Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-11


odd voice
Excuse me, Miss Donne," he said,
swapping his words out I'm so CRATE
full that can't speak, that's all. It'll
be all right in a second"
A huge emotion had got hold of
him. She saw the red flush rise sud
denly above his collar, and then sink
back before it reached his cheeks.
and all at once he was very pale. But
not a muscle of his face moved, not a
line was drawn; only his sandy eye
lashes quivered a little. His hands
were thrust deep into the pockets OF
his jacket, but the fingers were mo-
tionless.
Margaret remembered how he had
told her more than once that she was
the only woman the world held for
him, and she had thought it was non
sense, rather vulgarly and clumsily
expressed by a man who was not
much better than an animal where
women were concerned
1t flashed upon her at last that what
he had said was literally true, that
she had misjudged an extraordinary
man altogether, as many people did,
and that she was indeed the only
woman in the whole world who could
master and dominate one whom many
feared and hated. and whom she had
herself once detested beyond words.
While these thoughts were disturb
ing her a little, Mr.. Van Torp recov-
cred himself; his features relaxed, his
hands came out Of his pockets, and
he slowly turned towards her.
II hope you don't think me rude"
he said awkwardly. 81 feel things a
good deal sometimes. though people
mightn't believe It."
They were still standing near to
gether. and not far from the door
through which Margaret had entered.
Its never rude to be grateful, even
for small things she answered
gently.
Her handsome head was a little
bent, and her eyes were turned to the
floor as she passed him going to the
door,
I'm going to see the manager Of
the hotel" she said. I'll be back d.
rectly"
mo, no. Please let me"
But she was gone, the door was
shut again, and Mr.. Van Torp was left
to his own very happy reflections for
a while.
Not for long, however. He was still
standing before the table staring at
the corn-howers and peoples without
consciously seeing them when he was
aware of the imposing presence of
Mrs. Rushmore, who had entered soft
ly during his reverie and was almost
at his elbow.
This is Mr.. Van Torp, 1 presume"
she said gravely. inclining her head.
81 am Mrs. Rushmore. You have per-
haps heard Miss Dome speak of me-"
I'm very pleased to meet you, Mrs.
Rushmore," said the American, bow
ing low i've often heard Miss
Dome speak of you with the greatest
gratitude and affection"
That's NICE" Mrs. Rushmore an
swered with gravity, and as she es-
tabIished herself on the sofa she In
dictated a chair not far from her.
It was only proper that Margaret
should always speak of her with az
lection and gratitude. Mr.. Van Torp
sat down on the chair to which she
had directed rather than invited him;
and he prepared to be bored to the
full extent of the bearable.
st had the pleasure of knowing Mr..
Rushmore," he said IN the proper
tone of mournfully retrospective ad-
miration. HE was sincerely lamented
by all our business men"
"Ae was assented the widow, as
she would have said amen IN church.
IN the right place, and with much the
same solemn intonation.
There was a moments pause, dur
ing which the millionaire was trying
to think of something else she might
like to hear, for she was Margaret's
friend. and he wished to make good
impression. He was therefore not pre-
pared to hear her speak again before
he did. and much less for the subject
of conversation she introduced at
once
you know our friend, Mons. Logo
theft, 1 believer" she inquired sud
denly.
why. certainly" answered Van
Torp, Frightening at once at the men
ton of his rival, and at once also
putting on his moral armor Of eau
tion. 81 know him quite we'll"
Indeed? Have you known many
Greeks. may I ask"
Tive met one or two in business,
Mrs. Rushmore, but 1 can't say I've
known any as well as Mr.. Logotheti."
you may think it strange that 1
should ask you about him at our first
meeting" said the good lady. but
I'm an American, and 1 cannot help
feeling that q fellow-countryman's
opinion of a foreigner is very valu-
able You are, I understand, an old
friend of Miss Donne's, though 1 have
not had the pleasure of meeting you
before, and you have probably heard
that she has made up her mind TO
marry Mons. Logotheti. am bound
to confess, as her dear mothers old
est friend. that I am very apprehen-
sive of the consequences. l have the
gravest apprehensions. Mr.. Van Torp."
Have you, really?" asked the mil
lionaire, with caution, but synpa-