Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-19
6hilanthropist Howard Bedding"

philanthropist Howard Belding."
Shotwell was astonished. terror
stricken, that so long after he had
repented of his meanness the damage
had yet been done. He questioned his
Informer as to when the wedding was
expected to come off. but received no
satisfaction.
One desire now took possession Of
Shotwell-to reach America before Vir-
ginia Gwynne should full irrevoca-
bly, into the trap he himself had laid
for her. Making for Genoa, he found
n steamer about to sail for New York.
For two weeks he paced the deck.
looking out on the same watery waste
trying TO stife his Impotence. They
were the longest two weeks he had
ever known. But at last the voyage
was ended, and he FASTENED ashore.
his first object being to learn If Miss
Gwynne had married.
The wedding had not yet taken
place.
Shotwell wrote his former love a
note telling her that he had something
of great Importance to her welfare to
communicate to her and asking for an
interview. He received a brief reply
appointing the next afternoon at
o'clock at her house. The clock was
striking the hour when he mounted
the steps leading up to her home and
rang the bell. He was all Of a tremor
when he entered the drawing room,
where he had had many happy tete-a-
tetes with Miss Gwynne and where
he had parted with her in anger.
Presently she came in and stood with
her hand resting on the back of
chair He rose and stammered:
"Thank heaven 1 am not too late"
''For what?"
ITO save you from marrying man
whom you suppose to be a gentleman.
but who is really
Heavens
81 am here to make a confession On
the day left you felt much aggriev-
ed. I did that which, admit, was IN
worthy Of me. Seeing a man in rags
who was the perfect image OF Howard
Belding, 1 persuaded him to personate
that person to win your heart. But I
never intended that the matter should
go so far And, not hearing from my
man, in my cooler moments I con-
graduated myself that he had disap-
peared without taking any action"
Miss Gwynne stood for a moment as
If trying to recover from the blow;
then with one word, 'Waitp' she left
the room. In moment Shotweu
heard the ring of a telephone bell. he
remained where he was for some min
utes, when the front door opened and
Miss Gwynne entered with her fiance.
We've met again" said the man who
had come in to Shotwell. What have
you to say against meT
Shotwell was astonished at the mans
assurance.
You know what you are and OF the
bargain made with you" said Shot
well.
II know Of the bargain most assur-
eddy. AS to myself, 1 am Howard
Bedding. When you met me that day
l was endeavoring incog. to find out
the needs of the poor. was succor-
ing. l could best do this in the cos
tune of that region-rags. 1 have to
THANK you for being the means of my
winning lovely girl. 1 have never
told her till now of her own escape by
making known your contemplate con-
duct. Will you oblige me by vacating
these premisesf"
Shotwell stood for moment looking
at the man. wondering If there could
be truth in his assertion.
Prove what you say he said pres
entity.
The man turned to his affianced.
do you require proof?" he asked.
Proof? No. If that man said you
were Mr.. Belding l would require
proof that you were what he ssid you
were"
Then. sir. I see no reason for you
to interest yourself further in our az
fairs"
ShotweIl. covering. left them.