Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-21

y know its rank trash-no good he
said honestly.
Now you've made new begin
ming You can eliminate art Why
don't you go into, the furniture bust
ness-design chairs and tables or sell
them-Or anything? You've got TO
start somewhere. you know" she
urged.
You don't know the disappoint-
ments I've had" he objected uncasily.
~ girl doesn't understand what it is
10 have to face n blank destiny-on an
empty stomach"
'You haven't anybody but yourself
to take care Of, and I'm ashamed Of
you. So there
Marcus EIdredge looked down at the
graceful form in his doorway. IT was
4 strange situation. lie who had been
isolated in the midst Of the great city,
friendlcSs and forsaken. seemed to
have found a friend in this eager. gray
eyed Cir: who. passing his doorway.
had CHARGED to see him rehearsing his
CovaTdly part in the little tragedy he
had determined to play that New
Years eve.
I'm ashamed Of myself" he said
suddenly q don't know what has
made me so blue unless He bit off
the words and evaded the questioning
Of her eyes.
It's getting late, and | must he GO
Ing. I wonder if you'd sell me that
revolver, I want 1t for Il certain pur-
pose" she said. ignoring his confusion.
He placed the weapon in her hand
without word. but as she dropped Il
into Il little bag at her waist and drew
out purse he waved it away
please do not No, shall get along
all right l understood why you bought
the revolver and 1 appreciate your del
icate kindness, only you must not let
me act more like a cad than l have
already done. l can get a Job as wait
er in some of the restaurants till after
New Years; then I'm going into the
furniture business-goiug to butt right
in. Wish me luck?'
4 do, most heartily" she said. hap
PLY holding out small sloved hand
for his Large clasp. Il know you'll
succeed, and hope you'll forgive my
presumption in speaking to you as I
mistake for the one on the floor above.
At the end Of the new year l shall
send for you to come to me, ami If you
want the revolver then you can have
it"
Il shall never forget your coming"
he said, bending low over her hand,
land 1 shall not fail to keep any ap-
pointment you may do me the honor to
make" An instant later the door
closed and she was gone.
by Jove! Think OF little slender
thing like that supporting herself"
calculated Marcus as he paced the
narrow confines of his room Then
look at great hulking brute like me!
1 make myself tired. Guess III look
up a waiter job this very night. No
time like New Years eve in Gotham
Filled with new courage for the fu-
ture, even though his cherished castle
of another life work had crumbed
about his ears. Marcus dug out his
suit case and left it with a convenient 4
uncle in the district, who at the same /
time permitted him to don rusty suit /
of evening clothes. At the first restau- |
rant into which he lodged he met a /
distracted head waiter. who gladly set .
him to work. and there was not a hap /
pier fellow in New York city that /
night than the hungry young man who /
courageously started on his new ca- /
reer by carrying delicious viands to I
and fro for his less hungry patrons.
Two days afterward Marcus got a
job with a furniture house He sold /
chairs and tables and other furniture
He succeeded so well in the work that
he was promoted to more responsible
nnSitinns- and finally ha was cant ONT