Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-29
train Jack accosted him sternIy

train Jack accosted him sternIy:
''See here, Tom." he said, miss Adel-
Ia is very nice. and you are lucky
man, but what do you mean by engag-
ing yourself to another girl only to de-
ceive her in the end?"
His friend turned with unexpected
anger. What you mean by that?'
he demanded.
THAT you have been making love to
a little dark haired girl" Jack per-
sisted.
Il certainly have not" Tom pro
tested hotly; don't even know any
one answering that description. May
be you know what you are talking
about. l don't"
You will have to excuse me from
being best man at your wedding, "
Jack said presently. 81 shall be too
busy to act"
''All right" his friend responded.
and they parted coldly.
But Jack Townsend walked brisizly
up the avenue. and the frown which
had formed between his brows van
ished, for it occurred to him suddenly,
that wherever the lone girl'' might be
she was now free. He recollected with
dismay that. though he had spoken
freely of his past, present and future
that memorial day upon the train, he
had neither learned the name nor des-
tination of the girl who had listened
so attentively, but as he made occa-
sional business trips to distant cities he
watched continually with a patient
hCpefulness for a glimpse of her face.
and IT was when returning from one
of these trips that the expected hap
pened.
He was leaning back YEARLY as the
car door was thrust open to admit a
laughing couple. The girl who came
first wore long white cloak, and the
face pceping from beneath the droOp-
ing plumes of her hat was the pr
quaint face of his little locket lady, and
the man who followed her down the
aisle, visibly shaking white rice from
his coat and hat as he came, was IN
mistakably-Tom!
They passed without recognition and
took an opposite seat. Inwardly rag
ing, Jack vainly tried TO solve the
mystery. Could it be possible that his
friend had fallen captive to the charms
of this demure maid and while still
betrothed to the fair Adella had mar
ried her the very night preceding
that named for his long planned wed
ding? This, under the circumstances,
seemed to be the only reasonable con-
clusion, and just as Jack reached 1t
Tom lee ned over and touched him on
the arm.
"Jack Townsend" he exclaimed de-
Hghtedly, all luminosity forgotten,
"come over here / want to introduce
you to a young lady"
There seemed to be no way Of escape,
so Townsend sulkily obeyed.
This is Adella's friend Miss Gren-
Vile" he heard Tom saying, and a be-
wildering, smiling vision seemed to
float uncertainty before him for mo-
ment.
Tom" he asked deliberately, "did
1 understand you to say Miss"
Certainly" his friend replied.
"Then I am going to ask favor"
Jack continued. "Go and lose yourself
some place, Tommy, until we reach
town. 1 wish a confidential talk with
Miss Grenville."
The obliging Tom rose with alac-
rity. "I'll be in the smoker" he called
back.
The girl raised her eyebrows in
mock surprise as Jack seated himself
at her side What a strange acting
person you are" she said.
when it comes to strange actions
he was beginning, and she had the
grace to blush.
81 hate explanations" she said; but
if you must know, Adella and / had
been visiting a mutual friend, and in
the hurry of departure she forgot her
jewelry. ] found it upon the dresser
after she had gone and decided that
the safest way to get it to her would
be to wear it myself. The journey
home was long and tiresome. 1 want
ed very much to talk to some nice
person. and, though / had never met
Tom. Adella speaks Of him continual
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