something will turn
up. I've concluded to win the Derby
next year-that's something anyway"
Rather! Have you thought of any
thing else?"
She laughed a little, but was grave
the next moment, for she knew him
much too we'll to believe that he had
taken such step out of caprice, or a
mere fancy for change. He noticed
the grave look and was silent for a
few moments.
The Derby's a side show" he said
ried, and want you to help me. VIII
you?"
Can II" asked Lady Maud, evas-
lively.
Yes, you can. and I believe there'n
be trouble unless you do
Who is she? Do 1 know herr She
was trying to put of the evil moment.
"Oh, yes. you know her quite well.
It's Nine. Cordova."
But she's engaged to Mons. Logo
theft"
81 don't care. mean to marry her
If she marries any one. He shan't
have her anyway"
But cannot deliberately help YOU
to break of her engagement! It's i'm
possible!"
See here" answered Mr. Van Torp.
you know that Greek. and you know
me. Which of us will make the best
husband for an English girl? That's
what Nine. Cordova is, after all. I
put it to you. If you were forced to
choose one of us yourself, which would
you take? That's the way to look at
it."
But Miss Dome is not forced to
take one of you"
She's going to be. It's the same.
Besides, said if Won't you answer
me?''
She's IN love with Mons. Logo
theft" said Lady Maud, rather desper-
ately.
rs she, now? I wonder. / don't
much think so myself. He's clever
and he's obstinate, and he's just made
her think she's in love, that's all. Any
how, that's not an answer to my ques-
ton. Other things being alike, if ahe
had to choose, which of US would be
the best husband for her ?-the better,
I mean. You taught me to say bet
ter didn't your"
Lady Maud tried to smile.
''Of two, yes" she answered. you
are forcing my hand, my dear friend"
she went on very gravely. You know
very well that trust you with all my
heart If it were possible to imagine
a case in which the safety of the
world could depend on my choosing
one Of you for my husband, you know
very we'll that / should take you,
though I never was the least little bit
in love with you, any more than you
ever were with me-"
Well. but if you would, she ought"
argued Mr.. Van Torp. It's for her